Fort Fisher (LSD 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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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COMMAFiD MASTER CHIEF A native of Kansas City, Kansas, MMCM(SW) C.J. Johnson has spent his entire Naval career in San Diego. After completing boot camp in 1972, he was assigned to M Division aboard USS Prairie (AD-15). In 1978, he joined the SIMA Flame Spray Shop as Leading Petty Officer. He was transferred to USS Albert David (FF- 1050) in 1979, serving as A and M Division LPO. Beginning in 1980, he spent seven years aboard USS Ranger (CV-61) as Leading Chief Petty Officer for A Division. In 1987, he was assigned as Re- ceiving and Outfitting Division Officer at the Recruit Training Com- mand. His current tour as Fort Fisher ' s Command Master Chief began in 1992. As Command Master Chief, he is the direct link between the ship ' s enlisted crew and the Commanding Officer. He acts as a coun- selor and a mediator to help resolve disputes, and he administers a va- riety of command-wide programs. An old machinist ' s mate adjusts the ventilation for Arabian Gulf conditions.