It's 10 in a Row for Fremont

AS FAR AS anyone aboard uss Fremont knows, only one U.S. Navy ship has ever won 10 straight amphibious assault awards, and that's a 23-year-old attack transport -named uss Fremont (APA 44). Now, she's going for 11.

Fremont is a top performer in her field because her crew members-every one of them-want it that way. They're proud of their record; they're determined, dedicated, and good.

Not content with doing merely what is required of them, the entire crew competes, by division, rating and individual, to see who can do the best job in the least time, on the winches, the bridge, the hatches, the phones and the boats.

Stewards, storekeepers and yeomen join boatswain's mates and enginemen in manning hatches and winches, and launching and operating the ship's 21 landing craft. Everyone is involved.

FAST WORK - Fremont crew unload all boats in less than 23 minutes.

The 10th award was earned at the end of Fremont's 10th Med cruise. At that time, Fremont earned a 94.6 score. Her 21 boats hit the water in 19 minutes, swiftly and safely.

Fremont and her men have been setting this kind of pace since 1943 when she was commissioned at Pascagoula, Miss. (as a merchant ship). Recommissioned that fall as an attack transport, APA 44 sailed to the Pacific where she earned a distinguished war record, including combat at Saipan, Peleliu, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Iwo Jima.

Since then, in addition to her 10 Med cruises, Fremont has deployed seven times to the Caribbean. And there have been numerous operations off the East Coast.

The crew's enthusiasm and initiative in making little adjustments and improvements throughout the ship-to-shore landing operations help make the award-winning difference. The leading petty officers know their business, set high standards, and work hard to get the best results.

Captain Casey, Fremont CO, commended crew for work at awards ceremony.

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