NAVY MISSILE EXPERT ASSUMES COMMAND
OF NEW TOPEKA

Captain Frank L. Pinney, Jr., assumes command of the USS TOPEKA CLG 8 today, having already established excellent qualifications for this very important role in America's first line of defense. In keeping with the rapid trend in our modern Navy toward increased scholarship and training :in scientific areas, Captain Pinney has had considerable formal preparation for fighting ship armed with guided missiles. In the two year period just prior to being ordered to the TOPEKA, he served as Deputy Director of the Fleet Missile (POLARIS) Program in the Bureau of Naval Weapons.

Following graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy in May 1934, Captain Pinney served at sea for six years aboard the Cruiser, USS Portland, and the Destroyer, USS Hull, and then reported to the Naval Post Graduate School at Annapolis for the course in Ordnance Engineering. He was then sent to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, remaining in attendance there until September 1942 when he was awarded the degree of Master of Science.

From 1953 to 1954 he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D. C. and then in 1954 reported to the Bureau of Ordnance as Head of the Special Weapons Branch and Program Director for Nuclear Applications, where he remained until assuming command of the USS FREMONT, APA-44, in June 1956.

Captain Pinney was born in Washington, D. C. on March 17, 1913, son of Captain Frank L. Pinney, USN (now deceased) and Mrs. Mary Brogden Pinney. He attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington, graduating in 1929, and the next year prepared at Severn School, Severna Park, Maryland, for his entrance to the Naval Academy in 1930. As a Midshipman he was Editor of the Lucky Bag, and Captain of the Tennis Team in 1934. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on May 31, 1934, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Captain, his date of rank November 20, 1952.

Reporting to the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York, in September 1942, he had duty in connection with fitting out the USS IOWA (BB 61), and served as her Assistant Gunnery Officer and later as Gunnery Officer from her commissioning in February 1943, until January 1945. During his service on board, that battleship participated in the Marshall Islands Operation; Asiatic-Pacific raids of 1944: Holandia Operation; Mariannas, Western Carolines and Leyte Operations; and the capture and occupation of Tinian. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, with Combat "V" for meritorious service in connection with operations against the enemy during this cruise.

Upon his return to the United States in January 1945, he was designated Aide to Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy. USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and served in that capacity for two years. In March 1947 he assumed command of the USS HUGH PURVIS (DD 709), and after his detachment two years later, reported in April 1949 to the Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D. C., for duty in the Research and Development Division. Completing that tour in May 1952, he assumed command in June of that year, of Destroyer Division TWENTY-TWO, and remained in command for fourteen months.

Captain Pinney and his wife, the former Ellen Jett McCormick of Washington, D. C. have three children: Mrs. Robert L. Harrington, Midshipman Frank L. Pinney, III, and John M. Pinney. They are presently residing in Brooklyn, New York.

Greetings from the Commander in Chief

with best wishes, Dwight D Eisenhower

VICE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS TO
SPEAK AT TOPEKA COMMISSIONING

The principal speaker at the commissioning of the USS TOPEKA (CLG 8) on the afternoon of 26 March 1960 in the New York Naval Shipyard is Admiral James S. Russell, Vice-Chief of Naval Operations. This distinguished Naval Officer honors through his official visit a ship that has already established a fine wartime record in its mission of defending tile Constitution of the United States against our enemies. The officers and men of the new TOPEKA (CLG 8), will be carrying on a great tradition of fighters in the cause of freedom when the first watch is set this afternoon. In the weeks ahead long hours of hard work face every sailor from Captain to Seaman Apprentice. The reward of that work during sea trials, on shake-down cruise, in exercises at sea, and in upkeep and maintenance while alongside tile dock, will be the satisfaction of knowing that the USS TOPEKA is once again in the first line of America's claim to victory--both in war and in peace.

It is anticipated that the TOPEKA will join the Seventh Fleet and sail the sea lanes between Taiwan and the, Chinese, mainland, before another, year passes. By this. autumn the, ship will 'have joined the Pacific Fleet, and made its home-port in Long Beach, California.

Carrying six 6 inch and six guns forward of the superstructure and launchers for the Terrier guided missile aft, TOPEKA will serve as air defense for fleet units in combat. Her conventional armament forward will make possible strong Naval gunfire support for amphibious operations.

Before ADM James S. Russell was appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations on 21 July 1958, he served as Deputy Commander of Chief of the Atlantic Fleet with tile rank of Vice Admiral.

Admiral Russell entered the Naval Academy in 1922. Upon graduation he served aboard the USS WEST VIRGINIA. After flight training in Pensacola he, was designated a Naval Aviator in 1929 and has served in flight status since that time both at sea and ashore. He holds the Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering which he earned at the California institute of Technology

After a distinguished record during World War II both in command and staff assignments in which he earned the Legion of Merit and a Gold Star in lieu second award, he commanded two major carriers. Upon promotion to Rear Admiral he commanded two carrier divisions. In 1955 he assumed the duties of Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics.

