Norris (DD 859) - Naval Cruise Book

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CRUI E BOOK FOREWORD To all Norrismen, We have steamed together some 45,000 miles in just a few days short of seven months. During that time we have spent about 56 days in port and almost 150 days at sea. You have all come to know your ship and your shipmates extremely well and now the time is upon us when many close friendships must of necessity come to an end. Many of you will now go your separate ways, some in this fine Navy of ours and some not, but in any case I am sure that you will not soon forget your deployment on the good s hip NORRIS. She has treated us well and richly deserves our praise. I For the young men, I must say that although you perhaps have not recognized it in your- selves, you have grown, matured, and broadened in the past seven months. You are now men with the ultimate responsibility that manhood demands. I only hope that as you go forth from this ship you go as men with agreater understanding of your responsibilities to your country, your families and yourselves. That no matter what profession you may choose, this period will have, in some way, better prepared you for your future. To the 'fold timers I extend my thanks for your excellent support and hard work without which the ship would have never achieved the envious record she so richly deserves.You were the backbone of the ship and my steady right hand. Godspeed to all of you who will be leaving us. We, together, suffered through some bad times and enjoyed some good. I am sure that as time softens memory the good times will be more fondly remembered and the bad almost totally forgotten. 'This is as it should be and I hope that as the years pass we will have the op- portunity to meet once again. The deployment to Southeast Asia was made to do a job. We did it! I am proud of everyone of you. Warmest regards to all of you, ROBERT F. MASSIMI

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W Q ff Commander Robert F. Massimi, en- tered the U.S. Merchant Marine in 1944. After serving six years in the Deck Depart- ments of various Merchant Ships, he at- tended the Maritime Service Officer Can- didate School and received his license as a Third Officer in the Merchant Service. After two years as a Deck Officer on m e r c h a nt vessels, Commander ,Massimi was commissioned as Ensign, USNR. His first tour was on USNS D.C. SHANKS QTAP- 180j as Communications Officer. In 1953, he at t e n d e d Explosive Ordnance Disposal School and was assigned to USSPHIL- IPPINE SEA QCV-475 upon graduation. Released to inactive duty in 1955 , Com- mander Massimi attended the University of Maryland for one year. He was then selected for a Regular Navy commission and sent to CIC Officer's School. From 1956 through 1959 he served as OperationsOfficer aboard USS HYMAN QDD-7325 and then as MMANDI G OFFICER R. F. Massimi Commander USN Executive Officer of USS KYNE IDE-75145. In 1959 C ommander Massimi was ordered ashore as a student at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., under the Five Term College Program.He received his Bachelors Degree in Inter- national Relations in June 1961, and was assigned as Executive Officer of USS HAZELWOOD IDD-5315. In 1962 , Commander Massimi assumed command of USS RHODES QDER-3841 and in 1963 began a tour of duty on the Staff of Commander Cruiser, Destroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as Assistant F0rC6 Personnel Officer. From January to June 1966 he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Commander Massimi is married to the former Valerie Marie Gallotta Of Providence, Rhode Island. They have tWQ children, Nancy Anita, 3, and Robin Lisa, 2.

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EXEC TI E OFFICER I. J. Waldron LCDR USN S 1 LCDR Waldron was graduated from Boston College in 1954 and entered Naval Officer Candidate School in March 1955. After attending Communications School he was assigned as a Communications Watch Officer on the Staff of COMDESLANT where he reported in September 1955. In December of the following year he left the Communications billet to become aide and Flag Lieutenant to COMDESLANT. In March 1957, LCDR Waldron was ordered to duty aboard USS MITSCHER QDL-25 Where he served for three years as ASW Officer and Gunnery Officer. His next assignment took him to Washington, D. C. to the Ord- nance and Logistics Section of OPNAV. In November 1962 he reported aboard USS CHEWAUCAN QAOG-505 to assume duty as Commanding Officer Where he remained until June 1964. He then was ordered a- shore for a year of Post-Graduate study at the American University School of For- eign Service, Washington, D. C. In Novem- ber 1965, LCDR Waldron came to USS NORRIS QDDE-8595. LC DR Waldron is married to the for- mer Jean McDonald Ryan of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. They have three chil- dren, Linda, age 9, Pamela, age 7, and Susan, age 3.