Renville (APA 227) - Naval Cruise Book

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' at ls f ii Wi iff: , Okinawa must be awarded the Blue Ribbon for providing the wildest liberty. Almost all had the op- porttmity to visit Koza Qalthough a few were lost in villages 1, 2, or 31. The Okinawans have wisely named their thirst quenching establishments after American towns. The St. Louis Club, along with other such honorable establishments as the Koko, Butterfly, Blue Moon, New York Club, Bar Canadian, Playboy, and the Club Champion all received their fair share of RENVILLE business. After a total of almost three months in the South China Sea, there isn 't anyone who would deny our crew the few liber- ties it was afforded . . . and made the most of. There was not a more interesting place in WesPac than japan, as those who visited Kamaktua, Toky Yokohama, and other small villages will testify. A nation quickly back on its feet after the War, Japan has made miraculous strides with its economy and no wonder. After watching the steady stream of china and Sony taperecorders that crossed the Quarterdeck during those brief nine days, it is obvious how this amazing nation recovered so quickly. As expected the Ship 's Party was one of the highlights of the cruise. It certainly provided many laughs. fmornings after were not so enjoyablej. The food was good, the drink better, and the whole- some entertainers managed to give some a substantial earful . After six months everyone was anxious to lay eyes on the shores of the good ole U. S. , to see famil- rw on iar sights, and lavish in the comforts of the homeland. Many had loved ones waiting and everyone long- ed for home. Each of us will remember this cruise in retrospect, for the hard work and numerous hours contributed into making RENVILLE the best APA in the Squadron . . . and probably all of PHIBPAC. We won't soon forget the many hours on watch, and the many hours spent wondering about our families. We won't for- get the Viet Namese Coast and die flares exploding over the distant jungle fighting. We won't forget the Marines methodically chanting Jody , or the times when combat reported unknown contacts ap- proaching at high speeds. We won't forget the Sixty-Seven days which gave RENVILLE a new peace- time cruising record. Each one of us feels pride in what we did, pride in having been a part, no matter how small, of the Viet Namese Campaign. Our job was done outstandingly. To some the cruise may have seemed mediocre, and probably many were disappointed, but our crew built RENVILLE into a superb amphib and above all she stood ready to fulfill the purpose. She was ready then. She is ready now. I8 DECEMBER I964 3

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wifi? .- ' 35155353 22 .IU E I964 It goes without saying that our WesPac cruise was not the cruise many of us had anticipated. During the cruise we were destined to work . . . destined to spend a few days in port, and often more than a few weeks at sea. Certainly all of us became tired of the tedious weeks afloat. And yet, because of the circumstances and performance, we were rewarded with the knowledge of having done a fine job. RENVILLE's cruise came during a complex period when the powerful and cunning forces of the Soviet Union and Communist China saw an opportunity to quicken the decaying situation in South Viet Nam . . . with the hope of eventually gathering all of Southeast Asia under the Red banner. In this political, yet deadly warfare, we found ourselves in an area with little history of democratic development . . . an oriental area with no conception of baseball and Mom's apple pie , an unstable area war-torn since 1940. Political historians have constantly warned us that if we lost South Viet Nam we would soon lose all of Southeast Asia . . . and after that, who knows ? This is why the United States continues increasing its support of men and materials . . . not only for South Viet Nam, but for the in- terests of Freedom throughout the world. While we steamed off the Viet Namese coast in the South China Sea and the Bay of Tonkin, those close to us at home read reports of attacks on the U, S, S, MADDOX, the U. S, S. EDWARDS and the various incidents staged by the Viet Cong and our forces inland. And while they read, they prayed that they would not open the newspaper at the breakfast table the next morning and read about the REN- VILLE INCIDENT . Fortunately, it never occured. When American lives are at stake, our job is not intended to be luxurious. The work expected of us never is. The flaring Viet Namese situation necessitated our steaming for sixty-seven days off Viet Nam, without liberty or a letdown in our high degree of readiness. And growing concern over South Viet Nam 'S turbelent government caused our return to this same area after our Yokosuka visit, fully loaded, for another monotonous twenty days. This steady steaming, in formation and out, was not easy. Neither were all of the GQ's, darken ships, showerless nights, typhoons, or those one hundred and five replenishments we remember so vididly. Nevertheless, the tension which gradually accumulated in each crew member was somewhat alleviated in those memorable ports we did hit . . . Okinawa, japan, and the Philippines . ll XN 2

