Monongahela (AO 178) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

Change of Keiponiibilitu of Command The responsibility of the commanding Officer for his command is absolute and the authority of the commanding officer is commensurate with his responsibility. -U.S. Navy Regulations, 1973. The Change of Command ceremony is a time honored tradition which formally restates to the officers and personnel of the command the conti- nuity of the authority of the command. It is a formal ritual conducted be- fore the assembled company of the command. The Change of Command of a naval unit is nearly unique in the world today: it is a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to anoth-

Page 11 text:

Officers Commander Donald A. Frahler United States Navy Commanding Officer 1 August 1989 - Present CDR Frahler was born in Bethesda, Maryland. He is the son of Commander (Retired) and Mrs. Andrew Frahler, and calls Lake Forest. Illinois his hometown. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the class of 1972 earning a degree in Naval Engineering. After commissioning, he reported to USS HOLLISTER (DD 788) and served as the First Lieutenant. Gunnery Officer and the Main Propulsion Assistant. Commander Frahler ' s next assignment was to the Department HeadCourseat the Surface Warfare Officers School in New- port, Rhode Island. Graduating in December 1975, he reported to the USS DAVIS (DD 937) as Weapons Officer, and participated in the Bicentennial UNIT AS cruise with the South Ameri- can Navies. His second department head tour w as as Operations Officer in USS MOUNT BAK- ER (AE 34). In June 1979, he was assigned to the Commander, Naval Military Personnel Com- mand as the Surface Warfare Initial Assessions Assignment Officer. Subsequently, he detailed the department heads in year groups 1974 and 1975. CDR Frahler assumed command of USS ENGAGE (MSO 433) in July 1 982. Two years later, he was assigned as Executive Officer, USS SANTA BARBARA (AE 28). In December 1986, CDR Frahler reported to the Pentagon as the Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy. CDR Frahler ' s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Cita- tion, the Battle Efficiency Ribbon, and various other theater and campaign ribbons from the Vietnam War. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1987. CDR Frahler assumed duties as Commanding Officer, USS MONONGAHELA on 1 August 1989. Ws Commander Frahler is married to the former Sharon Lynn Gotaas of Winnetka, Illinois. They have two daughters, Jori Lynn and Kristen Leigh. %

Page 13 text:

Command MOISONGAHELA ' s fourth Change of Command ceremony was scheduled to take place in Villefranche. France on 2 August 1989. The ship was prepared in grand fashion, and numerous foreign dignitaries were invited to attend. CDR Frahler joined the ship in Naples, Italy on 26 July 1989 and he was standing by to relieve as MONONGAHELA ' s fifth Commanding Officer. On 1 August 1989, however. MONONGAHELA was called upon to join the Coral Sea Battle Group in supporting U.S. National Policy. As a result of the hostage crisis in Lebanon, the entire battle group was put on alert and directed to transit to the Eastern Medi- terranean without delay. The Change of Command ceremony was held on the afternoon of 1 August 1989, with only one guest, Joanne Diddlemeyer, CDR Diddle- meyer ' s wife. With the crew assembled on the flight deck. CDR Frahler relieved CDR Diddlemeyer and the ship quickly departed to rejoin the Battle Group.