Leyte Gulf (CG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 120 of the 1993 volume:

av - K1. _- - Mii:duZr ' ' ' .m ' USSLEYTEGULR MED 1-93 7 OCT 92-7 APR 93 LEYTE GULF BATTLE HISTORY The Battle of Leyte Gulf 22-26 October 1944 LEYTE GULF commemorates the largest naval battle in modern history, fought 23-26 October 1944 in the Philippines, virtually ending the Japanese Navy ' s capacity to fight as an organized force. The battle marked the end of centuries of naval warfare tradition in that is was the last sea bat- tle between forces employing battleships. It also marked the last time surface ships employed the classic maneuver of crossing the T, when the Japanese ships attempted to enter the Gulf through Surigao Strait early on 23 October. The battle was showcased by three separate primary engagements. The Battle of Surigao Straits, the Battle off Samar Island, and the Battle of Cape Engano. Called the last of the great sea battles, the Battle of Leyte Gulf used every known weapon of naval war, except mines, and in sheer destruction the battle has no rival in naval history. The battle was noteworthy in another sense in that it saw the first attacks by Kamikaze planes, when, on 25 October, five planes swooped down upon escort carriers on the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The kamikazes might justifiably be considered the forerunners of modern cruise missiles and, therefore, form the historical rationale for anti-air missile systems. Thus, the genesis of the AEGIS Weapon System has its root in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. No previous U.S. Navy ship has borne this name although three prior Navy ships carried the name LEYTE to sea. SHIP ' S COAT OF ARMS The diving wings with trailing flames represent the Kamikazes which first appeared in the Bat- tle of Leyte Gulf and which were the forerunners of the anti-ship missiles against which the AE- GIS system was designed. The crossed Big Guns represent the battleships which at the Battle of Leyte Gulf culminated centuries of naval tradition in the last battle at sea of great ships of the line. The red and white rays allude to the WW II Japanese Naval Ensign descending into the wavy blue bar of the sea as the Battle of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Japanese Navy as a coherent fighting force. The tropical location of the battle is symbolized by the palm wreath which is also symbolic of victory. The blue, white and gold colors on the shield are traditionally associated with the Navy and are symbolic of the sea and excellence. The anchors combined with the sword represent naval sea power, plus the sword crossing the taut anchor line alludes to the classic naval battle maneuver called crossing the ' T ' last used in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The upright position of the sword also refers to the vertical launching missile system in CG 55. The red wavy bar is in memory of the gallant men who went down in a blood red sea at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The three stars represent the three component Battles of Leyte Gulf — Surigao Straits, Samar, and Cape Engano. The motto Arrayed for Victory refers to the full array of sea power that fought the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It also alludes to the phased array radar in the AEGIS system and towed sonar system LEYTE GULF deploys against submarines. LEYTE GULF HISTORY USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) is the ninth AEGIS class guided missile cruiser. The Aegis Combat System is a computerized, quick reaction air defense system which provides extraordinary capabilities against attacking aircraft and missiles. The heart of the AEGIS system is the SPY radar which automatically de- tects and tracks virtually every- thing that is flying out to beyond 200 miles. LEYTE GULF also has the most advanced underw ater sur- veillance system available today. The trio of antisubmarine warfare equipment consists of a hull mounted sonar, a towed array so- nar, and embarked Light Airborne Multi-purpose System (LAMPS MKIII) helicopters. LEYTE GULF projects power ashore with long range TOMAHAWK cruise mis- siles fired from the vertical launch- ing system (VLS) and engages air, surface, and shore targets with 5 54 caliber guns. The ship is built on a Spruance class destroyer hull design and is propelled by four gas turbine engines capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship ' s keel was laid 1 March 1985 at Ingall ' s Shipyard in Pasca- goula, Mississippi, and christened LEYTE GULF on 11 October 1986 by Mrs. Jane Hays, wife of then Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command, Admiral Ronald J. Hays. One year later, 26 Septem- ber 1987, Admiral Hays placed USS LEYTE GULF into commissioned service during ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the next several months America ' s Battle Cruiser tested the entire combat system in the Caribbean, highlighted by several live