Commander H. J. RACETTE USN entered the Navy in August 1938 and received his commission on 15 June 1944, prior to which he had advanced to the rate of GMC. In 1954 he attended the Naval General Line School at the Navy Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. In 1960 and 1961 he attended the Navy Management School at Monterey and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree. His wife, the former Mildred P. NICKELS, whom he married in 1947, was a Lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps. Commander RACETTE is entitled to wear the following service medals:

Good Conduct Medal (I star)
World War 11 Victory Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (7 stars)
American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
National Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp
China Service Medal
Korean Service Medal (2 stars)
United Nations Service Medal
Korean Presidential Unit Citation

From the Captain’s Desk

As you read this letter, our 1964–65 WESTPAC Cruise will probably have come to a close. Although our cruise officially started on the 23rd of November as we pulled away from the Hotel Pier at Pearl Harbor, it really commenced many months before – about the time we entered the Pearl Harbor Shipyard for our regular overhaul. At that time, we commenced with training and with with work to give the old “T” a new spark and get her – and us – combat ready.

The efforts that were put forth by all hands were monumental. Never have I seen a crew of officers and men, who were faced with the adversities of the post overhaul period, bounce back and rise to meet the challenges of age, neglect, and need for training. That you conquered these challenges is attested to by our WESTPAC record.

As I write this letter, with the cruise only half completed, I know that new challenges may arise, new problems may occur, old problems may reoccur. But by continuing the performance and desire which has been displayed thus far, I’m sure we’ll weather the storms.

Lest we break our arms as we pat ourselves on the back (although we have earned and received – some fine compliments), let me close by commending to you some thoughts borne of 26 years of naval service. The greatest reward for hard work and self sacrifice, whether in the Navy or in civilian pursuits, cannot be given by me or by anyone else. For the greatest reward is the pride which you can have in yourself. And pride in one’s self is contagious. It spreads to other people. It generates pride in your ship, your country, your home. It causes people to strive, to excel as individuals and to excel as a group. But pride in one’s self must also be rekindled by sincerity, by an earnest desire and a willingness to perform as we know we should and must perform.

So as you read this book, remember the good liberties and the smooth, professional operations; but also remember – with pride – that you have truly earned the right to the title: “Destroyerman”.

H. J. RACETTE
Commander, U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer