Robert A Owens (DD 827) - Naval Cruise Book

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The USS ROBERT A OWENS is named in honor of Sergeant Robert Allen OWENS, USMC, of Drayton, Sgugh Carolina, who was killed in action on the Island of Bougqn- ville in the Solomons on I November l943 and wqg awarded the Conaressional Medal of Honor. USS R A OWENS DDE 827 The ROBERT A. OWENS, built by the Bath Iron Works Corporation, was launched at Bath, Maine on I5 July I946. Because of the slow-down in Naval construction at the end of World War ll, work was suspended shortly after launching. Construction was resumed during the latter part of 1947 and on 5 November i949 at Boston, Massachu- setts, the ship was commissioned USS ROBERT A. OWENS lDDE-827l. Since commissioning, all of the World War II type weapons have been replaced by the latest anti-sub- marine and anti-aircraft armament, making the OWENS the most formidable of her type, known as Escort Destroyer. The ROBERT A. OWENS has participated in every maior Atlantic Fleet exercise. She has demonstrated her value as a versatile unit of the Destroyer Force, taking active part in air defense, escort of convoy, anti-submarine and fast carrier operations. Assigned to Destroyer Flotilla FOUR, the OWENS was the flagship of Commander Destroyer Squadron 28 until April l959. From her home port of Norfolk, Virginia the OWENS has served continuously in the Mediterranean, Carribbean, and Atlantic costal areas. After completing overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in December l956, OWENS participated in a three month training cruise to the Carribbean. Next came a tour with the SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean. In the fall of 1957, the OWENS ioined in NATO exercises off the coast of Belgium and France. The OWENS returned to Norfolk and next came the annual training cruise to the Carribbean, known as Operation SPRINGBOARD, Upon her return to Norfolk on 30 March, the OWENS and the other seven ships of Destroyer Squad- ron 28, were assigned to Task Group ALFA. Since early April l958, the Task Group streamlined and integrated separate AirfSurfacefSub Surface ASW operations into a smooth-running coordinated effort. ln October l958, the OWENS again entered the Nor- folk Naval Shipyard, completing an extended but very effective overhaul in February I959. During the refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, following the overhaul, the OWENS became a mem- ber of Destroyer Squadron 36. Soon after returning to Norfolk from Cuba, the ship became the flagship of the squadron and the Commodore struck his pennant on I0 April. After leaving Cuba, OWENS continued to operate in the Western Atlantic area, developing new techniques and polishing procedures of our ASW doctrine. During January and February I96O, OWENS participated in the Fleet-wide Operation Springboard , in the Carr-ibbean area. Upon completion of Operation Springboard OWENS continue-rl ASW exercises in the Western Atlantic area until Juno Watt, when she returned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for regular overhaul, Alter leaving the shipyard, owEN5 complvtml two months refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In December l96O, OWENS resumed her role with Destroyer Squadron 36 in concentrated ASW operations off' the East Coast of the United States, In February I96fr OWENS and Destroyer Squadron 36 became PW' Q' Task Croup BRAVO which rmlucles USS WASP ICVS lal G5 , r .. .. . ' - .

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TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN Memories are a part of every man's existence. Navy men in particular have memories of many far away places and old friendships. This cruise book will be a record of the memories of the Owens in far away places with many old friends in the summer of 1961. l am sure that you will glance through these pages often in future years, as I know I will, and recall the won- derful times in the Mediterranean, and the many familiar shipmates on the Owens. MORTIMER C. JOHNSON COMMANDER MORTIMER C. JOHNSON, USN Commander Mortimer C. JOHNSON, USN, was born on 26 June 1925 at Black River Falls, Wis- consin. He attended the Eau Claire State Teachers College from 1942 to 1943, the University of Wisconsin from 1943 to 1944, and the University of Marquette from 1944 to 1945, receiving a com- mission from the latter's NROTC Unit. He also at- tended the U. S. Navy Electronics Material Course the Electronics Maintenance School AFSWP Elec- trical Officer's Courses, the CIC Watch Officer's School, the COXXO ASW Tactical Course, and the Weapons Employment Course, Guided Missile Ori- entation, Norfolk, and APL, Johns Hopkins Uni- versity, W e a p o n s Employment Familiarization Course, AFSWP, Command Course in ASW Tactics, Weapons Missile Orientation, Norfolk. He has served aboard the USS Battineau, USS Fremont, USS Midway, USS Holder and USS New. He has served on COMPHIBTRAPAC and COMDESFLOT 4 staffs and has had instructor duty. His awards and decorations include the American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Theater, World War II Victory, Navy Occupation, and the National Defense Medals. Commander, USN DAVID D. ANSEL WILLIAM H. GRIGG LT. Commander, USN LT. Commander, USN Executive Officer LCDR D. D. Ansel relieved . on 3 July 1961 by LCDR. Wm. H. Grigg.