missile and torpedo firings and final certification of the ship ' s combat system. In March of 1988, LEYTE GULF was chosen as the test platform for the Navy ' s latest version of the Standard surface-to-air missile, the SM2 Block Mi. The ship conducted numerous successful test firings in the Caribbean. LEYTE GULF com- peted the testing in July, conclu- sively proving the viability of the new missile. In August 1988, only eleven months after commissioning, LEYTE GULF took her firepower to sea in her first battlegroup exer- cise, TEAMWORK ' 88. The exer- cise was conducted in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Fjords and took LEYTE GULF north of the Arctic Circle. From January to June 1989, LEYTE GULF deployed to the Mediterranean to serve as Anti-Air Warfare Commander for Battle Force Sixth Fleet. This maiden de- ployment marked a number of other firsts. LEYTE GULF was the first ship equipped with the verti- cal launching system to deploy to the Med. She was also the first At- lantic Fleet AEGIS Cruiser to de- ploy with the towed array sonar and the LAMPS MKIII helicopter. From February to April 1990 the ship completed a Selected Restric- tive Availability which included several upgrades to the engineer- ing plant and combat system. In May, following an ammunition on- load in Charleston, LEYTE GULF served as flagship for RADM Nick Gee, COMCRUDESGRU EIGHT for a US German Navy missile ex- ercise in the Caribbean. America ' s Battle Cruiser was formally adopted by the Broward County Navy League during cere- monies in Fort Lauderdale on De- cember 1st, 1990. This adoption ceremony cemented the bond be- tween the ship and this group of strong navy supporters that began during the commissioning process. LEYTE GULF departed on de- ployment 28 December 1990 en- route to the Persian Gulf and participation in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Stornn. After connpleting the southern transit of the Suez Canal, LEYTE GULF and THEODORE ROOSEVELT sprinted ahead at top speed for several days arriving in the Persian Gulf January 19th. During the war, LEYTE GULF launched Tomahawk cruise missiles against Iraq and served as local Anti-Air Warfare Commander for a four aircraft carrier battle force. Following the UN cease fire with Iraq, LEYTE GULF moved from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea in March to participate in Maritime Interception Force operations. The ship boarded and inspected 19 vessels enroute from and to Aqaba, Jordan. LEYTE GULF returned home to Mayport, FL,28 June 1991. From February to May of 1992, LEYTE GULF con- ducted a dry-docked Selective Restricted Availability in Boston, MA during which hundreds of jobs were com- pleted by General Ship Corporation and Ships Interme- diate Maintenance Activity, Newport. To workup for deployment MED 1-93, LEYTE GULF participated in COMPTUEX and Tail Proficiency Training during July and August and finally conducted Fleet Exer- cises with the JOHN F. KENNEDY Battlegroup in Sep- tember. On 7 October 1992, LEYTE GULF deployed to the Mediterranean. FllltH MEQJ-93 . Trin s ' 1° ' im, ' ' ' u; ' ;;;y ' ' ' ► ■ ■ n PHkurb ' in,,, li I ffc agl -Genoa f , BologojJ .Rj enna ,( uTan horli • R,mmi ■- ZaapK:, , . ♦Pi ' .toia ' tJAN MARINO -i V V VATICAN cirr , ROME (Roma) ' € ' ! (jVqjIO E(NapolU 1 -V£.l gR .HO 02 Nov-06 Nov Tribste, Italy ( - 09NovM4oJ ov mhens p-eete 17 lsiov-21 ' NteVo The alonlki, Gr|fs e g 3 ' Nov-24 Nov ° ' 9iAu usta Bay, K y ov-27 Nov Valettarf aita t 02 60-06 Dec Tangier, Moroccol 21 De°fc-04 Jan Toulon ' ; France 15 Jan-17 Jan N af)Tes, Italy r-,„n„,„ 08Feb-10Feb oBizerte, Tunisia 13 Feb-17 Feb Cagiiari, Italy 12 Mar-23 Mar Naples, Italy 27 Mar-2;8 Mar Rota, Spain £0° ou i«n ;SS ' M ' ! r;;.c: iombttibdy H U 1 ' Suiiio ' d Sick agreb OiiiWt Vv ' . - .fi Vato i ' 4. J Stl -To ' J onte Sont ' Afigelo [ Barleita ' if- MoJfetla jria UuioTar to lJ ' - Se ° ' ' Tlight deck evofutiqri 2« ov Alr Controller intercepts;,9 Refqelings at sea: 22 Fuel consumption! 3,907,134 Gallons I I ' Mail Sent: 10 Tons . Mail Received: 40 Tons ., j (Ceneral Quart ers DriH«;f24 Rounds- ' Of ' Aitimuniticri 0 pertd%cfr 36 Valu ,of Xood Cj5r1suxt ed; $299,871.0 V i- ' f i. ' )Lp i X n ume d : . 1 94 pouwls ' ,., l pt dogs eat eh: 2,337 poufi ' ds ' ; Sjjijjes of piz2a: 6jl996 s cjf eggs con mea: 9, Brindisi -.vuio, ' ' ' . .. ' ftle ' rtbt iifc;e se «iW ' 0 , ArtCj . -r is . - N -reV N ' (TolW ' I c 1  ' PLATEAU .A iSSf°« -° ,. f V  1 W- ' f ' e . iD R T 1 ;:«! '   ■ ' ,r,p ' i J t§K A feeding frenzy in Augusta Bay Seaman Mangum Sewing? Refueling Proud Warrior 423 Master Chief Salazar Ensign Scott Shepard eyes his approach EM3 Wardlaw, GiMJ Aurandt and GSM3 Fer- nandes prepare a Bigfoot pizza for the Chief ' s Moss. BM1 Lamonica on a fishin with SN Bolinger. g trip What ' s that about night vision? ' j QM2 Franklin is ready for the tanning booth. LTJC Smith reads before bed. iTx r W I H V: ' ' A F W The Smash and Crash team. ,-V BATTLE FORCE, SIXTH FLEET jr-Oi itfai irK; .VJ r ; .Ti ' : ' :r-: . r - NIRIIS ' 92 LEYTE GULF participated in a unilateral exercise with the Hellenic Navy of Greece from 9-20 November. Naval ships from France, Spain, Italy, and Great Britain conducted the exercise in the Aegean Sea improving coordination and communications between friendly nations. The exercise lent itself to some unique port visits for the men of LEYTE GULF. Athens was the first stop followed by Voios and finally Thessaloniki. AFRICAN EAGLE MOROCCO 1000 1 atlantic ocean ' - ( Cilik ■MOCCO . . rlr l|arla } LItfl Vailiia f ■■.;- ziN K 1 ..,. y - -p ) ■• III- J , fc=. ' y - r-v-, ( Cka ' VsalHtt , UM lfwrn y r .