Mataco (ATF 86) - Naval Cruise Book

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7 xeruiinr Clllffirer i fiL'Cll'tJ,l' N. liimlcl !'1-4'1'lVcffl lllS C'OIT1!T1lSSi0n from ILS. Nillfll lllllvvr fv2'tllflldHt6 School, NW,-l,4l1't 14.1. in .alum-, 1962. While serving 1 Us Niivlgllllll' ui the IPSS Paul Revere ' upA-g4sy, his lirst assignment, Mr. Kidd :u1g1'11t-:ltr-cl into the ITS. NEWY- In Iym-1.111111-1', 15404 Mr. Kiclcl reported zlboarcl for duty as lixec-utive and in De- M,m1,m-. 1965, was IlT'flll'lOl0d to his pre- g Sem rzmlc ol l,lL'Llll'llIllll. 3 t If av lx CHMACH Billy B. McDonald entered the Navy in 1940 in an enlisted status. His first 3 years were spent overseas. In 1943, he was transferred to ComSull Base, Newlondon, Connecticut, where he spent the next 5 months. After achieving the rate of CPO hc was transferred to the USS Sperry fAS-123 in San lliogo. In 1952 ' , Mr. McDonald was appointed Warrant Officer-r W-1. He remained aboard the Sperry until Der-. 1952 and then Went aboard the USS MAHOPAC UXTA-l U65 aboard ship and Obtainin th A as Engineering Officer. After a few more :lssigrn'm-nts g e rank Of CWO W-fl he was once again assigned to an overseas billet. In 19634, lu achieved the rank of CWO W-4 and in Septemlwr, lil! Mr. McDon ld f ' a reported aboard the MATACFLJ as lingu- neermg Officer. AX gl-l,,gu4,1v all cilzlxwxxnzrnrmt Men's College, 3 c'1:l1vvlH:H1l' lllllUrl.llH, 1 -s Qllffirrrs 5 41

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Message from Commanding Officer At the conclusion of a cruise it is well to reflect on the purpose and accomplishments of the cruise. For some this cruise to Norpac was a new experience for others was the second or even third trip to the Birthplace of the Winds . The tasks of the Navy are many and varied and each as important as the other in meeting the Navy's' committment to the defense of our Country and the free world. The success of the Navy is therefore de- pendent on each unit and each man performing all tasks to the very best of their ability. Through adverse weather and trying circum- stances each of you helped to give truth to the MATACO pledge of Towing, Salvage, and Service and can take pride in your contribution to another successful mission of MATACO. Your performance earned the respect and Well Done of all MATACO operational commanders. To our shipmates that have been transferred to other duty I am sure you will continue to perform such duties in a manner to bring credit to your unit, the Navy, and yourselves. To all I would like to extend my Well Done and appreciation for the hard work and spirit that made this a most successful and pleasant cruise. To the wives and families may I say that your contributions are equally important to the success of the Navy's operations. I am pleased and proud to have been able to serve as Commanding Officer of MATACO during this and the cruises of MATACO. A. R. EVANS CA message 7 rum the Qlaptain Captain Evans is a veteran of 21 years of naval service. He underwent recruit training in 1945 . . . . at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, and from there to Radar school. His first tour was aboard the USS Rockbridge fAPA-2285. As RD3 he reported to USS Rockingham fAPA-229 th t ' - ' J, en o USS Diachenko QAPA 1235. From the Diachenko he assumed duties as radarman aboard the USS Dennis J. Buckley QDDR-8081 In June of 1948 as RD2 he re ort d - , , P 9 to ground controlled approach school in Olathe, Kansas, and from there was assigned to GCA unit 4t26 in Minnea ol' M' ' ' ' ' p 1s, innesota. It was during this period that the Captain met and mar- ried the former Miss Elleen Kennealy. As RD1 he reported to the USS Mount McKinle Y fAGC-75 as air intercept controller. During the period he made Chief Radarman. From 1953 to 1956 he filled v ' ' arious instructor billets in the San Diego area, and in March 1956 reported to Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. Upon commissioning Ensign Evans reported to the the Plymouth Rock QLSD-295 as CIC officer. As LTJ G the Captain served aboard the York Count . LST-11 ' ' y 1 75, as First Lt. and Gunnery Officer. From there he went to the Corry QDDR-8175 as operations officer. As lieutenant, he took over as officer in charge of the USS Greenwood QDE-6799 a Reserve Escort Vessel, and upon activation during the Berlin crisis, became ' Operations Officer. In February of 1962 he became assistant ASW Weapons System Evaluation Officer at the Key West Test and Evaluation Center in Key West, Florida. In May of 1964, Captain Evans reported to the MATACO as Commanding Officer. Captain Evans received his LCDR 1eaves during this deployment. 3

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CHBOSN Knud H. Christensen reported aboard the MATACO in August, 1965, as 1st Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer. Since his reporting aboard he has! also taken over the job of Supply Officer. Mr. Christensen began his naval career in 1939. He was commissioned a warrant officer in 1951 when stationed aboard the USS CONSTITUTION QIX-215 in Boston, Massachusetts. He climbed right up the ladder of warrant officer's and in September, 1961, he was appointed CWO fW-45. He came to the MATACO from Commanding , Officer and Director, U.S. Naval Electronics Laboratory, San Diego, California. Ensign Frederick W. Meeker, Jr., a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, received his commission from U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. Mr. Meekpr was first assigned to Naval School Deep Sea Divers, Washington, D.C., subsequently being assigned to MATACO in October, 1965. Ensign Charles W. Waring, Jr., a graduate of Sul Ross State College, Alpine, Texas, re- ceived his commission from U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island, sub- sequently being assigned to MATACO in De- cember, 1965.