Antietam (CG 54) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR MICHAEL D. PALATAS Commander Palatas graduated from Tulane University in 1977 with a BS degree in geology. After completing Naval Nuclear Power School, Prototype Nuclear Reactor Training and Surface Warfare Officer ' s Basic School, he reported to USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) in November 1978, serving as Repair Division Officer and Reactor Training Assistant. In January 1982, he reported to the Nuclear Power Train- ing Unit, Ballston Spa, NY as a staff instructor. Completing that tour as the DlG Prototype ' s Overhaul Planning Of- ficer and following the completion of Department Head training in September 1984, he reported to USS ARKAN- SAS (CGN 41) as Engineering Officer. In February 1988, he reported for duty on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, working in the Overhead Sur- veillance Section of the Space, Command and Control Di- rectorate (OP-094) until July 1989. In June 1990, following studies in U.S. -Japan economic and security policy, he graduated from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University with a Mas- ter ' s in Public Administration degree. CDR Palatas then spent two years on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet ' s Nuclear Propul- sion Examining Board. Commander Palatas wears a Meritorious Service Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal. PG4

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CAPT JOE LEE FRANK III Captain Frank commenced his duties following extensive experience at sea, most recently as Execu- tive Officer, USS MISSOURI (BB-63), in which he participated in the first month of combat opera- tions in strike forces during Operation Desert Storm. Previously, Captain Frank commanded the destroyer USS INGERSOLL (DD 990); commis- sioned and served as Operations Officer in USS SCOTT (DDG 995); served as Operations Officer and Navigator in USS SACRAMENTO (AOE 1); commissioned and served as Weapons Officer in USS COOK (FF 1083); commissioned and served as Liaison Officer in FGS ROMMEL (F-187); served as Assistant Combat Information Center Officer and Electrical Officer in USS MAHAN (DLG 11). Ashore Captain Frank served as Director of Op- erations, AEGIS Shipbuilding Direct Reporting Program Manager and earlier on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface War- fare) as branch head for Combat Systems Engineer- ing, Integration and Architecture. He attended the National Defense University ' s Industrial College of the Armed Forces, graduating in 1993; The United States Naval Postgraduate School, graduating in 1975 with a Master of Science degree in Physics; and the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1968. As a result of his graduate research he was selected for induction into Sigma Xi. Captain Frank is also a member of the United States Naval Insti- tute, the Surface Navy Association, the American Astronomical Society and the International Plane- tarium Society. Captain Frank has been awarded five Meritori- ous Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal among other decorations. PG3

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s tyin iavil ning id to figas [ting ;0f. Held M illht Sui- JDi- lomic ntiiy Mis- ik opul- edil LCDR ROBERT E. OLDANI EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Oldani was born in Detroit, Michigan on 30 April 1958. He was com- missioned through the NROTC Program upon gradu- ation from the University of Michigan in 1980, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Me- chanical Engineering. Upon completion of Nuclear Power Training, Lieu- tenant Commander Oldani reported to USS ARKAN- SAS (CGN 41), where he served as Chemistry and Ra- diological Assistant. His next sea tour was aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) as Reactor Training Assistant. He was then assigned as an ROTC Instructor at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. Following training at the Surface Warfare Depart- ment Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, he re- ported to USS BOWEN (FF 1079) as Combat Systems Officer. He then returned to USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) as Reactor Mechanical As- sistant, and was subsequently assigned as Reactor Electrical Assistant. Prior to commencing the training pipeline for his assignment as Executive Officer of USS ANTIETAM, he graduated with distinction from the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War Col- lege, earning a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Lieutenant Commander Oldani is authorized to wear the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars. Battle Efficiency Ribbon (4), and various cam- paign and service medals and ribbons including the Southwest Asia Medal. PG5