Independence (CV 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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Command Master Chiefs ' Z- . ' 3 ' «-». ► r ' f ' C MMCM R. Stone W: .•-.K ' - OSCM R. Crowe

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July 31, 1988 to present E Executive Officer A it Capt. Gary B. iVIcEwen Captain Gary Bruce McEwen was born in Greely, Colo., on June 15. 1947. He attended Chaffey High School in Ontario. nia in June 1969 with a degree in International Relations and Economics. He was commissioned through the NROTC Pro- gram and reported to Pensacola for flight training imme- diately upon graduation. He was designated a Naval Aviator in Octot)er 1970. Captain McEwen ' s first assignment was to VA-195 flying A- 7E aircraft at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. He completed a combat deployment to Vietnam aboard USS KITTY HAWK in 1972, flying 188 combat missions. In 1975. Capt. McEwen reported to VS-41 in San Diego as an instructor during the introductton of the S-3A Viking aircraft. Subsequent tours of duty inciuliKl assignment to VS-33 in 1977. completing a WESTPAC gpyment aboard USS Kitty HAWK and a MED deploymentlMwl USS AMERICA in 1979. He then served as the OINC oim COMASWWINGPAC US-3A detachment deployed to the IMian Ocean aboard USS MIDWAY and USS CORAL SEAHa979-80 during the Iranian hostage cri- sis. In 1980 he returhSb to VS-41 where he served as Assist- ant Maintenance Officifer. He reported to VS-37 in 1981 as Operations and Maintenance Officer and deployed aboard USS ENTERPRISE to the Northern Pacific and Indian Oceans. After a short tour of duty on the maintenance staff of COMASWWINGPAC he reported as Executive Officer of During this time the squadron deployed twice with USS j RANGER to the Western Pacific, participating in multi- national exercises. Capt. McEwen reported to USS RANGEI in April 1987 as Navigator and deployed once again to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. i In April 1988. Capt. McEwen attended enroute schools for training with COMNAVAIRPAC Staff and Prospective Execi five Officer ' s SWO School at Newport. Rl.. before reporting as Executive Officer on board USS INDEPENDENCE (CV j 62). July 31. 1988. . r, i Capt. McEwen has been awarded three Distinguished Fly- ing Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Individual Air Medals. 18 Strike Flight Air Medals, eight Navy Comme dation Medals with combat V and numerous unit decora- tions and service ribbons. He has accumulated over 6,000 flight hours (4,700 in the S-3A) and over 870 carrier arreste landings. „ . . Capt. McEwen is married to the former J ' Ann Schneider Vacaville, Calif. They reside in Point Loma, Calif., with thei sons, Michael and Keith.

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History of USS Independence The first Independence was a continental sloop of 10 guns, under the command of Capt John Young The second ship bearing the name of Independence was a 74-gun vessel, launched in 1814. Until it was placed out of commission in 1912 the second Indy served as a flagship and a receiving ship Independence number three lived a short life as a member of the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. It was commissioned in 1918 and decommissioned in 1919 The fourth Independence, one of the first aircraft carriers to be converted from a cruiser hull, was launched m 1942 The Indepen- dence then joined up with the Essex and Yorktown m a strike against the Japanese held Marcus Islands Then on November 20. 1 943. the Indy was attacked by Japanese torpedo bombers and took three hits in the starboard side, of which only one torpedo exploded The Indy then returned to Pearl Harbor for repairs and was again ready for action by July 1944 Her first mission back in service was as a night carrier with a spe- cially trained air group Within a years duration the Independence was assigned as one of the target ships in the atomic tests at Bikini Island Damaged but not sunk she was towed to Kwajalein and decommissioned in August 1946 In two years of war, this ship won eight battle stars On January 10. 1959. USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62) was commissioned at the Brooklyn. New York. Naval Shipyard Officials presiding at the ceremony included the Honorable Thomas S Gates. Secretary of the Navy, and Adm Arleigh A Burke. Chief of Naval Operations Capt Rhodam Y McElroy read his orders and was the first commanding officer to assume command of the aircraft carrier INDEPENDENCE After the ceremonies, congratulations came from countries throughout the world and from leaders of foreign nations. The most remembered of these congratulations was a telegram and gift, a sil- ver coffee service, from the citizens of Independence. Iowa, popula- tion 4. 865 In 1962. INDEPENDENCE was ordered to the Cuban coastline by President John F Kennedy as part of the naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis In 1964, the ship broke almost all of its own aircraft operational records dunng a 217-day at-sea period that included over 100 days off the coast of Vietnam m the South China Sea For her outstanding performance during that period INDEPENDENCE was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. Following a short yard period in 1966. INDEPENDENCE hosted the carrier suitability tests for the Navys first vertical take-off and landing aircraft In 1970. INDEPENDENCE was awarded the Meritorious Unit Com- mendation for her performance in Jordanian contingency opera- tions The ship hosted the change of command events for 2nd Fleet in August 1971, and a month later, crossed the Arctic Circle, making each crew member an official Bluenose. Indys 150.000th arrested landing occurred in February 1972. shortly after the Chief of Naval Operations. Adm Elmo Zumwalt. visited the ship In 1973. President Richard M Nixon delivered his annual Armed Forces Day address from INDEPENDENCE In 1977. after Indys 12th Mediterranean deployment, it began a lengthy complex overhaul. The work lasted for nine months and cost over $90-million. The ship was awarded its first Navy Expeditionary Medal in 1980 for her performance in Iran Afghanistan contingency operations. Dur- ing that deployment. INDEPENDENCE made the first carrier south- to-north transit of the Suez Canal after the canals reopening INDEPENDENCE made two more deployments, one to the Indian Ocean, and one to the Mediterranean The Navy Expeditionary Medal was awarded to the ship in 1982 for its work with the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon. The year 1983 was the most exciting for the crew and her air wing. In Operation Urgent Fury, the ship participated m the assault of Grenada, and the combined Indy and USS JOHN F KENNEDY car- rier battle group air strike against Syrian targets in Lebanon proved the ship ready to carry out its mission on short notice. INDEPENDENCES 25th Anniversary year 1984. began with one Mediterranean deployment and ended with another The ship was awarded its third Navy Expeditionary Medal, and its second Navy Unit Commendation as result of the years work. The following year. INDEPENDENCE was rewarded for her consistent outstanding per- formance by earning the Atlantic Fleet s Battle Efficiency Award for the 18-month competitive period It was the ships first such award. In 1985. Indy entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to begin the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) The program consists of three phases— fleet modernization, ships life-enhancing alterations, and repair and replacement The SLEP is truly a cross between new construction and comprehensive overhaul HavingcompletedSLEPin 1988, INDEPENDENCE will now serve the United Statesof America well into the 21st century. :} mmBt