Re(3): 1954 or 1955 IP: 66.81.0.10 Posted on March 3, 2004 at 20:43:04 by Frank Kleber
I was XO of ISBELL for approximately two years during 1955-1956. When Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. came aboard in 1956 to take command as a brand new CDR, he was like a breath of fresh air breathing new life into a ship that sorely needed CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). He was a wonderful human being and officer whose first and foremost consideration was the morale of his ship's company and its welfare. Later on, when I was in command positions making decisions, I often said to myself, "What would Bud Zumwalt do in this case?" He was so unlike many of the destroyer skippers I encountered in my naval career whose primary thought when facing a decision was "Will what I am about to do affect my making CAPT?"
It was a true pleasure to have been his XO. He was a rare individual of unusual talent. I feel sad knowing that he is no longer alive. Replies: