Spartanburg (LST 192) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR STEPHEN S. GEDDES, USN COMMANDING OFFICER USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY LST-1192 Commander Stephen S. Geddes was horn in Englewood, New Jersey. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Grand Valley State College Allendale, Michigan in 1970 and enlisted in the Navy that same year. He was commissioned in 1971 upon completion of the Officer Candidate Pro- gram in Newport, Rhode Island. His first tour of duty was at the Naval Communications Station, Newport where he served as Communications Watch Officer and Electronics Material Officer. In late 1972 he reported to USS THOMAS J. GARY QDER 3261 as Communications Officer. When USS GARY was decommissioned in 1973, Commander Geddes was as- signed to the USS TRUETT IFF 10951 precommissioning detail and later served as Communications Officer and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. In April 1976 he entered Department Head School and, upon completion, reported to USS BAGLEY IFF 10691 as Weapons Officer. His follow-on department head tour was as Engineering Officer on USS SAN BERNAR- DINO QLST 11891. In June 1980, Commander Geddes reported to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis as a Naval Science Instructor. Returning to sea duty in 1982, Commander Geddes served as Executive Officer on USS SCHENECTADY QLST 1 1851. From 1984 to 1987 he served on the staff of Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific as the Force Retention Officer. His most recent tour was as Operators Officer on USS TARAWA QLHA 11 in San Diego, CA. Commander Geddes wears the following awards, National Defense Ser- vice Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle E Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze stars. Commander Geddes, his wife Abigail, and their two daughters reside in Virginia Beach, VA.

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CDR JAMES J. DAMS USN FORMER COMMANDING OFFICER USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY LST-1 192 Commander James J. Adams was born in Rochester, New York on July 12, 1949. He entered Cornell University under the NROTC Program and received a Bachelor of Science degree and his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in June 1971. After basic Surface Warefare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island, he was assigned as Boat Group Commander and then as Auxiliaries Officer aboard USS CHARLESTON QLKA 1135. In July 1974, Commander Adams reported abroad the guided missile patrol gun- boat support ship USS GRAHAM COUNTY QAGP 11765 homeported in Naples, Italy as First Lieutenant and later as Operations Officer. He as- sumed the additional duty as Chief Staff Officer for Patrol Division TWENTY-ONE consisting of the support ship and four guided missile patrol gunboats. From September 1975 until October 1976, Commander Adams served aboard the guided missile patrol gunboat USS READY CPG 875 as Executive Officer, with collateral duties of Navigator, Operators and Communications Officer. While awaiting Department Head School, Commander Adams was assigned temporary duty to Commander, De- stroyer Squadron TWENTY-EIGHT in Newport, Rhode Island. There he served as Assistant Material Officer and was assigned engineering duties aboard USS NEWMAN K. PERRY QDD 8835. Graduating with distinction. Commander Adams was assigned as Weapons Officer aboard USS DA- MATO QDD 8715 from October 1977 to October 1979. In December 1979, he reported aboard USS PONCE QLPD 155 as Operations Officer and participated in the Cuban Refugee boatlift operators. In November 1981, he reported to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force, United States Atlantic Fleet as Assistant Force Plans Officer for SOUTH- COMIEUCOMINATOILANTCOM areas. From February 1984 to December 1985, he served as Executive Officer aboard USS AUSTIN CLPD 45 and subsequently reported to the staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron TEN in January 1986 where he served as Chief Staff Officer until July 1988. He assumed command of USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY QLST 11925 in March 1989. Commander Adams has been awarded four Navy Commendation Med- als, a Navy Achievement Medal, National Defence Service Medal, two Humanitarian Service Medals and the Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal. Other awards include three Sea Service Deployment, three Battle Effi- ciency E , Naval Reserve Sea Service and Navy Overseas Service Rib- bons. Commander Adams holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration and is married to the former Phyllis Gail Yewell of Owensboro, Kentucky and together with their daughter Martha and son Jeffrey reside in Virgin- ia Beach, Virginia.