Francis Marion (LPA 249) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER BURTON B. WITHAM, JR., USN Commander Burton B. WITHAM, Jr. , U. S. NAVY, was born at Portland, Maine on the I8th of March 1923. He entered the naval service as a student in the naval reserve officers training course on September 19, 1942. Commander WITHAM attended Northeastern University and Harvard University. Commander WITHAM received his commission as an Ensign on February 8, 1945. He subsequently served at the following duty stations: Explosive Investigation Officer, U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot, Balboa, Canal Zone; Staff Officer, Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Gunnery Officer, USS HARRY F. BAUER (DM-26); Gunnery Officer, USS VAN VALKENBERG (DD-656); Commanding Officer, USS LST 822; Staff, General Line School, Monterey, California; Commanding Officer, USS BOLD (MSO-424); Commander Mine Division 82; Director of Enlisted Training, Fleet Sonar School. Key West, Florida. Commander WITHAM ' S naval honors include: American Theatre, World War n Victory, World War II European Occupation, National Defense, United Nations Service Medal, and Korean Theatre with 2 stars. Commander and Mrs. WTTHAM are both very active in community affairs and Mrs. WITHAM was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for her years of work in Navy Relief. Commander WITHAM is a ham radio operator and has received several commendations from the state of Florida for his radio assistance during hurricanes Gracie and Donna. Commander WITHAM ' S civic organizations include: Temple 86, AF AM, Westbrook, Maine; Eagle Chapter, Ram, Westbrook, Maine; and past President, Key West Chapter, National Sojourners. Commander WITHAM is married to the former Caroline Milliken of Portland, Maine and has two daughters; Anne, age 16 and Mary, age 12. Commander WITHAM and his family are presently residing in the Princess Anne Plaza section of Norfolk, Virginia.

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COMMANDING OFFICER 29 JULY 1963 CAPTAIN RAYMOND M. HARRIS, USN Captain Raymond M. HARRIS, United States Navy was commissioned in the Navy in December 1940 as an Ensign from the Northwestern University ' s Midshipmen ' s School at Chicago, Illinois. A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, he was a member of the N. R. O. T. C. program prior to his appointment. Captain HARRIS served at the following duty stations and on the following ships: USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38); USS BREMERTON (CA-I30); Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington. D. C. ; Student, General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island; Executive Officer, USS DENNIS J. BUCK- LEY (DDR-808); Bureau of Naval Personnel, Enlisted Discipline Section, Washington, D. C. ; Commanding Officer, USS BOYD (DD-544); Executive and Commanding Officer, Fleet Air Defense Training Center, Virginia Beach, Va. ; Executive Officer, USS BREMERTON (CA-1 30); Commander Destroyer Division 132; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Head, Navy Strategic Plans Sec- tion, (Op-605C); Washington, D. C. ; Commanding Officer, USS FRANCIS MARION (APA-249). Captain HARRIS holds the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, Navy Unit Citation, Navy Occupation, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Asiatic Pacific (9 stars), China Service (extended), European Theater, American Defense with one star, Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars Captain HARRIS is married to the former Miss Francis E. SPEARS of San Bernadino, California, and they currently reside in Norfolk, Virginia with their teenage son.

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DEPARTMENT HEADS LCDR D. W. ANDERSON Operations Officer LT William W, WERNDLI 1st Lieutenant LCDR James B. RARIEY, Jr Supplj ' Officer LT Edwin F. WOOLARD Engineering Officer LT Pearce C. RAY Communications Officer ENS Luke F. MAYER Navi gator LT Norman WALL Medical Officer LCDR Robert G. THOMPSON Dental Officer