Lieutenant Commander David Hamlin Griffin, U.S. Navy, Commanding Officer, U.S.S. WILHOITE, entered the Navy through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in September 1952. He participated in that program at Brown University, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, and was commissioned an Ensign in the regular Navy in June 1957. His first duty assignment was on board the USS BROWNSON (DD-868) where he served as Damage Control Assistant and Engineering Officer until 1960. From 1960 until 1961, Lieutenant Commander Griffin served as Executive Officer of the USS ABILITY (MSO-519). Sub-sequently, he was ordered as Commanding Officer of the USS FRIGATEBIRD (MSC-191) where he served successively in the Bureau of Naval Personnel and as Executive Officer, USS STRONG (DD-758). On 31 December, 1967 he assumed command of WILHOITE. Lieutenant Commander Griffin is married to the former Gail Schriver of Whitmire, South Carolina. They reside with their three children, a daughter, aged ten and two sons, aged seven and five months, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lieutenant William H. Tredick, U. S. Navy, Executive Officer U.S.S. WILHOITE was born in Colon, Republic of Panama, (Canal Zone) and a Navy junior. In 1942 the family moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lebanon High School and entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957, graduating in June 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as Ensign. His service has been on the USS STORMES (DD-780) as ASW and Gunnery Officer; NROTC Unit, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire as an assistant professor; and in 1966, he helped to develop the pilot curriculum for Riverine Warfare as it applies to river patrol boats (PBR's).

Lieutenant Tredick helped to establish a new command, the Naval Inshore Operations Training Center at Mare Island, California teaching tactics, employment, gunnery and small boat handling (PBR's) prior to his present assignment as Executive Officer, USS WILHOITE.

Mr. Tredick is married to the former Barbara F. Lenker of Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, and they currently reside in Hale Moku, Honolulu Hawaii. They are expecting their first-born in February