La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER MIDDLE EAST FORCE REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM J. CROWE, JR

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- Iw USS LA SALLE was commissioned on 22 February 1964 as LPD 3 (amphibious transport dock) She was dedicated by Mrs. Victor Longstreet and since that cold day in New York Naval Shipyard the LA SALLE has ventured far and wide across the oceans Her history is fitted with naval firsts and intriguing ports of call From 1964 to 1972 the LA SALLE served as flagship for various commands including Amphibious Squadron SIX and FOUR In the spring of 1972, the LA SALLE was converted to AGF 3 (miscellaneous command ship) and was selected to replace the USS VALCOUR as flagship of Commander Middle East Force The LA SALLE ' S illustrious history includes her being the recovery ship to recover the first Gemini space capsule. She is the only ship, and the first ship of her size, to ever return a space capsule to Cape Kennedy. She Is the first U S Naval ship of the line to launch and recover the British built vertical takeoff and landing jet fighter (VTOL) ' Harrier ' Another first includes the dedication of her flight deck as Rogers Field , an honor accorded the LA SALLE by Miss Ginger Rogers The LA SALLE is 521 feet in length with a beam of 84 feet. Her total displacement with a full load is 13,820 tons. When fully ballasted, her draft IS 23 feet aft. She has two boilers, steam turbines and twin screws producing a maximum speed of 21 knots with 24,000 shaft horsepower. In the LPD configuration, the LA SALLE is capable of carrying 700 combat ready troops with a maximum of 4,500 tons of cargo and supplies. The mam deck aft is the flight deck and is capable of landing helicopters as well as VTOL aircraft As an AGF the ship enables Commander Middle East Force to carry out its mission The LA SALLEs distinction of being forward deployed in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf allow her to be the only U S Naval combatant ship to be painted white The AGF 3 is the second ship in the Navy to bear the name LA SALLE The first LA SALLE was a World War served in the Pacific Theater of operations and earned distinction in extensive action troop transport, which Because duty on the LA SALLE is classified as a hardship tour, the length of duty is one-year In addition to supporting Commander Middle East Force Staff, the LA SALLE is often called upon to provide miscellaneous services to destroyers and other ships which are periodically deployed or touring the Middle East In the harsh environment of the Middle East, the LA SALLE is like an oasis for smaller ships, providing them with numerous services and facilities And so. we have our cruise book title. Oasis

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A Naval Academy graduate. Rear Admiral William J Crowe, Jr.. received his Baccalaureate degree with the Class of 1947 He also has a Master of Arts degree in Personnel Administration and training from Stanford University and both a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Political Science from Princeton Universtiy In addition, he has completed 50 hours in law at George Washington and Stanford Universities From 1954 to 1955 RAdm. Crowe served as assistant to the naval aide to the President. In 1958 he was assigned as aide and assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans and Policy). Office of the Chief of Naval Operations His first command was the submarine USS TROUT RAdm Crowe assumed command of Submarine Division 31 in 1966. In 1967, he became the head of East Asia and Pacific Branch. Politico-Military division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations This was followed by assignment as senior advisor to the Vietnamese Navy Riverine. Republic of Vietnam, He also served as director of the office for Micronesian status negotiations. Department of the Interior In 1973. he became rear admiral and was assigned as deputy director, strategic plans, for nuclear systems in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He served as director. East Asia and Pacific region. Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs). On 30 June 1976 RAdm. Crowe became Commander Middle East Force. Rear Admiral Crowe is married to the former Shirley Grennell of Okeene. Oklahoma. They have three children: Blake. Brent and Bambi. Rear Admiral Crowe has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star with Combat V , seven Air Medals, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Vietnamese Navy Distinguished Service Order and Gold Star.