Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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JAMES V. FORRESTAL James V. Forrestal was born in Beacon, New York, February 15, 1892. After graduation from high school, he attended Bartsmouth College and Princeton University. Forrestal worked for short periods of time as a financial reporter and a tobacco salesman. During 1915, he entered the banking business in New York City. At the outbreak of World War I, Forrestal enlisted in the United States Navy. He was later com- missioned as a Naval Aviator and served both in this country and abroad. He was dischargediin 1919 and reentered the banking industry. In June 1940, he accepted a post as Administrative Assistant to President Roosevelt, serving as Liaison for the President in the National Defense Program. In August 1940, he was appointed to the newly created office of Under Secretary of the Navy. Forrestal was appointed Secre- tary of the Navy in May 1944. He took the oath of office as the coun- try's first Secretary of Defense in September 1947. He resigned in 1949 and entered the hospital in April of the same year. He died on May 22, 1949. A bronze bust of Forrestal at the entrance to the Pentagon bears the following in- scription: This memorial to James V. For- restal, as a spontaneous tribute to his lasting accomplishments in providing national security and his selfless devotion to duty, was erected by thousands of his friends and coworkers of all ranks and stations. 11

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f Rear Admiral Richard C. Allen, a native of Wisconsin, enlisted in the Naval Aviation Cadet program in 1959, was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator in December 1960. He flew A-4s with VA-34 in USS SARATOGA CCV 601 until June 1964 prior to transition to A-6s while serving in VA-42, NAS Oceana until September 1967. He then served with VA-75 in USS KITTY HAWK CCV-631 and USS SARATOGA QCV 601 until June 1969. From July 1969 to June 1971, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Sci- ence frorn the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. Redesignated as a Naval Flight Officer in August 1971 due to loss of visual acuity, he served with Commander Medium Attack Wing ONE until May 1972 and then reported to VA-65 in USS INDEPENDENCE CCV 623 as the Operations Officer. Following Armed Forces Staff College in June 1974, he reported to VA-85 as Executive Officer and assumed command in November of 1975. While Commanding Officer, the squadron earned the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle E for 1976, and he became the first naval officer to exceed 3,000 A-6 flight hours. While serving as an Air-to-Surface Weapons Program Coordinator in OPN AV until De- cember 1978, he was selected as the first Naval Flight Officer for Carrier Air Wing com- mand. He commanded Carrier Air Wing SIX in USS INDEPENDENCE KCV-625 from May 1979 to June 1980 and then reported to Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, in Gaeta, Italy as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans until March 1982. His subse- quent assignment was Commanding Officer of USS DETROIT CAOE 41 from March 1983 to July 1984. He then reported as Director Joint Operations on the staff of the Command- er in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command until May 1985. . He commanded USS AMERICA CCV 665 from July 1985 to February 1987. During his tour USS AMERICA completed the first-ever aircraft carrier operations in the restricted waters of Vestfjord, Norway in 1985 and participated in strike operations in the Mediter- ranean in 1986. As a selectee for Flag rank, he was assigned as Director for Operations, U.S. Atlantic Command in June 1987 and promoted to Real Admiral on 1 February 1988. ?9f:1riEcig1iral Allen assumed his present position as Commander Carrier Group SIX in U Y . Personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Ctwo awafdsl, Distinguished Flying Cross Ctwo awardsl, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two individual and seven strike flight Air Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V , Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V , and several unit, service and campaign awards. In addition, he was selected as East Coast Intruder of the Year in 1972 and received the Navy League's 1986 John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership. Refill Admiral Allen and his wife, the former Margaret Fricks Hall of Marietta, Georgia, reside in Mayport, Florida. They have one daughter Laura Lee.