Helena (CA 75) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMSEVENTHFLT JANUARY 1 957-SEPTEMBER 1958 Vice Admiral Wallace Morris Beakley was born in Vineland, New Jersey, on January 20, 1903, attending local schools before receiving an appoint- ment to the United States Naval Academy. Winning letters in two sports, he was commissioned an Ensign in the Class of 1924. After two sea duty stations, he was ordered to the Naval Air Station for flight training, becoming a Naval aviator on November 24, 1926. Service with a number of squadrons followed shortly thereafter. Later, he attended the Postgraduate School at Annapolis, Maryland, and the Cali- fornia Institute of Technology, where he received a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. During World War II, VADM BEAKLEY served in many important positions, beginning as Commander of the Air Group of the carrier USS WASP, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. An assignment followed on the stafF of Commander Air Force, Pacific, for which he received the Legion of Merit for his excellence in tactics, aiding immeasurably in the victories on Marcus and Tarawa Islands. He later assumed command of the USS BLOCK ISLAND, whch steamed in o Formosa to liberate 1200 Allied personnel from prison camps. After varied duties, including com- mand of USS MIDWAY and Commander, Anti-Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, VADM Beakley assumed com- mand of U.S. SEVENTH Fleet in January, 1957. Relieved in September, 1958, he now serves as a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. VADM Beakley is married to the former Ruth Millette. Their home is in Washington, D.C.

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SHIPS HISTORY U.S.S. HELENA (CA-75) is a heavy cruiser of the Baltimore class. Named after the capital city of the State of Montana, she is the third ship to bear the famous name, carrying on a tradition that began over sixty years ago. The first HELENA was a gunboat built in the years 1894-96. This l400-tcn vessel has a record of more than thirty years of distinguished service, highlighted by her participation in the Spanish-American War and Philippine Campaign. SS; was given a well-earned discharge from her country ' s force, and her name was stricken from the Navy Register in 1932. The second HELENA, a light cruiser, was launched in 1939. She received damages in the Pearl Harbor attack, but returned to a very active and successful year of trading blows with the Japanese fleet in the South Pacific. • ' . ' . ' In 1943, she valiantly sailed down the restricted and sub- marine-infested waters of Kula Gulf under the terrific torpedo and gun fire of the enemy. Her blazing guns aided in the destruc- tion of a vastly superior enemy naval force before she was fatally struck by a Japanese torpedo. Sunk on July 7, 1943, she had blazed a trail which led her to win, posthumously, the Navy Unit Commendation for service of outstanding heroism in action against the enemy. After the present HELENA ' S launching on April 28, 1945, she embarked upon a shakedown cruise through the Caribbean Sec and then continued on a good will cruise that carried her around the globe. In 1948, HELENA was designat- ed as Flagship for Cruiser Divi- sion Three and, soon afterward, steamed for the Far East. In the some year, HELENA was awarded the coveted Navy Battle Efficiency Award and the Morjorie Sterrett Bnttleship Award for the Best Cruiser in the Navy. When the Korean conflict broke out, HELENA had only recently returned to th? United States. Quickly replenished and renrmed, she was ordered to support United Nations Forces. As a unit of Task Force 77. HELENA clob- bered the enemy, receiving only a minor direct hit from the enemy shore batteries of Wonsan. After the Korean war, HELENA continued her duties in the Far East and soon became Flagship for Commander SEVENTH Fleet. A tradition of outstanding service and gallant battle has been hand- ed down through the years with the proud name of HELENA. In recent years, this has been upheld and strengthened so that this mighty ship ' s reputation remains one of smartness a reputation dear to each of the many men who call HELENA my ship.

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COMSEVENTHFLT Vice Admiral Frederick Norman Kivetfe woi born on July 7, 1902, in Boise, Idaho. Appointed to the U.S Noval Acodemy in 192), he graduatec and was commissioned Ensign on June 4, 1925. Upon being designatec Navel Aviotor in April, 1928, h« served with naval aviation unit; ashore and afloat, ossuming his flrsl sea command as Commanding Officer USS WILLIAMSON in January, 1941 For meritorious service as skippei of this seaplane tender, VADM Kivett« was awarded the Bronze Star will- Combat Distinguishing Device following the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Leaving WILLIAMSON in July, 1942 he served with several other command; during the remainder of the war taking command of the escort carrier USS HOGGATT BAY in Februory, 1946 Since the war. Admiral Kivette has held commands in both the Atlantic and Pociflc fleets as well as serving on staffs of senior comanders in both fleets. From July, 1954, until Novem- ber, 1955, he was Commander, Formosa Patrol, leoving to become Chief of Staff, Joint Stoff, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pociflc Fleet. VADM Kivette was relieved as Ai- sistont Chief of Naval Operations (Air) to ossume command of the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet. In addition to the Bronze Star, he holds the American Defense Service Mjdal, Fleet Clasp: Americon Campaign Medal ; Asiatic- Pacific Campoign Medal ; World War II Victory Medal ; Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp ; and the Notional Defense Service Medol. His official address is Boise, Idaho. He is married to the former Mist Elizabeth Clapp of San Francisco, California. They hove one son, F.N. Kivette, Jr., who is an officer in the Naval Reserve.