Tarawa (CV 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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Executive Officer OMMANDER FRANK K. UPHAM, USN, became Executive Officer of the TARAWVA on ll October 1951. From the start it was apparent that here was an Exec with an abiding interest in his men. He knew that three squares and a rack are not enough to make a happy crew, and he has battled for every feasible project, from beer parties to Happy Hours, which would raise the morale of the ship. A native of California-which may explain his sunny disposi- tion-CDR Upham graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of '34, After serving for two years aboard the USS TEN- NESSEE, he went to Pensacola for flight training. Flying duty with FIGHTING 4 in the RANGER and with the aviation unit of the SAN FRANCISCO followed in 1937 and 1939 respectively. VVhen the japanese struck Pearl Harbor, CDR Upham was flying patrol boats over Panamanian waters for VP-32. He went from there to Utility Squadron 4 in Norfolk, and thence, in 1944, to VF-81 aboard the WASP. The end of the war found him on the ESSEX with AIR GROUP 4, having taken part in the first carrier strikes on Tokyo and having won the Presidential Unit Citation, two Air Medals, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. From combat the Commander was sent to Los Alamitos, Cali- fornia, as CO of a replacement pilot training group. Next came duty with ComCarDiv 2 in 1946, with ComAirPac Staff in 1948, and the following year attendance at the Naval War College in Newport. His last billet before joining the TARAWA was as Executive Officer of Moffet Field, California. Once a Californian, always a Californian. By way of proving this old adage, CDR Upham's wife and seven-year-old son are living in Santa Monica.

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Commanding Officer HE COMMANDING OFFICER of the USS TARAWA during her cruise of the Mediterranean was Captain Clifford H. Duerfeldt, USN. Born in Gordon, Nebraska, in 1902, the skipper graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1926. Two years on the briny deep washed the mid-western dust from his boots and found him in flight training laying the basic foundation for what was to be a career in naval aviation. During the 30's he flew from the carrier SARATOGA and the battleships MISSISSIPPI, WEST VIRGINIA, and ARIZONA. Shore duty claimed him as Operations Officer at Corpus Christi in 1940 and he then served as Executive Officer aboard the carriers CARD and HORNET. The latter years of WWII found Captain Duerfeldt as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, Air Force, Pacific Fleet, followed by duty with the Bureau of Personnel in Washington. Through the winter of '48 and '49 he attended the National War College, D. C. With many years of experience at sea and as Commanding Officer of several squadrons he became the Commanding Officer of the escort carrier SICILY and retained that post for one year. He was then attached to the joint Strategic Plans Group, Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was serving in that capacity when he received orders to assume command of the TARAWA on july 27, 1951. A ready smile, a hearty laugh, an ear for humor, an easy non- chalance and a quiet dignity distinguish the skipper of the Terrible T . Having served with both land and sea naval activi- ties for over a quarter century he has developed a bearing and manner which engender immediate liking and respect. Upon his assumption of command the TARAWA became a fighting ship in every sense of the word. He was a leader men worked to please. In addition to various area and campaign ribbons, Captain Duerfeldt holds the Legion of Merit with combat V, the Bronze Star, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

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Our lasf close look af fhe dock af'Quonse1' Poinf as we pulled ouf for our six-monfh cruise of fhe Mediferranean. Only a few wives and relafivesfand sweefhearfs were fhere fo see us off as mosf of fhem had been puf aboard frains or leff by aufo fhe day before. Only fhose few remaining, fhe crewmen of fhe USS WRIGHT, and a handful of former shipmafes wafch our cleparfure. E'RE OFF... The ieeps .... fhe lasf of fhe sfores .... and finally, fhe gangway was dismanflecl