Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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PRESENT COMMANDING OFFICER Captain Donald S. Jones entered the Navy as an ' Aviator Cadet in 1951, was commissioned Ensign, USNR, and designated as Naval Aviator, in February 1953. Initial tours as a test pilot and project officer with Air Development Squadron ONE (VXl) and fleet assign- ment in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron ONE and FIVE provided early participation in the tactical use of helicopters in ASW. After being appointed as Lieutenant (junior grade), USN he was assigned to the Naval Post Graduate School, General Line Course. In 1959, he attended the Naval Intelligence School and was subsequently assigned as Executive Assistant to the J-2, and Intelligence Briefing Officer on the Taiwan Defense Command Staff. Returning to the fleet as Operations Officer for HS-5, he was project officer for the initial tests involving the development of ASW Helicopters in a CV environment aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE. In November 1967, after a tour in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Strategic Plans Division, Cap- tain Jones reported to HS-4 as Executive Officer. Following a Vietnam deployment aboard USS YORKTOWN, he assumed command of HS-4 and was assigned to CVSG59 in USS HORNET. During this period HS-4 was designated as recovery squadron for the first Apollo mission and worked with NASA developing special helicopter operating procedures in support of the lunar program. In 1970, he completed another Vietnam deployment while Air Officer on USS TRIPOLI (LPH- 10). Renewing his fixed wing carrier qualifications he assumed command of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 53 and after completing predeployment training departed for the Western Pacific, this time aboard the USS TICONDEROGA. Returning to Washington, he attended the In- dustrial College of the Armed Forces, and September 1973 reported as Head of Operations Department, Naval InteUigence Command. He became Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence in March of 1974. Captain Jones holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters of Arts Degree from George Washington University. He has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star. On September 11, 1975 Captain Jones relieved Captain Harry T. Jenkins as Commanding Officer USS DENVER. Captain Jones is married to the former Marilyn Turner and resides with his wife and four children in Bonita, California. 11

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CAPTAIN DONALD S. JONES 10

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EXECUTIVE I COMMANDER JEFFERSON R. DENNIS, JR., USN Commander DENNIS graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1957. His sea duty assignments in- clude tours aboard USS NORFOLK (DL-1), USS GALLANT (MSO-489), USS KING (DLG-10) and Staff Commander Destroyer Squadron Six. He assumed duty as Commanding Officer USS MONTICELLO (LDS-35) after having served twenty-seven months as Executive Officer USS DENVER (LPD-9). Shore duty assignments include U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, NAVORDSYSCOMM, CINCPAC Staff and Naval Ad- visory Unit, Danang, RVN. Commander DENNIS was born in San Diego, California and considers San Diego his home. He and Mrs. Dennis, the former Judith Ahl from Carmel Valley, California, reside with their two children, Allison and Michael, in Coronado, California.