Tanner (AGS 15) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN STANLEY N. OHLIN Commanding Officer Captain Stanley Nelson Ohlin was born 7 November 1919 in Belmont, Massachusetts. He attended the Massachusetts Schoolship, USS NANTUCKET, where he earned a degree in Navigation and Sea- manship. Before entering the Navy in 1940, Captain Ohlin served for a short period of time in the Merchant Marine. Before coming to the TANNER, Captain Ohlin had a variety of duties. After serving as Cargo, Communications, and Gunnery Officer on the USS WM. WARD BURROWS CAP-63 he served for eighteen months on the USS ALNITAH CAKA-1277 as Navigation and Executive Officer. The USS GEMINI CAP-753 was his first command, and after that he served on the USS CABILDO ILSD-165. Then followed a period of shore duty with the Sub Board of Inspection and Survey in Norfolk, Vir- ginia. From there he went to sea again as Executive Officer pf the USS ROCKBHIDGE KAPA-2285. His next assignment was in the Office of Naval Material, Washington, D.C. His most recent tour of duty before reporting to the TANNER was as Assistant Chief of Staff to the Commandant, Third Naval District.. i Captain Ohlin wears the Legion of Merit, the Naval Reserve Medal, the American Defense Medal with clasp, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Victory Medal- World War II, and the National Defense Service Medal. Captain OHLIN is married to ,lane Knee Edwardsl of Piedmont, California. They have four children: Barbara Jane, Charles Edward, Henry Nelson, and Mrs. Carol Mac Donald.

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QBM csc.. TWV if 3 SHIP'S HISTORY AND MISSION The USS TANNER KAGS-155 is an old and a proud ship. She began her life as the USS PAMINA fAKA-34l when she was launched at the Kaiser-Walsh Shipyard in Providence, Rhode Island on 5 January 1945. She then served with the Pacific Fleet from April 1945 until January 1946. Since World War II was then over and the need for cargo ships was not as great, the PAMINA was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for conversion at the Naval Shipyard to a Hydrographic ship. ln Septem- ber 1946, the PAMINA was recommissioned and named in honor of the late Lera Luther Tanner, Cap- tain, U.S. Navy C1835-1906l, an authority on oceanography and the inventor of an early type of sounding equipment. - Since her conversion the TANNER has seen the four corners of the globe on her many survey missions. Four cruises each were made to the Bahama Islands, to Labrador and New Foundland, and to the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1959-1961, TANNER' conducted two hydrographic surveys in the Persian 'Gulf area. And in the summers of 1962 and 1963 she conducted extensive surveys in the Barents Sea. Sandwiched in between these was a hydrogra hic survey in the Florida Straits. The primary mission of the TANNER is to gather hydiographic and oceanographic data. Hydro- graphic data is used, in the construction of up to date charts which enable mariners to navigate in safety as they sail the sea lanes of the world. Oceanographic data is valuable in the exploration of the frontier beneath the sea and its possible future use to a now comparatively land-bound people. The operation of a survey ship is both complex and demanding. The TANNER often uses heli- copter and marine detachments to carry out her various missions. ln addition there are four fifty- two soundboats, four landing craft, two motorboats, and many thousands of dollars worth'-of electron- ic equipment. All of these are used, at times, to gather information that is eventuallygsent on to Washington for evaluation and publication. -.- 9 TANNER is also a logistic ship. Since she operates independently most ofthe time,,she must be relatively self-sufficient, capable of carrying out long and involved missions in the far-flung and, often, desolate areas of the world. - N A ei

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COMMANDER WILLARD C. DOE Executive O fiicet Commander Willard C. DOE, a native of New Jersey and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1947 reported to the TANNER for duty in December 1962. Prior to reporting to TANNER Commander DOE was attached to Staff, COMCHUDES FLOT Four as Assistant Project Mercury Officer. While attached to Staff, COMCRUDES FLOT Four Commander DOE was commended by Admiral H. L. DENNISON, CINCLANTFLT for his participation in Project Mercury. Commander DOE has had a varied Naval Career with duty principally in destroyer type vessels. He has served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and as an instructor at the New York Maritime College, where in addition to instructor duties he coached the Varsity Pistol Team. H Commander DOE is authorized to wear the following decorations: American Campaign Medal WW II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal lAsia Clasp 81 Europe Claspl, China Service, Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Expert Pistol Medal. Commander DOE's wife and son presently reside in Norfolk, Virginia.