OC Capt Nolan

Commander Nolan was commisioned Jan 1952, a graduate of Officer Candidate School, Class 3, Newport, R.I. He had previously graduated from Boston College and Boston Teachers College prior to entrance in the navy.His first tour of duty was CIC officer of the USS Preston DD 795 during which he participated in combat action in Korea for which he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".He continued to serve in destroyer types as Operations Officer and Gunnery Officer of the USS Cross DD 448 and augmented into the regular navy in August 1955.
His first tour of shore duty was as aide to the Shipyard Commander, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. He returned to sea duty as Executive Officer of USS Snyder DE 745 based in New York. Upon decomissioning of Snyder, Cdr Nolan reported to the U.S.Atlantic Fleet Operational Control Center for two and a half years. Following the Cuban Missle Crisis, Cdr Nolan returned to sea duty as Exutive Officer of the USS English DD 696, home ported in Norfolk and later in Mayport Florida. During the academic years of 1964-1965 he attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
Prior to reporting to USS New DD 818, Cdr Nolan served as Senior Naval Advisor in the I Corps area of Vietnam and as Commander Task Group 115.1 in Operation Market Time. He was awarded the Veitnamese Cross of Gallentry by the Commanding General of I Corps for combat service in that area and also the Legion of Merit with Combat "V". He assumed command of New on 21 December 1966 in Portsmouth Va.
He is married the the former Betty Kenefick of Roslindale, Mass, and they have five children.
From the 1967 cruise book

Among the finest officers I have met during my time in the navy Captain Joe Nolan ranks at the top. I couldn't say enough about him and his command skills to give him justice. After leaving the New he attended other officer schools and assigned stations and then when gaining the rank of Captain USN he was assigned command to the USS Halsey CG 23. He stated that Halsey was a fine ship with a great crew but he was particularly fond of the older gunships. USS New held his best memories and he told me that if it wasn't for the professionalism of the crew of New he would have never made Captain. Of course we all know he would have made it regardless of the crew as I feel it was him that made us better, but it is good to know he held the New and her crew in the highest reagrds, just as we did him.
Captain Nolan passed away September 15, 2002 from complication of an operation for lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. My big regret is that I didn't know about the reunions and hence missed the last one he attended. His momory will always be with me and all other crew members who served under him. I feel fortunate at least to have been able to talk with him via phone and have some mail correspondence. I also feel most fortunate to have been on a ship as good as the New and proud to have served under Capt. Nolan.
Capt Nolan I salute you. Rick Palmer former OS2 USN

I just visited your page on Capt. Joe Nolan and was saddened to read of his recent passing.
I served under him at Destroyer School (Surface Warfare Officer's School Command - Head of
Department School) from November 1974 until my retirement in December 1977. I agree with you that he was among the finest officers I ever served with. Under his truly able leadership,
Destroyer School and the other components of the command moved from sleepy "gentleman's schools" to top-notch training establishments. When I joined the school (not long after Capt. Nolan took command), I took over a 4-hour Guided Missile section and, with his encouragement, expanded it to a 40-hour package that led the way for Combat Systems training. A year and a half later, when the newer ships were nearing completion, it became evident that mid-grade officers often were totally ignorant of how modern technology worked, so once again, under his leadership, we introduced a 40-hour package in basic technology (electricity, electronics, computers, radar and communication system technology) that at least gave them the
rudiments of terminology. I was pleased and proud that I could return to the Navy much of
what I had learned and enormously pleased that Capt. Nolan promoted life-long learning for all sailors.
Thanks for a great site.
Tom Davis
LCDR USN (Ret)
Addendum to letter:
If I had to add anything to what I said, I would note Joe Nolan's accessability. If anyone had an idea or complaint or just wanted a little time "with the old man," Capt. Nolan made himself available. And that was during a period of enormous dynamism at Destroyer School - with the planning and installation of a new multi-million dollar engineering plant simulator, changes in the use of computer driven combat simulations, incorporating the Junior Officer schools at Newport and San Diego, and generally bringing everything up to meeting late twentieth-century needs. His leadership was not only key, but necessary. He will be missed.
Thomas A. Davis IEEE
HQ AMC/SCTP - Architecture Planning (Contractor)
Rose International, Inc.