La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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REAR ADMIRAL JOHN F. ADDAMS Commander Middle East Force Rear Admiral Addams was born in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and attended public schools in that city. Following graduation from Harvard University in 1952, he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was commissioned an Ensign in May 1952. He is a graduate of the Naval War College and has a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. Rear Admiral Addams has extensive service in cruisers and destroyers of both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. He served in the commissioning crews of USS WILLIAM V. PRATT (DLG 13) and USS JOUETT (CG 29). He commanded USS COCHRANE (DDG 21) and was awarded two Bronze Stars for his performance of duty during combat operations off the coast of Vietnam. He has also commanded Destroyer Squadrons FIVE and SEVEN and served on the staffs of Commander Destroyer Flotilla TWO and Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group EIGHT. Shore tours have included duty on the 4

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; was one,-of the largest and most expensive for A,. :-.l J ,L I With a coat of white paint to reflect the hot sun of the Middle East, LPD-3 became AGF-3 (Miscellaneous Command Ship) on July 1, 1972, and on August 24, she assumed her duties as COM1DEASTFOR flagship. The “Great White Ghost of the Arabian Coast,” as she is affectionately called by the crew, steamed an average of 55,000 miles annually, calling at ports in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. She also participated in annual naval exercises with allied nations in the area. In February 1979, LASALLE assisted in the evacuation of 260 American and foreign citizens from the Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas. The evacuees were shuttled by two British hydrographic ships to LASALLE, which was waiting off the Iranian Coast. The operation earned the ship and her crew the Humanitarian Service Medal. At the outset of the Iranian Hostage crisis in November 1979, LASALLE was the focal point of U.S. activity in, the Arabian Gulf. While on station off the coast of Iran, LASALLE was at sea from November 19, 1979 to January 23, 1980, a total of 74 consecutive days, Unit yplmendation pennant. . ’• (nation of fhe li J pstage Crisis, and the Iran-Iraq war which began during the .summer of 1980, brought about a dramatic increase in the command and support responsibilities wftich VHP placed upon jhe crew. For their efforts during those arduous contingency operations, 'tfre 'creto was awaVded the Navy Expiditionary Medal. In November 1980, LASALLE wa eliewed a flagship for by USS CORONADO (AGF 11). While returning IWHS TJmted States for the first time in over eight years, LASALLE’s crew rescued six Norwegian merchant mariners from their burning vessel, whi£h,was off the coast of Sardinia. Shortly after her arrival stateside in December 1980, LASALLE began an extenswj million overhaul at the PhiladelphiaJ Slin

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faculty of the Naval War College, in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Rear Admiral Addams was selected for promotion to his present rank in February 1981 and reported for duty as the Deputy Chief of Naval Education and Training in July 1981. On July 6, 1983, Rear Admiral Addams relieved Rear Admiral Charles E. Gurney III, as Commander Middle East Force. In addition to the Bronze Star, Rear Admiral Addams has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal, and various unit commendations and campaign medals. Rear Admiral Addams is married to the former Mary Ellen Waugh of Boston, Massachusetts. They have two married sons. 5