Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Officer Capt. Foster S. league Captain league, son of Mrs. A.R. league and the late Mr. A.R. league of Bossier City, La., was born in Bossier City on November 21, 1934. After graduating from Bossier High School in 1952, Captain league attended Texas A M University, where he received a bachelors ' of arts degree in Business Administration in 1956. Captain league reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla., on September 26, 1956, as an aviation officer candidate and was commissioned a U.S. Navy ensign in February 1957. Commenc- ing flight training that month at NAS Saufley Field, he received his Navy Wings of Gold and was designated a naval aviator in March 1958. Captain league reported to Fighter Squadron 121 in April 1958 for training in the F11F-1 fighter and joined VF-211 at NAS Mof- fett Field, Co., in December 1958. Since that time Captain league has had squadron tours of duty in VF-24, VF- 124 (2), VF-51 (2), VF- 1 1 1 and VT-4, He completed eight Western Pacific cruises embarked in the aircraft carriers USS Lexing- ton, Ticonderoga, Oriskany, Intrepid, Bon Homme Richard, Coral Sea, Kitty Hawk and the oiler USS Kawishiwi. He has commanded VF- 111, VF-51, Carrier Air Wing 1 1 (USS Kitty Hawk) and USS Kawishiwi. During his latter tour, the Kawishiwi was awarded the Battle Efficiency E and the Golden Anchor. Other duty assignments include Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Rear Admiral R.E. Riera, Com- mander Alaskan Sea Frontier, and in the Office of Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Prior to assuming command of Kitty Hawk, Captain league was Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, U.S. Seventh Fleet. He has over 5,000 accident-free flight hours, 423 combat missions in Vietnam during four combat cruises, 873 carrier arrested landings in five aircraft models, and is credited with one MIG destroyed in aerial combat. His decora- tions include the Silver Star (2 awards). Distin- guished Flying C ross (6 awards). Bronze Star (Combat V ), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (39 awards). Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards). Purple Heart, and various unit and theater awards. Since his departure from Kitty Hawk, Captain league has been assigned to the staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Pearl Har- bor. Hi.

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1 i K. s m f ' fir. i

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Executive Officer Captain Jerry Lee Unruh enlisted inthe U.S. Navy in January, 1958, and upon completion of training schools was assigned to Command- er, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Va. In July of 1959 he entered flight training as an Aviation Cadet and was commissioned and designated a Naval Aviator at Kingsville, Tx. in March 1961. Between 1961 and 1972 he served, in order, with VU-7, VF-211, VF-124, VFP-63 fighter de- tachment and VF-24, accumulating over 3,000 flight hours and 295 combat missions in the Crusader. In June 1972, Captain Unruh entered the Un- dergraduate Program at the Naval Postgradu- ate School in Monterey, Co., graduating in March 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in Computer Science. Captain Unruh served as executive officer and commanding officer of the VF-142 Ghost- riders , flying the F-14A Tomcat from Sep- tember 1974 to November 1976, during which the squadron earned the coveted Battle Effi- ciency Award. He was subsequently assigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet as the force fighter training offi- cer. Captain Unruh assumed command of the Navy Fighter Weapons School in April 1978. In February 1979, Captain Unruh returned to VF-124, assuming duties as commanding offi- cer of the Gunfighters. He reported aboard USS Kitty Hawk as executive officer in De- cember of 1980. Copt. Jerry L. Unruh