Sierra (AD 18) - Naval Cruise Book

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Departure . . . watched from browside while they wa ved from below. streaming down many of their faces. They tried to for our sakes, to make us proud. We were just hoping TE lfrhqfere proud of us as we tried to stifle our emotions. We ahead. They are the ones who have to make up the slack that our absence entails. They are our families and loved ones. We, the crewmembers of USS SIERRA, thank them for their support: for without them we wouldnt be as strong. We them to see and remember our dignity, but they sa w what wanted - our hearts. thank them for understanding the Navy life that calls us away at times: this time for a six-month deployment to the Mediterra- ' Who are these bra ve 'soldiers of separation '? They are the ,ings we left behind. They are the ones with the most difficult tasks nean. -JOSN Lisa Cromer .H .2-,., Q, , Km, 2, ,V Q -,ka V-. ...QV , '-M. . ..... .11 f --W WWW' , i 1,,., 1 I :il i ui-meer. in , ' M. 'W-MWQW4' 5 ' N-M 'WQQPU i it K h -ti N 5 in 'Q' sq. 1 -Q' k , 1 'few 'Lil' . 1 ' K ' iii: f V 'J .ai . , iivfiw . vw t new I 1,411 V J- wf ' -9 as -if ff wi 4' hx' Nw, , 4' 3214 tk 5 Ph 1 by ENSMIK lsk vel i A 9 I M 0 D V 1 u 1 ff ., K , y Y'PY4-4, F 4' e 'f ' '

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Lt. Steplzen B. Hall Chaplain United States Navy Chaplain Hall was born in Charlotte, N.C. Nov. 8, 1947. He is ordained as a clergyman of the United Methodist Church. Chaplain Hall graduated from Meth- odist College in Fayetteville, N.C. with a B.A. and re- ceived a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He served United Methodist Church for nine years as a pastor before going to active duty. Having served through 1966-1970 as a BH3, he was commissioned as a LTJG in January 1983. Lt Hall served as a chaplain for Second Marine Division, Sec- ond Tank Battalion and Second Battalion Eight Marine Division, while stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. Prior to USS SIERRA, he served a tour at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, H.A. As SlERRA'S Chaplain, Lt. Hall provided for the full exercise of religion as guaranteed each sailor by the Constitution. He also ministers in the needs of person, nel by providing counseling, guidance for stress manage- ment, marriage preparation and singleptireni support, During SlERRA'S inport periods, Chaplain Hall led SIERRA crew members on work protects to nrt phanages, a mission and other places needing .1 help- ing hand. Lt. Hall has rvceivetl the Navy Comr'ni'ndation Medal, Navy Unit Citation, Navy Achievement Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Brenda Bynum Brenda Bynum, wife of Ens. Greg Bynum. has been co ombudsman for the last year-and-aehalf. She is employed by the Charleston Naval Weapons Station, as secretary for the commanding officer. Mrs. Bynum assisted the American Red Cross in locat- ing new homes and sponsored food donations after Hurri- cane Hugo hit Charleston, SC in 1989. She is a native of Fort Bragg, NC, and now lives in Charleston, where she as- sists the Family Support Group. Sierra 's ,.. ... Ombuclsm en: Bren cla B yn um Min di Loisel if new Lt. Stephen B. Hall Campaign and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Chaplain Hall and his wife, Teresa, have two chil- dren. Andrew, 15, and Kaitlyn, 6 months. 54Lf'Pf-J ' f Mindi Loisel Mindi Loisel, is the wife of EMC Reginald Loisel. She has served as coombudsman for over two years. She is al50 deeply involved in SIERRA'S Family Support Group. Mrs. Loisel is also a Sunday school teacher and regularly particf-A. pates in PTA activities. 1 a Chief and Mrs. Loisel are the parents of three childrenf ' Ch1'iSf0Ph2f. 12: Matthew. 115 and Maria, three years old., Mrs. Loisel is a native of Grand Rapids, Ml and now - lives in Charleston, SC. W

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,,., , , s- F Y, . 'Qi,4,'. f I vl 'fF' - ir ' I .5 ' 5 A ' 1 I A W ar - A fs s.. gi- .4 4 we f . .. . , -, w - . , :U mm f ,. - ' - V USS SIERRA. Sl1.myh.si, Cllr IQ l USS. Sierra tin replica of naiqy yard ' says Shanghai Herald, Tuesday, Nov 5 1 945 SIERRA celebrated her 4bth birthday. as the voungest and oldest crewmembers cut the commemorative cake on March 20. 1990. Eighteen-year-old SN Connie Mason and 48fyear'nld ICI Gary Wentworth lwho was two years old when SIERRA was com- missioned in 1944i were all smiles when they sliced the icing dur' ing the ships first steel beach picnic. The brief ceremony spotlighted the role SIERRA has played as Battle Group Tender to both the Pacific and Atlantic fleets over the decades. She was recognized early on as a top-notch Navy ship. Visiting China in 1945. SIERRA was described in the Shanghai Herald as a crack destroyer tender . . . a floating repli- ca of Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. Following the legacy of her like-named predecessor. a troop transport in World War I. SIERRA was outfitted after commis- sioning to take part in World War ll - with four 52538 gun mounts and two heavy-duty cranes. That period was remembered by plankowner Roger G. Cas- per - I think back to how heartsick most of our green crew was when we passed under the Golden Gate and not knowing when we would return, he said. The first crew, I can report, was so