PREPARES FOR DECOMMISSION VI

JUN 1968 SAN DIEGO – SEP 1968 DECOMMISSIONED – SCRAPPING BY LEVIN METALS.

After calling at Pearl Harbor for her last time, she reached  San Diego on 15 June 1968 to prepare for inactivation.  On July  1968 Lieutenant Commander F. A. Conti took command of the CAVALIER  as her  last commander.  She was decommissioned at San Diego  on  30 September  1968  and her name was struck from  the  Naval  Vessel
Register  on  1 October 1968.  The veteran attack  transport  was sold  for  scrapping  on 15 September 1969 to  the  Levin  Metals.

*NOTE 1; from “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships”, Volume II * 1963

*NOTE 2: from “Terrance D. Burnes” a crew member during the storm.

*NOTE 3; from “Stanley L. Derickson” a crew member during the storm.

***********************************************************************

Editor note:

I served aboard the CAVALIER FROM MARCH 1955 TO AUGUST 1958. Unlike the Sullivan’s who were war heroes of WWII, I served on board with my brother Ron for several months. I went aboard as an E2, Radarman, Seaman Apprentice and left the ship as an E6, Radarman 1^st class Petty Officer. I have read several accounts of the USS Cavalier’s history but this one seems most complete. This history minus the “notes” was provided to me by LTCDR Ralph N. Hall. The years aboard this fine ship were my “growing-up years” and I would not trade them for all the gold in China. (Terry Burnes)