Independence (CV 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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July 12, 1985 to July 15, 1987 Executive Officer Capt. Andrew J. Murphy Captain Andrew J. Murphy is a native of Louisville, Ky He received his commission through the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, and after flight training was designated a Naval Aviator aW[FJM«mip.dmi » J2rBM Station Memphis. While attached to VAW-12, Capt. Murphy deployed with detachments aboard USS WASP (CVS 18) and USS RANDOLPH (CVS 15). In April 1967. he took part in the commissioning of VAW-121, and subsequently deployed to the Mediterranean and EASTLANT aboard USS mMMm m MMSMM cornpleted transition training to the E-2B aircraft, and in In November 1977, he reported to VAW-121 as Executive Officer. In February 1979, Capt. Murphy assumed command of . . .V, .y „ were awarded the CNO AEW Excel lence Award. the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle E, and the CNO Safety S while deployed in USS DWIGHT D EISEN- HOWER (CVN 69). CAPTAIN MURPHY then reported to USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) as Assistant Air Officer. He served as NIMITZ ' s Air Officer from July 1981 until August 1982 when he assumed command of VAW-120, the LANTFLT E2C gHlttliiliiMiTtltBTTTST; port, Rl., enroute to duty with the office of the Chief of Naval J1II A»Jt llyMt|l|IH[ MtH 91 tlSJ rC M It 1 1 kVI Vi ZMSi 1 . 2 11 ■] 1 1 1 .jg- ter of Science degree in June In November 1971, Capt. Murphy reported to VAW-123, he served as Safety Officer and 88 Maintenance Officer com- pleting a ten month combat deployment to Southeast Asia and later participating in initial fleet introduction of the E-2C aircraft. Following a tour under instruction at the Armed For- ollfJ • ° ' ' ®g® ' Capt. Murphy reported to the Naval Safety Center in February 1975 as an Aircraft Accident Investigator reported to USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) and served as ' Executive Officer until August 1987. Capt. Murphy has been awarded the Meritorious Sen ice Medal (four awards), the Air Medal (four strike flight awards), the Navy Commendation Medal, and various other unit and campaign medals. Captain Murphy and his wife, the former Pamela Browning of Louisville, Ky., reside in San Diego, Calif. They have three children, Kimberly, Kevin, and Brian J.K.

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Commanding Officer Capt. William R. Needham 13

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Executive Officer Capt. Waiter D. Bird Captain Walter Dennis Bird, a native of Decatur, Ga., earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University, and an MBA from Chapman College in Orange, Calif. In July 1966, Capt. Bird entered flight training at Pensacola. Fla., and was commissioned in October 1966. He was desig- nated a Naval Aviator in February 1968. In November 1968. he reported to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 where he deployed to the Western Pacific during the Viet- «., . nam Conflict and to the Mediterranean Sea. ' Upon stand-down of Tactical Warfare Squadron in May 1970, Capt. Bird reported to Tactical Electronic Warfare . Squadron 129 as a Flight Instructor and Aviation Safety 3E»:j Officer for the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron. He returned to sea duty in June 1973, reporting to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132, and made a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS INDEPENDENCE as the Assistant Maintenance Officer. In December 1975, Capt. Bird was selected for duty as Flag Secretary to Commander, Medium Attack Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Soon after, he was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129. While attached to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 133, Capt. Bird served as Maintenance Officer, Administra- i . . r;-w -f; •• tlve Officer, and Operations Officer. He reported to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 135 in Decemljer 1979, as Executive Officer while the Squadron was deployed to the Indian Ocean, during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979 80. Capt. Bird commanded Tactical Electronic Warfare Squad- ron 135 from March 1981 to May 1982. Capt. Bird graduated with the National War College Class of 1983 and remained in Washington, DC, as the Aviation Enlisted Assignment Branch Head. Naval Military Personnel Command, from July 1983 to August 1985. Capt. Bird assumed command of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 on Feb. 28, 1986. Following the change of command, in March 1987. Capt Bird attended enroute schools for training with the COMNA- VAIRPAC Staff, and Prospective Executive Officer ' s SWO School at Newport. Rl.. before reporting as Executive Officer aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) July 15, 1987. Capt. Bird ' s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Meritorious Unit Commenda- tion, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service and Viet- nam Campaign Medals. He has achieved more than 2600 hours flying the EA-6B Prowler.