Tolovana (AO 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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HISTGRY OF THE Uss ToLovA CAO-645 Named after the Tolovana River in Alaska, our ship was built by the Bethlehem Ship Building Company at Sparrows Point, Maryland. She was originally com- missioned as a Military Sea Transportation Service Tanker on 24 February, 1945, and served in the Pacific during the final stages of World War Two. Early in 1951, the ship was converted to a Fleet Oiler and in May 1951, she was commissioned in the United States Navy as USS TOLOVANA CAO-642. As a unit of the Service Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet, USS TOLOVANA helps solve the continuous problem of logistic support. The solution involves the transport of supplies to the striking forces, however far removed they may be. Of all the important needs that exist, the most vital is that of fuel. The mission of the veteran USS TOLOVANA, and of all Service Force Fleet Oilers, is to supply and sustain this lifeblood to the Fleet. Since 1951, the USS TOLOVANA has been an ac- tive unit of the Pacific Fleet. Her last deployment which ended in May 1978, was her nineteenth to the Western Pacific. In 1972-1973, the USS TOLOVANA was deployed in support of Vietnam operations for a period of eight and one-half months. During that time she replenished 178 ships and transferred approximately 21 million gallons of fuel.

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COMMANDI G OFFICER Commander Carrol McDermitt was born in Joplin, Missouri, and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma and received his commission through the NROTC in 1956. His first major assignment was Instructor at the Naval Academy in Chin Hae, Korea, followed by a tour with Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan. Commander McDermitt was an Inac- tive Duty Reservist in Oklahoma City and was recalled as a TAR CTraining and Administration Naval Reservel. On returning to active Naval Service, he served as Navigator and Operations Officer in USS ROCKBRIDGE KAPA-2281. He was spot promoted to Lieutenant Com- mander while serving in this dual capacity. In May 1965, Commander McDermitt returned to Norman, Oklahoma, and assumed command of the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center. He received his Masters Degree in Natural Science in 1967 from the University of Oklahoma in off duty hours. From 1967 to 1969 he served as Assistant Director of Study and Special Projects on the Staff of Commander Naval Reserve Training Command in Omaha, Nebraska. In August of 1969, Commander McDermitt was ordered to USS REGULUS CAF-57, as Executive Officer. During his tour he deployed twice to the Western Pacific. He most recently completed a tour at Twelfth Naval District Headquarters where he was Director, Programs Management Division. He assumed command of the USS TOLOVANA CAO-64, in May of 1972. Commander McDermitt is married to the former 4Opal Jane Smith of Oklahoma City. They have three children: Charley Miller, James Arthur and Thomas Edward.