Forrestal (CVA 59) - Naval Cruise Book

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ll!- Captain Gerard T. Lennon, Jr., USN Captain Gerard Thomas Lennon, Jr. was born in Columbus, Ohio. The son of a career Naval Aviator, he traveled throughout the country while growing up. He attended Ohio State Univer- sity where he participated in the NROTC program. Graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Manpower and Industrial Relations he was commissioned an Ensign. Follow- ing flight training, Captain Lennon was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1972. Following fleet replacement training in the S-2E Tracker aircraft, Captain Lennon reported to VS-32 homeported in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. His four years with the squadron includ- ed detachments to the Caribbean, change of homeport to Cecil Field, Florida, transition to the S-3A Viking aircraft and deployments aboard USS JOHN F . KENNEDY CCV-671 to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Upon completion of this sea tour in August 1977, Captain Lennon was assigned as a flight instructor with VT-9 in Meridian, Mississippi. While there he was named the Training Wing ONE Flight Instructor of the Year for 1979 and earned his MBA from Mississippi State Uni- versity. Reporting to VS-41 during the summer of 1980 for refresher S-3A training, Captain Lennon was subsequently assigned to CVW-9 as the Staff ASW Operations Officer. During this tour he deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean aboard USS CONSTELLA- TION CCV-641 In March 1983, Captain Lennon was transferred to VS-22 where he served as squadron Administrative and Maintenance Officer and deployed to the South Atlantic and Mediterranean aboard USS JOHN F KENNEDY CCV-671. In June 1984, Captain Lennon was reassigned and served as the Readiness and Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Air Antisubmarine Wing ONE. In November 1985, Captain Lennon reported as Executive Officer of VS-28 deploying to the Mediterranean aboard USS FOR- RESTAL CCV-591. On May 5, 1987, Captain Lennon becamethe 27th Commanding Officer of VS-28 deploying aboard USS FORRESTAL CCV-591 to the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and North Atlantic. His next tour was as Navigator aboard USS FORRESTAL and in June 1990, he reported as Executive Officer aboard FORRESTAL. Captain Lennon has been awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commenda- tion Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal and several unit, service and campaign awards. He is married to the former Christine Heisel of Chillicothe, Ohio. They reside in Green Cove Springs, Florida, with their daughter Nicole and son Michael.

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Executive fficer 5 W ll

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