Shenandoah (AD 26) - Naval Cruise Book

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T w During this tour of duty in theMediterranean each and every man had proven himself fully qualified and capable of performing all the duties of his rating. This stellar individual proficiency together with the Can Do spirit shown by all hands gave the Shenandoah the reputation of being a clean, smart and able destroyer tender. We are all rightly proud of the Shenandoah and with our mission accomplished as Sixth Fleet Tender and Flagship for Commander Ser- vice Force Sixth Fleet, we will return to the United States to continue repairing our Destroy- ers. The need for outstanding performance will continue and with each member of the ship's company pulling together we will continue to be a winning team despite the adversities of per- sonnel shortages, monetary restrictions and the myriad of other miscellaneous difficulties normally encountered. Each of you will always retain many pleasant memories of this cruise, foremost of mymemo- ries will be the willingness, initiative and ability of this entire ships company, as a team you are without peer. For the entire operation, WELL DONE. J.S. WEILER, Commander USN Executive Officer, USS Shenandoah dll---...... Z A no-,,,,,,, ,.,,,,, ,,,,,,,.',,,.,:,,,,.,,.,.,,.,..-.......-,......-... ..... ,. ...-.-Q--.-.Q -nn-V THIS IS THE CAPTAIN We have just ended a very successful cruise. It has been somewhat of a strain on all of us, and I am proud that we accomplished every- thing we were called upon to do. You are a fine team of officers and men - in my opinion, the finest. You have brought credit to the Destroyer Force, the Shenandoah, to me - and more im- portant to yourselves. The many messages we received testify to the appreciation others have for our services. I wish to tell you how thankful I am that you are all back safely, and I wish the best to you and your families. No one could ask for or have better Ship- mates. Best of luck and smooth sailing. William M. Rakow Capt. USN Commanding Officer, USS Shenandoah QAD-265 -.-.-M.-,M , .v---.- , ...-4v-1.-fu, . ....a4g4..am-

