Mount Vernon (LSD 39) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

Commander Amphibious Squadron One Captain David R. Morris U.S. Navy Born in San Diego. Captain Morris grew up in Tooele. Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1957 and received his commission through the NROTC pro- gram. He served in USS OAK HILL (LSD - 7) as an Ensign, then reported to Pensacola. Florida for flight training. Upon his designation as a Naval Aviator in June 1959, he reported to Fighter Squadron 124 at NAS Moffett Field. California as a F8U Crusad- er fighter pilot. He subsequently flew the crusader in five fighter squadrons prior to reporting as Assistant Air Operations Officer on the staff. Carrier Group FIVE Attack Carrier Striking Force Seventh Fleet in October 1969. He then served a tour in Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 4 as Administrative Officer and Project Test Pilot. Following a tour as Executive Officer he took command of Fighter Squadron 24 in May 1972 while deployed in USS HANCOCK (CVA - 19) conducting combat oper- ations off the coast of Vietnam Captain Morris next attended the Air War College at Maxwell AFB. Alabama during which time he also received a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Auburn University. His next assignment was in USS RANGER (CV ■ 61) where he performed as Air Operations and Operations Officer He next served as Executive Assistant and Flag Secretary for the Commander Naval Air Force. U.S. Pacific Fleet, followed by a two year tour as Commanding Officer of USS ST. LOUIS (LKA - 116). Captain Morris assumed command of Amphibious Squadron ONE on 10 June 1982. Captain Morris has been awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal. 25 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous other personal decorations for more than 300 combat missions over North Vietnam. He has three children, son Darin and daughters Cyndy and Drew.

Page 10 text:

USS MOUNT VERNON SHIELD The shield, traditionally symbolic of defense, alludes to the MOUNT VERNON as an element of our National Defense System. The colors of blue and gold are traditional to the United States Navy. The shield is emblematic of an LSD discharging three combat - loaded assault craft. The large triangle represents MOUNT VERNON, oriented so as to discharge three LCU ' s which are denoted by the three small triangles. The areas between the jagged ■ ' Embattled Lines is known in heraldry as the Field of Combat. and is shown as a field of red. The LCUs as our main Element of Combat are shown crossing the Field of Combat laden with the spearhead of an Amphibious Assault, enroute to a hostile foreign shore. The figure in the upper right hand corner of the shield is the ancient and mythical Sea Dog , one of the original amphibians, and the standard of MOUNT VERNON. The four stars, on either side of the ship ' s name commemorate the exemplary service of the four previous U.S. Navy ships of the name MOUNT VERNON beginning with the Civil War and extending through World Wars I and II. The motto, Exitus Acta Probat comes from the George Washington family Coat of Arms, and was also the motto of his home. Mount Vernon, from whence comes the name of the ship. The motto means Action Produces Results.

Page 12 text:

Commanding Officer Commander William L. Marks as. Navy A native of Flint. Michigan, Commander William L. Marks graduated from Iowa State University of Ames, Iowa in February 1966 witfi a Bacfielor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Following commissioning at Officer Candidate School, he attended the Submarine Officer Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut, and was subse- quently assigned to the USS BARRACUDA (SST - 3), homeport in Key West, Florida, in July 1967. In BARRACUDA he served as Weapons and Supply Officer and later as the Engineer Officer. Commander Marks ' next assignment was with Submarine Devel- opment Group ONE in San Diego, California, where he was the Assistant Officer- in ■ Charge of the first Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle. In 1972. Commander Marks was transferred to Pearl Harbor. Hawaii, where he served as Engineer Officer of USS BARBEL (SS - 580) until 1974 and Operations Officer and Navigator of USS BLUEBACK (SS ■ 581) until January 1977. In March of 1977. he assumed the duties as Executive Officer of USS BARBEL (SS - 580). Beginning in October 1978. Commander Marks attended the U.S. Naval Postgradu- ate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation in December 1980. he was assigned as Executive Officer of USS CLEVELAND (LPD - 7) homeported in San Diego, California. In May 1983, during Western Pacific Deployment, Commander Marks assumed duties as Commanding Officer of USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD - 39). Commander Marks is married to the former Pamela Ann Morey of Ames. Iowa. They have two daughters, Kathryn Ann and Diane Marie.