Mount Katmai (AE 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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OF THE KATMAI CAE-16) The MOUNT KATMAI proudly displays the following battle ribbons on her signal bridge. Navy Unit Commendation American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal Victory Medal (World War II) Navy Occupation Service Medal United Nations Service Medal Korean Service medal with 9 stars Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge Service Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet and falls into the category of ships known as the work-horses of the Navy. To date, however, no job has been too tough for the MOUNT KATMAI to handle; each and every task as- signed having earned a well done for the ship and itsj;crew. - The MOUNT KATMAI is an auxiliary type ship under the type command of Commander

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HISTORY MOUNT Continuous Service is the history of the MOUNT KATMAI. The USS MOUNT KATMAI was built by the North Carolina Ship Building Company of Wilmington, N. C, with the keel laid on 11 November 1944. She was commis- sioned on 21 July 1945. Since then she has been in continuous active service. In 1949 the MOUNT KATMAI passed through the Panama Canal and was on the West Coast when the Korean War broke out. On 22 July 1950, fully loaded, she left San Francisco for the Far East. Her first rearming during the Korean Conflict was on 18 August 1950. At this time she was the only AE en- gaged in replenishment operations of the combatant force of the United Nations. i

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CHARLES ANTHONY lARROBINO CAPTAIN, U. S. NAVY COMMANDING OFFICER Charles Anthony larrobmo was born in South liatick, Massachusetts on 24 August 1915, son of Patrick and Anna Mary (Kelly) larrobino. He entered the Naval Service in May, 1937 under the NovCad Program, after graduating from Boston College in 1937 He was designated a Naval Aviator and commissioned Ensign in August 1939 He reported to the USS RANGER that same year, and remained in the billet of Material Officer of VS-42 until May 1942. Before receiving orders to the USS ESSEX, he was promoted to the rank of LTJG and, upon transferring, assumed the duties of Landing Signal Officer and, later. Assistant Air Officer. He was promoted to LCDR, before reporting to the staff of COMFAIR- QUONSET in October 1944 as Officer-in-Charge. Carrier Qualifications and Landing Signal Officer Training Unit In addition, LCDR larrobino served as Aide and Flag Lieutenant for several months prior to assignment to the Gen- eral Line School at Newport, Rhode Island. In 1947, he reported to the Naval Air Station at Jacksonville, Florida for a flight refresher course Upon comple- tion, he was assigned to VA-75 aboard the USS LEYTE as Commanding Officer. LCDR larrobino was relieved a year later, October 1948, and returned to NAS Quonset Point as Inspection Officer. He was promoted to the rank of CDR in 1949 and in July 1950 was ordered to the USS PRINCETON as Air Officer. CDR larrobino reported to the U. S. Naval Academy in lune 1952 as an instructor in the Department of Aviation. Later, he became Department Exec- utive Officer through the period up to September 1954 He completed a course in Jet Transitional Training at NAS Kingsville, Texas before returning to sea as Commander Carrier Air Group Seven aboard the USS HORNET In February 1956 he became Assistant Head, Distribution Detail Branch in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations He received additional orders in that billet the following year to the Bureau of Naval Personnel While in Washington. D C, he was promoted to his present rank and given orders to the National War College Upon graduation from the National War College, he was ordered to the Staff of Commander Carrier Division Seven He served as Operations Officer in that staff until December 1960 On 4 March 1961, CAPT larrobino took command of the USS MOUNT KATMAI (AE-16) In addition to various area and campaign ribbons, CAPT larrobino is en- titled to wear the Legion of Merit with Combat V; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and a Gold Star; the Commendation Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Naval Unit Citation TO THE MEN OF THE MOUNT KATMAI As years pass, our 1960 deployment to Westpac will be relived by all of us, in memories of a job well done, liberties well spent, or perhaps of friends made in far off parts. Who among us can forget the people of Kagoshima, liberty in Hong Kong or the old people of Okinawa Koseien. This cruise book, in a small way, portrays a story to be remembered. Two hun- dred-odd men and a ship, which after six short months became a first rate fighting unit. MOUNT KATMAI sailed 28,939 hard miles, through typhoon, heat and personal privations, yet this great unit found time to leave behind countless friends through- out Japan, Okinawa and the Philippines. MOUNT KATMAI, through the efforts of an untiring crew, established a fine rep- utation for service to the fleet. Our job has not been glamorous nor highly publicized, but the challenge has been met by we who wait to serve. Readiness and reliability is our forte and in this field there is no better than MOUNT KATMAI. In years to come, each one of you will be proud to have served on this ship, a member of a top notch team on a memorable cruise. Good luck to all and Smooth Sailing. i .-