Kansas City (AOR 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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ANCHORING AND BEACH DET Beach lJi-1 on a break 15

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OPERATION DESERT STORM Rni ' Knit?hi standing condition three

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CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. FRANSON UNITi;n .STAT!:S NAVY 1 03-36-4524 L 10 Captain William H. Franson. a native of Brooklyn, New York, attended the Pennsylvania State University earning a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was commissioned an Ensign in Deeember 1966 through the NROTC program and subsequent- ly received his designation as a Naval Aviator in April 1968. After completing replacement pilot training in the A-4 at NAS I.emoore. California, Captain Franson reported to Attack Squadron 192, the World Famous Golden Dragons. ' He completed two combat deployments to southeast Asia aboard USS ORISKANY (CVA-34) tlying the A-4F Skyhawk and USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63) flying the A-7E Corsair II. accumu- lating 2.50 combat missions. In September 1971, Captain Franson reported to the Naval Plant Representative Office, LTV Aerospace Corporation, Dal- las, Texas where he served as Production Department head and Acceptance Test Pilot for the A-7E and USAF A-7() aircraft production contract. He returned to sea duty in March 1974 as the Catapult and Arrest- ing Gear Officer aboard I SS .JOHN F. KENNEDY (C ' N 67), homeporled in Norfolk. Virginia, where he completed one Mediterranean deployment. From August 1976 to February 1979, Captain Franson served with Training Squadron 21 at NAS Kingsville. Texas, as Maintenance Officer, Opera- tions Officer and Advanced Jet Flight Instructor in the TA-4J Skyhawk. After completing A-7E refresher training with Attack Squadron 174 in August 1979, Captain Fran- son reported to Attack Sqaudron 81 at NAS Cecil Field. Florida. During, the next two years with the Sunliners , he served as the squadron Administra- tive. Maintenance and Operations Officer and com- pleted two deployments to the Mediterranean aboard LSS FORRESTAL (CV-59). In January 1982 he reported to Attack Squadron 83 for duty as the Executive Officer and completed a Medilcnanean lndian Ocean deployment again aboard USS FORRESTAL. From Apnl 1983 until September 1984 Captain Franson served as Commanding Officer of the ' Rampagers , deploying aboard USS SARAT0(;A (CV 60) in the Mediterranean. lollovving a one year assignment on the Staff of the Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Cap- lam Franson served as the Commander. Carrier Air Wing Reserve 20, from March 1986 until September 19S7. From October 1987 until July 1990, Captain liaiisoii uas asMiincd to the Staff of the Assistant Chief of Na al Operations (Air Warfare) where he served as the Aviation Readiness Training Branch Head. He was selected tor Major .Aviation Com- mand in FY-89. In Feburary, 1991, Captain Franson assumed duties as Commanding Officer of USS K. NS. S CITY (AOR 3), deployed in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm. Captain Franson ' s aviation experience extends over 5000 flight hours and 1000 earner landings. His personal decorations include the Legion of merit with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Action Air Medal, 25 Strike Flight Air Medals, Navy commendation Medal with Combat V, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and various unit and campaign awards. He is married to the former Shirlee Jane Procopio of New Cumberland, Pennsy l ania. Their two sons, David and .Andrew, arc attendins colleszc. 16