Fort Fisher (LSD 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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LCDR ROPfALD W. ZAPERACtl EXECUTIVE OFFICER JUriE 1991-AUGUST 1992 I Lieutenant Commander Zaperach attended Pennsylvania State University, where he majored in Metallurgical En- gineering until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1972. He advanced to Personnelman Second Class prior to selection for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program in 1975. He received his commission in 1979 upon graduation from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Lieutenant Commander Zaperach ' s assignments include At- tack Squadron Thirty-five on board USS America (CVA-66); Gunnery and Nuclear Weapons Officer, ship ' s Navigator, and Flagship Navigator for Commander Amphibious Squadron Six onboard USS Shreveport (LPD-12); Deception Planner at Fleet Composite Operational Readiness Group Two; Opera- tions Officer on board USS Harlan County (LST-1186) and USS Raleigh (LPD-1); and First Lieutenant on board USS Lex- ington (AVT-16). Upon leaving Fort Fisher in August of 1992, Lieutenant Commander Zaperach returned to the East Coast, where he joined the U.S. Atlantic Command Headquarters Current Operations Division. Lieutenant Commander Zaperach wears the Navy Commen- dation Medal (with one star). Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (with two stars). Good Con- duct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with one star). Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal. Lieutenant Commander Zaperach is married to the former Deborah June Castle of Eupora, Mississippi. They have one son, Jonathan Presley. I Once a PN, always a PN.

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Commander Nawrocki is a native of Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science De- gree in Latin American Studies. He was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy in June 1975. From 1976 through 1978, Commander Nawrocki ' s first sea tour was aboard USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) as First Division Officer, Combat Information Center Officer, and Electronics Material Officer. This was followed by an assignment to Navy Re- cruiting District, Portland, Oregon, as an Officer Recruiter from 1979 to 1981. He subsequently served aboard USS Hull (DD-945) as Operations Officer from 1981 to 1982, and aboard USS Alamo (LSD-33) as First Lieutenant from 1983 to 1984. In 1985 and 1986, Commander Nawrocki served at Operational Test and Evalua- tion Forces Detachment, Sunnyvale, California, as Operational Test Director for the Tactical Flag Command Center, an acquisition project sponsored by the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1987, Commander Nawrocki returned to USS Alamo (LSD 33) for a second tour, this time as Executive Officer. From August 1988 to 1989, Com- mander Nawrocki served on the staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron Nine as Staff Operations and Readiness Officer. Commander Nawrocki reported as Commanding Officer USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40) after completing studies at the United States Army War College. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), the Humanitarian Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal (two awards). Commander Nawrocki is married to the former Pamela K. Hummel of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. They have one daughter, Naomi. The Captain and the PACE Instructor. Commanding Officers USS Fort Fisher (LSD-40) CAPTGeneF Gauthier CDR Clyn M, Thompson CDR John F Gamboa CAPT Kenneth R Barry CDR Nigel E, Parkhurst CDR Richard C Williams III CDR Arthur J, Gilbert CDR Edward P Anglim CDR Thomas F Radich CDR John T. Nawrocki 9 Dec 72- 17 74 V Sep 74- 3 76 i Dec 76- 22 78 11 Dec 78- 27 81 27 Mar 81 - 24 83 H Mar 83- 15 85 13 Jun 85- 24 87 24 Oct 87- 8 89 B Dec 89- 17 92 1 Jan 92- Present The Captain presents Project Handclasp materials to Robert K xiakkadan, ssistMtWmclj e Amana Mission Center in Muscat, Oman. 1 1 f-Iarry S Truman Commander-in-Chief 1945-1953 41.

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LCDR Thomas R. Williams Executive Officer August 1992 ' Present Lieutenant Commander Williams is an Auburn University graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in March 1979. LCDR Williams served his first sea tour in 1980-1982 as Auxiliaries Officer, Boilers Division Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS Decatur (DDG 31). He spent his next tour on USS New Jersey (BB 62) as the recommissioning Boilers Officer, serving from 1982-1984. After completing the Surface Warfare Officers School Department Head course in 1985, LCDR Williams re- ported to USS Alamo (LSD-33) as Chief Engineer. Departing Alamo in 1987, he was made Chief Engineer for a second tour, this time aboard USS Buchanan (DDG 14), where he remained until 1989. From March 1989 through March 1990, LCDR Williams attended the Navy War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in National Policy and Strategic Studies. Concurrently, he at- tended Salve Regina College and earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations. In 1990, LCDR Williams began a two year tour as a Navy Operations Action Officer at U.S. Central Com- mand, eight months of which he spent in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Central Command Joint Operations Center during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. LCDR Williams ' personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), the Navy Ex- peditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.