Belleau Wood (LHA 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Thomas A. Parker Executive Officer Captain Tom Parker, a native of Savannah, Georgia, gradu- ated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974. Entering the U.S. Navy in Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned an Ensign in January 1976. Following flight training he was assigned to fly the E-2C Hawkeye. Operational tours followed in VAW-123 in the Maintenance and Operations Departments from 1977-1980 and VAW-120 in the NFO Training Department from 1980- 1983. Captain Parker served as the Anti-Air Warfare Officer and Force Tactical Action Officer on the staff of Commander Cruiser Destroyer EIGHT from 1983-1985. Subsequently, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet from late 1985 until 1988 as the Atlantic Fleet CV Combat Information Center Training Officer. Dur- ing this period he earned a Masters Degree in International Studies from Old Dominion University in 1987. Returning to sea, he served as Maintenance, Operations and Administrative Officer in VAW-122 from 1988-1990. This tour was followed by assignment to VAW-124 as Exec- utive Officer and Commanding Officer from 1990-1993. Af- ter this successful tour, he was chosen for a Federal Execu- Introduction tive Fellowship and assigned to the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, CA from September 1993-July 1994. Captain Parker next served as Operations Officer in USS America (CV 66) where he coordinated the ship ' s UPHOLD DEMOCRACY operations in Haiti from August-October 1994 as well as assisting in the planning and coordination of the successful offensive air strikes in Bosnia-Herzegovina in September 1995. During his tour, USS AMERICA won de- partmental and ship Battle E ' s and was also awarded the Battenburg Trophy as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet for 1995. Prior to reporting as Executive Officer, USS BELLEAU WOOD in July 1998, Captain Parker ' s was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy in the office of Program Appraisal as the Tactical Aircraft Analyst. Captain Parker ' s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Strike Flight Air Medal (two awards). Navy Commendation Medal (five awards) with Combat V , and numerous campaign citations. Captain Parker is married to the former Ann Boley of Ke- wanee, Illinois. They have an 11 year old son, Jacob.

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CHANGE OF COMMAND for USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) at which Captain Frederic R. Ruehe, United States Navy will be relieved by Captain W. Harris, Jr., United States Navy onboard USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) U.S. Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan 1000, the Ninth of January, 1998 The Change of Command ceremony is a time-honored, Navy tradition which formallv restates the continuity of command to the officers and crew of the command. It is a formal ritual conducted before the assem- bled company of the command. The Change of Command ceremony is unique in the world today in that it is the transfer of total responsibil- ity, authority, and accountability from one individual to another. Captain Harris Mrs. Harris Introduction

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SMCM(SW AW) AUSTIN CRONIN Command Master Chief Upon completion of Basic Training at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was assigned to the USS ST FRANCIS RIVER (LSMR 525) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. While assigned to USS FRANCIS RIVER, he made numerous deployments to South Vietnam. From July 1970 until January 1979 Master Chiefs assignments include: COMFLEACT Sasebo, Japan; USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY (EST 1167); USS RICHARD B. ANDERSON (DD 786); USS PARSONS (DDG 33). During this time Master Chief Cronin participated in Operation END SWEEP(Mine clearing of Haiphong Harbor N.V.N.) and operation FREQUENT WIND (Evacuation of South Vietnam). In January 1979 he was assigned to Service School Command San Diego, CA as director of Signalman A School. He attended and graduated from Senior En- listed Academy in March 1982, returning to sea aboard the USS TARAWA (LHA 1) homeported in San Diego. Master Chief made two deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Suez Canal, and Mediterranean in support of the Multi-National Forces ashore in Lebanon. Upon advancing to Master Chief in June 1985, Master Chief Cronin was as- signed to Fighter Squadron TWENTY ONE as the Com- mand Master Chief. He made one Western deployment aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) while attached to Fighter Squadron TWENTY ONE, he was assigned as Com- mand Master Chief to Commander, Fighter Early Warning Wing Pacific, Miramar, CA. In January 1992, Master Chief returned to sea aboard the USS RANGER (CV 61) as their Command Master Chief and made one western Pacific de- ployment. After decommissioning of RANGER, he trans- ferred to the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) as their Command Master Chief, and made one western Pacific deployment. From September 1996 until August 1997, he was assigned as Command Master Chief of COMPHIBRON ELEVEN. In August 1997 he reported aboard USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) as the Command Master Chief. Master Chief Cronin is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal (3); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2); Combat Action Ribbon (2); and numerous cam- paign and service awards. Master Chief is married, he and his wife Yukiko are proud parents of Florence and Patrick, both are attending college. Introduction