USS Ashland (LSD-1) Decommissioned 1958

DECK LOG BOOK of the USS ASHLAND (LSD-1) F.W. BROWN, CDR USN Commanding Officer FLEET AIR WING FIVE, NAVAL AIR FORCE, ATLANTIC FLEET OCTOBER 1 - OCTOBER 31, 1957
USS ASHLAND (LSD-1) began the month of October, 1957, moored starboard side to pier 56, U.S. Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia.

At 0820, Sunday, 6 October, winds increased to over thirty-five knots and the ship commenced preparations forgetting underway. 1010 Completed preparations for getting underway. By 1250 the winds had diminished and #2 boiler and main engines were secured.

Special Sea Detail was set and the ship was underway on 14 October for the Virginia Capes Operating Area. After completing a full power run, speed 16.07 knots, 201 RPM, on October 15, the ship returned to Little Creek, mooring at pier 56.

On 28 October, BUSH, Harry, O'BANION, Alfred, THOMAS, Edward, CAMPBELL, Cordell, HENDERSON, G.R. were admitted to base dispensary, diagnosis, influenza.

ASHLAND left pier 56 on the morning of 20 October, enroute Baltimore, Maryland. The ship anchored for the night at Annapolis Roads, Annapolis, Maryland. Underway early the next morning, ASHLAND passed the Baltimore Lighthouse at 0629. The pilot came aboard at 0805 and at 0856 the first line was made to the pier at the Bethlehem Steel Co. shipyard.

DECK LOG BOOK of the USS ASHLAND (LSD-1) F.W. BROWN, CDR USN Commanding Officer FLEET RESERVE DIVISION, UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET RESERVE NOVEMBER 1 to DECEMBER 31, 1957
(Note: The ship's deck logs makes no mention of the Change of Command from Air Force Atlantic Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet Reserve).
Underway by tow from three tugs ASHLAND shifted to the drydock on 12 November. On 18 November the ship was shifted from the drydock to the Bethlehem Steel pier.

On 12 December, 1957 preparations commenced for the ship to be taken under tow to Norfolk, VA. 1328 Underway under tow from Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia in accordance with deactivation order of COMLANTRESFLT. Tug Kings Point commenced towing using 200' of 8' nylon line secured to the bow of the ASHLAND. The next day ASHLAND moored port side to Pier 117 at St. Helena Annex to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia.

Preparations were made for getting underway on 19 December. Two tugs moved ASHLAND to Pier "C" at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia. ASHLAND moored port side to USS XANTHUS (AR-19). USS XANTHUS moored port side to Pier "C". Commenced receiving fresh water and flushing water from the pier.

LCDR Donald E. Brunner, USN, was detached from this ship with orders to report to USS GREENWICH BAY (AVP-41) for duty, 29 December 1957.

DECK LOG BOOK OF THE USS ASHLAND COMMANDED BY CAPT. F.W. BROWN, USN Atlantic Reserve (NORVA GRP) Fleet 0001, 1 JANUARY 1958 - 1524 25 JANUARY, 1958
Moored portside to USS XANTHUS. Two ships with only a camel between, The XANTHUS is moored to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard South Annex pier C. The ship is dead, the crew busy as a bee, using six manila lines and over doubled, the boilers are dead, wouldn't make a bubble. In an extended status is the engineering plant, the ship is so dry it wouldn't grow a plant. Receiving energy from the pier until we are placed upon a beer. Ships present are various units of the U.S.A. Fleet, displaying holiday decorations appearing so neat. Commanding Officer, USS BOSTON (CGA-1) is SOPA. GOD KEEP YOU ALL. HAPPY NEW YEAR'S DAY. – J. S. ORTEGA-OTERO, LTJG, USNR.

25 January 1958
1415 Assembled the crew at quarters for Captain's Commendatory Mast and presented letters of commendation for outstanding performance of duty to the following:
HANDCOCK, Buster W., BM1, USN
WERTSMA, Michael J., BM1, USN
REINECKER, Samuel D., GM3 USN
DILLARD, Thomas C., DC2, USN
SELLARS, Larry M., EN2, USN
BATOG, Stephen L., FP2, USN
BARBER, James W., DC3, USN
DISMUKE, John H., PN2, USN
MORRIS, Elmer L. MM1, USN
CONSOLVO, Frank E., ENC, USN
BLANCAFLOR, Abelardo M, SK2, USN
KONDOPRIAS, Theodore N, SN, USNR
CUDA, Vincent (n), MM1, USN
PATTERSON, Bradford D., MM2, USN
BRAWN, Walter A., MM2, USN
CHAPMAN, William F., BT1, USN
BRUNNER, Christian L, BT3, USN
COOK, Donald S., DK2, USN
GOWER, Bruce I, SK2, USN
COOPER, Sims (n), SD2, USN
BOEHM, Ronald D., SKG2, USN
SMITH, Samuel S., SH1, USN

1420 Dismissed crew for quarters.
1455 Assembled the crew a quarters for decommissioning ceremonies.
1500 ComNorGruLantResFlt came aboard.
1505 Commanding Officer read decommissioning orders.
1510 ComNorGruLantResFlt (NorGru) accepted custody of USS ASHLAND (LSD-1)
1520 ComNorGruLantResFlt departed.

1521 The following officers were transferred this date:
CAPT Frederick W. BROWN, USN, as Commanding Officer, NAAS, Mayport, Florida
ELECT William A. BERGLUND, USN to CO, Boston Naval Shipyard, Boston, Mass.
LT Charley P. DELLINGER, USN, to CO, U.S. Naval Supply Corps School, Athens, GA
CHBOSN Cortis P. FRALEY, USN, to CO, USS KALMIA (ATA-184), C/o San Francisco, Calif.
CHSHIPEPTECH Frank HUTCHISON, USN, to Commander, LANTRESFLT, Norfolk Group, NORVA
LTJG Thomas S. Mc CAFFREY, USN, to RECSTA NORVA for release from active duty.
CHMACH James MONTGOMERY, USN, to CO, NAS, Rota, Spain.
LTJG Jose S. ORGEGA-OTERO, USN, to MTU, to CO, USS CALBIDO (LSD-16), C/O FPO, San Francisco, California.
LCDR Samuel R. PEPE, USN, Navy Section, MAAG, Iran, Khurramshahr, Iran.
ENS Kenneth A. SOULANT, USN, to CO, USS WAHKIKUM COUNTY (LST-1162) for duty.

1522 Commanding Officer decommissioned the USS ASHLAND (LSD-1)
1523 Secured the watch.
1524 Dismissed and transferred the crew.
Final log entry signed by:
Frank HUTCHISON
CHSHIPPREPTECH, USN