Sterett (DLG 31) - Naval Cruise Book

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COM EVE THFLT l l Vice Admiral William F. Bringle, USN Born in Covington, Tennessee, Vice Admiral Bringle was graduated from the Naval Academy and commissioned Ensign on 3 June 1937. A Naval aviator in World War ll, he formed the first Observation Fighting Squadron of the war and won the Navy Cross, six Distinguished Fly- ing Crosses, 17 Air Medals, and the French Croix de Guerre for his participation in combat actions in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. A former Naval aide to the Secretary of the Navy, Vice Admiral Bringle has also served as Commandant of the Naval Academy. His 1964-1965 achievements as Commander of Attack Aircraft Carrier Division Seven and of Task Force 77 in the Tonkin Gulf earned him the Legion of Merit with Combat VH for exceptionally meritorious servicef' Vice Admi- ral Bringle held command of the U. S. Seventh Fleet from 6 November 1967 until 10 March 1970. n .Sz ssh A .vi V ice Admiral Maurice F. Weisner, USN A 1941 graduate of the Naval Academy, Vice Admiral Weisner was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. His first service was in the Pacific theater of World War Il. Assistant Navigator of the WASP when she was sunk by Japanese torpedoes in 1942, Vice Admiral Weisner then underwent flight training and joined Patrol Bombing Squadron Twenty as a pilot. His unit was cited for outstanding heroism in actionl' in the Indochina and Netherlands Indies campaigns. Vice Admiral Weisner also saw action in the Korean War, and his later tours have included command of the USS CORAL SEA and of Carrier Division One. He won the Legion of Merit for his role as Commander of Task Force 77 between january and July of 1966. Subsequent duty as Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel led to command of Carrier Division Five. Since 10 March 1970, Vice Admiral Weisner has commanded the U. S. Navyls largest operating unit: the Seventh Fleet.

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Captain Edward A. Cliristojfersori, jr., USN Commanding Officer 8 April 1967 29 November 1968 Born on 19 March 1923 to Dr. EA. Christof- ferson and Mildred Mouns Christofferson, of Oak Park, Illinois, Captain Christofferson is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy, Class of 1945. Upon commissioning in June 1944, he was assigned to the USS LAVALLETTE CDD-4485. During this tour, LAVALETTE participated in the liberation of the Philippines and took enemy fire in the reopening of Manila Bay. Captain Christofferson remained in destroyer assignments until 1949, serving with both fleets. Subsequent sea tours included command of PCS-1380, command of LSMR-527, duty in Staff, Carrier Division Four- teen Ca Hunter-Killer Group operating in the Atlanticj, and a tour as the Executive Officer of the USS GRIDLEY CDLG-215. From 1963 to 1965 Captain Christofferson was Commanding Officer of the USS HAMNER CDD-7185. Subse- quent postgraduate study in the field of naval ordnance led to assignments in the Bureau of Ordnance, in the Polaris program, and in the Surface Missile Systems Office within the Bureau of Naval Personnel. As STERETT's first Commanding Officer Captain Christofferson saw the new ship through its initial trials, refresher training, and the beginning of the current deployment. Captain Christofferson is married to the former Elizabeth Horton of Long Beach, California. They have three children, Mrs. Colleen Hodges, Joe and Mark.