America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 29 text:

p ,y » ?tli -%!if i I

Page 28 text:

Change Of Command « 8Br--M n m k ii P 9 While anchored in Augusta Bay. Sicily an ageless ceremony marked with simplicity and tradition took place - the Change of Command. On 23 August 1979 Captain Rene W. Leeds relieved Captain William F. Meyer and assumed command of the USS AMERICA (CV-66). Rear Ad- miral Nagler noted the accomplish- ments of both men and the achieve- ments of AMERICA during it ' s nearly completed deployment. Captain R. W. Leeds became the 12th officer to command the USS AMERICA (CV- 66). J 24

Page 30 text:

Executive Officer USS America I CDR John Michael WELCH arrived aboard AMERICA to relieve the Ex- ecutive Officer in July 1979. Born in New York in 1939, CDR WELCH is a 1961 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. A veteran fighter pilot, CDR WELCH saw action in the first U.S. aerial attacks in Vietnam. He flew over 200 combat missions in Southeast Asia. CDR WELCH ' S past duties include Commanding Officer of VF-33. aviation officer detailer, and operations officer for VF -191. Captain Fredrickson served as Ex- ecutive Officer of the USS AMERICA from 1978 through mid 1979. Com- missioned in 1957 through the Re- serve Officer Candidate program of Macalestor College in St. Paul, Minn, he served as a Surface Warfare Offi- cer aboard the USS SARATOGA (CV- 60). Captain Fredrickson entered flight training in Pensacola, Fl. and earned his wings of gold in May 1979. During his career Captain Fre- drickson has served aboard three carriers and in six squadrons. He has flown 137 combat missions in the F- 4. 2h