Galveston (CLG 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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CO U ICATIO Somewhat a newcomer to the GALVESTON, naval vessels are by no means new to LT Thomas. His arrival brings more than 15 years of naval service and experience on board. He began his naval career shortly after graduating from Marshall High School, Marshall, Texas, in 1947. During the 10 years that follow- ed, he served with various aviation electronics units in the CONUS and Pacific. In August, 1958, LT Thomas graduated from Officer Candidate School QOCSD, Newport, Rhode Island. His first duty assignment following his commission was the USS BRISTOL QDD-857j, out of Newport. Aboard BRISTOL for three years, he served as Communications Ofhcer, CIC Officer, Electronics Material Oflicer, and during his last year aboard, Gunnery Officer. Reporting to shore duty in September, 1961, LT Thomas returned to OCS, Newport. As an instructor in the Operations Department, he saw over 400 of his students graduate from OCS with commissions. On 11 October, 1963, LT Thomas reported aboard GALVESTON for duty as Communications Officer. In addition to performing duties as department head, he is a qualified Oflicer of the Deck Underway. LT Thomas and his wife, Vera, are the parents of two sons: Charles, eight years of age, and Lawrence, six. The Thomas family resides at 2882 Luna Avenue, San Diego, California. DEP RT E T

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CR Division The men of the CR Division operate the equip- ment and process the intelligence necessary to provide the ship and flag with instantaneous con- tact with any command in the Naval Establish- ment night and day, in port or at sea, they maintain communications with other ships, shore stations and aircraft. Behind the Exclusion Arean sign on the door to Radio Central is the nerve center of the ship. It is there that the shipboard communications equipment is coordinated to establish voice, radio- telegraph, and radioteletype circuits and to patch them to the many remote keying positions throughout the ship. This equipment includes the antennas located in the superstructure and the transmitters, receivers and associated gear in the five radio spaces scattered from the top of the missile house to the second deck forward. In addition to normal message traliic, the radiomen furnish hydrographic aids to navigation, weather information and facsimile weather maps. At sea, press broadcasts are copied to collect news for the GALVESTON STAR. With all this activity, the radiomen have still found time to distinguish themselves in the area of personnel improvement and advancement during the cruise. JOHNSON, Leroy Ir., RM3 was awarded the coveted COMCRUDESPAC Speed Key Certificate by Captain RUDDEN. This award is given for passing a test of sending and receiving code at the rate of 30 words per minute with accuracy. The work of the radiomen was varied and the hours were long but they have the satisfaction of knowing that they played a vital role in the success of GALVESTON during the cruise. S , x N L , Q4 Ns t. F , K X . ft U .- ' . Q vt V X V '- s' X tx X' I 113A

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fmsqg, - at Signal CS Division The Signal Bridge, located on the 04 level in the upper regions of the superstructure,is the nest of a strange group of birds who are called the Signal Gang or some- times the Skivvy Waversn. They have an alert watch on duty 24 hours a day in port or at sea, and their pri- mary job is to communicate with ships in visual range. One might look up from the main deck any time and see one of them Flapping his VVings,' in a seemingly wild and grotesque manner. He might or might not be hokhng alnighdy'cokned Hag nieach hand. But, if you look in the direction he is facing, you will usually see another bird watching him intently and then wav- ing wildly back in answer. This Skivvy VVaving is only one of the methods used to communicate with other ships. They also talk with the signal lights, yard-arm blinkers, and during multiship operations, they send vital signals by means of the signal hoists. The Signal Gang is led by LTIG DAVEY and Chief HUGHES. They operate two signal lights on second- ary conn, four lights on the signal bridge, two lights on the 05 level, and two 24 inch searchlights. During some of our operations, all of the signal lights are busy simultaneously. X 114A