Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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Rear Admiral alter J. Davis, Jr., USN Rear Admiral Walter J. Davis, Jr., a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, received his commission in June 1959 through the NROTC program at Ohio State University. There, he was awarded a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree. He was designated a Naval Aviator after completing flight training in December 1960. RADM Davis' first tour of duty was with VF-143, flying the F- 4H Phantom Jet. In June 1964, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engi- neering and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Electronics. He again reported to VF-143 in 1967 and served two combat tours in Vietnam. In 1970, RADM Davis attended the Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. He was subsequently ordered to the Weapons Test Division as a Test Pilot. In July 1973, he at- tended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In Octo- ber 1974, he reported to VF-1 14 as Executive Officer and in Febru- ary 1976, became the squadronls Commanding Officer, flying the F-14A Tomcat. In June 1977, RADM Davis reported to Naval Air Systems Com- mand in Washington, D.C., as the Assistant Program Manager for the F-14 CClass Deskj. He then reported as Executive Officer of USS KITTY HAWK CCV 635, which deployed to the Western Pa- cific and Indian Ocean during the Iranian Crisis of 1979. RADM Davis assumed command of the USS SACRAMENTO CAOE lj in December 1981 . USS SACRAMENTO deployed with and supported the USS ENTERPRISE Battle Group during WESTPAC, NORPAC FLEXOPS, and FLEETEX-83 exercises. In October 1983, RADM Davis reported as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D. C. In August 1984, he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, graduating in June 1985. From July 1985 until April 1987, RADM Davis served as Com- manding Officer of USS RANGER CCV 615, deploying with her twice to the Western Pacific under the concept of flexible operations. In May 1987, he reported as Special Assistant to the Chief ofNaval Operations. In February 1988, RADM Davis was selected to Flag Officer, and assumed command of Naval District Washington on 19 July 1988. RADM Davis assumed his present position as Commander Carrier Group SIX in December 1990. RADM Davis has accumulated over 3,500 flight hours and over 800 carrier landings. He has been awarded the following decorations: Legion of Merit ttwo awardsj, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Cten awardsj, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V , Meri- torious Unit Commendation, Battle E , Navy Expeditionary Medal with three Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with three Bronze Stars, Sea Service De- ployment Ribbon ffour awardsj, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Viet- nam Campaign Medal. RADM Davis and his wife, the former Constance Surles of Pensa- cola, Florida, reside in Mayport, Florida. They have two daughters, Sharon and Kimberly. 15

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Captain obert Captain Robert S. Cole, a native of West Point, New York, entered the Navy in September 1963 from the NROTC contract program. Commissioned after graduation from Penn State Uni- versity, he completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in May 1965. Following A-4E replacement pilot training, Captain Cole re- ported to Attack Squadron FIFTEEN, NAS Cecil Field. During his tour, Captain Cole flew more than 200 combat missions over North Vietnam from the carrier deck of USS INTREPID. As- signed flight instructor duty, Captain Cole reported to Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX at NAS Miramar in November 1968. During his tour he worked as Squadron Train- ing Officer and helped initiate adversary training among Mira- mar based fighter squadrons. In July 1970 the Captain reported to Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE, as Maintenance Officer, forward de- ployed aboard USS MIDWAY in Japan. ' Captain Cole attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island in 1975, followed by a tour in the Pentagon where he served as the Head of Naval Aviation Manpower and Plan- ning COP-051. In August 1978 Captain Cole reported to FI- TRON SEVENTY-FOUR as Executive Officer and later be- came Commanding Officer embarked on board USS FORRES- S. Cole, USN TAL. In August 1981 he reported to Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as Fighter Training Officer for the East Coast. In April 1984 Captain Cole reported aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY as Executive Officer, followed by com- mand of the USS CANISTEO CAO-991 in July 1986. He re- turned to USS FORRESTAL from his last assignment as Execu- tive Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe X Com- mander in Chief European Command, SHAPE, Belgium. Captain Cole has logged over 3500 hours of flight time and 800 carrier landings. His personal decorations include the De- fense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal ftwo awardsj, Air Med- al, seventeen Strike Flight Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal with combat Vw Cfour awardsj, Navy Achievement Med- al with combat V,' Qthree awardsj, Humanitarian Service Med- al, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry CBronze Starj plus various unit awards and campaign medals. He has written numerous articles on Naval Aviation Safety and 'served as Grampaw Pettibonel' while Contributing Editor to Naval Aviation News Magazine. The Captain completed his Masters Degree at Salve Regina College, Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Cole resides in Jack- sonville, Florida with his wife, Paula. The Cole's have four chil- dren.