Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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REAR ADMIRAL A. W. PRICE, JR. April 1973 to Present Rear Admiral PRICE was born in 1920 and spent his early years in the Trenton, N. J., area. He enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and attended Aviation Metalsmith School in Pensacola, Fla. His early assignments included a stop at NAS Kaneohe Bay, P. H., where he was present during the Japanese air attack on Hawaii in December of 1941. In 1943 RADM PRICE returned to the continental U. S. and began an 18-month course in the aviation flight program. He received his designation as naval aviator and was commissioned an ensign in 1944. Noteworthy assignments as an aviator included tours as engineer- ing test pilot at NAS Pensacola; duty with a Night Fighter Squadron at NAS Key West, Fla.; duty with Fighter Squadron 75 at NAS Norfolk, Va.; and Drone Operations Officer with NAMTCat NAS Point Mugu, Ca. In February of 1956, RADM PRICE changed his designator to 1100 and attended ASW and Air Defense School. He then reported for duty on the staff of COMDESRON 36. In 1958 he assumed command of the USS LIDDLE. He was transferred to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in 1959 as Special Program and Project Officer. From 1961 thru mid-1963, RADM PRICE served as Commanding Officer of the USS ASHLAND. Following a tour at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Ca., where he received a degree in Naval Management, RADM PRICE was assigned to the staff of Commander Amphibious Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet as Force Operations Officer. He took command of the USS DULUTH in 1966 and followed that with a 15 month tour in Vietnam as Commander River Patrol Force. He assumed command of Amphibious Squadron 11 in 1970, and following the decomissioning of the squadron in 1971 , he stepped into his first flag billet — that of Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces, Vietnam and Chief Naval Advisory Group, Vietnam. RADM PRICE also served as Commander Amphib- ious Operations, Support Command before assuming command of the Seventh Fleet Amphibious Force in June of this year. RADM PRICE holds numerous medals and decora- tions, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and Purple Heart. He is married to the former Miss Peggy WYNN and they have six children — four sons and two daughters.

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REAR ADMIRAL W. D. TOOLE, JR. July 1972 to April 1973 X Rear Admiral W. D. Toole, Jr., was born in Augusta, Ga. He studied at the University of South Carolina, the University of North Carolina and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in 1955. In addition, he has graduated from the U.S. Naval Intelligence School, the U. S. Naval Flight Program, the National War College and received a Masters degree from George Washington University in 1967. On receiving his commission as an Ensign in 1946, he was assigned to the USS PAUL G. BAKER. In February 1947 he reported to the USS KLONDIKE followed by duty on the USS GEORGE CLYMER. He returned to Washington, D.C. in 1948 and served at the Naval Communication Station until December 1949. Rear Admiral Toole entered the Naval flight training program in 1950 and received his wings in August 1951. He flew with Patrol Squadron 10 until February 1954 and then was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as liaison officer with the Headquarters, Directorate of Intelligence, U. S. Air Force. In April 1957, he reported to the staff of Commander Middle East Force as Aide and Flag Lieutenant. In December 1958 he joined Airborne Early Warning Squadron Four, the Navy ' s Hurricane Hunters. After flying two storm seasons. Rear Admiral Toole then reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in November 1960. In June 1963 he became Operations Officer of Patrol Squadron Seven and subsequently served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the squadron. In August 1966 he attended the National War College and upon graduation was assigned as the executive assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Manpower. In February 1968 he was reassigned as Naval Aide and Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Prior to assuming command of USS IWO JIMA, he was the commanding officer of the USS MISPILLION, a jumboized fleet oiler. Following his tour as CO of the IWO JIMA he took over as Commander Amphibious Group One and Commander Amphibious Force, U. S. Seventh Fleet. He served in that post from July of 1972 until April of 1973. From there he went on to assume the position of Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, U. S. Seventh Fleet. Vi ' I

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CHIEF OF STAFF ■ 1 M L H 1 m V l CAPTAIN W. W. ERIKSON October 1972 to August 1973 CAPTAIN D. T. LAMB August 1973 to Present 10 » ...-. ,