Rupertus (DD 851) - Naval Cruise Book

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l Commander J. R. Van Sickle Commanding Gfiicer October 1963 - Gctober 1965 Commander VAN SICKLE was relieved as Commanding Qtficer on 26 Qctober 1965 in Buckner Bay, Okinawa. His remarks at the change of command ceremony follow: Qfficers and men of RUPERTUS, shipmates all, a week ago yester- day we held an awards ceremony on this spot. I told you then that letters of commendation from Commander SEVENTH Fleet were on the way. These letters have not arrived. I regret that 1 shall not be here to make the presentations when they do. In the past two years RUPERTUS has steamed 113,238 miles QOver 4 times aroand the worldl and burned 6,670,481 gallons of fuel. She has steamed this far and never missed a commitment, she has shot superlatively well and earned from COMSEVENTHFLT the title of, Fastest Gun in the West,'. She has earned the coveted Communica- tions C and has the reputation of the finest feeder in the Squadron. She has played every existing destroyer role in the 7th Fleet and recei- ved accolades from all command levels. She is combat ready now. She meets the superlative professional standards desired by COMSE- VENTHFLT in every respect. - - RUPERTUS is in my estimation the finest ship in the Pacific Fleet because you are the finest most highly professional ship's company. This will continue so long as you maintain and strive to surpass the professional standards you now have. I am honored to have served with you. l leave you reluctantly, hut confident that with Commander BURKE you are in the hands of a truly superb professional. l shall now read my orders.

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i , Sy lx , f W , X S ' YM x I If M Iwfmfk , f ,V . Q ' ,rf X Q xx ,, ,.XXXf f f N X W X W 5 QS I f 7 ' Qmx QSM' , , ,Q J 7, F! , I , V,V, K I I' , f f 1 Z X J -f I M ' , ,M gf. If ,. X X W X4 I f uv V' . 1 Y WI WSWS f CAPTAIN R. E. KIRK, USN CUMMANDER DESTROYER DIVISION 32 AUGUST 1965 - AUGUST 1966

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'U . 1. X 0 ir ' ' s L. -I six V p i X -77 Commander E. J. Burke Commanding Gfficer Uctober 1965- To the Officers and Nlen of RUPERTUS 1 As we all know. this book covers as much of our two year deployment as the printing schedule allows 1 but. unfortunately for me. my part in the book and the life and times of RUPE has a bearing on but the latter third of the cruise. l only wish that I could have been your Commanding Officer for the entire two year deployment. VVhen l received my orders to command RUPERTUS l was pleased to be returning to Desllon Three. a squadron in which I served in an earlier war and one which has long been noted as the squadron of pro- fessionals. lt did not take many days to realize that RUPE was indeed manned by a dedicated group of truely professional destroyermen well experienced in the art of all phases of naval operations. The way in which you have responded to every challange has been heart warming indeed and your loyalty to the ship and to me has made this tour the high point of my naval career. l wish to take this opportunity to salute each and everyone of you and to pass on a well desc-rved f'VVlfl,l, DCJNICT