Admiral Russell now holds in addition to the decorations noted above, a second Gold Star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flights against the enemy and under extremely hazardous weather conditions.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
FROM TOPEKA PRESENT
FOR CEREMONY

Among the honored guests standing the commissioning ceremonies of the USS TOPEKA this afternoon, are Mayor and Mrs. E. J. Camp and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Warren of Topeka, Kansas. The presence of these real life plainsmen from the West indicates the broad interest shown by the people of Topeka in the reactivation of the ship named for their fair city. The citizens of Topeka have presented some fine gifts to the ship. Mayor Camp and Mrs. Warren, the original sponsor of the Topeka at its first commissioning, are members of the official party in the commissioning ceremony.

FOUR FLAG OFFICERS ONCE HELD COMMAND
OF USS TOPEKA

Of the five former commanding officers of the USS TOPEKA four now carry flag rank. Captain Paul B. Koonce, who commanded the ship 1 June 1948 to 19 June 1949 retired with the rank of, Admiral. Captain Ralph Earle, Jr., commanded the ship from 1 August 1947 to I June 1948. He later was retired as Vice-Admiral. The first; commanding officer was Captain Thomas L. Wattles who retired as Rear Admiral. He was in command during the combat phase from 23 December 1944 to 7 November 1945. At that time Captain Waiter G. J. Schindler assumed command and remained until 24 July 1946. He later served as Rear Admiral before retiring. From the period 24 July 1946 to 1 August 1947 the ship was commanded by Captain D. H. Johnson.

SHIP IS NAMED FOR A PLEASANT SPOT

A pleasant spot on the Kansas River near the Oregon Trail is the description taken from old records of the site of the city of Topeka. A ferry service operated by the Papan brothers was the only man-made landmark, it represented a breathing spell for early pioneers in their trek westward. Their wagons were ferried over the river by the Papans, while the drovers and settlers herded their stock and draft animals across to the other bank.

On December 5, 1854, representing a total population of twenty-five, a town company was formed with articles of agreement. The town site which was to be known as Topeka was divided into one-hundred shares by the original settlers. The town of Topeka was born. Three years later on the 14th of February 1857 the Territorial Legislature authorized the incorporation of the city of Topeka.

PRESENT TOPEKA EARNED TW0 BATTLE STARS AS LIGHT CRUISER, CL-67

The first combat operations of the USS TOPEKA, CL-67, came during the period 8 to 10-June 1945 when she screened Carrier Task-Group 38.1 engaged in air strikes against enemy installations at Kanoya, Southern Kyushu, Minamo Daito Shima, and Okino Daito Shima. These actions were in support of the capture and occupation of Okinawa

Topeka with its task group replenished at San Pedro Bay, Leyte during the latter part of June 1945 and then steamed for strikes against military targets and shipping in the vicinity of Honshu, commencing 10 July 1945. On the night of 18-19 July, TOPEKA formed with cruisers ATLANTA, DAYTON, OKLAHOMA CITY, and destroyer units for an anti-shipping sweep off the eastern entrance to Sagami Nada, taking part in the bombardment of enemy installations on Nojima Saki. She rejoined the carrier group on 20 July and continued operations in support of carrier air strikes until cessation of hostilities, 15 August 1945. During these operations a pilot from TOPEKA, in an SC-1 Curtiss "Seahawk", rescued two downed British pilots in lshinomake Wan, 9 August 1945.

TOPEKA conducted patrol off Japan until 16 September 1945 when she anchored in Tokyo Bay. On 1 October 8he departed for the United States. After embarking 529 military passengers at Okinawa (4-5 October), she arrived at Portland, Oregon, 19 October 1945, She sailed 29 October and arrived at San Pedro, California, on 1 November for overhaul and repairs.

TOPEKA sailed from San Francisco on 3 January 1946 and arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, 24 January to operate in support of the occupation forces in Japan and the mandated island. Other principal ports of call during this tour of duly included Sasebo, Japan; Tsingtao and Shanghai China; Manila Bay, Luzon, Philippine Island; and Apra Harbor, Guam. She departed Shanghai on 30 October and returned to San Pedro, California, on 20 November 1946. She underwent overhaul and engaged in local operations until 22 September 1947 when she departed San Pedro for another tour of duty in the Far East. She joined Task Force 71 at Yokosuka on 10 October 1947. Fleet maneuvers and patrol on the China coast were principally conducted from Shanghai and Tsingtao until 8 March 1948, when she arrived at Nagasaki, Japan. After brief visits to Sasebo and Kure, she departed Yokosuka on 25 April and returned to Long Beach, California, 7 May 1948.

The second TOPEKA (CLG 8), a guided missile light cruiser, was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Quincy, Massachusetts, as a light cruiser (CL-67). Her keel was laid 21 April 1943 and she was launched 19 August 1944 under the sponsorship of Mrs. Frank J. Warren, wife of the Mayor of Topeka, Kansas. The ship was placed in commission at Boston on 23 December 1944 when Captain Thomas L. Wattles, USN, assumed command.