-  1 Cmii ( ' •(j_L. cmiirttif LEYTE GULF participated in a bilateral exercise with the Moroccan Navy from 7-17 December. Amphibious Forces from the U.S. Navy flexed their assault capabilities with the Moroccans as LEYTE GULF provided cover and served in the anti air warfare role. TUNISIAN PASSEX LEYTE GULF PARTICIPATED IN A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PASSING EXERCISE WITH THE TUNISIAN NAVY OFF THE COAST OF TUNISIA FROM 9-12 FEBRU- ARY. THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE EXERCISE WERE TO ENHANCE INTEROP- ERABILITY, COMMUNICATIONS CON- NECTIVITY, AND CONTINUE THE GOOD RELATIONS OUR NAVY HAS WITH THE TUNISIAN NAVY. ON THE NINTH OF FEBRUARY, TUNI- SIAN OFFICERS AND GUESTS VISITED LEYTE GULF ANCHORED NEAR BIZERTE TUNISIA. A THOROUGH TOUR WAS GIVEN TO THE VISITORS THAT IM- PRESSED UPON THEM THE TRULY RE- MARKABLE CAPABILITIES OF AN AEGIS CRUISER. IN ADDITION TO TOURS, PRE-UN- DERWAY COMMUNICATION DRILLS AND DAMAGE CONTROL TRAINING EVOLUTIONS WERE CONDUCTED ON THAT FIRST DAY. ALL PARTICIPANTS SORTIED ON THE TENTH AFTER AN IMPRESSIVE DINNER HOSTED BY THE TUNISIAN NAVY THE PREVIOUS EVENING. OVER THE TWO DAYS OF THE PASSEX, MANY EXERCISES WERE COMPLETED INCLUDING A SUR- FACE TO AIR GUNNERY EXERCISE, SIM- ULATED COMBINED HARPOON AND EXOCET STRIKES, SURFACE TO SUR- FACE GUNNERY EXERCISES AND LEAP FROG DRILLS WITH USNS KANAWHA DURING LEYTE GULF ' S UNREP. LEYTE GULF LAUNCHES A KILLER TO- MATO TARGET FOR A GUNEX WITH THE TUNISIAN NAVY. TNS LA GALITE (501) AND TNS TUNIS (502) DURING A HIGH SPEED RUN. BELOW AND BOTTOM: TNS LA GALITE AT HIGH SPEED. k .w V LA COMBATTANTE CLASS FAST PATROL BOAT TNS LA GALITE. CHAPLAIN JUMPER, MSCM SALAZAR, HN3 HIGHTOWER AND RM2 VERSACE DELIVER PROJECT HANDCLASP MATERIALS TO THE TUNISIANS. LEYTE GULF LEADS THE TNS LA GALITE AND TUNIS DURING THE SURFACE TO SURFACE GUNNERY EXERCISE. Air Force C-130E Hercules cargo planes enroute to Sarajevo. YUGOSLAVIA ■ J „„ M.l , 1 Slo . f V. Subotica_r— rv r Croalla l ,NoviSad . ■ ' fr Hetcflgovlna (Beograd) f I T .-,? L YUGOSLAVIA J Bulgaria p BLACK J SEA A llaly -x { r Mace. I V ' v- X C ' ' Vr l_r- Cj IONIAN V ' Turk., j -- : I V (n y,,;.-....- .- 1 MEDITERRANEAN SEA U ' 40Okm .. 20 .„„, A Croatian member of the National Guard takes aim at Serbian snipers. PROVIDE PROMISE Yugoslavia has disintegrated, destroyed by rising nationalism, ethnic hostilities and separatism. The process has been anything but peaceful. Civil war has turned ancient cities and towns into rubble, killed as many as 15,000 people and created two million refugees. Yugoslavia was always an amalgam of diverse and sometimes antagonistic ethnic groups. Marshal Josip Tito, Yugoslavia ' s national hero and longtime Communist leader, kept the ethnically divided nation united with his blueprint for decentralized political decision making. But with the end of the Cold War, four of the six republics that made up Yugoslavia — Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, and Macedonia — declared independence. The remaining republics, Serbia and its weaker ally, Montenegro, have declared themselves a new Yugoslavia. Slobodan Milosevic, the charismatic Communist-nationalist leader of Serbia, has played the role of archvillain in the past year. His dreams of creating a Greater Serbia have fueled the bloodbath, as he pursues his goal of annexing parts of the other republics that have large concentrations of ethnic Serbs. Serbia has supplied, supported and created Serbian ethnic guerrillas in the other republics. One third of Croatia was in the hands of Serbian forces by the time a cease-fire was put in place in January 1992. In the spring of 1992 all-out war spread to Bosnia and Hercegovina, where the ancient capital of Sarajevo came under siege, trapping 300,000 people in the city. The onset of winter led to great hardship in Sarajevo and President Clinton made the decision to provide humanitarian relief via USAF cargo planes. LEYTE GULF was at hand to provide SAR TRAP assistance and track all relief flights while communicating their progress to the Specified Commander in London. m LEYTE GULF in the Adriatic during operation Provide Promise. COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN MARK A. ROGERS UNITED STATES NAVY Captain Rogers was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Soon thereafter he moved with his family to Nashville, Ten- nessee, which he now calls home. