Mataco (ATF 86) - Naval Cruise Book

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GOMMANDING DFFIC LCDR RA. Clair ER entered the U.S. NaVY in August 1955.A1gg- attending several Navy schools he was a signed to the USS SEA OWL QSS-4053 then attended the U .S. Navy Nuclear Powe Schools at New London, Connecticut and a West Milton, New York after which he was assigned to the pre-commissioning crewof the USS TRITON QSSRN-4853. 1 Commander Clair attended Stanford University in the NE SEP Program and ro- 1 oeived a B.S. degree in Electronic Engi- neering in 1963. After graduation, he at- tended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island where he was commissioned in September 1963. He then served on the USS PREBLE QDLG-15D as ElectronicsMa- terial Officer from October 1963 until Feb- ruary 1966, and then attended the U.S. Na- val Destroyer School. Commander Clair was assigned as Operations Officer of USS EVANS KDE-10233 until August 1968. Sev- enth Fleet Operations were experiencedin both ships. Lieutenant Commander Clair has been awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal with bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and one bronze star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Lieutenant Commander RobertA C ii F 'J

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A Message From The C0 As we complete this cruise to the Western Pacific there are a few thoughts I would like to share with you. At times you may have thought that the long days at sea, the arduous and often dangerous weather we experienced, and the personal hardships and anxieties caused by family seperations have gone unnoticed. Let me assure you that they have not. I would like to pass on to each of you my personal thanks for the ef- ficient, professional job you have done throughout the cruise. From the salvage of LC U-1492 at Bikini Atoll through all the various tows and other assignments, you have been directly responsible for-building an outstanding reputation for MATACO. Through your efforts, and always to your credit, MATACO met all her committrnents and was the first to be called on in an emergency. I further wish to commend your conduct ashore. In every port and foreign nation we visited your conduct was exemplary and you were a credit to MATACO as well as to our Navy and Country. It has been my personal pleasure to serve as your Commanding Officer and I am particularly proud to be a member of MATACO's fine crew. To each and everyone of you again, WELL DONE. , R. A. CLAIR

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'ff' I fl' ,,,, , f -' V4 7 C. 'K' EXECUTIVE OFFICERS x Q, Lieutenant QJunior Grade! William L. Poole entered the Naval Service on 31 July 1958. During his enlisted career his stations included the Naval Air' Facility, Litchfield Park, Arizona, Aviation Fire Control Tech- nician Class A and Class B School Memphis, Tennessee, Heavy Attack Squad- ron Eleven, Sanford, Florida, and Naval Air Technical Training Center at Memphis, Tennessee as an instructor. A In April 1963 Mr. Poole was selected for the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program. He attended Purdue University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in June 1967. Mr. Poole entered the U.S. Naval Officer Can- didate School at Newport, Rhode Island in June 1967 and was commissioned Ensign, USN, on October 19, 1967. USS BAUSELL QDD-8453, homeported in San Diego was his next duty assignment. He was promoted to LTJ G in October 1968. Mr. Poole reported to MATACO in October 1969 to assume duties as Execu- tive Officer. Lieutenant Timothy O. Fanning is from West Hartford, Connecticut. In 1965 he re- ceived a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philos- ophy from Hamilton College. Mr. Fanning was commissioned in December 1965 from U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in New- port, Rhode Island.'Mr. Fanning then 1'6- ported to the USS SENECA QATF-917 as a diving and operations Officer. He reported aboard MATACO as Executive Officer in December 1967 and departed November 1969 to return to civilian life.