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This is the last of the 1961-62 Cruise Book. For those of you who didn’t have one, I hope you’ve enjoyed it. For those in other years, send me copies of your Cruise Books, and I’ll put them up. I’m sure we would all enjoy seeing them. – Ed
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Page 23 (Crewlist)
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I skipped pages 13, 14 & 15 because it was mainly text, with no or few pictures. That helps keep the file smaller. You’re not missing anything, really. – Ed
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President Kennedy in the fall of 1961, moved wisely and firmly to reinforce the defense prosture of the United States by recalling to active duty many of the reserve forces of the country. This recall to the colors integrated the selected reserve crew of the USS Walton with her regular crew and brought the ship out of it’s Naval Reserve Training status into a position as a regular component of the operating fleet.
To say that each man aboard performed with enthusiasm, honor and such a desire to “make her go” as to place
him forever as an example to other sailors, is an understatement. From the California Coast, 35,000 miles through the Western Pacific to the South China Seas and return, where-ever she sailed, the Walton left a proud wake, one that I and each man aboard will be proud of – a memory of a “can do” spirit, a camaraderie that will live in our hearts forever.
Words such as those received from the Commanding Officer of the fleet oiler Cimarron, “I’ve just completed the underway replenishment of 151 ships during this Western Pacific cruise. Your men are the real professionals - they are the best, they can not improve,” are not easy to come by. They were earned through the efforts of men wanting to be the best, and in my opinion the men of the Waltonwere and are the best. The Commanding Officer of the South Vietman Navy Ship HQ 225 expressed his feeling for the Walton crew by saying, “For the people of South Vietnam, we say again: Thank You. Your friendship will stay in our memory forever.” These words were an expression of a state of mind, a “real feeling” sensed by the Vietnamese – a contagious feeling picked up from the men of the Walton.
Now, a year later, the reservists are home. Most of the regulars have been transferred to other duty less than fifteen percent of her original crew remains. Yet that esprit decorps, that inexplicable, invisible, yet powerful feeling remains, that spirit cast by civilian and career sailors working sideby side showing their country and the world that when the chips are down the real “can do” spirit of America is still with us.
To the spirit and to the 160 men who so expertly and, not without great sacrifice from some, fostered this spirit, this chapter is dedicated. I sincerely hope that all those who may read this book will be able to feel some of the same pride for these men that I will remember forever.
LCDR R. G. Rogers, Commanding Officer
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LCDR Harold R. Outten, 36, of Sunnyvale, California, received his commission at Nortre Dame Dunversity during World War II,
and later graduated from Rutgers University. His 16 years of active service, longest among Walton officers, were spent on a variety of ships, and included service during the Korean War on the USS Renshaw (DDE 499) and a tour as Captain of the USS Juaquin County (LST 1122). In 1959 he left the naval service and now holds a job with Sylvania electronics Defense laboratories in Contracts Administration. As a civilian he had been active in various reserve groups and was appointed Executive Officer on the Walton selected reserve crew. The “Exec” wears the following decorations: American Theater, W.W.II Victory, American Defense, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Theater, and United Nations. He and his wife, Jayne, have three children. He will return to work at Sylvania upon completion of his active duty.
As Executive Officer, LCDR Outten coordinates the work of all the departments, anad bears primary responsibility for the administrative organization and functioning of the ship. He prepares the ship’s routine for the plan of the day, and supervises the preparation of schedules.
The Ship’s Office functions with 2 yeomen, 1 personnel man, and a pay clerk to handle the myriad of details in carrying out the administrative work of the ship. Seated left to right: R.B. Schmadel and AJ.H. Davis. Standing: D Seeley and R.J. Adalist.
Cover for the USS Walton (DE 361) WesPac Cruise for 1961-62
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LCDR R. G. Rogers, USNR, a native of California whose home has been in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York. As a merchant marine officer Rogers served on various ships in World War II, one of which was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic. He was first commissioned as ensign in 1944. Later, as a LTJG he was Communications Officer on the USS Stickell (DD 888). During the Korean War he wa Navigator on the USS Ozbourne (DD 846), and as a LT he next toured as Operations Officer and Executive Officer on the USS Currier (DE 700). He wears the Korean Service Medal with 2 stars for blockage duty on the Ozbournein Korean waters. In November 1953 while on the Currier, Rogers received a personal commendation fromCOMCRUDESPAC for his rescue of a drowning man off San Diego. Later, he was Commanding Officer of a Reserve Training Center in Texas until he left the Navy in 1954. As a civilian reservist he affiliated with various drilling units and was promoted to LCDR n 1956. In the Selected Reserve program he was appointed Executive Officer of the Walton and later hiked to Commanding Officer upon the ship’s mobilization in 1961. Rogers has always been a sailing enthusiast and is building his own 62-foot schooner. He was formerly employed by the State of California Division of Highways, in the Civil Engineering Branch.
UNITED STATES SHIP WALTON
DESTROYER ESCORT THREE SIX ONE
Built by Consolidated Steel Company, Orang, Texas in 1944, the ship is named for Platoon Sergeant Merritt Cecil Walton, U.S. Marine hero who gave his life at Guadalcanal in 1942. The ship’s principal mission is anti-submarine warfare, but also is used for
escort and patrol duty. In World War II the Walton was fought at Leyte Gulf in January 1945. The ship was used in the evacuation of U.S. prisoners and foreign refugees in S.E. Asia immediately following the war. From 1947 to 1951 the Walton was put out of commission in the mothball fleet. When the Korean War broke out the ship was recommissioned to join Escort Division 92 in Korea, and in 1952 fired over 2000 rounds of 5 inch ammunition at Communist targets. Later the Walton was a Pearl Harbor based ship, cruising to the Far East for patrol duty off Formosa. In 1956 the Walton took part in Operation Redwing in the South Pacific Atomic bomb tests, where she monitored radioactiviiIn 1958 San Francisco was named home port for the ship, which would now be used in thhe training of reservist. In October 1961 the Walton was mobilized by the Selected Reserve crew. This cruise book tells the rest.