May 2013

MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBERANCE

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During the night they planted numerous amounts of high explosive sticky bombs to the hulls of the submarine and 2 patrol boats. When dawn broke the horizon the flames and explosions from the harbor was a sign of success. The mission was carried out and the team swam nearly 5 miles out to open sea to rendezvous with their pick up, but no one came. The team was adrift for a day and a half then washed up on an island in the South Pacific , Miller said. my grandfather lost hearing in his left ear dude to salt corrosion, he was awarded the purple heart and the bronze star. A Petty officer third class who would like to remain anonymous also has one of these influential stories that change his life and helped him decide to join the Navy. His grandfather was a ships keeper chief petty officer (SKC) for twenty years helping supply many ships with the parts tools and materials vital to the war fighting effort of naval vessels. The great responsibility of his fathers work portrayed how beneficial and character building the navy can be. This new life style was something that caught attention of this young man and he joined in mid 2011. Its these stories of those who have gone before us that inspire us to serve our great nation and to strive to keep our homeland safe. The sacrifices of the few will in the end, will lead to a bright and peaceful future.

First Sergeant Howard after receiving the Medal of Honor.

In this day and age the military has had an over whelming flux in volunteer service. From all corners of the country young men and women are ready to do their part to serve the country they hold most dear. The question you might ask yourself is why? Where is the influence and the motivation coming from. Most men and women of the armed forces have had exponential influence from former family members who have served prior to their kin. Petty Officer Second Class Sel. Imani Dimbo is one of these young people that have been inspired by her mothers current stature. Daughter of Staff Sergeant Kathy Dimbo, Imani had her mind set when she was in the fourth grade. Something given has no value , a quote from a

family member was the turning point of why she felt the need to work hard and find the true meaning of worth. Petty officer Dimbo would like to also credit her father and uncle, both marines, who gave her drive to something much greater. Petty officer Dimbo is currently serving in the US Navy as Tomahawk Technician and loves her job. Another inspiring story comes from Petty officer Carl Miller an Aegis Fire controlman who he says his influence was his great grandfathers who was a frog man during the pacific campaign battling the Japanese during World War II. The story that stands out in my mind was when he was drop off the coast of Japan with his team and was instructed to destroy a Japanese submarine and cripple its supply depots.

In addition to the inspiring stories from the HOW ARD sailors, the story of First Sergeant Jimmie Howard should also be reflected on during this time. When asked how he received the Medal of Honor, First Sergeant Howard would respond It was for throwing rocks . In truth he led 17 men against a full battalion during the Vietnam War. On Hill 488 Howards squad was doing surveilance on the enemies movement where they were eventually found by the Vietnamese. As directed by Howard, the squad held a small perimeter and through the entire night and morning held off the attack in time to get rescued. By directing air strikes, efficiently using their ammunition, and finally throwing rocks to keep the enemy at bay the squad was able to be evactuated. In the process, every survivor was wounded , and six were never to make it home yet Howards heroic efforts are those that reflect what HONOR, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT truly mean. If you want to read more about the incredible achievments of First Sergeant Howard and his familys life there are two books. First, his daughter Theresa Howard wrote her memoirs Shanghai to Semper Fi , full of personal vignettes of Ms. Howard and the entire family to include First Sergeant Howards military career. Also, Hill 488 , by Ray Hildreth and Charles Sasser, which tells the complete story of the entire stand in great detail.

Newsletter #7

The Dragon Times

May 2013
we put on the uniform we are reminded of those that made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have that freedom and the liberty to serve in this wholly volunteer force. We are reminded of those that sacrificed in the Civil War so that 160 years ago Abraham Lincoln could sign the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st 1963, and we could put an end to Slavery. We are reminded of those like 1st SGT Jimmie Howard who served and sacrificed in Vietnam as we recall that 40 years ago on March 29, 1973, the United States ended its military involvement in Vietnam. And we are reminded of all those who have served in other Wars, conflicts, and those that stood up to deter aggressors and defend our Great Nation now and in every era in between. I want to thank all of you for your support and sacrifice to continue the tradition that our Forefathers, Brothers, and Sisters have laid down. Those that Serve on HOW ARD and those that support our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen - Thank you for all you do, for all you have done, and all that you continue to do. Article By: David G Zook Commanding Officer USS HOW ARD (DDG-83)