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CAPTAIN F. W. AULT COMMANDI G OFFI ER Born 26 August 1921, Bellaire, Ohio. Parenis, Mr. 8 Mrs. Ralph AULT who are presently residing in Baltimore, Maryland. Attended grammar school at Glencoe, Ohio and highschool at Bellaire, Ohio. Graduated from U. S. Naval Academy in june 1942, member of Class of 1943. Went aboard USS ASTORIA as j.O. , Gunnery Department, june 1942 to August 1942. Became Fire Control Officer on USS TUSCALOOSA, November 1942 to November 1944. Entered Flight Training in November 1944 and was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1945. Remained in this program until April 1946. From May 1946 to November 1947 was Operations Officer and Executive Officer of Torpedo lAttack Squadron 75 fVA4B on board the USS F. D. ROOSEVELT. Served in Special Weapons Training with Field Command AFSWP from December 1947 to September 1948. While at Albuquerque, New Mexico, during this period, was enrolled as a student in advanced nucleonics at the University of New Mexico. Served as Intelligence and Operations Officer of Heavy Attack Squadron 5 from September 1948 until March 1951. Assigned to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations QOp-365 in March 1951 and served as,ASsistant for Air Applications, Weapons Branch, Division of Atomic Energy until july 1953. In August 1953 became Executive Officer of Attack Squadron 55 on board the USS ESSEX until June 1954. joined the Staff, Commander Fleet Air Alameda in June 1954 as Commanding Officer, Flag Administrative Unit and Personnel Officer. Leaving the Staff in March 1955 to become Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 216 on board the USS YORKTOWN until October 1956. Went to BuOrd as Military Assistant for Nuclear Weapons, Research Division, a.nd Director of Research for Astronautics until August 1958. Becoming a student once again, went to Industrial College of the Armed Forces from August 1958 to june 1959. Following school, joined the Staff of Carrier Air Group Four in july 1959 to March 1960. 18 March 1960 assumed command of Carrier Air Group 10 on board the USS SHANGRI LA, In June 1961 returned again to Washington, D. C. , for duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Qop- 76j as Head, Space Programs Branch, Astronautics Development Division. In February 1962 assumed duties as Military Assist- ant to the Deputy Director for Space, Office of the Director, Defense Research and Engineering. Awarded the joint Service Commendation Medal for meritorious service in connection with this assignment. On 9 Ivlay 1964 assmned command of USS RENVILLE QAPA 227Q. World War II actions fall in heavy cruisersj include: Invasion of Guadalcanal Q1942j. First Battle of Savo Island Q1942j. Invasion of North Africa Q1942j, Raid on Bodo Harbor, Norway Q1943y, Normandy Invasion H9445 and Invasion of Southern France Q1944j. Survived the sinking of USS ASTORIA in 1942. Was Bomb Commander in the Navy's first Atomic Delivery Squadron, Heavy Attack Squadron 5, flying P2V and Aj aircraft from Midway class aircraft carriers. Married in 1946 to the former Helen Blake HAMMER of jacksonville, Florida. Is the father of five children: jeffrey U-37, Laurel 1161, jon Q15j, Jerald U25 and jan Q9j. Current address: 1263 Willow Street, San Diego, California. Is a former member of the Armed Forces - National Research Cotmcil Committee on Bio -Astronautics and a current member of the American Asuonautical Society and the U. S. Naval Institute. 4 'hgh