Harry Yarnell (CG 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT CGMMANDER D.J. ALEXANDER

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COMMANDI G OFFICER CAPTAIN ROBERT E. GREER CAPTAIN ROBERT E. GREER was commissioned in 1956 upon graduation from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. His first ship assignment was in engineering in USS NORFOLK CDL-lj, the Navy's first 1200 psi ship. During this period, Norfolk also served as the prototype for several elec- tronic and ASW weapons systems. In November 1960, he was assigned as Engineer Officer in USS MAN LEY QDD-9405 and participated in the naval blockade of Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis. Joining the COMCRUDESLANT staff in 1963, Captain Greer served as assistant material officer and as the project officer for the introduction of PMS into LANTFLT surface combatants. In 1965, he joined USS WILLIAM H. STAN DLEY CCG-321, under construction at Bath, Maine, and served as Engineer Officer throughout construction and fleet introduction. In April 1967, he was reassigned as Execu- tive Officer in USS LUCE CDDG-381. Captain Greer graduat- ed from the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, Califor- nia in 1969. Following a year's intensive study of the Vietnam- ese language, he served a year and a half in Vietnam as Senior Advisor to RVN naval logistic support bases, supervising the repair, overhaul and maintenance of riverine craft. In recogni- tion of his service in Vietnam he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat NV . Returning from Vietnam in June 1973, Captain Greer was assigned to command USS NEW- MAN K. PERRY QDD-8831. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in NEWMAN K. PERRY. Captain Greer joined the CINCLANT staff in August 1975 as a senior examiner on the f1eet Propulsion Examining Board QPEBJ. This was followed by attendance at the Naval War College at Newport. Captain Greer joined reported to the Naval Sea Systems Command in January 1978 as Project Manager for the Steam Propulsion Plant Improvement Pro- gram QPMS-3011. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Meritorious Service medal for achievement in that tour. His last assignment was as Commander Surface Squadron TWO, homeported in Newport, Rhode Island. He concurrent- ly was the Northeast Representative for Commander, Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Captain Greer has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal fCubaJ, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars among several other service ribbons. Captain Greer is married to the former Nancy Lane Swift of Andover, Massa- ehusetts. They have four sons and four daughters.

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ADMIRAL HARRY E. YARNELL Harry Ervin Yarnell was born in Iowa, near Independence, on October 18, 1875. He attended country schools and the Independence High School, and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from the Third Iowa District in 1887. He was graduated with distinction, ranking fourth, in the class of 1897. He served at sea for two years as required by law before being commissioned as Ensign, U.S. Navy, on July 1, 1899. Subsequently he served aboard various vessels in the Asiatic Fleet during the Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebel- lion. Captain Yarnell commissioned the SARATOGA, on No- vember 16, 1927 and served as her commanding officer until September, 1928, when he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Engineering and Engineer in Chief of the U.S. Navy with the accompanying rank of Rear Admiral. In October 1936, he was designated Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet with the rank of Admiral. For his services as Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for which his citation states in part, He has shown such exceptional ability, courage, tact, and devotion to duty . .. that he deserves the nation's highest praise . . Y' Rear Admiral Yarnell was transferred to the retired list of the U.S. Navy in his permanent rank of Rear Admiral, and, on July 16, 1942, was advanced to the rank of Admiral in accor- dance with legislation. He was recalled to active duty during the period of emergency prior to the outbreak of World War II to serve in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy as Special Advisor to the Chinese Military Mission, and later in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, until relieved of all active duty in December 1944. He resided in Newport, Rhode Island until his death on July 2, 1959.