Paul F Foster (DD 964) - Naval Cruise Book

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Vice Admiral Paul F Foster PAUL FREDRICK FOSTER was born in Wichita, Kansas on 25 March 1889 , and he attended the University of Idaho and then entered the US Naval Academy, graduating with the class of 1911. Following graduation, he joined the USS WASHINGTON CCA 115 in which he served until December of that year, when he was transferred to the newly commissioned USS UTAH CBB 315. While serving in UTAH, he participated in the Mexican Campaign, and was awarded the Congres- sional Medal of Honor for Distinguished conduct in battle engagements of Vera Cruz, 21, 22 April 1914. In both days, fighting at the head of his company, Ensign Foster was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage . In December, 1914, Admiral Foster began submarine instruction and in February, 1916, he assumed command of G-4. He was then assigned to comand the USS AL-2 CSS 415 which, while operating off Bantry Bay was credited with sinking the German submarine CUB 655, one of the three officially listed as sunk by the US Navy. While in command he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for Exceptiona1 Meritorious Service in a duty of great responsibility as the Commanding Officer of the USS AL2 in an encounter during which an enemy submarine was sunk. In January, 1924, he was ordered to Philadelphia to ll i W f- assist in fitting out the USS TRENTON CCL 115 and he served aboard as Engineering Officer upon Commissioning in April of that year. In January, 1927, he was awarded the Navy Cross for Extraordinary heroism on the occasion of the turrent explosion on board the USS TRENTON . Lieutenant Commander Foster was the first man to receive all three of the Navy's highest awardsg the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal. In March 1927, he resigned his regular commission, and was active in various civilian organizations some directly involved with US military functions. In 1941, he was recalled to active duty where he served on the Navy Inspector General's Staff and during World War II, con- ducted three major inspections at the personal direction of President Roosevelt. In June, 1954, Admiral Fo9ter joined the Staff of Atomic Energy Commission as special 'ssistant to the General Manager for International Acti ties and on July 1, 1957, he was appointed General Man ger of the AEC, where he served until June 1958. In 1959 ,President Eisen- hower appointed him to the Internationagmomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria with the rank.of Ambassador. He served in this Position until 1961. Admiral Poster died in 1972, in Virginia Beach, Vir- ginia at 83 . I

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STATISTICS Length ----- ---- 5 63 Feet 4 Inches Beam ---------- ---- 5 5 Feet Displacement ---- ---- '7 ,800 Tons Personnel ------ ---- O fficers . . . 18 CPO's . . . 19 Enlisted . . . 235 Armament --- ---- 2 Five inch 54 cal. MK 45 Gun Mounts MK 112 ASROC launcher 2 MK 32 Torpedo launchers. NATO Sea Sparrow Missle System USS PAUL F. FOSTER QDD 9645 is the second ship of the DD 963 Class and the first to join the Pacific Fleet. FOSTER is a multi-mission surface combatant that has the latest concepts in ship design and electronic systems incorporated into her combat capability. FOSTER has been designed and built by Ingalls Ship- building Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The all gas turbine propulsion plant provides the speed and endurance necessary to operate independ- ently over a large ocean area, while the Naval Tac- tical Data System installation enables the ship to operate offensively in support of carrier strike forces or amphibious assault forces in the air, surface, or subsurface threat environment. With antisubmarine warfare as a primary mission, FOSTER is well equipped for this demanding assign- ment. The ship is specially designed for quiet opera- tion to compliment her SQS-53 sonar in detection of submarines. This new type of sonar detects, identi- fies and tracks multiple underwater targets and is the first sonar to be linked directly to digital computers, thus permitting quicker and more accurate process- ing of target information. Target destruction can be accomplished utilizing any one of the three antisubmarine weapons systems. The MK 32 torpedo tubes will be employed in the short range situations while the antisubmarine rocket CASROCJ launcher and the flexible antisubmarine helicopter will carry weapons to longer ranges. FOSTER also carries an array of other weapons to counter a variety of potential threats, including two new lightweight five-inch guns which are fully auto- matic and electronically. Recently installed aboard FOSTER is the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System. Designed to knock down incoming high speed air targets, the missile system can be launched in a matter of seconds. FOSTER is the largest general purpose destroyer ever built for the United States Navy. The ship has been designed with space and weight reservations available for the installation of equipment and weapons that are presently in the development stage. POSTER is destined to serve our nation in the proud tradition of her namesake, Vice Admiral Paul F. Foster.

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COA T OFARMS A USS PA UL R FOSTER DD 9641 The design.-,of the FOSTER Coat of Arms fpictured on the front coverj is a composite of emblems representing the many ous gtandingp honors and achievements attained by Vice Admiral Foster during his long and vigorous service to hi: country, and to the Navy . Within the shield of the Coat of Arms is a chevron which also appears in the blazon of the Foster family. Traditionally a symbol of support and achievement, the chevron has been divided into three sections. These divisions represent the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Vice Admiral Foster, the first Naval Officer to receive all of the Navy's three highest decorations. The tip of the chevron occupies the heraldic honor position, while the darker blue in the subordinate sections refers to the ribbons of the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal. The three five-pointed stars within the chevron represent the rank of Vice Admiral. A surrounding border of navy blue further alludes to Vice Admiral Foster's service during World War I that resulted in the sinking of a German submarine for which he received the Distin- guished Service Medal. A triple towered castle forms the crest of the ship's emblem . The same castle appears as part of the Coat of Arms from the port of Vera Cruz , representing where , then, Ensign Foster distinguished himself and received the Medal of Honor. The tower's red color further alludes to the turret explosion of the USS TRENTON and the extraordinary heroism of Lieutenant Commander Foster, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. Below the shield , on a scroll of navy blue, is the ship's motto: Honor, Valor, Service. Each word having come from the citation accompanying the decorations awarded to Admiral Poster. ,K If .359 Admiral Foster Cseated centerj as an Ensign at Vera Cruz.