Captain Raymond J. Harbrecht served as the ninth Commanding Officer of MORTON. A graduate of the University of Dubuque, he received his commission through the Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island in November 1957. His initial sea assignment was in USS PHILLIPINE SEA (CVS-47). Subsequent sea tours included duty as Main Battery Officer of USS BOSTON (CAG-1), Executive Officer of the Ocean Minesweeper USS ADVANCE, Officer in Charge of the Reserve Training Escort Destroyer USS BLACKWOOD, and Weapons Officer of USS COCHRANE (DDG-21). In 1968 he reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the assistant head of the Surface Junior Officer Assignment Section. In July 1970 he was assigned as Executive Officer of USS JOSEPH STRAUSS (DDG-16). He commanded USS MORTON (DD948) from February 24, 1972 until June 29, 1973. Upon completion of the Senior Course of Instruction at the U.S. Naval War College in June 1974, he was ordered to the USS SPRUANCE (DD963) as Commanding Officer. Captain Harbrecht served as the Commanding Officer of the Fleet Introduction Team, SPRUANCE Class Destroyers from July 1977 through December 1981. In this capacity he coordinated the delivery of 24 SPRUANCE Class Destroyers and 4 KIDD Class DDGs. Following his retirement he joined Litton Industries. As Director of Ships Management for Ingalls Shipbuilding he was directly involved in the construction and delivery of 19 TICONDEROGA Class Aegis Cruisers, 5 WASP Class LHDs, and 8 ALREIGH BURKE Class DDGs. He fully retired in 1997 and resides with his wife Barbara near Fairhope in South Alabama. Updated March 9, 2001 |
Cdr Raymond J. Harbrecht Mortons 9th skipper |