Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 17 text:

captain i. m. hampton Capt. Isaiah Martin Hampton, Chief of Staff of Carrier Division Seven, assists RAdm. Rice in the administration of the Bon Homme Richard and USS Essex QCVA-95, CarDiv Seven's other responsiblity. Born in 1910 at Montgomery, Ala., the captain was commissioned an ensign upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy May 31, 1934. His many years of naval service range from initial duty aboard the cruiser USS Trenton from 1934 to 1936 to becoming a naval aviator upon completion of flight training at Pensacola, Fla., in August, 1937. During World War II, Capt. Hampton served With carrier air groups aboard the USS Enterprise and Shangri-la as Well as service in England. Before assuming his position with CarDiv Seven, the captain commanded the USS Jupiter QAVS-81.

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rear admiral Zester lc. rice A man of the sea is Rear Admiral Lester K. Rice, Commander, Carrier Division Seven. And a man of the air, too. Carrier Division Seven was established by the Chief of Naval Cperations March 1, 1956, consisting of the Bon Homme Richard and the USS Essex CCVA-9D with Alameda NAS as its home port. Admiral Rice was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in the class of 1924 and received his aviator's Wings in 1927. Shipboard tours included the USS Lexington, Colorado, and West Virginia. His first ship com- mond Was the seaplane tender USS Matogorda in 1942. The outbreak of the Korean War placed Admiral Rice in command of the carrier USS Valley Forge CCVA-455. He has since served as Commanding Officer of NAS, San Diego and Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Flight Readiness. His decorations include the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.

Page 18 text:

commander e. m. beauclmmp Commander EM. Beauchamp, commander of Carrier Air Group 21 which has been operating aboard throughout the cruise, has commanded the group since its commission- ing for his largest command to date. The commander began his naval career in 1941. Prior to his entering the Navy, he attended both Pomona Junior, and La Verne Colleges in California. Following his graduation from the Naval Aviation Program in February, 1941, Cdr. Beauchamp spent his first two years as a Hight instructor at Pensacola, Fla., and in Texas. In June, 1943, he became operations officer of Fighter Squadron Eight aboard the carrier USS Bunker Hill. He has served as both executive officer and com- manding ofhcer of several squadrons aboard both the carrier USS Essex and carrier USS Midway. Prior to becoming commanding officer of CVG-21, Cdr. Beauchamp served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training.