USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864) was one of those ships that seemed to be charmed. Though built to the same specifications as other ships of the Gearing class, she just performed better and stayed in better condition than others. She was a tribute to her namesake, who gave his life in the battle of Midway, to her builders and to the hundreds of dedicated Navy men who served her for thirty-eight years.

When the decision was made to decommission Ellison and transfer her to Pakistan, the Pakistani Nave made arrangements for a shipyard availability to ensure she was able to transit to Karachi. However, during the turnover, the Pakistanis discovered that the ship was in much better condition than they expected. So much better that the yard period was cancelled. The ship was ready to operate!

That outstanding level of readiness was a testament to the care and dedication of all the men who sailed in Ellison. I am proud to have served with the final U.S. Navy crew, who prepared the ship for turnover. In addition to continuing the superior level of equipment maintenance, these men took particular pride in cleaning and painting out the entire ship. USS Harold J. Ellison did not just fade away. She proudly sailed off to her new duties looking as good as any ship in the fleet.

In addition, the decommissioning crew arranged and hosted a three-day reunion for all former crew members. In fact all FRAM sailors were invited. Several hundred men came to ensure the end of the FRAM era was properly commemorated, and to the Ellison's service to the U.S. Navy in a positive, up-beat celebration.

At the decommissioning ceremony we were especially honored by the presence of Mrs. Harold J. Ellison. She regaled us with her memories of the ship's commissioning ceremony honoring her husband. Mrs. Ellison was the ship's sponsor. She remained a loyal member of the Navy family over the years and closely followed the service life of the ship. She was an excellent role model in her ability to remember the past, live in the present, and look forward to the future.

It was a privilege to command Ellison, to be a part of the long line of Navy men to operate such a fine ship, and to know Audrey Ellison. The "Happy Jack" enjoys a proud place in the history of the United States Navy. Well done to everyone who contributed to her fine record.

George W. Yeend Jr.

Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

(Actual Naval Transcript)

SATURDAY, 01 OCTOBER 1983

SHIP’S SCHEDULE – DECOMMISSIONING DAY

0720 - LIBERTY EXPIRES

0845 - PARKING LOT ATTENDANTS MUSTER WITH YN1 GONZALEZ ON THE PIER

0930 - MUSTER SHIP & COMPANY AT POSTS FOR DECOM CEREMONY

1000 - OFFICIAL PARTY ARRIVES - COMMENCE DECOME CEREMONY

NOTES

1. SAFETY COLOR. RED.
2. SAILOR OF THE QUARTER. EM2 GEGENHEIMER
3. THOUGHT FOREVER. "MAY FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS BE WITH YOU FOREVER"

H  A  V  E     A    G   O  O  D     L  I  F   E  .  .  .

                                      D.G. STORER,

                                      EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ROUTINE

R 021707Z SEP 83                                 ZYUW RUCBSGG0508 2452221

FM COMNAVSURFLANT NORFOLK VA

TO COMCRUDESGRU TWELVE

INFO CNO WASINGTON DC                            CINCLANTFLT NORFOLK VA

COMNAVSURFGRU FOUR                               COMNAVBASE PHILADELPHIA PA

USS CHARLES F ADAMS                              USS HAROLD J ELLISON

COMTRALANT NORFOLK VA                            NAVSHIPYD PHILADELPHIA PA

SIMA NRMF PHILADELPHIA PA

UNCLAS //N04920//

SUBJ: HOST SHIP FOR USS HAROLD J. ELLISON AFTER TRANSFER TO PAKISTAN NAVY (PN)

        A. PHONCON 26 AUG 83 CNSL (G. MEIER) /CCDG 12 (CDR MAHER)

1. USS HAROLD J. ELLISON IS SCHEDULED TO TRANSFER TO PAKISTAN NAVY (PN) 1 OCT 83. AS DISCUSSED REF A, REQUEST COMCRUDESGRU TWELVE DESIGNATE USS CHARLES F ADAMS AS HOT SHIP DURING POST-TURNOVER PERIOD IN PHILADELPHIA 1 OCT 83-7 NOV 84 (APPROX). NOMANTE POOINTS OF CONTACT FOR GENERAL LIAISON AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AS FEASIBLE ON ADMIN, MEDICAL AND SUPPLY MATTERS

2. CURRENT LIMITED INFORMATION INDICATES MAINTENANCE AVAILABILITY WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THE SHIP COMMENCING AFTER 1 OCT 83 AND COMPLETING PRIOR TO 7 NOV 84. ALL REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF PN, INCLUDING REPAIR PLANNING, FUNDING, CONTRACTING, MANAGEMENT AND QA. NO REPAIRS BY U.S. NAVY FACILITIES ARE TO BE UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL AND IDENTIFICATION OF FOREIGN MILITARY FUNDING BY OPNAV (OP63) VIA CLIF AND ORIG.

3. ADD’L INFORMATION WILL BE PROMULGATED WHEN AVAILABLE.

4. COMNAVSURFLANT POC MR. G. MEIER, N431B, 444-5160. BT

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