El Paso (LKA 117) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Officer CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. GREIWE Captain William H. Greiwe entered Naval Flight Training, in the summer of 1952, following his graduation from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. His first fleet squadron, after receiving his wings in December 1953, was Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN, homeported in Alameda, California. In 1957, Captain Greiwe was assigned as a flight instructor at NAS, Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida. His next tour was in Argentia, Newfoundland as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Barrier Forces Atlantic Fleet. In 1961, Captain Greiwe reported to Attack Squadron SEVENTY-FIVE at NAS, Oceania, Virginia, where he flew the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. Following a 2-year tour as a detailer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Captain Greiwe attended American University, earning an MA degree in International Relations. He ' then reported to Attack Squadron NINETY-THREE, followed by Attack Squadron ONE NINETY-FIVE, where he was Executive and Commanding Officer, flying A-4 Skyhawk during three combat cruises. Captain Greiwe returned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in 1969 as Head, Aviation Lieutenant Commander and Junior Officer Detail Section. In 1972, he assumed command of Attack Carrier Air Wing TWENTY-ONE aboard USS HANCOCK (CVA 19), completing his fourth combat cruise. Fo Following a tour in the Strategic Plans Section of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Captain Greiwe was transferred to Norfolk as the Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and NATO ' s Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. Captain Greiwe took command of USS EL PASO (LKA 117) on 7 January 1976. During his career. Captain Greiwe has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, five Individual and 19 Strike Flight Air Medals, five Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Unit Citations and various U.S. and Vietnamese Campaign and Service Awards. Captain and Mrs. Greiwe, the former Joanne Wood of Tacoma, Washington, have two sons, David and Tim; and three daughters, Kathleen, Laura, and Julia.

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Dedication As you rummage through this fine cruise book, reminiscing about our recently completed I976-I977 Mediterranean deployment, I hope you will take the time to realize just how suc- cessful a cruise it was. Rarely do Mediterranean cruises go so smoothly; rarely indeed, do the amphibious forces so ably perform the variety of missions in the variety of places— as sched- uled and on schedule. But no one person or one department can take major credit for our suc- cess; every man onboard, doing his job as best he could, provided EL PASO with six months of success. The development of teamwork, stressed continually during the months of preparation for the Med., saw fruition in our proper and entirely safe completion of all assigned tasks. It was a most rewarding deployment. For most of us, the memories gathered during these past six months will last a life time. This cruise book will help you remember. Read it and re-enjoy! And thank you all for a superb job. W. H. Greiwe CAPT, USN

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Executive Officer COMMANDER JAMES C. VAN SLYKE, JR. Commander James C. Van Slyke, Jr. entered Officer Candidate School, in July 1961, after his graduation from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. After being commissioned in November 1961, his first assignment was as Communications Officer aboard USS BUCK (DD 761). In 1964, Commander Van Slyke was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School where he was a student in the Engineering Science curriculum. Following graduation in 1965, Commander Van Slyke reported to USS PLATTE (AO 24) for duty as Operations Officer. In 1968, after completion of Destroyer School, Commander Van Slyke was assigned to USS EPPERSON (DD 719) where he served as Operations Officer. In October 1969, Commander Van Slyke took command of USS MEEKER COUNTY (LST 980). After he decommissioned USS MEEKER COUNTY in December 1970, Commander Van Slyke attended the Armed Forces Staff College. In August 1971, he reported to the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff for duty as a stra- tegic planner. During this tour, he earned a Master of Arts Degree from Creighton University. Commander Van Slyke was selected to participate in the Navy ' s Personnel Exchange Program in 1974 and was subsequently assigned to the Headquarters of Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific, Esquimalt, British Columbia where he served as Senior Staff Officer for Surface Operations. In march 1976, Commander Van Slyke reported to USS EL PASO (LKA 117) for duty as Executive Officer. During his career. Commander Van Slyke has been awarded the Bronze Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation and various Campaign and Service Awards. Commander Van Slyke is married to the former Gwyne Larson of Los Angeles, California. The Van Slyke ' s have two children, Jimmie and Susan, and reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia.