Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 23 text:

COMMANDER BENNETT WOOD WRIGHT U. S. NAVY Commander Bennett W. Wright was the Air Offi- cer for the Lex before he relieved Commander Sutliff as Exec. A baldish, amiable man With clean- cut features, he brought the Lex through some of her most exciting days and Won the distinction of being the first to fly a plane from the Lex's flight deck and land it aboard. Commander Wright re- ceived a promotion to Captain on 7 May l944 and left the Lexington to become Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. I

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COMMANDER ROBERT C. SUTLIEF, U. S. NAVY A graduate of the Naval Academy Class of 1924 Commander Sutlift came to the Lex as her first Exec. with a broad background in Naval Aviation. He went through the agonies of putting the ship into commission and stayed with her long enough to watch her perform with skill and distinction on 5 and 6 October 1943 when we attacked Wake Island. He left the Lex to take the important post of Chief of Staff to the Commander of Carrier Division l. He Was relieved on 12 October 1943 by Commander Bennett W. Wright.

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fx . I 'yfhxxk COMMANDER IAMES MILLS LANE, U. S. NAVY Already recognized as one of the Navy's out- standing Navigators, Commander Iames M. Lane stepped up to the spot of Exec. as relief for Com mander Wright. His performance as Navigator for th L . . . e exington had been brilliant and he brought thesame efficiency and integrity to his new 'ob. J Commander Lane was Executive Officer during the First Battle of the Philippine Seas and the strikes launched in support of the occupation of th M ' e ari- anas. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on Iuly 22, 1944 and was relieved by Commander L. B. ne is a graduate of the Southerland. Captain La Naval Academy Class of l926.