St Louis (LKA 116) - Naval Cruise Book

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his book IS dedicated to those who devote shorter or longer part: ox their lives to the sea. lt's an experience not undertaken by many people, experiences which are sometimes painful, boring, and tiring beyond description, others which prove captivating, fascinating, even mysterious. Adjectives go on, but this book attempts to convey to the reader the truly unique experience of going to sea aboard a U.S.Navy amphibious combatant vessel. There is nothing comparable to it. This book is also dedicated to those who share the sea with its sailors: the far-removed stateside families, including Matthew and Wyatt, Emilia, Rosie and Cindy, Ligaya, Dawn, Jonathan and Jeremy, l-lolly, Jennifer, Enillie, Jackie and Randi, Laura, Petty, Elizabeth, Delia Ann, Warren, Jean, Margaret, Barbara, Alles, Jr., and Margarita. Our Sasebo supporters are Veronica, Dion- dre and August, Joann, Linda, Eric and Bobby, Shawnna and Brian, Ram, Diane and Matthew, Linda, Laurie, Donnita, Brooke and Eric, Clarice, Colleen, Elisa, Barbara, Vee, Mitsuyo, Miyoko, Fredrick, Terry and James, Judy and Nicholas, Erlynda, l-loney and Nathaniel, Aurora, Sher Wynn, Reinard and Glenn, Rizalina, Melvin, Michelle and Cherryl, Emiko and Mika, Yoshiko, Tammy, Joseph and Michael, Diane, Bambi and Daniel, Tamie, Debra and Keith, Candy, Tia and Janell, Darla, Curtis and Calvin, Fuiko, Vivian, Teresa and David, Shirley and Tina Marie, Rosalinda, Jennifer and Llanarose, Margaret, Nina, January, Rikiya and George, Kiyoko, Nina and Alan, Anita, Jason and Crystal, Man Mei, John and Lynn, Clarita, Matthew and Paul, Lynn, Robert and Jessica, Kelly and Michelle, Merrilee, Victoria and Yolawnda, Nora, Rechie and Mary, Liz and Kim, Misako and Landor, Priscilla, Sherlyn and Janet, Teodora, Eduardo and Janette, Debra, Jennifer and Steven, Sonia, Mark and Michael, Karen and Rebecca, Tetsuko and Sharon, Candice, Terry and Brandon, Divina, Atsuko, James, Roy, Albert and Dianna, Ellen, Chelsea and Lauren, Sueno, Ami, Lana and Angela, Carolyn and Markece, Sueko and James, Doreen, Katsuko, Deborah and Barbara, Angela, Aurea, Shella and Ivy, Debbie, Takako., Nea, James and Joseph, Fukumi, Noriko, Kiyoe and Keith, Yachiko, Reiko, Nelly and Jackeline, Noly, Sophia, Lisa, Michiko and David, Alejandra and Gregoria, Judy and Herman, Elenita and Ronal, Karuko, Vicki, Mariko, Catherine and Heather, Hiromi, Kazuko, David and Cathaline, Carmen, Jason and Rachael, Mavictoria, John and Justin, Rella and Allen, Mellisa , Warren, Delia Ann, Jean, Margaret, Bersabe, Enilie, Debra and Michael , Diana and Cassie. We hope in the future this book rekindles experiences that were to you Gator 85. ,Rf - If ' 'x Q35 kia: f' . - VKQQH Citiigncwi Mbna. Cwlgh html, f..,,,. my 'M as 'NT- 'Su

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HLAIAIS Q7A N: -... .,-1' XQKS Gator 85 USS ST. LOUIS LKA-116 FORWARD DEPLQYED 1985 SASEBO, JAPAN

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CO DI OFFICER he many accomplishments of the USS ST. LOUIS in 1985 are well known throughout the 7 Seventh Fleet. The Battle E Departmental Awards, the Blue R, participation in numerous Seventh Fleet exercises, Supply Management Inspection, Medical Readiness Evaluation. INSURV, and OPPE is only a partial list. These indications of the ship's success are just half the story. I would like to recognize the less tangible individual successes that we have seen this year: Your performance as representatives of our wonder- ful country in many foreign ports. The successful advancement and rapid professional development of so many individuals. 'O The support and involvement of the families through- out the year. The extra hours spent repairing equipment to ensure our commitments were completed as scheduled. These personal accomplishments and shared experi- ences as well as working together are what makes life in the Navy a special profession. lt has been a good year. F.L. TILLOTSON, CAPTAIN, USN PRESS ON. aptain Tillotson is a native of Ketchikan, Alaska. l-le attended the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned in June 1963. Captain Tillotson entered flight training at NAS Pensa- cola and was designated a Naval Aviator on 6 January 1965, Upon completion of replacement pilot training in the F-48, he reported to the VF-102 Diamondbacks , NAS Oceana, Virginia where he deployed onboard the USS AMERlCA CCV-66 J. l-le was assigned in 1966 as a combat replacement pilot for the VF-213 Black Lions , and Completed two extended deployments to Southeast Asia onboard USS KITTY HAWK CCV-63 D. In July 1968, Captain Tillotson was selected to attend the U. S. Navy Test Pilot School. l-le recorded numerous firsts in carrier aircraft defelopment including the A-7E, OV-1OA, F-4, A-4F, T-2C and A-6A, culminated by minimum endspeed catapult launches of the EA-6B. Captain Tillotson returned to Miramar and joined the VF-114 Aardvarks in August 1971 as Operations and Maintenance Officer. l-le deployed to Southeast Asia in March 1972 for his third combat tour and completed 364 combat missions. In February 1974, he began training as an instructor in the F-14 with VF-124 and subsequently served as Operations and Executive Officer ofthe MUTHA Squadron. Captain Tillotson then reported as Commanding Officer of the VF-51 Screaming Eagles, ln August 1981. Captain Tillotson assumed command of Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN on board USS AMERICA while deployed to the SEVENTH Fleet. ln December 1982. he reported to CNO ao the F 14 Program Coordinator. During ri: career. Captain Tillotzori has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, three individual Air Meda 2 23 Strike Flightf1irli!ledaI',. five Navy Commendation Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal. tte Comt J etriamexe Hr,rir,r Medal and Croif, of Gallentry, and campaign and service medals for the Vietnam conflict.