Mars (AFS 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER HOWARD C. WELLSMAN, USN Executive Officer USS MARS (AFS-1) Howard C. ' ellsman was born in Massachusetts, son of Frank George and the late Marion (Champiin) Wellsman. He attended Maiden High School prior to entering the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N. Y., in 1942. Graduated with scholastic honors, and commissioned as Ensign in the Navy in March 1944. He immediately reported for active duty and was assigned to the U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Basic School at San Mateo, California, as an instructor. Following this duty came tours aboard the USS OTTAWA, USS JASON, USS TITANIA and USS POLARIS. In 1954 he reported to the CIC Team Training Center at Boston, Mass., as an instructor. In 1955, he assumed command of the USS PATAPSCO. followed by assignment as Commanding Officer of the USS ELKHORN. He was then assigned, in 1957, to the staff of the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet for duty in the Logistics Division. In March 1960 he was ordered to the heavy cruiser LOS ANGELES as Navigator, and in May of 1961 was detached for duty in the Officer Distribution Division of the Bureau of Naval Personnel. He reported as Prospective Executive Officer of MARS in July, 1963. Commander Wellsman is married to the former Miss Ida Mae Ryan of Loup City, Nebraska, and has five children, Leslie Ann, Bruce, Sara, Martha, and Ann. His official residence is San Francisco, California.

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CAPTAIN RUSSELL C. MEDLEY, USN Commanding Officer USS MARS (AFS-1) Russell C. Medley was born in Yellville, Arkansas, son of the Reverend and Mrs. James C. Medley. He attended high school in Yellville and Visalia, California, prior to entering Fresno State College. Captain Medley was commissioned Ensign, United States Navy from Northwestern University in March, 1941. Reporting for active duty in the Navy immediately following his commissioning, he was assigned to the USS ARCTIC (AF-7) , followed by tours of duty on the USS ADHARA (AK-71) , USS HONOLULU (CL-48) , USS S-46, (SS-157), USS BUMPER (SS-333) , and USS HALFBEAK (SS-352) . From August 1944 through August 1945, he commanded the USS S-46, in the Pacific Fleet. In 1952 he was ordered to the USS RONQUIL (SS-396) as Commanding Officer. In 1958, he assumed command of Submarine Division 71. During this tour he was in charge of shakedown training and introduction of the first two SKATE Class nuclear submarines to the Pacific Fleet. Captain Medley has also served on the staffs of Commander Submarine Force, LInited States Pacific Fleet, and of Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. Captain Medley reported to the MARS from a three and one-half year tour as Chief, Navy Section, Military Assistance and Advisory Group to the Federal Republic of Germany, with headquarters in the United States Embassy at Bonn, Germany. Captain Medley is married to the former Billie Jeanne Roy of New York City and San Francisco and has three children, Russell, Jr., Deborah, and Jeffrey.

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THE MEN WHO OWN THE PLANK