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1970 with a degree in Systems Engineering. Reporting to USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14), Captain Rogers served three division officer tours, followed by duty in USS ENGLAND (CG 22) as Missile Officer and Navigator. After completion of Destroyer School in 1975, he returned to the West Coast as the Operations Officer aboard USS LYNDE MCCORMICK (DDG 8) and later as the Engineer Officer aboard USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36). A tour as the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, ended in December 1980, when Captain Rogers re- ceived his Masters of Science Degree in Computer Science. He then served as Executive Officer aboard USS SEMMES (DDG 18) followed by a tour as Commanding Officer, USS FEARLESS (MSO 442). Captain Rogers commanded USS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36) from October 1985 to October 1987. From January 1988 to May 1989, Captain Rogers served on the staff of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare (OP-03)) as the Branch Head for Surface Combatants. He then was assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Navy Program Planning (OP-08)) from May 1989 until March 1991. He has commanded USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) since August 1991. Each ship commanded by Captain Rogers has been awarded the Battle Efficiency E and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. USS FEARLESS was awarded the Type Commander ' s Mine Warfare Excellence Award. USS UNDER- WOOD won the Battenberg Cup as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet. USS LEYTE GULF was the Commander, Carrier Group TWO ' S nominee for the Marjorie Sterett Battleship Fund Award for overall operational excellence. Addition- ally, LEYTE GULF was also awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coach Guard Special Operations Ribbon and a second consecutive Battle Efficiency E under Captain Rogers. Captain Rogers ' personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V and Gold Star, and the Combat Action R ibbon. Captain Rogers was the recipient of the Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Leader- ship Award presented by the Chief of Naval Operations in 1986. Captain Rogers was recently selected for the 1992 John Paul Jones award for Inspirational Leadership. Captain Rogers is married to the former Mary Damon Akin of Franklin, Tennessee. They have a daughter, Courte- nay Damon, and a son, Matthew Newman, and presently make their home in Mayport, Florida. CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY The Captain has many responsibilities J- gf? Been there, done that. Damon helps bring in the New Year. EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DAVID THOMAS, U.S. NAVY Lieutenant Commander David M. Thomas, Jr United States Navy Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Lieuten- ant Commander Thomas was gradu- ated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelors of Science degree. Upon commissioning, he reported for duty in USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12) and served for three years as Main Propulsion Assistant and Navi- gator. After completion of Depart- ment Head School in 1985, he served as Engineer Officer in USS ES- TOCIN (FFG 15) and in USS WIL- LAMETTE (AO 180). Lieutenant Commander Thomas served as a Surface Warfare Junior Officer assignment officer in the Bu- reau of Naval Personnel from May 1989 to August 1990, and then as Aide to Commander, Second Fleet from 1990 to 1992. He began his current assignment as Executive Officer in USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) in October 1992. Lieutenant Commander Thomas ' personal awards include the Merito- rious Service Medal, the Joint Ser- vice Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, and the Navy Achieve- ment Medal. Lieutenant Commander Thomas is; married to the former Katherine Carol Peterson of Pensacola, Florida.. They presently reside in Mayport,, Florida, with their three children,, Michael, Emily, and Peter. COMMAND MASTER CHIEF GSCM (SW) WILLIAM T. SMITH, USN I ft Master Chief William Smith joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1969 and was ordered to active duty in July 1970. Following Engineman class A school and Patrol Gunboat Engineering school, he reported aboard USS BEACON (PC 99) where he served as Damage Control Assistant. In November 1972 he reported to USS HIGH POINT (PCH 1), a unit of the Navy Hydrofoil Special Trials Program in Seattle, Washington. Following a tour of instructor duty at the Advanced Gas Turbine School in Great Lakes, Illinois, from 1975 to 1979. Master Chief Smith joined the Pre-Commission- ing crew of USS MCINERNEY (FFG 8), homeported in Mayport, Florida. From 1981 through 1983 he was assigned to the Gas Turbine Mobile Training Team, Mayport. Upon graduating from the Senior Enlisted Acad- emy