Nicholson (DD 982) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER JOHN PRESCOTT MORSE UNITED STATES NAVY Commander Morse is a 1970 graduate of Dartmouth College where he received his regular commission through the NR OTC Program. Following commissioning, Commander Morse served as the Gunnery Ofhcer and as a Deck OfHcer in USS CHICAGO CCG-1 lj. Assigned subsequently as Executive OfHcer in USS CA NON KPG-901, he participated in Coastal Operations in the contiguous wa ters of Vietnam and patrols of the Trust Territories in the PaciHc. After a brief assignment in 1973 as Assistant Operations Ofhcer for Commander, Coastal Squadron Three, Commander Morse served as Chief Engineer, USS DAMA TO I DD-8 71 j. He was assigned to the Na val War College in 1976, Hrst in the Center for Advanced Research and later as Aide and Executive Assistant to the President. In 1980, Commander Morse reported to Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight where he served as Scheduler, Assistant Surface Operations Ofhcer, and Combat Systems OfHcer. His previous sea tour was as Executive OfHcer, USS SPR UANCE IDD-9632. Commander Morse received a masterfs degree in Financial Management from the Naval Post-Graduate School in December 1985. In addition to various unit awards and campaign ribbons, Commander Morse is authorized to wear the Bronze Star with Combat V , the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. Commander Morse assumed command of USS NICHOLSON on 25 July 1986.

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N M ORIA COMMANDER JAMES MICHAEL LOPACINSKI UNITED STATES NAVY 1946-1986 COMMANDER James M. Lopacinski was a graduate of the United Sta tes Na val Academy, Class of 1966. Following his graduation and commissioning, Commander Lopacinski reported to the USS JOHN A. BOLE I DD- 755 2 serving as Gunnery Assistant and later as Weapons OfHcer. He attended the Na val Destroyer School with class 2 7 and in October 1969 reported to USS CHE VALIER CDD-8052 as the Operations OfHcer. After a tour with Commander Na val Advisory Group, Vietnam as the Staff Physchological Warfare Advisor, Commander Lopacinski assumed command of USS CREE KA TF-842 in August 1972i He then attended the United States Navy Post-Graduate School, where he received his Master of Science Degree, and the Na val War College Command and Staff Course. In July 1976, Commander Lopacinski was assigned to the Na val Military Personnel Command as a Computer Systems Analyst, and in May 1979 reported as the Executive Officer, USS PA UL IFF-10802. Commander Lopacinski was relieved 25 July 1986 in the Persian Gulf His subsequent assignment to the Na val Data Automation Command, Washington, D.C. was cut short because of his suddden and unexpected death in December 1986.

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LCDR WILLIAM D. UPDEGRAFF UNITED STATES NAVY Lieutenant Commander Updegraff is a 1971 graduate of Emory and Henry College. Enlisting in the Navy in January 1972, he was selected for OfHcers candidate School and received his commission in September 1972. Following commissioning, LCDR Updegraff served as Anti-Submarine Warfare OfHcer in USS BLA NDY IDD-9-432. Assigned subsequently as Combat Information Center OfHcer in USS PETERSON CDD-9692. In January 1979, he was Hrst assigned to Surface Warfare OfHcers School and later Department Head School. Upon completion, he was assigned as Combat Systems OfHcer in USS O'BA NNON I DD- 987j until August 1981. LCDR Updegraff was assigned then as Chief Engineer in USS WILLIAM V. PRA TT CDDG-441. In August 1983 he was assigned as Combat Systems Programs Director at Fleet and Mine Warfare Training Center, Charleston, SC until his assignment as Executive OfHcer in November 1985. Lieutenant Commander Updegraff is authorized to wear the following awards: Battle E I2 awardsj, Navy Expeditionary, National Defense, Sea Service 14 awardsj and the Marksman Pistol ribbon.