Mississippi (CGN 40) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

A TRIBUTE This book is an historical tribute to the teamwork of the greatest cruiser crew in the world. The crew of the MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI, with the support and encourage- ment of their families and loved ones, brought the ship out of a shipyard availability, through an intensive and foreshortened training period and into the Mediterra- nean ready in all respects to work in a potentially hos- tile environment. Through out the work-up period sacri- fices were made by all hands and their families as the ship piloted its way through a myriad of requirements during the short six months between the yard period and deployment. From Seaman and Fireman to the Chiefs Mess and Wardroom, the crew maintained a high degree of readiness during the deployment even though subjected to frequent last minute schedule changes and short notice tasking. Additionally during the seven months the ship was away from homeport it was underway nearly 70 percent of the time. On the following pages you will find the chronicle of events that set MISSISSIPPI during our Mediterranean deployment. The fact that the ship was one of only two cruisers to receive the BATTLE EFFICIENCY Award from the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlan- tic Fleet and was specifically chosen for a sensitive operation (Operation SNAP LOCK), testifies to the out- standing abilities of each individual crew member and their effectiveness as a team. I salute the finest crew that a Commanding Officer could ask for to man his ship.

Page 8 text:

COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN P.R, OLSON Captain Phillip R. Olson. United States Navy, was born in Elmhurst, Illi- nois on 23 June 1939 and was raised in the town of Reseda near Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles for one year prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy where he received his com- mission in June 1962. Captain Olson has served at sea as Division Officer in the Reactor De- partment in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) as Operations Officer in USS BELKNAP (CG-26). and as Executive Officer in USS SAMPSON (DDG-IO) while the ship was homeported in Athens, Greece. He has also served as Engineering Officer in USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) and was Com- manding Officer of USS PHARRIS (FF- 1094) before reporting to USS MISSIS- SIPPI as Commanding Officer. Captain Olson holds a Master of Sci- ence Degree in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Cali- fornia. He attended the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College in 1972 and was an instructor at the Senior Officer ' s Ship Material Readi- ness Course in Idaho Falls. Idaho, be- fore assuming command of USS PHAR- RIS inJuly 1981. Captain Olson is married to the for- mer Marsha Andrea Lippert of Nutley, New Jersey. They have a daughter. Christine, and a son, Phillip Jr.

Page 10 text:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER APRIL 1983-FEBRUARY 1985 CDR. F.J. DOBRYDNEY LCDR Frank Dobrydney was commissioned an Ensign in May 1971 via a NROTC Program after completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering at iowa State University. He reported to USS MORTON (DD-9AS) as the Fire Control and Gunnery Officer and participated in close gunfire support missions and Linebacker Strikes against North Vietnam. He was subsequently ordered to Michigan State University to participate in the Burke Scholarship Program and earned a Master of Science Degree in Systems Analysis. Following department head school at Newport, Rhode Island he reported to USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22) as the Weapons Officer and was accepted for training in the Nuclear Power Program upon completion of that tour. After training at Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida and propulsion plant qualification at the Nuclear Power Train- ing Unit at Idaho Falls, Idaho, LCDR Dobrydney was assigned to USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) as the Main Propulsion Assistant and later assumed duties as the Electrical Officer. He reported USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN-40) as the Executive Officer in April of 1983. He is married to the former Mary Jo Fisher of Neola, Iowa and has two children, John and Vicky.