Sumter (LST 1181) - Naval Cruise Book

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lil P 1 LIEUTENANT COMMANDER THOMAS L. BREI- TINGER was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1949. He graduated from Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts in June 1971 where he was enrolled in the NROTC program and received a BA in Political Science. After Lieutenant Commander Breitinger received his commission as an Ensign, United States Navy in June 1971, he reported to USS JULIUS A. FURER IDEG-61 home-ported in Newport, Rhode Island. Here he served as Main Propulsion Assistant, Navigator, and Engineer Officer during a three year tour. Lieutenant Commander Breitinger was next assigned to the Surface Effect Ship Test Facility Detachment, Panama City, Florida, in June 1974. There he served as Ship Commander of the SES-100B, an experimental 100 ton high speed testcrafe. After graduating from the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head School, Newport, Rhode Island in May 1977. Lieutenant Commander Breitinger was assigned as Weapons Officer aboard USS BARNEY fDDG-62. From October 1979 until May 1981, he served as Executive 4 -aljneua..ni-lli'. THOMAS L. BREITINGER, USN LIEUTENANT COMMANDER EXECUTIVE OFFICER April 13, 1983 November 15, 1984 Officer aboard USS PRESER VER CARS-8j. Lieutenant Commander Breitinger completed the Latin American Basic Spanish Course at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California in November 1981. He then reported to the Commandant, Venezuelan Naval War College in Caracas, Venezuela, from which he graduated from the Command and Staff Course in December 1982- Lieutenant Commander Breitinger has served ai Executive Officer of USS SUMTER QLST-11811 Siiwe April 1983 and is presently in receipt of orders assigning him to OPNAV-372 in December 1984. Lieutenant Commander Breitinger has been award- ed the Navy Commendation Medal QG0ld star? for service with the Surface Effect Ship Program and USS SUMTER QLST-11815. He also wears a Coast Guard Ullll Commendation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, W0 Navy E Ribbons, two Sea Service Ribbons and the National Defense Medal. Lieutenant Commander Breitinger is married to the former Teri Jean Moore of Birmingham, Alabama- ? v 1 2 I I I ,P t if l i

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.4 V, . - ' ' - ' : . ., , -, H , - , ,M . I 1 --N,- -. bg, ..4 l 3 ' V . R K H. -- . v gf A USS SUMTER's deployment to the Mediterranean from 25 July 1984 through 20 February 1985, was a challenging and rewarding experience. Deploying as one of the five ship Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group QMARGJ 3-84, we departed the United States expecting to assume peace keeping duties off Beirut, Lebanon. Along with USS SHREVEPORT fLPD-122, USS INCHON KLPH-122, USS HERMITAGE KLSD-341, and USS NEWPORT fLST-11792 we embarked U.S. Marines from the 22nd Marine Assault Unit to form the MARG 3-84 Navy-Marine Corps Team. USS SUMTER was fortunate to embark top notch Marines from A Company First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment and elements of Marine Service Support Group 24. Together, the SUMTER Navy-Marine Team departed Morehead City for the adventures of a Mediterranean deployment. As it turned out, we did not go to Lebanon, but instead, assumed more traditional duties as the Amphibious Ready Group in the Western Mediterranean. In a five month period, we participated in five major joint and combined amphibious exercises and numerous training evolutions. In so doing, we worked alongside friendly forces from Italian, French, Turkish, Spanish, Moroccan, and Tunisian Armed Services. Additionally, we supported the United States Military Presence mission in the SIXTH Fleet Theater conducting port visits to thirteen ports in four foreign countries. We had a highly successful deployment during which all operational commitments were accomplished on time, every time! This book depicts the adventures of the crew and marines embarked in USS SUMTER throughout the cruise. However, these pages do not adequately reflect what I consider the most impressive aspect of the deployment. From my vantage point, I was continuously humbled by the selfless example of the young men with whom I served. Without complaint, they and their families backhome endured countless hours of personal sacrifice. With obvious pride and intense loyalty, these men proudly served their country in foreign lands for seven months. I was lucky enough to be with them. K, . S... up git X -9 aw ?'9..?-.- 2v.f-- l 'N-Q f , gs.

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LCDR PAUL K. KESSLER, JR. EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER KESSLER was born in Manchester, Maryland, on 24 January 1945. After graduation from high school in Bel Air, Maryland, he enlisted in the United States Navy on 24 January 1964. Upon completion of a tour of duty on board USS ENTERPRISE fCVN-651 in November 1966 and a tour of duty in Washington, D.C. in May 1968, Lieutenant Commander Kessler was accepted into the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program at North Carolina State University where he received a bachelor of science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Lieutenant Commander Kessler attended officer candidate school in Newport, Rhode Island and was subsequently commissioned ensign in the United States Navy in May 1972. In August, he reported to USS CORRY fDD-8172, where he served as the Electronics Material Officer. In October 1973, he detached from CORRY and reported on board USS FARRAGUT IDDG-371 for duty as Communications Officer. After completing all at sea surface warfare requirements in February 1976, he detached from USS FARRAGU T to attend the seven month department head course at the U.S. Naval Destroyer School, Newport, Rhode Island. Upon graduation, LCDR Kessler was assigned tours of duty on board USS FORREST SHERMAN KDD-9322 as Weapons Officer and USS SPIEGEL GROVE KLSD-322 as Operations Officer and First Lieutenant. Following these assignments he reported to Commander-In-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in September 1980 for shore duty as the cruiser-destroyer scheduling officer. Completing this assignment, Lieuten- ant Commander Kessler returned to sea duty in .March 1982 to command USS INFLICT fMSO-4561 from August 1982 through September 1984. He subsequently reported on board USS SUMTER in November 1984 to assume duties as Executive Officer. Lieutenant Commander Kessler and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children, Sonia Lynn, Tracy Arlene, and Adrian Wade. 5