with Academic Excellence in December 1983, he reported aboard USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47) as the Engineering Department ' s Senior Systems Tech- nician. Master Chief Smith reported aboard USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG 2) as Command Master Chief in November 1985. He had subsequent tours as Command Master Chief, Naval Station, Mayport and Command Master Chief USS LUCE (DDG 38). Master Chief Smith is married to the former Caro- lyn Williams of Seattle, Washington. They have two sons, Patrick and Ryan. V mm I CHIEFS OFFICERS 1 told them, but as usual they would not listen, says Glen Leverette. The Weapons Officer, Lt. Feza Koprucu Tis ' no man Lt. Suda Cabral enjoying his paperwork, again. Senior Chief Elliot and Master Chief Smith grilling some burgers. Master Chief Salazar doing what he does best. Chief Ballestar cooks it up! ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CHENG ' S HAPPY WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL ENCS DANIEL MCINTYRE GSCS STEVEN SANDERS LCDRTOMCLEMONS ABOVE: HELLO CHAPLAIN! LEFT: SENIOR MAC LENDING A HAND R DC DIVISION DCC JERRY DRISKEL MR1 GARY BRINKER HT1 PARDUE DC1 FRANK MANER DC2 ALBERTO VASQUEZ DC2MARK LATHAM DC2 CHARLES HICKSON DC2 THOMAS KELLER DC2 JAMES DEW ALT HT3 KEVIN WOODS DC3 WARREN HICKERSON DC3 KELVIN WILLIAMS CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW: DC2HiCKSON PAINTS A NEW BULL ' S EYE, REPAIR TEAM TRAINING, FN WALLACE CHILLIN ' , FNDECRAENE AT EASE. 2-34B-()-l ffMW FA TREVOR WALLACE HT3 JAMES DECRAENE HTFA KEVIN GILL FA MICHAEL ZIEGLER DC2 DEWALT POISED TO GO MP DIVISION ' WE BE JAMMIN ' GSM1 BILL MORRIS CSM1 MATT MCKENZIE GSM2 DUANE THOMSON GSM2 CHARLES SPERAZZA GSM2 CLIFF GRAY CSM2 KEVIN SIMON GSM3 TALAJA KOMPANY GSMSN RICARDO ROJAS mm CSM3 SHANE HAWKINS £a GSM3 THOMAS HERNANDEZ GSM3 JOH N STOKES FN JOHN GONZALEZ FN LAWRENCE POLSTON GSM3 IVAN CHAPIRO GSM3 JESSE CURNEY FN JIMMY FLORI .Uj UIUJUJUUUUU u ' ■■ •••• «t m 7 ..T If r- -J EM® -y GSM2 MCKENZIE READS THE IMPORTANT STUFF. m ABOVE: FN MEADOWS TAKING BETS IN CCS BELOW: CHIEF BALLESTAR TOLD YOU SO. mmmi r WrT . ABOVE: OUTTA HERE: BELOW: YOU DIDN ' T KNOW I COULD TYPE? f ' E DIVISION mEk ■ LTJG SCOTT SHEPARD EMC DAVID KERNOHAN GSEC CLARENCE BALLESTAR EM2 RICHARD BENSON CSE2 JOHN TAYLOR EMFN ROBERT WARDLAW EMFN SIDNEY THOMPSON GSEFN CORBY KENNARD GSEFN WILLIAM ALLEN A DIVISION LTJG BRUCE BEAM ENC ROBIN BLACK SENIOR CHIEF MCINTYRE PLAYS GUITAR ENFN JETT AND ENFN MEADOWS DON OBAS RADM LAIR AWARDS ENFN SELLERS THE NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL LTJG BRUCE BEAM EARNS HIS SWO PIN I EN2 ROBERT FOX EN2 ANGELO HUGHES EN3 JAMES DECRAENE EN3 JEFFREY EMERICH EMI LOFTON, ENFN MEADOWS, AND EN3 KEIL RELAX ON A NIGHT OUT ENS ANTHONY SELLERS EN3 BRANDON SNIDER EN3 NATHANIEL WARE ENFN LEO MEADOWS COMBAT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT FCCSBORUSH FCCS BILL ROGERS SYSTEMS TEST OFFICER CW02 SCOTT VERKUILIN FC1 BROGDEN AND FC2 STEVE HALL REACT TO THE PRESSURE IN CSMC AS SENIOR ROGERS CALMLY IGNORES THEM STO MOONLIGHTS AS AN OOD CA DIVISION ,m SUB HUNTERS STGC KEVIN ROGERS ENS BILL BOLLWERK STG1 AL JOSEPH STG1 GREG ADKINS TM1 ROGER MILLER STG2GREGTATUM STG2 JEFFORR STG2AL TURNER STG2LUISDEJESUS STG2JOHN FEWELL I KNOW ITS NOT MCDONALD ' S BUT LAT IT AW WAY THE GRAM GOD TUBES AWAY! GOOD SHOT MEN! ' L STG3M1KEHYNEMAN STG3JOELAPERR1ERE •■ MOVE OVER CAESAR! ¥ ' ■ ' STGSNCLEEF ROBINSON STG3RONSCHUNCK ttIA : :it TM3DAN BUjOK STG3 TIM SMITH GET IT UP SO WE CAN DO IT AGAIN! CE DIVISION r ' i LCDRDAVEMELGES ll il ET1 JAMES LUCKENBACH ET2 GILLISPIE AND RM3 MASTERS PLAYING ON THE MAIN MAST m ET2 WILLIAM CHILDERS ET2 MARK DERSCHIELD ET2 AARON HALL ET2 MICHAEL NEMEYER ET2MATTSK1LLRUD ET2 MIKE GILLISPIE ET3 GARY BEUERSHAUSEN ETC DANZEL CLINTON ET3 O ' HANLON RECEIVES AWARD FROM VADM LOPEZ WHILE OZZIE WAITS PATIENTLY ET3 MARCUS EVANS ET3 DAVID O ' HANLON ET3 TIM OSBORNE ET3 JOHN WAKEFIELD CI DIVISION m IC2ALVINBESS 1C2 HAROLD SANDRIDGE IC2 JAMES THRASHER IC3 SCOTT LESIAK . y SCOTT LESIAK AND SHANE NICHOLS FIND THE HEAD OOHRAH,SIR! IC3 NICHOLS IC3 BRIAN SCHILEL IC3 STEVEN VALERIE ICFN PAUL ROSSI CF DIVISION LT DAVID GOULD LT DAVE GOULD LOOKS BACK AT FIVE YEARS ON LEYTE GULF mtiMmmmmwK FCC TERRY PASOLD FCC JOHN HENDERSON ly ft FC1 Daniel Mullikin FC1 William Palmer FC1 Richard Roberts FC2Tom Broussard FC1 Mullikin and FC1 Vance receive Navy Achievement Medals from RADM Lair, COMCARGRUTWO. FC2 Brian Long FC3 James Sites FC3 Donald Shafer PEACE DUDE! MICHAEL MCDANELD FC2 PATRICK MULHULLAND FC2 BRYAN SCANNEL FC2 THOMAS TAYLOR FC2 CHARLIE TOWE FC3 MICHAEL FC3 THOMAS HAINES BARANOWSKI CG DIVISION FC1 RANDALL MCCAWLEY FC2 KEVIN SULLIVAN FC3 SEAN DEBARGE FC3 JEFFREY LEISURE THE TERMINATOR! GMG3 BRYCE MACOMBER FC3 ROBERT MOORE CM DIVISION GMM3 RICHARD ASHLEY PRESERVES THE MISSILE DECK FC2 BRETT CRAIG GMM3 RICHARD FC3 MATTHEW ASHLEY BOWLES H ' l ik FC3 WILLIAM MASON FC3 JAMES MILLER GMM3 JIMMY SHIELDS FC3 JEFFREY SWISHER WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LAUNCHER GMM3 JEFFREY TATUM GMMSN RODNEY RICHBOURG FC3 WILLIAM MASON HUSTLES THE NATIVES. AIR DEPARTMENT HSL-42 DET ' MUSCLE HEADS LTTRACEY DAVIDSON AECRUSSEL KNAUB LCDR JOHNNILSON LT TOM MCCLEERY AW1 BOBBY EUCKER ATI DAVID OVER AW2 GEORGE FAUCHER AD2 STEVEN GALL AW2 PHILLIP MORGAN AZ2 DAVID ADAMS AN RAYMOND THOMPSON AEAN JONATHAN STARICKA CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LT DAVIDSON, AW2 MORGAN, AW2 FAUCHER, AND AW1 EUCKER ENJOY THE ADRIATIC SEA. TRIX AND TOM HARD AT WORK. FOUL DECK! FOUL DECK! AIR DET O ' S IN THESSALONIKI YOU DO NOT LOOK LIKE DAVID LETTERMAN NAV ADMIN NCI KENNETH BEBEE MAI SCOTT MARCHANT PCI MACKEY MOORE NAVIGATION QM1 )AMES WATERMAN QM3 JEREMIAH KRAFT QM3DAN MARENO QM3 RICH MCCARTHY QMSN MARQUEZ ANOTHER E SHIP ' S OFFICE f YN3 MICHAEL HAMPER YN3 ALLAN L. ROBINSON YN3 MITCHELL T. MONTEILH PN3 WALTER WOJNICZ PNSR MATTHEW COLLINS YN1 ALLEN J. DUNAVANT YN2ROBERT E. PN2 MICHAEL SEAL MCKINLEY MEDICAL HMC MICHAEL DOC HORWAT HN GREGORY HIGHTOWER HN TODD PERCY CHAPLAIN i J CHAPLAIN JUMPER RELAXING AFTER A VIGOROUS RIDE ON THE BIKE. BRAVING THE STORM TO GIVE A SERMON 65 SUPPLY DEPARTMENT MSCM ROMEO SALAZAR LCDR RODNEY BRYANT f SUPPO AND CSO GO CAROLLING f X. f an. SI DIVISION LTJG JIM SCANLON SKI LARRY MANTOOTH SKI MICHAEL SCERBA SK3 GLENN JOHNSON SK3 CRITTENDON CAUGHT IN THE ACT SK2 RODNEY WHITNEY, A.K.A., SPY 1 SK2BRUSEWITZ S2 DIVISION! MSI EDWARD WATSON MS2 JOSEPH gf SANITAGO 1 ' J MS2 EDWARD 1 WALLACE m MS3IRVINCARMACK MS3 DANIEL BLANKEN- SHIP fl — T ' -v MS2 SANTIAGO BAKES A CAKE FOR THE CAPTAIN. MIKE MOHR AND JOE SANTIAGO PICNIC IN NAPLES. S-3 S-4 DIVISION LTJG JOE CAPPY SURRETTE 1 % ff ' CONTROL - ' O I ' ll SHI KENTCHILLOUS DKl KENTDILTS SILLY ME, I LEFT THE SAFE OPEN AGAIN! KEEP HASSLING ME AND YOU ' LL NEVER GET YOUR LAUNDRY! SH2KIM WATKINS SH3SEAN MCEVOY SH3 TITUS STEVENSON DK3 JESSE TIJERINA 69 OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT LCDR JOEL REAVES LTJGGLENLEVERETTE OI DIVISION ENS RICK NEVELS SUPER CICO, NUFF SAID . OSCS NORMAN NELLUMS OSC JAMES BUTLER OSC KIRK LAYMAN OS1 ALEXIS CRUZ OS1 ROBERT DAVIS OS1 ROBERT GUESS OS2 PRALL SHOWS THEM HOW ITS DONE. OS1 JEFFREY MCDOWELL OS1 JAFAR WAILY OS1 MICHAEL ARINGDALE OS1 JOSEPH ARNOLD OS1 GARY LORD OS1 DARRYL MCWILLIAMS OS2 SHAWN BOLLINGER OS2GARYBOWKER OS2 BOBBY BOYD OS2 STEPHEN GAMBLE Hi. B ' E H fc. OS2 DAVID JAY OS2 DANIEL VARGAS OS2 CHARLES BUGGS OS2 TRAVIS WINTER OS2 ROBERT DUNCAN OS2 THOMAS PRALL OS2 CARLOS MORALES OS2 CHRISTOPHER KLECHA OS1 VVAILY TOWERS OVER THE NATIVES GET OUT, ITS NOT LAUNDRY DAY? :W SPACE CADETS OS2 BRIAN ROBERTS OS2 MICHAEL SINGLETON OS2 DOUGLAS ANDERSON OS2 SAMMY BROWN OSS LEVI BURDICK OS3 JAMES ANDERSON OS3 LEE HUDSON OS3 MARCUS MYLES OS2 PRALL FINALLY MEETS MADONNA OT DIVISION CW02 GEORGE SILVERTOOTH CAN ' T WAIT TO GET HOME. EWC DANIEL COFFIELD EW1 BRIAN SHEA EW1 JAYLACEWELL EW2 RONALD PATE CT03 RAYMOND SUTTON BELOW: BRIAN SHEA AND SCOTT LOCKER TAKE A BREAK LEFT: EWC COFFIELD STEALS A KISS EWSN SCOTT LOCKER EWSN MICHAEL REGISTER EWSA STEPHEN LANCE OC DIVISION RMC(SW)GREG SWIM SMC (SW) RALPH TUBOLINO RMI(SW) KENNETH MADDISON RM1 (SW) HAROLD REEVE RM2 HAWKINS GETTING READY FOR LIBERTY RM2 VERSACE DOING THAT DCPO THING. LEFT: RM1 REEVE HEADS FOR THE CROWS NEST BELOW; SM2 NELSON AND SM3 FOLEY SAY GOOD BYE TO THE DESRON. RM1 (SW) JOHN WILKERSON RM2(SW) EDWARD HAWKINS RM2 ARMANDO VERSACE RM3 MICHAEL BUCHANAN SM3SEAN FOLEY SM3(SW) TRUSTY HICKS RM3 SCOTT MASTERS RM3TIM MCDANIEL RM3 CRAIG NEMEYER RM3 ANTHONY TAYLOR SMSN CHESTER SCOTT RMSA MARK SOLOMON OD DIVISION BMC (SW) EDWARD DANEILS BM1 (SW) PHILLIP LAMONICA BM2 jIM BIALEK BM3 WASHINGTON PASSES THE WORD BM2 (SW) BRUCE FISCHER BM2(SW) DAVID LUCAS BM2 (SW) DALE SUMMERS BM3 0BERTLINDSEY THE A TEAM, BM1 LAMONICA, BMC DANIEL, LT CABRAL 5M3 WHITE, BM1 AMONICA, BM3 vlARTINONTHERIG BM3(SW) JEFF LONG BM3 EDWIN MARTIN BM3 STEVEN SHEA BM3 REGGIE WASHINGTON BM3 (SW) CHARLES WHITE SN HUBERT FOSTER SN HAROLD JAMES SN JOSEPH LEVITT X S SCHILLER — TORPEDO BUSTER SN RUSSELL TAKING A BREAK SN KENNETH MCCLENAHAN SN KEVIN NEILSEN SN JERRY SCHILLER SN JUSTIN SHAWCROFT SN WILLIAM SHIPP SN WAYNE WELCH SN ADAM ZURAWSKI SA ERIC ARCHULETA TOP: BM3 MCMILLAN AND SNSPILLER CLEAN UP THE QUARTERDECK. MIDDLE: SN IDELSON DOES SOME TOUCH UP. BOTTOM: AWAY THE MOTOR WHALE BOAT! i: SA DANIEL CARTER SAEDUARDO AYRAN SA CLEVELAND GREY SA MICHAEL MANGUM SA CLIFF SPILLER SR DAVID BASSETT SN WELCH ON THE LOOKOUT 5! in. It. SR SCOTT BOLLINGER SR JEREMY HEINS SR RICHARD MCDONALD SR MICHAEL WITHERINGTON SN HEINS — A HAPPY SAILOR % BM3 WHITE KICKING BACK SN ZURAWSKI AT THE HELM INMEMORIAM AMOS SHAWCROFT SN WITHERINGTON, SN GRAY, LTJG SCANLON AND BM3 LONG — ONLY 23 MORE SEA DETAILS ' TIL MAYPORT. LEYTE GULF CREWMEMBERS ENJOY CORINTH, GREECE. IC3 SCOTT LESIAK AND FC3 ROBERT MOORE IN ST PETER ' S SQUARE AT VATICAN CITY. ENS BOLLWERK, ENS SHEPARD, LTJG SMITH AND LT GOULD ENJOYING SOME ADULT BEVERAGES IN CAGLIARl. LTJG SMITH — WELCOME TO BEAUTIFUL TRIESTE! SN WITHERINGTON — JUST WHAT