George R. Skinner

Commander George R. Skinner, USN (Ret.), hails from Portland, Oregon-back when it still rained the
proper amount. He graduated from Rigler Grade School in 1948, U.S. Grant High School in 1952, and the
University of Oregon in 1956. (Go Ducks!) He was commissioned as an Ensign in September 1957 after
surviving Officer Candidate School (Class 33) in Newport, Rhode Island-where he learned that marching in
the snow builds character and frostbite resistance.

His first assignment was with Landing Craft Utility Division Twelve (1957-1961), homeported in
Coronado, California. There, he served as Executive Officer and completed two deployments to Yokosuka,
Japan-developing a deep appreciation for both ship handling and Japanese cuisine (especially the kind that
doesn't move on your plate).

He then shifted to destroyer service, which meant a lot less sleep and a lot more steel. He served as
Operations Officer aboard USS Bordelon (DDR-881) (1961-1963), based in Charleston, South Carolina,
followed by a tour as Executive Officer of USS Lowe (DER-325) (1963-1965) in San Francisco, California
-where he managed to keep the ship running, the crew sane, and most of the coffee hot.

A tour at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. (1965-1967) followed-also known as "shore
duty with paperwork." After that, he returned to sea duty aboard USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) (1968-1969),
based in Mayport, Florida. His deployments included the Mediterranean, with port visits to Italy, Spain,
Malta, Africa, and Cuba. He also participated in the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis while stationed in Key West
-one of the few times in history when a tan and international crisis coincided.

Commander Skinner earned a Master's Degree in Personnel Administration from The George Washington
University in 1967 and graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval War College in 1968-proof that reading
and strategy can go hand-in-hand with saltwater and steel decks.

In 1969, he deployed to Vietnam, serving on the staff of the U.S. Naval Advisory Group and Commander,
U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam. He later commanded River Assault Squadron Thirteen, based in Dong Tam,
overseeing Divisions 131 and 132. Riverine warfare involved small boats, big challenges, and very little
elbow room-but he made it work.

From 1970 to 1973, he was on the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in San
Diego, where he finally got to enjoy a consistent bed and slightly fewer surprise inspections. He then
assumed command of USS John R. Craig (DD-885) (1973-1975), followed by duty as Executive Officer of
USS Oklahoma City (CG-5), flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet (1975-1977), homeported in Yokosuka,
Japan. His travels during this time included Malaysia, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, the
Philippines,Australia, Singapore, and Thailand-where he developed expertise in diplomacy, navigation, and
how to find decent coffee in any port.

Commander Skinner concluded his distinguished 22-year naval career on the staff of Commander, Naval
Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and retired from active duty on January 1, 1979-just in time to enjoy life
without reveille, uniform inspections, or standing watch at 0200.