Fort Fisher (LSD 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIPS HISTORY The history of USS FORT FISHER actually begins in the early 1860's. The ship was named for the Confederate strong hold Fort Fisher, North Carolina, which stood at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, guarding the last major Confederate port to be closed by Union Forces. The naming of an amphibious ship after this fort is especially appropriate in that it was the most extensive land-naval battle of the Civil war. The ship which bears the name FORT FISHER was built in General Dynamic Naval Shipyard, Quincy Massachusetts. Her keel was-laid on July 1970, she was christened on 22 April 1972, and commissioned on 9 December 1972. ' USS FORT FISHER left the Boston area on 2 February 1973 and by way of Panama Canal reached her homeport of Long Beach, California. From April to August, she under went extensive training and participated in a Midshipmen cruise to the Far East. On 15 August 1973, FORT FISHER's homeport became San Diego, California. From January to July 1974 the ship made her first extended deployment as a unit of the Amphibious Forces, United States Pacific Fleet. A . V I FORT FISHER was deployed overseas again from October 1975 to May 1976. In October 1976 she entered Todd Shipyard in San Pedro, California for Overhaul. After extensive repairs and maintenance, FORT FISHER prepared for her third extended cruise to the Western Pacific. From September 1977, until April 1978 the ship operated as a unit of the Seventh Fleet, visiting such ports as Singapore, Yokosuka, Japan, Pusan, Republic of Korea, and Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, as well as participating in several amphibious exercises both in the Western and Middle Pacific. In February 1981 she entered Triple A Shipyard at Hunters point in San Francisco, California for overhaul. After completing extensive repairs and maintenance in September 1981 she prepared for her fifth deployment in the Western pacific. From August 1982 to February 1983, FORT FISHER was assigned to Amphibious Forces, Seventh Fleet as a member of the Special Operating Group. USS FORT FISHER's versatility has resulted in a variety of unique assignments. A whale was once transported from San Diego to Long Beach in the well deck for a marine exhibit. In early 1978, she patrolled off South Vietnam to rescue a U.S. Yacht that had been temporarily held by the North Vietnamese. In September -1977, on her way to the Western Pacific, USS FORT FISHER transported heavy construction equipment for rehabilitation of Eniwetok Atoll, which had earlier been the site for atomic bomb testing. A

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cuz'-IJZDPZZQQ O F F 1 C E R CDR R. C. WILLIAMS III Commander Richard C. Williams III from Atlanta, Georgia, received his commission in June 1965 upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Engineering. In addition, he received an M.A. degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. A Commander Williams' first sea tour was as Main Propulsion Assistant on the USS ARNOLD J. ISABELL CDD-8691. This tour was followed by his attendance at the Naval Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island, which was followed by an assignment as Weapons Officer on the USS VESOLLE CDD-8781. ,Additional sea tours included assignments as Executive Officer of the USS GRANT COUNTY CLST-11741, as Engineer Officer on the USS NEW ORLEANS CLPH-llj and Executive Officer of the USS CAYUGA CLST-11861. Commander Williams, shore assignment include a tour on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations COP-9835 from 1972-1975. He reported to USS FORT FISHER from the staff of the Chief of Staff, where he served as military representative to Operations Center at the Department of State. . C Among Commander Williams, decorations is the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. In addition, he wears various campaign and service medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Commander Williams is married to the former Susanne Dames from Arnsberg, West Germany. They now reside in Coronado, California. .. - . - .- . .,,,,,-. ..,V.4..1.'. ..,....: ,-- i I.- g .... .- ,:4y...,1-n.z.'.,. ,s..:.x-:.,,5,. . n-Aran1.14.,yi.u,.4--.w,Vasa-.1-e.:-,.-,.,....K..u-...-..,..,.--, .......,.. '..,,.--.1.-...-.., . . ., . ..,.-. - , ... . . . . .. -