CAPTAINS CORNER

QM2 Usher, QMSN Kovacik, and QMSN Teran on the Bridgewing

NAVIGATION In The Spotlight

By: CTTSN Uriostegui Navigation is a simple word to describe all the mechanism, planning and training that occurs to make a naval vessel operate. Although often overlooked, Navigation is a vital aspect of the ship, keeping the ship safe while underway. A merge of signalmens foundation and underway watch management on the bridge, the Quartermasters job is unique and complex. This is why we present Mays division in the spot light, Navigation. NN conducted their portion of the training cycle on April. They were graded on their ability to brief intellectually on the mission they will be conducting, navigate the ship in and out of port, their knowledge in the VMS, and navigating in an emergency situation. The first part of their inspection went as smoothly as a walk in the park. The senior personnel of the division are used to briefing every underway, sometimes more than once an underway. After their brief, Petty Officer Usher and Petty Officer Durand planned out charts to determine what course to take and how fast to travel, while exiting port. Along with their charts and planning, our Quartermasters impressed ATG with their knowledgeable operation of the ships Global Position System, VMS. Alongside the Quartermasters, the watch standers assisted with MOBN by maneuvering the ship through low visibility, loss of GYRO and loss of steering. A lot of people went into achieving such a high score in MOB-N, I would like them to know that we are very thankful for their help, acknowledges Petty Officer Second Class Surface Warfare Usher. To conclude this exercise, the members of NN had to prove that their training had brought them to Ready For Victory state by acing their final and level of knowledge test. I am really excited to be able to learn from such knowledgeable QMs, states Seamen Teran, as she and her peers leave MOB-N with an outstanding 97%. These days our fellow QMs spend their time preserving their spaces, restoring the pilot house, training and preparing for the big 3-M cert. Seeing all the other divisions go through their training cycles, I am glad we have concluded ours, Im glad we can continue to train for success, adds Seamen Apprentice Koviakic. Many congratulations to NN for preforming their best and getting results.

This Month as we remember our Heros, I want to also thank those that sacrifice every day to make HOW ARD ready; especially those that endeavored so well to prepare HOW ARD to pass Supply Management Certification and all of our Air, Surface, Electronic and Cryptologic, Anti-Terrorism, Damage Control, Intelligence, Link, and Naval Surface Fire training events. During this Special Month and on the Special Memorial Day, we have the opportunity to take stock of the present, reflect on the past, and renew our commitment to the future of America. I dont have to tell you how fragile this precious gift of freedom is. Every time we hear, watch, or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in this world. We few, we lucky few have the opportunity to represent our Great Nation and to train and ready to stand up when called to defend the freedoms and liberties that we are so graciously blessed with. Every time

The Dragon Times

May 2013

Training Cycle has got the crew of the USS HOW ARD working hard - and that hard work does not go unnoticed!

The Dragon Times

May 2013

ANDERS SARAH DANIELLE ET1

Congratulations to the Following Sailors on Their Advancement!

MCCASLIN COLLIN CLARK BM3 NOWELL SA V ANNA MARIE STG3 OBEROSLER JACOB PETER ET2 P ASCASIO GREGORY LAMONT OS3 RODRIGUEZ DA VID AGUIRRE STG3 RUFFIN LEVETT LAMAR CS1 SANCHEZ ALEXIS OS3 SANDERS TALOR NOELLE OS3 SNARR BRUNO ALEXANDERZACHIA FC2 STUART MARK EDW ARD II STG2 TORRES CORINA JANAE HM3 TRUONG JACK CS3 W ARNER JOSEPH III GM1 WHITE JOHN LEE JR OS3 WILBERT JOHN DA VIS III IC1 WILLIAMS JAZMEN SHATERICKA IT3

BRANSFIELD SANDRA LIZBETTE GM2 BUTTS AMANDA DA WN BM3 CARTER JASMINE NICHOLE GM2 CASPER ARON E FC2 CHAN YU TO OS2 CHERISH REBECCA E CTM2 COLOMBO VINCENT J IC2 CUNNINGHAM ADAM TYRONE CTR2 DALO BUDDIE ANTHONY III GM3 DEMARSICO ANDREW LOUIS CS1 DIMBO IMANI CORRINE FC2 FERNANDEZ JULIBER CELLAN LS2 GRIPP RUSSELL LYNN HT2 HOUSE ALEXANDER MORGAN STG2 KOUCHE JASON RYAN LS2 MCCARVER RYAN JEFFREY GM1

This edition of the Dragon Times has been brought to you by the USS HOWARD Public Affairs Committee!

ENS Ethan Franc CTM3(SW) Rebecca Cherish ET3(SW) Derek May STG2 Matthew Johnston FC3 Carl Miller CTTSN Shirley Uriostegui CTT3(SW) Robert Schweizer YN3 Shelleyann Gregory