Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER Commander James L. Burke Commander James Lawrence Burke was graduated from the City University of New York in June 1964 and received his commission from the Officer Candidate School in October of that year. Previous assignments in the destroyer force include: executive Officer, L'SS BRADLEY (EE-1041): Engineer Officer, USS RAMSEY (DEC-2); Communications and CIC Officer. USS GARCIA (DE— 1040); and Operations and Supply Officer, USS DARBY (DE-218). Additionally, he was Commanding Officer. USS ANTELOPE (PC—86) from 1971-1973 and served in the Republic of Vietnam as Officer in Charge of a Swift Boat from 1967-1968. Other assignments include tours ashore as Director of Training. Elect Combat Training Center Pacific and Aide and Elag Secretary to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan. Commander Burke attended the U.S. Naval Destroyer School and is a graduate of the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College. His military decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V , the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Commander Burke is married to the former Jane Margaret Brodahl of West Covina, California. They and their three sons, Jim Jr., John, and Michael, reside in Fletcher Hills.

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 The Ship’s Crest The colors blue and red are symbolic of loyalty and courage, attributes of Lt. Col. Leftwich who was killed in action in Vietnam. The areas of blue refer to the lowlands or delta areas of Vietnam and the yellow sections rising toward center allude to the highlands. The chevron-like shape, simulating a mountain, stands as a symbol of Lt. Col. Lcftwich's courageous effort during an emergency extraction by helicopter from enemy infested territory during which me met his death. The vertical band erfers to the numerical designation of the First Marine Division, the organization with which he served. The gold stars allude to the awards of the Legion of Merit, and the silver star in base to the posthumous award of the Silver Star Medal. The gold cross patty represents the award of the Navy Cross. The trident and dolphins arc symbolic of vigilance and maritime dominance. SHIP DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS Built by................................................................................Ingulls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries Pascagoula. Mississippi Keel Laid....................................................................12 November 1976 Christened..........................................................................27 May 1978 Commissioned ....................................................................25 August 1979 Sponsor ..........................................................Mrs. Jane (Leftwich) Michael Length...........................................................................Feet 4 Inches Beam .................................................................................$$ ccl Draft ................................................................................29 Feet Displacement .......................................................................7800 Tons Complement ............................................................................OFFICERS 9 Enlisted — 245 Speed................................................................................30+ Knots Armament ...................................Two 5 inch 54 Cal. Gun MOUNTS MK 112 ASROC Launcher NA TO Seasparrow Harpoon Aircraft ..........................................Ooc SH-3 or Two SH-2 Helicopters Propulsion...............................................Four General Electric LM 2500 Marine Gas Turbine Engines (Total - 80,000 Shaft Horsepower)

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COMMANDING OFFICER Commander Ronald Charles Berning Commander Ronald Charles Berning received his commission in June 1968 from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Commander Beming’s previous sea tours have included: Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, USS HOLLISTER (DD-788): Operations Officer, Pre-Commissioning Crew. USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (DD-788): Aide Flag Lieutenant on the staff of Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla THREE Cruiscr-Dcstroycr Group ONE; Commanding Officer, USS CALLUP (PC-85); and most recently. Executive Officer, USS BRISCOE (DD-977). His shore duty assignments have included being a student at U.S. Naval Destroyer School. Newport. Rhode Island in 1970 and a tour at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1977 to 1979 as a Scamanship Tactics Instructor and the Power Craft Coordinator, responsible for over 40 training craft. Prior to reporting to USS LEFTWICH (DD-984), Commander Berning served three years in Washington. D.C.. on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare) as the Surface Warfare Programs Officer in the Manpower and Training Requirements Division (OP-39). HIS military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V” and Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Commander Bcrning's home of record is Treasure Island. Florida. He is married to Barbara Jean Ray of Alexandria, Virginia. They have two children. Pete and Mary.