One year ago today most of us were present at the commissioning of the U.S.S. PORTER (DD800) in Seattle, Washington.

That day a confused confusion existed aboard the PORTER and she was in no manner ready to give battle to the enemy. It has indeed been a pleasure to me, however, to see with what determination all hands turned to in a sincere effort to change that confused confusion into an organized confusion and later into the well organized organization we now have in this ship.

This war has clearly demonstrated that the hazards of the wind and sea and FOG still exist for the modern ship, even with the aid of all modern radar and navigational equipment.

Weather conditions in the Aleutians throughout the year are generally so bad that being on duty there aboard ship might be classed as attending a "Bad Weather" college. However, during the year we were able to keep our ship in fighting shape continuously, and to partipate in several shore bombardments against Japanese military installations in the Kurile Islands.

It has been my privilege to have been your commanding officer for this entire year and I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every man aboard for the loyal support I have received at all times from all hands.

My charge to all of you, when I assumed command of the PORTER one year ago was, "All hands turn to"; I say to you now, "Well done".