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S SHlP'S HISTORY U.S.S. SHENANDOAH CAD-263, the first Navy Ship to bear that name, was built by the Todd Pacific Shipyard, Tacoma, Washington. SHEN- ANDOAH was named after the beautiful Shenan- doah National Park, in the historical Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. U.S.S. SHENANDOAH QAD-265 was placed in commission on I3 August 1945, at the Todd Pacific Shipyard, Tacoma, Washington. After completing her fitting out period in December 1945, she proceeded to the East Coast via the Panama Canal and reported to Commander De- stroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, for duty in January 1946. During ,the period January 1946 until June 1947, SHENANDOAH carried out her mission as a destroyer tender in various East Coast ports, principally in Norfolk, Virginia. In June 1947, SHENANDOAH departed for her first tour of duty with the U.S. SIXTH Fleet in the Mediter- ranean. In August 1947, after completingashort tour of duty in the Mediterranean, she returned to Norfolk, Virginia. In October 1947, SHENANDOAH departed Norfolk, Virginia and proceeded to the Boston Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul. Upon completion of the overhaul in December 1947, she returned to Norfolk, Virginia, where she remained until February 1948. On 17 February 1948, SHENANDOAH de- parted Norfolk, Virginia, and reported to Com- mander SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean for her second tour of duty. While on this four months tour, SHENANDOAH visited the ports of Gibraltar, Sfax in Tunisia, Argostoli and Piraeus in Greece, and Malta. After completing this tour she returned to Norfolk, Virginia on ll June 1948. On 23 November 1948, SHENANDOAH depart- ed for her third tour of duty with the SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean. This tour lasted until her return to Norfolk, Virginia on 6 April 1949. In July 1949, she again underwent amajor shipyard overhaul at the Boston Naval Shipyard and upon completion returned to Norfolk, Vir- ginia. During the next year she participated in fleet operations from Norfolk, Virginia. A On 15 February 1951, SHENANDOAH de- parted from Norfolk, Virginia for her fourth tour of duty with the U.S. SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean. Upon reporting for this: tour, SHENANDOAH served as flagship for Comman- der Service Force, U.S. SIXTH Fleet. During this tour of duty, which lasted until June 1951 SHENANDOAH visited many ports in Italy, France, Greece and North Africa and returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 7 July 1951, Upon her return to Norfolk, Virginia in July 1951, SHENANDOAH spent the next two months in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for repairs and upkeep. Upon completion of this yard period SHENANDOAH spent the next year at the Con voy Escort Piers, Norfolk, Virginia, tending destroyers. During this period SHENANDOAH received the Battle Efficiency Award for the Fiscal Year 1952 for the Destroyer Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet On 27 May 1952, SHENANDOAH departed Norfolk, Virginia for her fifth tour of duty with the SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean. Upon arrival in the Mediterranean SHENANDOAH again became the flagship for Commander Ser vice Force U.S. SIXTH Fleet. During this tour of duty SHENANDOAH took part in a Fleet Opera tion BEE HIVE II which involved naval units of Italy, France, Britain, as well as units of the U.S. SIXTH Fleet. While on this fifth tour of duty, SHENANDOAH visited ports in Italy France, Greece, Trieste and Portugal. SHENAN DOAH was the first Destroyer Tender to visit the cities of Trieste and Venice. SHENANDOAH completed her fifth tour of duty in the Medi terranean on 31 October 1952 and returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 17 November 1952 On 2 April 1953 SHENANDOAH departed for Charleston, S.C. for a stay of about four weeks while tending ComMinLant Ships. A three day visit to Havana Cuba followed and afterwards she returned to Norfolk, Virginia on 12 May 1953. SHENANDOAH remained in Norfolk Vir ginia until 20 July 1953, when she departed for a cruise to Newport, Rhode Island, Boston folk, Virginia on 8 August 1953 SHENANDOAH departed Norfolk, Virginia on 7 October 1953 and proceeded to Newport Rhode Island. After receiving the Fleet Training Group Narrangasett Bay aboard, SHENANDOAH then proceeded to Gonaives, Haiti, acting as a mothership for the Fleet Training Group. While in the Carribbean SHENANDOAH visited Port au-Prince Haiti. In late November 1953 SHEN ANDOAH returned to Norfolk, Virginia and in January 1954 she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for an overhaul period. This yard period was completed on 30 March 1954. SHEN ANDOAH again departed Norfolk, Virginia on 15 April 1954 and remained in Guantanamo Bay Cuba for one month's refresher training During the period 15 May 1954 until 10 Octo ber 1954 SHENANDOAH remained in Norfolk Virginia, operating in the Virginia Capes Opera ting Area and making preparations for the forth coming sixth Mediterranean Cruise Mass., and Quebec, Canada, returning to Nor-

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II' ucmstn - ntvuut lt is with mixed emotions that we make our preparations for getting underway. lt is with sadness that we leave our loved ones - wonder as to what confronts us. Many hours have been spent on the prepar- ations by all departments, and even though we may not cope with all the problems that confront us we still feel that we are ready for seal The dock slowly fades from view, the faces of our loved ones are blurred, the coastline of the USA blends with the horizon, and we had departed for foreign ports. May God speed our return, keep us and our loved ones safe, and give us the strength equal to the task. I i w l - ' G . f I k if Y, .N Ah, U xxx .171 31 V' V, qi 1 .. A I 3-f 3NF'Hs2GltFsd'it,ffl.Tiara 'T 'lil l 5 q.n.dyimssstxgsaffsffsvff ifTF7-x sf if w -'fNIs!4xiv.t as swf' if '-2. ,G . IE!Af'.f-3 cm' '2 'wuJQi.:.'n, jg' '1 t'gx.v'P',WlA N. y t a 5 X . 'X 4 ' 'Q Ll: '-1 iff 5 K A K ig , 3 . xrai-jig: xl ,Sq 1-V Asa-Tw: li E, X grlzfp K ,MV-A..5!-9 fi- Q tx' Vie j.7,,kg!g.n.4 I si5?'1lf'Q' ' if' ga '-',,J','5k 4, 5 4. -N ' Elle- -SSEH-Jil is .-' ' 'W-:lffci-if Q- f eflmfssuf me xr. ,x N.. ,K F M K t...i K K K ,::il:v1L4:6 t fe f t3s'S'gsf,ffssif' ,',' 5 N W ,wx 'Vx 'vs I X, Q X7 , f s.. Q XX- X15-. X-in - , , , XX-..Qfx4fN'- lik 5f: 9fifff