Anchorage (LSD 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JOSEPH S. VAUGHAN Joseph Seep VAUGHAN, Lieutenant Com- mander, USN, was born in San Mateo, Cal- ifornia, January 1st, 1937. He entered the University of Southern California in the fall of 1955, and was graduated with a B.S. in Public Administration and a commission as an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve. Upon graduation, he served as First Lieuten- ant and Supply Officer on the USS IMPLICIT (MSO-455) until March 1961, when he entered the Submarine Service, and served as Elec- tronics Material Officer and Supply Officer aboard the USS BUGARA (SS-331). In September of 1964, LCDR VAUGHAN as- sumed the duties of Engineering Officer on the USS POMFREF (SS-391), and sub- sequently, in September 1965, he was as- signed to the USS DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN- 626) as Operations Officer, Navigator, and Supply Officer. From December 1967 to June 1970, he assumed the duties of Director of Polaris Navigation Training at the Naval Submarine School in New London, Con- necticut. Before joining the ANCHORAGE as Executive Officer, LCDR VAUGHAN served as Operations Officer on the USS ALAMO (LSD-33). LCDR VAUGHAN holds the Secretary of the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Expedi- tionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. On April 1, 1967, LCDR VAUGHAN married the former Miss Nancy Tarbeck, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The couple have two children, Maureen (3), and Patrick (2). They make their home in San Mateo, California.

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COMMANDER FRANKLIN H. BRIGGS Commander Franklin H. BRIGGS was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on 7 March 1933 and now makes his home in San Diego, California. He attended the University of Colorado and University of Nebraska under the NROTC Regular Program and received his commission as Ensign upon graduation from the latter school in 1955. His early assignments were in the aircraft carrier USS ESSEX (CVA-9) as a Deck Division Officer; the Staff of Commander Naval Forces Japan as Operations Center Watch Officer, and as Assistant Plans Officer; and as Com- bat Information Center Officer on the Attack Transport USS PAUL REVERE (APA-248). Subsequent tours of duty were spent as CIC Instructor at the Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center, Dam Neck, Virginia and as Employment Officer of the Staff of Com- mander Amphibious Group ONE, homeported in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. He reported to the ANCHORAGE from his most recent tour of duty as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center, Scotia, New York. Commander BRIGGS has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V ) and also holds the Meritorious Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with five stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Cross of Gallantry). His wife is the former Chizuko Imaoka of Nagasaki, Japan.

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THE A.R.G. The Amphibious Ready Group, which was established in 1965, contributes to the U.S. Pacific Fleet a rapid, mobile and self-sustain- ing landing force capable of reacting to any military situation which might develop in the Western Pacific area. ARC Alfa, which is composed of the ships of Amphibious Squadron FIVE during their deployment to WestPac, is capable of transport- ing, landing and supporting over 2,000 combat ready Marines. In addition to the troops. Navy Assault Craft units and various Naval Beach Groups necessary for the coordination of a beach landing are also embarked with the ARG. The LPH, which serves as flagship for the ARG and Marine commanders, acts as command ship for the operations. A Marine helicopter squadron embarked on the LPH moves troops and equipment during the vertical envelopment phase of the landing. The LSD and LPD contain well decks in which assault craft load troops, artillery pieces, tanks, trucks and support equipment for move- ment to the beach in amphibious waves. The LSD is usually assigned duty as Primary Con- trol Ship responsible for control and direction of all craft to the beach. The LPD can utilize four helicopters on her flight deck while conduct- ing boat operations in her well deck. The LKA transports and handles the bulk of the landing forces ' support equipment. Through the use of her 75 ton cranes and numerous landing craft, the LKA is able to assist in the movement of strategically loaded vehicles, ammunition, provisions and general supplies to the beach on an as needed basis.