Miel

TYPED LETTER SIGNED by Rear Admiral MELVIN H. CHIOGIOJI to Rear Admiral Lewis B. Combs regarding integrating active and reserve Seabees into a unified organization.

1991 · 100134 — <p>Silver Spring Maryland November 20 1991. 1991. Very good. - Over 180 words typed on his 8-5/8 inch high by 7 inch wide "Commander Reserve Naval Construction Force / First Reserve Naval Construction Brigade" stationery. Rear Admiral Chiogioji responds to Rear Admiral Lewis Combs' letter congratulating him on his assuming command of the Brigade and also on the fund raising efforts towards the Memorial Fund. "Mel" Chiogioji replies that "I can assure you that I have taken on a very large challenge in assuming command of the Reserve Naval Construction Force from Paul Rosser." He goes on to explain that his main emphasis is "to fully integrate the active and reserve Seabees into a single unified organization." He thanks Admiral Combs for his support of the SMSA and hopes to be able to see him in Red Hook. Signed "Mel". Stapled to a retained copy of Rear Admiral Combs' letter with additional staple holes and a paper clip stain at top left. "Adm Cihiogioji" is boldly written in pencil at top right in another hand.</p><p>Rear Admiral Melvin H. "Mel" Chiogioji was born in Hiroshima Japan in 1939 and immigrated to the United States. He served 32 years in the Navy and Naval reserve in the Civil Engineer Corps including 6 years as a Rear Admiral. He took active command of the Second Naval Construction Brigade U.S. Atlantic Fleet being the first Reserve Admiral to be appointed to an active Naval Command. Mel was responsible for the crisis response forces during Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East and also of operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters.</p> (Silver Spring, Maryland), November 20, 1991.