Ingersoll (DD 990) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS LCDR L. Mac VEHSLAGE LCDR Vehslage came aboard during the 1988 cruise. He was relieved in June 1990. Best wishes and enjoy your shore duty! LCDR W. J. MICKLER LCDR Mickler relieved during our last port visit in Bahrain. He and his fannily come to us from shore duty in Illinois. relieve you, sir!

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COMMANDING OFFICER USS INGERSOLL (DD 990) COMMANDER JOSEPH F. DRISCOLL, JR UNITED STATES NAVY Commander Joseph Francis Driscoll, Jr., born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 25, 1950, was raised in the suburb of Sharon, Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign on June 7, 1972. His first tour of duty was aboard USS KANSAS CITY (AOR 3), serving first as Communica- tions Officer, and later as Operations Officer. In March of 1975 he reported aboard USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14) as Missile Fire Control Officer. Following completion of the Surface Warfare Department Head Course in Newport, Rhode Island, Commander Driscoll became Weapons Officer aboard USS HOEL (DDG 13) serving from December 1977-February 1980. In March of 1980 he reported aboard USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST 1195) as Engineer Officer. Commander Driscoll served ashore in the Surface Junior Officer Assignment Branch of the Naval Military Personnel Command, Washington, DC from January 1982 through September 1984. Returning to sea duty in January 1985, Commander Driscoll ' s next assignment was Executive Officer aboard USS JOHN YOUNG (DD 973). Subsequently he reported in December 1986 to his most recent assignment as Chief Staff Officer on the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven. Commander Driscoll assumed command of USS INGERSOLL on January 6, 1989 in ceremonies at Pearl Harbor. Commander Driscoll ' s decorations inclu de the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), various unit and campaign awards. Commander Driscoll is married to the former Margaret Mary Barry of Ogdensburg, New York. They have two sons, Joseph Francis III and Thomas Patrick.

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I f INGERSOLL ' s Christening, 26 May 1979, Pascagoula, Mississippi ADMIRAL ROYAL E INGERSOLL Front row, left to right; Maid of Honor, Miss Grace Helen, Earle Ingersoll, Congressman Trent Lott, Proxy Sponsor, Mrs. Grace Al- lice Ingersoll Nagle Back row, left to right: RADM Thompson, Mr. Leonard Erb, Vice President, President Ingalls Shipbuilding Division USS INGERSOLL (DD 990)- KNOWN BY THE RESULTS A christening marks the birth of a new ship, and the commissioning marks the acceptance of a ship as a vessel in the operating forces of the U. S. Navy. At the moment of breaking the commissioning pennant, USS INGERSOLL (DD 990) became the responsibility of the Commanding Officer. The commissioning pennant is believed to date from the 17th century when the Dutch were at war with the English. The Dutch Admiral, Maarten Harpetzoon Tromp, hoisted a broom at his masthead to indicate his intentions to sweep the English from the sea. This gesture was answered by the English Admiral who hoisted a horsewhip, indicating his intentions to subdue the Dutch. The English were victorious, and ever since the narrow coachwhip pennant has been adopted by all nations as a distinctive mark of a ship of war. Named after ADM Royal Eason Ingersoll, the ship celebrated its tenth year anniversary while operating in the Persian Gulf. ADM Ingersoll, USNA Class of 1905, had a brilliant career. Serving in and commanding numerous warships, ADM Ingersoll represented the Navy at the London Naval Conference (1935-36), which was concerned with the treaty limiting naval armament. In January 1942, ADM Ingersoll was designated Commander-in-Chief. U. S. Atlantic Fleet and organized the thousands of ships and men required to ensure successful landings in North Africa. ADM Ingersoll is also credited with whipping the U-boat menace and solving the vast logistics required to keep men and material going to Europe. He retired in August 1946 and remained active in naval affairs until his death in May, 1976. ADM Ingersoll would be proud of the USS INGERSOLL (DD 990). The ship has deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf four times, USS INGERSOLL (DD 990), with Commander SEVENTH Fleet embarked, represented the U.S. in the Australian International Bicentennial Naval Review in Sydney Harbor in Oct 88. This impressive at sea pass in review involved 60 ships from 15 countries rendering honors to members of the British Royal Family. The ship hosted the Chinese warship ZHENG HE during China ' s historic first ever warship port call to a western nation. During our current deployment, INGERSOLL provided escort protection to U. S. flagged merchants in the Persian Gulf and Straits of Hormuz. The INGERSOLL has earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, four Sea Service deployment ribbons and the Meritorious Unit Citation in her fleet service. The ship, after commissioning, was homeported in San Diego, CA, until 1987 when it moved to its current homeport of Pearl Harbor, HI. A ship is much more than just steel, guns and missiles. It takes people to make her tick and give the ship its traditions. For ten years and counting the sailors of the USS INGERSOLL (DD 990) are continuing in the proud tradition of nautical service to the country.