Maury (AGS 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

.Jr F, , li rpg Cqtain Burdick H. Bittin, born in Lorain, Ohio, now resides in Great Falls, Va. He graduated from Peddie Preparatory School, I-lightstown, New jersey. In 1940, he received his B.A. from Union College, Schenectady, New York and went imme- l dlately into the Navy receiving his commission in june of 1941. During World War II, he served on numerous Destroyers in the Pacific. Early in his career be received the Commendation Hbbon as one of four Ensigns to get the U.S.S. AYLUIN underway during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. 1941. Later he received the Slver Star for taking command of the U. S. S. KIDD after both he and the Commanding Officer-were wound- ed due to Klnakaze attack. He was awarded the Purple Heart in this same action. In his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal he wears twelve Battle Sara. In 1946 the Navy sent him to George Washington University Law School where he received bis LLB in 1949. In 1951, he served asaidetothe Chief, U.S. Naval Group in Ankara. Tm-key. ln 1956. he became an advisor to the U.S. Delegate at the United Nations, New York . He was also associated with the International Law Commission of the United Nations for four months It Geneva, Switzerland at which time the initial Conventions ol' the Law of the Seas were drafted. C 'lille employed ln the Strategic Plans and Policy Division of CNO in 1958- 1960. international problems as related to Etrop- em md lllddle East countries and mutual defence arrangements came undef his cognixance. During this tenure, Cqateln Elttln was sent to Europe to present U.S. Naval Policy to U.S. and Allied Officers. In 1961 he served as Secretary to the Chief of Naval Operations for JCS matters . He lathe author of the Book International Law for Seagoing Officers Q 19561. lt is used as a professional text ln the Navy and Coast Guard and many European and Latin American countries. Ceptsln Bdttln ls married to the former Gertrude Traeger of Munich, Germany and Germantown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Brlttln Qeds fluent French and German. They have three sons, Peter, Michael, and Christopher. Presently the Brlttln family ls resldlng at Ford lsland, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. A Cfttlse book ls s unlque publication for lt portrays a period in time that can never be dqwllcaled ln personal rslatlonshlps or ln events. The ofllcers and men of Task Unit 73.8. l shared manv experiences the nature ol which cannot be shared ln full scope, by strangers to the cruise. When the units arrive in their home ports, some officers and men are detached and new per- sonnel report aboard: lt ls at that time that relationships change. 111e cruise book captures that period prior to change. 'hte HAURY. SERRANO. Coastal Survey Team l-63, helo group HMM 163 Detachment l and HBMS 16 Detachment l worltlng together accompllshed much to be proud of during the eight month deployment. The tasks were varled both ln character and ge- ography: some probed the ocean depths ln the Bay of Bengal: some cut through the jungles ln Southern Thailand: some handled dallcate lnstruments on and off the rugged coast of Luzon: some kept the main engines on the llne throughout troplcal heat, and some fought weather and dangerous waters on deck and on the sound boats. No single group could have operated without the swport of all. nor could all the various missions have been completed had one of the single groups failed in its task. There were events that none will forget: dodging typhoons enroute to the Gulf of Sta-m . the tragic death of Tubbs, the har- rasalng monsoon weather ln the Gulf, the constant helo flights, the mercy missions to Ndthon St 'l11smmarat, the splendld breath ers ln Sngqore and I-long Kong, little 'llm's orphanage and the fine people of Thailand, the fantsll cookouts, and, perhaps un- dtlylng all else, the fine feeling that we were making a contribution to both Thailand and this wonderful country of ours. This crulse book , then, is our book . l feel sure that in years to come lt will refresh memories of events and flue ahlpmates. I dmslder lt a privilege to have served with a group of men who were not only ready and willing to meet arty challenge but who succeeded ln their effort . Burdick H. Brittin 'K lg A.. . .

Page 6 text:

4,lx . S3 :.-fx , Q - Y 1 xxmfx .j .'e.f ., my , ' XR- ' ,. K , , x vet- ' 2 mx -is X ' 'N m y N' N, X -. 5 Vx R, NX , ,V Y ix X X ski Qx. . X X N ' A N X CAPTAIN B .I-1. BRITTIN CER COMM ANDING OFFI .

Page 8 text:

oMMANDERI?C C EXECUTIVE oEE1cER , VAN LIMBURGH I f ' ..,. .si iif , A Commander Robert C. Van Limburgh, b01'1'1 ifl Emmett, Idaho i HOW Calls Ripon' Califomig' home., He is a graduate of Ripon Union High School. After enlisting in the Navy in late 1934 and completing reCl'l11'f training at the Naval Training Station San Diego, California, he reported for duty to the USS NEW MEXICO- C BB-40 5. As QM3 he was transferred in November 1939 to the USS MEADE C DD-274 7- In June 1942 having rapidly advanced to Chief Q1artermaster,he was commissioned Warrant Boatswain aboard the USS KING C PD' 272 5. He went aboard the USS CETUS Q AK-77 J in January 19435 after receiving a commission as an Ensign in june 1943, he served as Executive Officer until leaving in 1945. From November 1945 to November 1947 found him serving as Commanding Officer of the USS LITTLEHALES C AGS-7 J. In J enum 1945 he reported as Officer in Charge U. s. NAVY scHooL Q NETJ Tiburon, Califomia' 'main mg thereuntil October of 1951, a h ION t w ich time he took the position of Port Director at the U. S. NAVAL STAT SUBIC BAY, Philippine Islands. Next, he served as Commanding Officer of the USS TATNUCK C ATA'195 D before reporting to the Staff Comma in 51BrCh 1955. Following his tour in Alask nder 17th Naval District, Kodiak, Alaska as Director of Civilian Personnel a he was assigned to the Columbia River Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet- Asiefie, Oregon, as Administrative Officer and Chief Staff Officer. He was subsequently transferred to the St ck ' ' 0 ton Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, as Chief Staff Officer in 1960, following which he assumed Command of the G YOUP- Commander Van Limburgh reported to the MAURY in February 1962 for duty as exec' utive Officer. Com c u e the good conduct medal, with two stars as well as area, victory' and 9CCUPation medals. His wife Fannie and c mander Van Limburgh's decorations in l d hildren,Robert and Kristen, presently live in Horwlulu'