John Paul Jones (DDG 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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DESRON NINE ' S STAFF CHIEF STAFf OFFICER - I.(T)R DFPAl ' L

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CDR GERALD E. THOMAS COMDESRON NINE Captain Thomas is a native of Natick, Mass. He graduated from Natick High School in Natick, Mass., and attended freshman year at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He is a graduate of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Captain Thomas was enrolled in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps unit while at Harvard and was commissioned Ensign upon graduation in July, 1951. His first duty station was the USS Newman K. Perry (DDR 883), a radar picket destroyer, where he served as Damage Control Officer and later as Engineering Officer. In September, 1954 he was assigned to the cruiser, USS Worcester (CL 144), as Main Battery Officer and Radio Officer. Detached from that ship in December, 1956. Captain Thomas attended the U.S. Naval Intelligence School in Washington, D.C., where he was a student of the Russian language. He qualified as a Russian interpreter and was assigned to the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Md. In June 1960, he joined the radar picket escort ship, USS Lowe (DER 325), where he served as Executive Officer. Detached from the Lowe in February, 1962, Captain Thomas assumed his first command when he reported to the USS Impervious (MSO 449), an ocean minesweeper operating in the Western Pacific. In July, 1963, he reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., where he served as Assistant Head gf the College Training Program Section in the Officer Program Branch. He assisted in administering the NROTC, Navy Enlisted Science Education, Reserve Officer Candidate, Merchant Marine and Chaplain programs. While attached to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Captain Thomas also served as a member of the President ' s Board for Racial Equal Opportunity, where he made and helped implement several valuable recommendations. Captain Thomas attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Upon completion, he was selected as a Distinguished Graduate of the School of Naval Command and Staff for the 1965-66 Academic Year. In September, 1966, he received a Master of Science degree in Inter- national Affairs from George Washington LIniversity. Captain Thomas commanded the USS Bausell (DD 845) from 1966-68. His ship operated as a unit of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. For his meritorious performance during recent combat operations in Southeast Asian waters. Captain Thomas was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. He also holds the Vietnam Service Medal. Captain Thomas was assigned in 1968 as Executive Officer of the first Naval ROTC unit established at a predominately negro college, Prairie View A M College, Prairie View, Texas. He served as Com- manding Officer. Captain Thomas commenced work toward the Ph.D. in Diplomatic History at Yale University in September, 1970 and completed in September, 1973. On 20 September, 1973, he assumed command of Destroyer Squadron NINE, operating in the Western Pacific. Captain Thomas is married to Mrs. Rhoda (Henderson) Thomas of Boston. They have three children, Kenneth (18), Steven (151, and Lisa (14). His family currently resides in Orange, Connecticut. His mother, Mrs. Leila L. Thomas is a resident of Boston, Massachusetts.

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Chaplain Kimokeo LTJG Walters LTJG Weaver (Staff-Type) YNl Crabill