Valdez (FF 1096) - Naval Cruise Book

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del valdez, uncle of the ship's namesake, chats with the nucleus crew during his visit to the shipyard. 4 A if , t zen A ,JJ 'Vim i 1 photo on right: '- nucleus crew with temporary t naval support activity new orleans, louisiana berthing uss w.c. lawe ldd-763l in background. the nucleus crew was made up of those personnel ordered directly to the avondale shipyards about three months prior to commissioning. this detail consisted of experienced personnel who assisted in the preparation of ship's manuals and records, witnessed tests of machinery and became familiar with the details of operating the ship and its equipment, and they began serving as on-the-iob instructors to the balance crew the day the ship arrived in charleston, 12 iuly 1974. roundtable discussion on human relations. checking in of balance crew. v, ,KM ..f.. assi nment for various phases of training. status board of expected arrivals. 9 firefighting school cleanliness . I i . H the balance crew consisted of nearly ninety percent of the ship's company. these men reported to the charleston naval station about 2'A months prior to commissioning for training. this portion of the crew was charged, under the prospec- tive executive officer, with developing a functioning ship's organization which would be operational at commissioning. most of the crew received training in such varied subiects as damage control, fire fighting, leadership and small arms.

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commissioning 27 iuly 1974 uss valdez commissioning day. iffy , Y ' 4 Nigga .,..' Qi 5 .,,R,, 3 rear admiral sommuel l. gravely, ir., commander, cruiser destroyer group, two, charleston, s.c., states, no finer ship will sail the seven seas and her crew will always remain proud of the name phil valdez. Q l the marine honor guard renders salute at commissioning. flag is hoisted for the first time in active status. commander ioe d. peden, command- ing officer, uss valdez lff-10961, said, he and the crew are honored in being selected to be the first to serve aboard the uss valdez. the honorable pete v. domenici, u.s. senator from new mexico addressed the crew and guests during commissioning ceremonies. solemnly looking on as the valdez is being manned by her crew for the first time following the ship's commissioning are radm s.l. gravely, ir., and mr. and mrs. carlos valdez, parents of the late, phil valdez. charging up the after-brow to man the ship valdez' crew members pause momentarily to salute the officer of the deck.