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2009 Visiting Ship - USS Bulkeley (DDG 84)

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Born in New York City on August 19, 1911, VADM Bulkeley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1933. He served tours in USS SARATOGA, USS INDIANAPOLIS, and USS SACRAMENTO. By 1941, he had advanced to the rank of Lieutenant; and in February of that year, took command of Submarine Chaser Division ONE. He would subsequently be ordered to the Philippines in September to command Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE, consisting of six torpedo boats.

After the initial Japanese attack of December 7-8, 1941, nearly all naval sea and air forces in the Philippines had been destroyed, and much of what survived was ordered out to sea shortly thereafter. Defense of the islands was assigned to a few P-40 aircraft and Bulkeley's PT boats, a task made seemingly impossible by the lack of spare parts, repair facilities, and fuel. By sheer determination, he kept his squadron operational for more than four months under these extremely difficult conditions and successfully repelled Japanese landing parties, destroying great numbers of transports, armed cruisers, and aircraft. His boats also conducted operations against land forces.

Although U.S. ground forces withdrew onto the Bataan Peninsula, the situation continued to degrade. At the request of the President of the United States, General MacArthur was ordered to leave the Philippines. On the night of March 11, 1942, VADM Bulkeley, commanding Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE made a daring dash out of Manila Harbor bearing General MacArthur to safety. Squadron THREE continued to operate in Philippine waters thereafter, and would later rescue the President of the Philippines. For his gallantry and leadership, VADM Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander shortly afterwards.

VADM Bulkeley took part in the landings on the Trobiand Islands in July 1943, and next commanded PT boats patrolling the beaches during the Allied landing at Normandy. He would then assume command of the destroyer USS ENDICOTT and would sink two German corvettes attempting to escape the harbor at Toulon during the landing of General Alexander M. Patch's 7th Army on the southern coast of France on August 15, 1944.

VADM Bulkeley's career progressed and he rose to the rank of Rear Admiral in June 1963. That same year, he was named Commander, Naval Base Guantanamo, Cuba. During this period, he went head-to-head with President Castro, as Cuba moved to secure water to the US naval base.

In 1967, he became President of the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey. He served as President of the Board until 1975, when he retired from active duty as a Vice Admiral. He was recalled to active duty and retired again in 1987 after fifty-five years of active duty service. The USS BULKELEY is an Arleigh Burke destroyer and the first ship ever named after Vice Admiral John Duncan Bulkeley.

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USS Bulkeley Commanding Officer - CDR Christopher P. DeGregory

Commander Christopher P. DeGregory is a native of Ludlow, Massachusetts, and a 1991 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He earned his commission through NROTC at the College of the Holy Cross. His initial operational sea tour was in USS DENVER (LPD 9), serving as Electrical Officer, Damage Control Assistant and Main Propulsion Assistant, and completing a deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean supporting actions in Somalia. He then served as Landing Craft Mechanized Department Head at Assault Craft Unit ONE in Coronado, California where he completed multiple exercises with USMC Maritime Pre-positioning Forces.

Following graduation from Department Head School, he reported to USS STETHEM (DDG 63) as Chief Engineer in January 2000. While on STETHEM, he completed a Middle East Force deployment to the Arabian Gulf conducting Maritime Intercept Operations. He then reported to USS ELLIOT (DD 967) as Chief Engineer and completed a deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM with the JOHN C. STENNIS Battle Group. Commander DeGregory was the commissioning Executive Officer in USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95) and participated in the ship’s maiden deployment to the Middle East in support of the Global War on Terror. As Chief Staff Officer for Destroyer Squadron TWO SIX, he completed a seven-month Middle East deployment embarked on USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), leading the Sea Combat Commander staff for the HST Strike Group. On that deployment, he led a support team to Commander, Combined Task Force 152, acting as the American Chief of Staff for the Bahraini CNO responsible for Coalition Maritime Security Operations in the Central and Southern Arabian Gulf. Commander DeGregory assumed command of USS BULKELEY (DDG 84) in May of 2009.

Ashore, Commander DeGregory attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College and holds a Master of Arts degree (with distinction) in National Security and Strategic Studies.

His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit and expeditionary awards.

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