Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDMMANDING OFFICER Captain Dickson W. Alderton, commanding officer of the attack carrier USS BON HOMME RICHARD lCVA-311, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 14, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George S, Alderton. He attended Michigan State University at East Lansing for one year before entering the Naval Academy in 1941. He was graduated and commis- sioned an ensign June 7, 1944 as a member of an accelerated program. He achieved the rank of captain July 1, 1965. Ensign Alderton's first command was the battleship USS INDIANA lBB-58l where he served until September 1945. He then reported for flight training at Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas Naval Air Stations, and was designated a Naval Aviator March 7, 1947. Lieutenant ijgj Alderton joined Fighter Squadron Two-E and was subsequently transferred to Composite Squadron Twelve in July 1948. After four years of flight experience, he became an instructor at the Glenview, Illinois Combat Information School. In April 1953 he was ordered to the USS ORISKANY lCVA-34l for duty afloat as combat information center assistant. Detached from ORISKANY in August 1954, Lieutenant Alderton returned to flight duty with Fighter Squadron 192. He left VF-192 in December 1955 for further aviation duty as a project pilot at the Naval Air Facility, China Lake, California, where he remained until August 1957. After a year and a half of instruc- tion at the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. and the Air Intelligence School, Washington, , D.C., he became commandin officer of Fi hter Captain D.W. Alderton squaaronws. 9 g Commander Alderton's next assignment was to USS BON HOMME RICHARD as combat information center officer. ln July 1963 he assumed command of Attack Carrier Air Wing Nineteen. Commander Alderton became program director for development of the A-6A Intruder and A-7A Corsair ll in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He remained in Washington, D.C. to attend the National War College in August 1965. Captain Alderton became skipper of the store ship USS VEGA lAF-59l in August 1966 and is entitled to wear the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon awarded his ship during her tour of duty in Southeast Asia. In November 1967 he joined the staff of Commander Carrier Division One as operations officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and is entitled to wear a star on his Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon for duty aboard the USS RANGER lCVA-611, flagship of Carrier Division One, Captain Alderton also holds the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars, World War ll Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals. I Captain Alderton is married to the former Barbara H. Ballard of East Lansing, Michigan. They have three children Karen Louise James Dickson and William Robert. The Aldertons make their home in East Lansin Q.

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