USARPEB - At 2230 hrs, Friday, February 16, 1962 the US Army Port of Embarkation, Bremerhaven was altered to aid the Bremerhaven disaster team to prevent a catastrophe in checking the breaks in the dikes along the Weser and around the Bremerhaven complex.
   The Commanding Officer, Colonel Richard K. Hutson cooperated with Lord Mayor Bodo Selge of Bremerhaven in supporting him with equipment and men during the entire emergency.
   Disaster chores such as packing sand bags, helping on the dikes driving trucks, reconnaissance, medical aid and communications were the order for the night.
   High velocity winds raging at the speed of up to 110 miles per hour, sleet and rain interfered, but did not deter the German-American efforts to stem the storm's damage. The flood rose to 12 feet above normal high tide, the highest in 135 years, since 1827.
   This around-the-clock operation had its headquarters in the office of the German police chief, Eckard Naumann; Major James J. Casey, USARPEB Provost Marshal, served as the main coordinator in the combined efforts.
   Daylight showed the damage along the levy and at the Columbus Quay and in other points of the city of Bremerhaven; extensive earth damage to the levies and dislocation of concrete along the dockside.
   Winds during the day continued unabated. Cloudy and intermittent sunny skies were evident all day.
   Mayor Whilhelm Kaisen of Bremen, President of the Bremen Senate, visited Lord Mayor Bodo Selge to discuss the situation. Mayor Kaisen and Lord Mayor Selge paid a visit to the Chief of Police, Eckhhard Naumann, whereb y Mayon Kaisen congratulated the Chief of Police for the good job done. He also addressed Major casey, stating that "the American forces gave an exemplary account of themselves and served as an example for the German Armed Forces to follow." He indicated his gratefulness for the spontaneous support rendered by the US Army Port of Embarkation, Bremerhaven.
   Colonel Hutson had approved a request made by the City of Bremen for 200 mattresses and 400 blankets and promptly had them delivefed to Bremen.
   The Marines stationed in USARPEB helped out in Wremen. during the night the Special Services hostesses made sandwiches and coffee at the Consolidated Mess.
   Shipping schedules could not be met. The original plan to have the USNS Buckner sail at 1500 hours, February 17, had to be postponed. Troops did not begin to board the vessel until 1915 hours, February 17 and the Buckner sailed at 0830 hours on Sunday, the 18th.
   Portions of the Staging Area were flodded and damaged. Part of the roof of Building 1 (Wac Detachment) was blown off; likewise a protion of the EES Garage roof; some basements - like Building 106 and the EES Garage - were flooded. In the vicinity of Building 102 the water was as high as the front of the Quartermaster building. There were intermittent power failures so that emergency generators had to be turned on to keep the Armed Forces installations supplied with electric power. Cost of damages are as yet unknown.
   Commander F.W. Hitz, Jr., Commanding Officer, US Naval Security Group Activity, upon having been notified by US Army officials of the critical situation along the North Sea coast, alerted all Navy personnel and made facilities and equipment needed available to Major James J. Casey.
   Commander Hitz, LCDR Howard W. Sunday, Operations Officer, and Lt James S. Erven, Communications Officer, immediately left to survey the dike from North of Bremerhaven to the village of Wremen, to see how they could assist and what kind of equipment and material would have to be secured. Commander Hitz and his party satyed on the dike unitl 0300 hours Saturday morning.
   Most help seemed to be needed in the village of Schottwarden near Wremen. Friday night womenand children had been evacuated, but in the morning the all returned. Commander Hitz, who had gone out again in the morning, saw childres scrape dirt from the ground as there was no sand available anymore to fill the bags.
   He immediately detailed 25 Marines and some trucks to haul sand and help fill the bags. The Leathernicks formed a line with members of the German Army and thus helped prevent a major disaster, since the dike had been severly damaged at several places.
   The Marines and approximately 80 membaers of the Navy who had been working in other areas, stayed on the mob until late Suaurday afternoon.
   According to Captain Millard P. Christopher, Motor Officer, 30 turcks were dispatched to the disaster area. Two dump trucks loaded with sand bags were kept on a stand by basis until Monday afternoon.
   One diesel tanker trasported German fuel to refuel German vehicles working along the dike behind the Staging Area.

Sailor of the Month

Donald R. Ward, CT2-P1, USN, has been selected "Sailor of the Month" for the month of February 1962 at the US Naval Security Group Activity, Bremerhaven. In honor of his selection, Ward was presented with a letter of commendation, an engraved cigarette lighter and granted 72 hours of special liberty.

Residing with McBride at 15/6 Eckleinjarten is his wife, Bette and their two children, Quentin and Saka.

One of the highlights of this month's inspection was the awarding of Good Conduct medals to 21 of the men including one Marine. These medals represented 240 years of good conduct. Five men received their 6th award for 18 years of good conduct each, three men received their 5th award for 15 years and six men their 4th for 12 years. The remainder were for lesser periods of time.

Washington (AFPS) - Two Navy enlisted ratings, Aviation Pilot and Photogrammetry Assistant, are being disestablished and one rating, that of Guided Missleman, is to be changed to Missle Technician on March 1.
   BUPERS Notice No.1440 gives details of the changes. It states that the Aviation Pilot and Photogrammerty Assistant ratings will be changed to the last rating formerly held, or will be determined by the Chief of Naval Personnel.
   Additional emphasis on test, repair, tuning and alignment of missle internal guidance systems, and alignment and use of missile electronic test equipment will be placed on the Missile Technician rating.

On Friday evening February 16th at the Radio City Gymnasium, the Navy All-Stars chalked up their first victory in the Battalion Level Basketball Tournament as they romped the Army All-Stars, 74-46.
   Gary Frizzell and Conrad Cote led the Navy All-Stars as they tallied 23 and 20 respectively.
   The Navy took a quick jump from the start and held a halftime advantage of 32-18 going on to an easy 74-46 victory.
   Paul Clare shared game scoring honors for the Army with the Navy's Frizzell as they each tallied 23 counters. Also hitting the double figures for the Navy were Phil Kellogg and Frank English who each hit for 10.