El Paso (LKA 117) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Morgan M. France, was born 22 September 1935 in Oswego, New York. He holds a BS Degree from Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, and MA Degree from Auburn University. Captain France entered the Navy through the Holy Cross College NROTC Program and was commissioned 12 June 1957. After a brief tour of duty aboard the USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DD-932) as Assistant Engineering Officer, he commenced Flight Training in the fall of 1957. Following designation as a Naval Aviator in December 1958, he served with Air Transport Squadron TWENTY TWO where he was designated a MATS Aircraft Commander and Transatlantic Flight Examiner. In June 1961, he was assigned to NROTC OTC Unit Auburn, Alabama as Freshman Instructor, serving in this capacity for three years. In June 1964, he reported to Anti-Submarine Squadron TWENTY SIX where he participated in test and evaluation of Anti-Submarine Tactics as a member of Task Group ALPHA aboard the USS RANDOLPH. This tour was followed by assignment to VT-9, NAS Meridian as a Flight Instructor. In November 1967, he reported to VA-42 for training in the A6A, followed by assignment to VA-65 in April 1968 where he served as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer, completing one combat tour to Southeast Asia aboard USS KITTY HAWK. and a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS INDEPENDENCE. Departing VA-65 in November 1970, he reported to Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Staff as Assistant Attack Training Officer and Target Officer. In February 1973 he reported to Attack Squadron SEVENTY FIVE serving as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, completing one deployment to the Mediterranean aboard USS SARATOGA (CV-60). In April 1975 he reported to USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62), completing two Mediterranean deployments as her Navigator. In July 1977 he was assigned to Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Staff as Flag Secretary Executive Assistant to the Commander. During his career, Captain France has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, one individual Air Medal plus 9 Strike Flight Awards, 2 Navy Commendation Medals with combat V in addition to numerous Unit and Expeditionary awards. Captain France is married to the former Kay DeVere Kellam of Norfolk, Virginia. The Frances have three sons, Morgan Jr, Mark and Kellam. They reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia. gr ioH e

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COMMAND HISTORY USS EL PASO (LKA-II7) is assigned to Amphibious Squadron Eight, United States Aitantic Fleet. An LKA, Amphibious Cargo Ship, is designed to transport and land combat equipment and material, with attendant personnel, in an amphibious assault. Armed with 1 1 assault boats and improved cargo handling systems, the 576-foot, 20 knot EL PASO possesses a powerful capability for supporting amphibious assaults that is beyond the reach of previous LKA-type ships. Her four Mike-8 boats, capable of landing 60-ton tanks, are the largest landing craft hoisted aboard a Navy ship. Her imporved cargo handling system includes special elevators, an enlarged helicopter platform, and 12 booms (of which two are capable of handling loads up to 70 tons). The engine room can be operated by only five or six men because of her automated engineering system, as well as a main engine which can be controlled from the bridge. EL PASO was constructed by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, and launched on May 17, 1968. The ship is named for the city and county of El Paso, Texas, and is the second ship to bear the name, the first being a patrol frigate (PF-41), commissioned in 1943, which saw action in the Pacific during World War II. essio AND W PROUD OF IT . ! « i . ! 1 ' ASO V Since her commissioning on January 17, 1970 EL PASO ' s schedule has been a busy one. She has participated in a number of Caribbean exercises and has visited Europe, Central and South America, Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. EL PASO has undergone two major overhauls, one commencing in July 1974 and the second in September 1978. Each overhaul involves extensive refurbishing of the ship from keel to mast, and is performed at intervals of three to four years. EL PASO has earned numerous awards during her history. She has won two Battle Efficiency Awards from PHIBRON SIX, once in 1971 and again in 1978. In winning the 1978 Award, EL PASO won every Departmental Award for which she competed: the Damage Control DC (2nd consecutive award), the Amphibious Assault Award (2nd); the Communications C (2nd); the Engineering E which was won for the seventh straight year in 1978. She also won the Arleigh Burke Trophy for ships showing the greatest inprovement in Battle Efficiency, the NEY Award for food preparation, and the Golden Anchor Award, which honors ships for excellence in Career Motivation and. Retention Programs.

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Captain Morgan M. France Commanding Officer