Belleau Wood (LHA 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHAPLAIN ' S OFFICE RPl Fitzgerald RP2 Thompson LEGAL OFFICE EWCS Richmond NCC Pratt

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CDR. J. B. LaPLANTE Commander John Bapiislc L;iPlanlc was born in Si. Joseph, Missouri, on June 6, 1940 I ullowing graduation from Severn School in Annapolis he ittended the U. S. Naval Academy. He was commissioned in June 1962 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. His initial sea duty was in USS FOX (DD-779), an Atlantic Fleet destroyer, as CIC Officer. Following a tour as a student at the U.S. Naval Destroyer School he served in two Pacific Fleet destroyers: USS SAMPLE (FF-1048) as Operations Officer and VSS DUNCAN (DDR-874) as Weapons Officer. In December 1968, Commander LaPlante took command of USS SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY (LST-1I22). homeported at Guam. SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY was inactivated in September !969. and Commander LaPlanle ' s next assignment was as Command- ing Officer of a sister ship, USS FLOYD COUNTY (LST-762) homeported in San Diego. He next reported to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he served in the office of the Commandant of Midshipmen. This was followed in June 1972 by a tour at the U. S. Naval War College as a student in the College of Naval Command and Staff. During this lour he earned a .Master of Science Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. In September 1973 he returned to the Pacific Fleet as Executive Officer in USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST-1189). He was ordered to the staff of the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet, where he served as Current Operations Officer during 1975 and as Aide and Flag Lieutenant from February 1976 until 1978. He served as Commanding Officer in USS THOMASTON(LSD-28) from May 1978 until June 1980. He reported to USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-J) in August 1980. Commander LaPlante is married to the former Phyllis Elaine DeBartolo of Youngstown, Ohio. They have two children and reside in San Diego. MCPOC

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