America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commander, Carrier Group EIGHT: Rear Admiral Carol C. Smith Rear Admiral Carol C. SMITH, Jr. was born in Montgomery. Alabama in September 19. ' ?() and {jradiiated from the LI.S. Naval Academy in June, 1952. Before reporting to Pensacola for flight training, he .served in USS CORRY as ASVV Officer and USS O ' HARE as Operations Officer. He received his wings in August 1956 and then reported as Maintenance Officer with Light Photographic Squadron 62. Between 1960 and 1963, he attended the Navy Postgraduate School at Monterey where he received a Masters degree in Physics. For the next four years, he was attached to RVAH-. ' i, RVAH-9 and RVAH-6, the latter as Commanding Officer. During this period, he made two combat deployments in the RA-5C Vigilante. In November 1969, Rear Admiral SMITH was selected to attend the Navy Nuclear Power School. Upon graduation from that unit, he was assigned for duty with the Division of Naval Reactors and then as Executive Officer, USS ENTERPRISE. He later commanded USS SAN JOSE and returned to ENTERPRISE as Com- manding Officer. He assumed com- mand of Carrier Group EIGHT in January 1977. In addition to various theater and service ribbons. Rear Admiral SMITH has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished F ' lying Cross, two Brcmze Star Medals, nine Air Medals and two Navy Commendation Medals. 26

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In an ageless ceremony marked by simplicity and tradition. Captain Robert B. FULLER turned over the command of USS AMERICA to Captain William F. MEYER on 17 April 1978. AMERICA was steaming east of the Azores enroute to its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. The guest of honor, Rear Admiral C. C. SMITH, praised the accomplishments of both men and the achievements of AMERICA during the nearly- complete deployment. At the conclu- sion of the ceremony, Captain FULLER, a selectee for the rank of Rear Admiral, was frocked and presented with the title and uniform of that rank. J-,:.l■ ' -• a CTal: ; ' y ■ 25

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Chief of Staff, Carrier Group EIGHT Captain D. T. Cannell Operations Officer, Carrier Group EIGHT Captain C. J. Ward Captain Donald T. CANNELL was born in Morning Sun, Iowa and is a 1953 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy. He has served aboard USS HAWKINS, USS SELLERS and USS GARCIA. He has commanded USS HAWK, USS FRIGATE BIRD, USS DIRECT and USS PAUL. Captain CANNELL has served as Operations Operations and Plans Officer of Cruiser-Destroyer Group TWO, ashore in the Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel, staff of Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet and as Special Assistant to the Deputy Comptroller of the Navy. His most recent assignment was as Commander, Destroyer Squadron TEN. Captain CANNELL holds a degree of Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School and a degree of Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. Captain Conrad J. WARD was born in Titus, Alabama on 27 February 1928. He graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute and NAVCAD Class 49-53 before serving in various aviation activities including VA-212, VA-156, VF-124, VQ-2, VX-5, Carrier Group FIVE, VA-115, Naval Missile Center, CNATRA, USS ENTERPRISE and Staff, COMOPTEVFOR. Captain WARD attended the Naval War College and has a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island. In addition to various theater and service ribbons. Captain WARD has been awarded two Bronze Star Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, ten Air Medals and the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, First Class. Executive Officer, CV-66: CDR Donald A. Baker Commander Donald A. BAKER was born in Greeley, Colorado on 7 April 1936 and began his career as a Naval Aviation Cadet in July, 1955. Following service as an instructor with VT-7, he reported to VF-51 flying the F-6 Skyray. After a Western Pacific deployment aboard USS TICONDEROGA, he transferred to VF-162 in November 1960. Still flying the Skyray, Commander BAKER completed a Mediterranean cruise aboard USS INTREPID and ac- companied his squadron in a change of homeports to NAS Miramar, California and a subsequent transition to the F-8 Cruisader. In November 1963, he reported to VF-124 and flew as a combat flight instructor in various models of the F-8. Joining VF-IU, he completed a combat deployment aboard USS ORISKANY before being ordered to the Naval War College. He was awarded a Bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island. After a brief tour at the Naval Safety Center, Commander BAKER began training in the F-4 Phantom and was transferred as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of VF-41. In July 1976, Commander BAKER reported aboard USS AMERICA, serving first as Air Operations Officer and then Executive Officer. Among his decorations and medals. Commander BAKER lists the Distin- guished Flying Cross, nine Air Medals and the Purple Heart. 27