America (CVA 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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f.. W e, if: . Hg, COMMANDER CARRIER DIVISION TWO REAR ADMIRAL LEROY v. swANsoN 1 ' 'J .: f , . -,', -if-1 ri iii- f ' -fi I 1 . rr.- I 1 ' '1 i 1 I :ri Vrcli, ,.f ,' J, I . l V , , .fam-M ' ' faiukltllieg, I -I, , -SESS-?E 3.5-'E I g 3e:-1a o-f-ssfAifOffiC9 NLEF'e'se:: a '1 - e 's -c':r Scf, gS:-a:':' ' Sc:- 5Sc.ao':'I N5-fB5Lv'CE:T.'I' LJSNR 7938 Ccrnm ss':'eo Ensign i939 Bradley pCl ,ifecnric Irlgfifufe Air Medal, Three Gold Stars American Defense Service Medal, One Sfar European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Three Sfars Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal, Four Stars Vicfory Medal lWorId War Ill China Service Medal lexfendedl Nalional Defense Service Medal, One Star Korean Service Medal Navy Commendation Medal, Combat V Navy Commendation Medal, Bronze Star vietnam Service Medal, One Slar vietnam Campaign Medal H 'Via fried: Mrs. Margaret Fenlress Swanson f mi-iron: Virginia, Carolyn, Maryandcmlchael Slaffi D4 Sfafff SU SYHHI SU 51aIf, H9 5laff, UI uss MID U55 ALL vc-I, Col VpB-I97, VPB-104 I General L lnduslfal

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HISTORY On 10 January 1967, AMERICA, with her 4,500 officers and men, weighed anchbr and left home for her second deployment with the SIXTH FLEET. During the summer of 1967, as tensions mounted in the Middle East, AMERICA was on the alert for action. The ensuing war be- tween the Arab states and Israel found AMERICA ready. At mid-day on 8 June, the technical research ship USS LIBERTY KAGTR-59 was attacked by unidentified sea and air forces. AMER- ICA responded. Her fighters were quickly airborne to protect Task Force SIXTY as necessary. Minutes later, A-4 Skyhawks were launched with additional fighter cover to protect LIBERTY. While enroute to LIBERTY, AMERICA received word from Washington that the attackers were Israeli and that the attack was a mistake. The aircraft were recalled, but AMERICA had been ready. The next day, the crippled, listing LIBERTY pulled alongside AMERICA and 50 of her wounded and nine of the dead were trans- ferred to the carrier by helicopter. For the next week, the wounded, many of them in serious condition, were treated by AMERlCA's doctors and corpsmen. On 31 July, Captain Frederick C. Turner relieved Captain Donald D. Engen as Commanding Officer of AMERICA. Captain Turner led AMERICA through the remaining period of her assignment with the SIXTH FLEET, and on 12 September, AMERICA steamed through the Strait of Gibraltar to conclude an event-packed eight months in the Mediterranean. Once again in the Atlantic, she reioined the SECOND FLEET and returned to pier 12, Naval Base, Norfolk, where she arrived on 20 September. Her next committment, a yard period in preparation for a SEVENTH FLEET Deployment.

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Kfww., COMCARDIV TWO, Chief of Staff Designated Naval Aviator 939 Staff Deputy CNO Commissioned Ensign i939 Staff, Supreme Allied Command, Europe Navy Cross Staff, Strategic Air Command Legion of Merit Combat V Gold Star Staff, Heavy Attack Wing ONE Distinguished Flying Cross Three Gold Stars Staff, Chief of Naval Air Training Three Air Medals USS MIDWAY CCVA-419, Commanding Officer Purple I-leart USS ALLAGASH iAO-977, Commanding Officer Two Presidential Unit Citations VC-8, Commanding Officer National Defense Service Medal One Star VPB-197, Commanding Officer Vietnam Service Medal One Star VPB-104, Commanding Officer Vietnam Campaign Medal Genefal l-ine School Married: Mrs Louise Weeks Wright Industrial College of the Armed Forces Children: Jeanne A 17 'S E? 1 - :ww iz., f -,ue L' A4442 F F 1 1 CHIEF OF STAFF CAPTAIN WHITNEY wmam Q I K' 2 Kid' iii' . Hui I - .il2ifwf-al-f 'P ti-tgfif.-I. f K ,.-,Am 'H V if4 1' I iv :fi J?-Sl Q M me H i 1 5' kg fi Hg. vjigl -ez'-1, ',, yr, Emi frel 9 ' it R ffl