I ASKED SANTA FOR — A CHRISTIE BRINKLEY PUZZLE. GMMSN MORRIS ENJOY ANOTHER , OS3 OTTO, OSS PRICE AND SN CARTER STEEL BEACH PICNIC. CW03 SCOTT VERKUILEN - WANTS HOW MANY MORE DUSTY BOUNCES? IC3 SCOTT LESIAK AND ICFN SHANE NICHOLS SAVE THE DAY IN GREECE. YN3 ROBINSON AND PN3 WOJO ENJOY THE 10 MINUTE BUS RIDE TO THE EXCHANGE IN NAPLES. VADM LOPEZ, COMSIXTHFLT, DROPS BY FOR A VISIT IN NAPLES. QM1 WATERMAN AND SN MCCLENAHAN SHOOTING SOME STICK WITH THE LOCALS. DK3 TIJERINA SERVES SN IDELSON DURING PIZZA NIGHT. LTJG GLEN LEVERETTE AND ENS DAN BERENBAUM PREPARING FOR AN UNREP. QM1 WATERMAN IN A TYPICAL CAGLIARI RESTAURANT. LT GOULD AND LCDR CLEMONS - SO, THAT ' S WHAT THEY DO IN THE WARDROOM WHEN THEY LOCK THE DOOR. FC2 TOMMY BROUSSARD, AKA ELVIS . ENCS MCINTYRE RECEIVES A WELL DESERVED NAM FROM RADM LAIR. A HUGE TURNOUT FOR THE ARM WRESTLING TOURNAMENT. t -m ' LTjG BRUCE BEAM HITS THE SLOPES IN THE FRENCH ALPS. lu IS . M L 1 ' A 2 , - s DC2 BERT VASQUEZ - ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MUPPETS. 89 COMMAND RELIGIOUS PROGRAM PROJECT HANDCLASP RIGHT: LCDR JUMPER, QMSN MARQUES AND OSKSW) WAILY PASS OUT REFRESHMENTS TO GRATEFUL CHILDREN IN NAPLES. QMSN MARQUES TRYING TO RECRUIT A SAILOR FOR THE ITALIAN NAVY. CHAPLAIN JUMPER AND A YOUNG ORPHAN FROM THE CHILDREN ' S HOME IN NAPLES. A HOLLY JAM WITH THE ORPHANS IN NAPLES. AAA AAA A CHAPLAIN JUMPER CUTS THE CAKE IN NAPLES. LCDR JUMPER PRESENTING PROJECT HANDCLASP SUPPLIES TO COL-MAJ BELKHIRIA IN TUNISIA. HOLY JAM ENCS(SW) MCINTYRE, GSM1 MORRIS AND FAMILY SERVICES REP GEORGE WACKER PLAY AT HOLY JAM. PRESENTING PROJECT HANDCLASP SUPPLIES IN CAGLIARI LEFT: LTJG SCANLON CONDUCTS A TOUR FOR THE VATICAN ' S SWISS GUARD IN NAPLES. 9, TRIESTE, ITALY We left Mayport a week early . . . said farewell on a cool, grey dawn . . . crossed the Atlantic . . . lost a shipmate overboard . . . entered the Med . . . received turnover from PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58) . . . and took up station in the Adriatic. Crazy Serbs and beseiged Bosnians are going at it full bore ashore. We watch the no-fly zone. 25 days at sea . . . we ' re definitely underway! Trieste — a delightful meeting of Italian, Germanic and Balkan influences. First we call home. JFK ' s at sea; we have Trieste to ourselves. The edge of town marks the border to war. It ' s hard to believe. But we enjoy the town! It has plenty of places to walk. You find piazzas, pizzerias, trattorias, whatever. Sip a drink on the sidewalk and watch the world go by. We catch a movie being filmed on a street one night. There ' s a jazz piano bar for Italian yuppies and wannabes. Roman ruins attest to the age. You find a friendly bar and pastry shop. Dinner ' s at nine in this town; then they come out to play. BRUCE BEAM, JIM SCANLON, MIKE GIANELLI, CAPPY SURRETTE AND CDR MILLER TOAST JIM ' S CHEESY MUSTACHE AND THE FIRST BEER IN A MONTH. EVEN THE ROMANS HAD PLAQUES. THE CITY HALL AND MAIN PLAZA OF TRIESTE. «!««(% rW IC3 MINOR AND TM3 BUJOK SAMPLE THE LOCAL BREW. OZ IL RLSTING BEFORE HE CLIMBS THE STAIRS. FC2 MCBRIDE, ET2 SKILRUD, AND ET3 BEURSHAUSEN CONTEMPLATE JUMPING. 93 VENICE, ITALY Venice is only a hop, skip and a jump fronn Trieste. Many of us took advantage of having such a unique city so close and braved the long ride through the country- side. It was undoubtedly worth it. The canals and the history of the buildings and churches was spec- tacular. Many vow to return with a loved one. A detail from the Basilila of Venice. Chaplain Jumper and LCDR Burnette contemplate going for a Gondola ride. JIM PREPARES TO ENTER ST. PAUL ' S BASILICA. A VIEW OF ONE OF THE MANY CANALS. BM2 BIALEK STROLLS THROUGH ST. PAUL ' S SQUARE. 95 MAKING HISTORY IN MALTA MALTA is still getting over Its socialist regime, when Libyans and Cubans were welcome, but not the U.S. Navy. LEYTE GULF was only the second U.S. ship to visit in 22 years. We were wel- comed as long-lost brothers! Castles, castles everywhere! What a place! Once a stronghold against the Moors, Malta nested the Knights of Malta — till they got too comfortable, and lost their fighting spirit and their is- land. But the castles remain, everywhere. You could film a movie (many have)! The British were here and It shows. The pubs and cathedral remind you. The Maltese are comfortable here at the Med ' s crossroad; they speak several languages, but English as second nature. We love it! For once, there ' s no language to learn. Crafts are the thing in Malta. They have hand-blown glass, hand-etched jewelry, hand-woven lace, paintings all with that personal touch. Activities? FHIstory tours. Scuba dive on a World War II de- stroyer. We do volunteer work at two children ' s homes. We party at the ambassador ' s home. We party at the yacht club, where ENS FHoard steals the show with Achy Breaky Heart. We host thousands of guests on board. We host the President, the Prime Minister, the Armed Forces chief and COMSIXTHFLT for lunch. We host ourselves for Thanksgiving Dinner and call our families