Hooper (DE 1026) - Naval Cruise Book

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the Hooper departed for the Western Pacific. Upon returning to San Diego in June 1963, Hooper started a retraining cycle in preparation for her expected tour of duty in WESTPAC to commence 19 June 1964. During this training period, she received her fourth Commanding Officer, LCDR John W. Walden, USN. Upon returning from the Western Pacific on 16 December 1964 the Hooper began a rest, recre- ation and local operations period that continued un- til she entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard in July 1965. During this period, LCDRC. E. Gumey, USN relieved LCDR Walden as Commanding Officer. It was ako during this period that an enclosed bridge, Drone Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter hanger and related equipment and advanced electronic counter measures warfare gear were installed . After the yard period. Hooper began an intensive training period preparing for its sixth deplo)Tnent to the Western Pa- cific. After completing a seven months cruise she was awarded the Battle Efficiency E for overall excellence, and her fourth consecutive award for outstanding performance in ASW during the previous competitive period. In October 1966 LCDR Gumey was relieved by LCDR Francisco Antonio Velzaquez-Suarez, USN. Upon completion of a restricted yard availability and DASH qualifications Hooper deployed again to the Western Pacific.

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THE HISTORY OF THE HOOPER ts» sb» ■»• :i ' HOOPER was built by the Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation at San Francisco, California. The keel was laid on 4 January 1956; she was launched on 1 August 1957 and placed in commission on 18 March 1958 by her first Commanding Officer, LCDR John K. Leslie, USN. After a shakedown cruise and intensive shake- down training, designed to mold the ship and her crew into an efficient fighting unit of the U. S. Pa- cific Fleet, the Hooper departed for the Western Pa- cific. The ship returned to San Diego in April 1959 and conducted local training operations until her de- parture for a second tour of duty in the Far East in January 1960. It was during this period that LCDR T. J. Quarton, USN relieved LCDR Leslie as Com- manding Officer. Upon returning to San Diego after her second WESTPAC cruise, she entered the National Steel and Ship Building Company Shipyard for her first overhaul. Following this overhaul. Hooper went through refresher training and then departed for the Far East in March 1961. She returned in September, a high- ly qualified anti-submarine vessel. Prior to her second major overhaul, LCDR Quarton turned over command to LCDR T. J. WeUs, USN. In March 1962, the Hooper returned to San Francisco for an- other overhaul. During this period many significant changes were made, including the addition of a he- licopter flight deck and new electronic gear for de- tecting submarines. Again, after extensive training •f ,- m

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COMMANDING OFFICER LCDR FRANCISCO ANTHONY VELAZQUEZ-SUAREZ, USN LCDR Francisco A. Velazquez-Suarez was born on May 11, 1931 in Tallaboa, Penuelas, Puerto Rico. After attending the University of Puerto Rico he entered the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation in 1953 he was ordered aboard USS CAVALIER (APA-37) where he served as Boat Group Commander. Since then he has served aboard various destroyer-type ships as well as in various ASVV staff and shore billets. He has served as Gunnery and ASVV Officer in USS BENHAM (DD-796), Operations Officer in USS MAS- SEY (DD-778) and USS BEAL (DD-471), Exchange Instructor for ASW in HMS VERNON and as Executive Officer or USS LEARY (DD-879). LCDR Suarez has also served as Operations Officer with the DESRON 36 staff and comes to the HOOPER from the staff of the Director of Anti-Submarine Warfare Programs. He is authorized to wear the American Defense Medal with a star, Korean Service Medal, United Na- tions Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for duty in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. LCDR and Mrs. Suarez, the former Alice Hendrick- sen of Des Moines, Iowa, are the patents of two daughters, Dina Renee and Michelle, and three sons, Antonio, Ricardo, and Carlos Juan. They reside at 3260 San Carlos Drive, Spring Valley, California.