Tuscaloosa (LST 1187) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 COMMANDER RICHARD A. SILVERS UNITED STATES NAVY Commander Silvers, a native of Duluth, Minnesota, is a 1969 graduate of California Polytechnic College, Pomona, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences, with a minor in Juvenile Probation. He entered the Naval Service in San Diego in 1965 as an active reservist and attended Hospital Corps School in San Diego after graduation from college. In 1971, Commander Silvers attended Officer Candidate School, after which he was assigned duties in Tactical Air Control Squadron THIRTEEN, 11971-19745 twice deploying to SEVENTH Fleet in USS NEW ORLEANS KLPH-115. Other sea assignments include USS HOLLISTER CDD-7883 as Operations Officer 11975-197633 USS POINT DEFIANCE KLSD-313 as Engineer Officer 11976-1978lg USS BELLEAU WOOD QLHA-33 as Assistant Engineer Officer and 11982-1984lg and again as Operations Officer 11988-199015 and USS TUSCALOOSA QLST-11871 as Executive Officer 11984-19863. Shore assignments include Naval Beach Group ONE as an amphibious refresher training instructor and Underway Training Officer 11978-198155 and as Assistant Chief of Staff for Training Assessment and Information Systems for Commander, Training Command, U. S. Pacific Fleet 11986-19875. Commander Silvers returned to and assumed command of USS TUSCALOOSA QLST-11873 on 21 August 1990. Commander Silvers is married to the former Leonora Trinidad, residing in Bonita, California with their children, James and Anna Marie. Their eldest daughter, Dori, is married and lives nearby in Chula Vista with her husband, Donald. Commander Silvers' personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achieve- ment Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Sea Service Ribbons and Viet Nam Service Medal.

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195 L os 004' 'll' 1? Blillliw ll' Mb' ll' The insignia of the USS TUSCALOOSA incorporates the rich heritage of the city and county for which she is named the proud history of the previous TUSCALOOSA, and the strength of the NavyfMarine Corps amphibious team. The black indian Hgure is in honor of the city and county of Tuscaloosa which were named for the Choctaw Indian warriozg Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa means black warrior in Choctaw and the city is located on the Black Warrior River. The red cross on the white field is taken from the state flag of Alabama. The tusks on the sides of the emblem represent the former TUSCALOOSA f CA 37j which was affectionately known as Tusky . The note 'Extra Three Percent is from that ship, and her reputation for meeting commitments by can- do spirit. The blue color is selected for the blue waters which will pass under the keel of the USS TUSCALOOSA during her lifetime. The red highlights the role of the Marines in the NavyfMarine Corps amphibious team.

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E 1 l get l LIEUTENANT COMMANDER GARY W. GEAR UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE Lieutenant Commander Gear, a native of Edison, New Jersey, is a 1974 graduate of North Texas University, Denton, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. He entered the Naval Service is Dallas, Texas in 1977 and attended Officer Candidate School, after which he was assigned duties in USS THOMASTON QLSD 281 from 1978 to 1981. Other sea assignments include USS LEFTWICH QDD 9841 as CIC Officer 41981-19831, USS BUCHANAN QDDG 141 as Operations Officer 11987-19881 and USS FORT FISHER QLSD 401 as Operations Officer 41988-19901. Shore assignments include Fleet Combat Systems Training Unit, Pacific as Tactical Action Officer Evaluator 11983-19841, Program Man- ager and Assistant Training Officer for Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region Eighteen 41984-19861 and Executive Officer, Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center, San Diego, Ca. 41990-19911. Lieutenant Commander Gear assumed duties as Executive Officer, USS TUSCALOOSA QLST 11871 in April 1991. Lieutenant Commander Gear is married to the former Corinne Bayless, residing in San Diego, California with their son, Chace. Lieutenant Commander Gears' personal decorations include a Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Navy Pistol Medal fExpert1. 4 X X