Bennington (CVA 20) - Naval Cruise Book

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:PHX 'E 5 3 Capt. William M. Ryon, Commanding Officer Capt. Ryon graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931. Designated a naval aviator in 1934, his assignments have been many and varied. Before becoming skipper of the BENNINGTON in July, 1957, he was Commanding Officer, U. S. Naval Air Station, New York, Floyd Bennett Field.

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,E i i i. L 4 i , l 1 4, 0 -W Q Y4 fr, , ,fy ,fry ,l i. Q. ii This is the story of attack aircraft carrier 20, the USS BEN- NINGTON, from July 1957 to July 1958. BENNINGTON did not travel far and wide during this period, however, she accom- gi plished a year of seemingly routine operation with the spark l, and vigor of a destroyer. This story could be called that of the Ready Carrier, for l she was ready at short notice to sweep quickly into troubled ll waters-to meet any challenge. Her officers and men knew y not when the call might come. ll In addition to this, there is a story to be told ofa crew, who, Q perhaps more than any other, made their home port of San , Diego ,yfy a apart of themselves. Q ' l X W y,,c rsrftt Throughout the following pages their story in, pic- T i i tures, from shipyard life to a shakedown cruise, refresher train- . ing to the final test called an Operational Readinegs fisl' Inspection. li From screaming iet engines and sea spray to hoiine and rest l with loved ones, from routine local cruising to tropical isles. i These are the things that a carrier does when she? stays on the West Coast. g of BENNINGTON, operating in the coastal waters off South- ern California, trained and qualified more menigand pilots in a year's time than any other carrier in the Pacific Fleet. She workedas hard as if she were deployed. A corriplete air task group became familiar to BENN-ATG-l. The groomed her air group for action and deployment. BENNINQTON'S value T if gggyg a inning ship was well recognized . Whetheiz in or aiiii r..r spent preparing, c, tioflirslii if i 'S if 5 if iiiri T S' if T T it H - s -g,..- r c . .. l . . ,., ,,,,,,.... . . t,. ,. ii -i --rt X ..... i c c i l f 1212 ' l 'l il 3 ,

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vi? ,f '3 CDR. MARTIN P. MACNAIR OCT. 1957-PRESENT . 0 5 Q . ! CDR. JOHN E. PARKS JUNE 1956-OCT. 1957