Belleau Wood (LHA 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDER M. ALAN COBLE

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER M. ALAN COBLE A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Commander Coble was commissioned an Ensign after graduating from the University of Piotre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1968. Me served his initial three tours of duty in USS HOOPER (DE-1026) as First Lieutenant, USS POR- TERFIELD (DD-682) as navigator; and USS WILLIAM R. RUSH (DD-714) first as Navigator then as First Lieu- tenant. In 1971, Commander Coble began a three year tour at the United States naval Academy as a nav- igation and sailing instructor. While at Annapolis, he earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Systems Management from George Washington Uni- versity. This tour was followed by the Department Head Course at Surface Warfare Officers School Com- mand and sea duty assignments in USS BROWnsON (DD-868) as Operations Officer and USS PENSACOLA (LSD-38) as Engineer Officer. He was next assigned as the Budget and Plans Officer at the Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity, Dam neck, Virgin- ia. It was during this tour that he completed a Mast- ers in Business Administration from Old Dominion University. In 1982 Commander Coble reported to USS MAN- ITOWOC (LST-1180) as Executive Officer. During this tour, MAniTOWIC participated in Beirut Contingency and Peacekeeping Operations and Operation UR- QEnT FURY, the invasion of Grenada. Following MAMI- TOWOC, Commander Coble served as Military Assis- tant and Financial Management Analyst to the Assis- tant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). Commander Coble reported to BELLEAU WOOD from USS CAYUGA (LST-1186) where he was Commanding Offi- cer. Commander Coble and his wife, Janyce, have two daughters, Kiley and Cathy, and make their home in Irvine, California. 10

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MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER EDWARD a KENNEDY ll MACM(SW) Edward C. Kennedy was bom in Hunts- ville, Alabama 16 March 1943. Me enlisted in the riavy 24 July 1961 and completed Recruit Training at naval Training Center, San Diego, California. Following graduation from recruit training in Novem- ber 1961, MasterChief Kennedy served in a variety of as- signments at the following commands: USS TOMBIGBEE (ACG-11), hovember 1961 to July 1965; U.S. naval Sta- tion Armed Forces Police Detachment, Subic Bay, RP, August 1965 to February 1967; USS SAMUEL GOMPERS, March 1967 to November 1968; U.S. Armed Forces Po- lice Detachment, naval Station, Subic Bay, RP, novem- ber 1968 to June 1973; Service School Command, San Diego, California, July 1973 to January 1976. Advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer, as Chief of Police, naval Training Center, San Diego, California, May 1980 to May 1983. While ashore he was advanced to Master Chief Pet- ty Officer. In May he was transferred to USS CLEVELAnO (LPD-7) as Command Master Chief. After completing his tour aboard USS CLEVELAHD, he transferred to USS DUR- HAM (LKA-114) as Command Master Chief. MACM(SW) Kennedy ' s awards include six Good Con- duct Awards, Antarctic Service Medal, Armed Forces Expe- ditionary Medal (Vietnam), national Defense Service Med- al, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, Philippine Presi- dential Unit Citation, navy Unit Commendation, two navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbons, navy Expeditionary Medal, navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, two navy Com- mendation Medals and seven Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. He is married to the former Carmencita Cortez of the Republic of the Philippines. They have six children, daugh- ters Razel, Jaqueline, and Virginia, and sons Robert, Edwin and William. Master Chief Kennedy reported to BELLEAU WOOD in April of 1988. 12