back home. The phone system has ten years of catching up to do. Some of us actually make It through after hours ' waits. We wave goodbye to a harbor which saw combat in World War II. What a place: Malta ' s seen St. Paul, knights, castles. Moors, and Stuka dive bombers. Now it sees Americans again. The people made it plain they were glad we were there. So were we! Malta ' s the high point of our Med cruise. We hope to see Malta again! « ' jliir ' f.AAfl 1 • ■iiW A roosting Maltese Falcon and, of course, the laundry OS1 Waily enjoying some time off. The locals come for a look. Chaplain Mark Jumper is happy to finally be ir Malta. Ensign Dan Berenbaum, On top of the world. IP P i V Jj z ' -- Bb ' ' - ' ' i HB mm. iv ' wlH Hfe ' , imI ■HI ii nm BBFr  JtoJhi P!i ja HH Ku t % - ' tiS issat.: 99 FRANCE Christmas at last! In France! — where forty of us meet our Honeys! We moor in Toulon. French naval base. The Gut just outside the gate. The Gut does not refer to anat- omy. How shall we say it? Wine, women, song, and crime? Nearby beckons nicer. The French Riviera (sorry, no swimsuits; it ' s winter). Monte Carlo. The Alps (break a shoulder skiing? one succeeding!). Wine country, per- fume country, castle country . . . it ' s all nearby. We have a rabbi for Hanukkah and priests for Christ- mas. We get parties from the Navy League and a trip to The Grotto for devotion. French families take our sail- ors home for Christmas. It ' s all nice — but not our home. We burn up the phone lines. Meanwhile, in Paris ... ah, Christmas in Paree! The planeload of LEYTE GULF ladies arrives Christmas Day. The aviators miss it. They pay later. We move to take the city. It ' s cold, but we ' re unde- terred: we tour! We take in the Eiffel Tower; the Notre Dame; Versailles; Les Invalides; Les Champs Elysee; Sa- cre Coeur Cathedral. Art lovers catch the Louvre for the Masters and the Orsay for the Moderns. We wine and dine at famous restaurants. We ride romantic river boats down the Seine. We meet for a picture at the Tower ... say tearful goodbyes to our Honeys at the airport . . . and make our way to Toulon for the rest of the cruise — which soon, goes over the hump! We ' re halfway home! THE BROGDENS, VERKUILENS, BRYANTS, FOLEYS AND FRIENDS MEET IN PARIS. BM3 MCMILLAN AND SN MCCLENAHAN RELAX IN THE GUT. ) THE JUMPERS AND THE BRYANTS BRAVE THE COLD. CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM HOME AND A LITTLE MAKE-BELIEVE BY US ALL MADE THE HOLIDAY SEASON JOYOUS. THOUGH EVERYONE WANTED TO BE HOME, TOULON, FRANCE WAS A SPLENDID HOST AND PROVIDED A FEW WEEKS OF REST THE CREW NEEDED BADLY. AS WE SETTLED DOWN FOR OUR LONG WINTER NAPS, WE DREAMT OF HOME AND OUR LOVED ONES, AND LOOKED FORWARD TO APRIL. THE WARDROOM PROUDLY DISPLAYS THEIR CHRISTMAS BOXERS. HN HIGHTOWER AND CMG3 MACOMBER OPEN THEIR HOLIDAY GOODIES. AN THOMPSON MAKES A FUTILE ATTEMPT AS SANTA. THE PILLOW HELPED A LOT. PEOPLE MSI WATSON AND STG3 ROBINSON HT2 GINDELSBERGER GETS GOOD NEWS FROM HOME. MS2 SANTIAGO THINKS OF GOD. I IT ' S NOT EASY BEING ME , SAYS FC1 BROGDEN. MSSN MOHR ESPOUSES MUTINY!? I SAW IT FIRST, SO THERE, SAYS SN HEINZ. .1 E-DIVISION FOLLIES. GLEN LEVERETTE GETS HEALTHY. MIKE GIANELLI FIGHTS A CHILL. NAPLES, ITALY CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: CHIEF TUBOLINO GRILLS A BURGER. OSS PRICE, 0S2 HUDSON, AND 0S3 MYLES SHARE A STOGIE. BRUCE BEAM SPEAKS TO THE FLOCK. EMI LOFTIN IS TOO BIG FOR THIS CAR. THE CASTLE! N3 - 1 ' U ROME CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: THE PARTHENON. BILL BOLL- WERK IN FRONT OF ST. PE- TERS. ST. PETERS BASILICA. ARCH OF TITUS, TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. J jf AK L. Lk • 4 P| 1 M 1 Ek h i 1 i M ALL RIGHT, IT ' S PIZZA NIGHT CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: AW2 MORGAN, AW1 FUCKER, AND ATI OVER SERVE IT UP. EM3 WARDLAW AND GSMFN PARKER DICE IT UP. MIKE GlANELLl, CAPPY SURRETTE, AND BILL BOLLWERK GIVE IT A GO. GSM1 SIMON PUTS HIS MUSCLE TO USE. HALLOWEEN ELVIS SIGHTED ON MESS DECK I l;VS ' ' • ' • Above: The Air Det ' s Musclehead visits the chow line. Left: LTjg Surrette and LTjg Scanlon get a chance to be themselves. 107 NAPLES PICNIC I didn ' t do it, says QM1 Waterman. iiafpart Masterchief Smith cooks it up. Chief Exier gets a hit. OSCS Nellums takes aim. CANDIDS HOMECOMING We go to sea because it is our duty. We go to sea because it is our profession. We go to sea because there exists a need for adventure in all of us. But we mostly go to sea to make you proud. Very few people in this world understand the sacrifices that make Leyte Gulf a success and which in turn enables the United States to powerfully go where no other country can. The biggest sacrifice is made by our families. The strong ones make it. We love you for being on the pier for us, this moment was on our minds for six months. DEDICATION This book is dedicated to individuals who gave their lives for our country and preserved the freedoms we so often take for granted. ' HSp,. % ' 1fe?« M ' ' S- - ii '