South Carolina (DLGN 37) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER JOSEPH F. KING, USN Commander King was born in Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy as a member ofthe C1055 of 1959. He then served on USS DECATUR KDD-9363, and later on the Sfgff of Commander Destroyer Division 362. ln October of 1963, he was assigned to training in the Nuclear Power Program. Subsequently, he has had duty with USS TRUXTUN CDLGN-351, and USS LONG BEACH CCGN-91, in the Engineering Department. He earned a Master of Science degree in Oceanography at the Naval Posfgrgduate School in 1971. He reported aboard USS SOUTH CAROLINA lDLGN-371 Pre- commissioning Unit in Eebruary1973- Commander King is married to the former Nicki Acree of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. They have five children: Joseph, Kelly, Stephen, Elizabeth and Kathryn. EXEC TIVE IIFFICER ii A C Commander Hixson was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy as a member of the class of 1961. He served his first tour of duty aboard USS RUPERTUS CDD-8511 as DCA and MPA, then reported to the Precommissioning unit of USS GOLDSBOROUGH KDDG 201 where h served ' th b ll - , e in e i ets of MPA and Engineer. ln 1965 Commander Hixson entered the Nuclear Power Training Program, and upon completion reported to USS LONG BEACH CCGN-91, where he served as A and B Division Officer. He earned a Master of Arts degree in lnternational Relations from American University in 1968. He then assumed duties as Director, Enlisted Department, Nuclear Power- School, Bainbridge, Maryland, and in 1972 reported as MPA to the Precommissioning unit of USS NIMITZ KCVAN-681. After com- missioning in 1975 he left the NIMITZ and reported aboard USS SOUTH CAROLINA, where he ass d h d ume t e uties of Executive Officer in September 1975. Commander Hixson is married to the former Suzanne Massard of St. Louis, Mo. He has two children: Richard J. and Peter. FOMMANDFR Rift-lARl1 M. HIXSON, USN

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U MIYIAWD IN IDFFICER Captain Neel was born in Rochester, New York and graduated from the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of I954. He served his first tour of duty on board USS ENGLISH IDD-696i in billets of Damage Control Assistant and Engineer Officer. In June 1957 Captain Neel was ordered to duty as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Chief, Military Advisory Group, Japan. He attended Nuclear Power School in ldaho Falls, Idaho from September I958 until October I959 and, upon completion, remained in Idaho as Training Officer at the Westinghouse Surface Ship Prototype. In early 1961 Captain Neel reported to the precommissioning unit of the Nuclear Frigate USS BAINBRIDGE and participated in the first Nuclear Task Group operations in the Mediterranean Sea. He then assumed duties as CAPTAIN WILLIAM NEEL, USN Engineer Officer at the General Electric DLGN Prototype in West Milton, New York. In June 1966 he reported to USS BENJAMIN STODDERT IDDG-223 in Pearl Harbor, as her Executive Officer. Joining USS ENTERPRISE fCVAN-6ST in June 1968 he completed CJ three year tour as Engineer Officer. In September 1971 he took command of the Guided Missile De- stroyer USS COCHRANE IDDG-215 based in Pearl Harbor. Captain Neel assumed command of the precommissioning Unit, SOUTH CAROLINA IDLGN-37l in February I973. Captain Neel is married to the former Colleen Stibal of Roberts, Idaho. They have two children, Thomas, age I2 and Mark, age IO.

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The News and Courler, Thurs., Jan. 30, 1975. a l Cl1arleston,.S.C. Frigat Comes Hom Today The USS South Carolina is coming home for the first time today. -The fifth Navy vessel named for the Palmetto state was commissioned' Saturday at Norfolk, Va. The nuclear guided-missile frigate will be visiting in Charleston until Feb. 4. Governor Edwards has designated today as USS South Carolina Day throughout the state. Mrs. Edwards will participate in the dockside ceremonies. The governor has also proclaimed Saturday USS Mendel Rivers Day. The Navy's newest.nuclear submarine named in honor of the late Charleston congressman will be commissioned at the Naval Base that afternoon. The submarine, built at Newport News, Va., will be based at Charleston. Presentation of silver service by Mrs. James B. Edwards, 5hip's Patroness 'T0 ,i'. '. l Miss South Carolina Miss Teen South Carolina The first official visit of the newly commissioned frigate was at Charleston Naval Base at Charleston, South Carolina, our namesake state. With unexpected warm weather on the day of arrival I the crew was ready for an anxiously awaited and well deserved liberty. Despite later rain, thousands of well-wishers admired the ship after standing in lines for what seemed to them to be forever. While the Carolinians were touring the ship, the majority of the crew were visiting the local flower gardens which were spectacular, or visiting with family and relatives who had iourne ed to Y the area. With a welcome such as was provided by the cadets at Citadel, the crew knew that Charleston would be one of the ports long remembered. And so it was - Charleston, South Carolina!! The return trip was an adventure also. pitting themselves and the ship against the battering force of Cape Hatteras, the crew discovered that the Atlantic Ocean is not always such a calm body of water. lt was also noted that the crew was so involved watching the waves that quite a few of them even forgot to eat chow. That's the story we heard. 4, , ,F 4 Nv- .... -- -