Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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F P L R A G T S H C 1 P L CAPT CHAMBERLAIN explains some equipment operations to visitors on tour of the flagship. While touring the BLUE RIDGE, a group of civilian and military dignitaries from Singapore pose for a group photo. n

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CAPT. W. LEWIS CHATHAM, USN CHIEF OF STAFF W. Lewis Chatham was born in Houston, Texas, on October 26, 1934. He attended high school in San Antonio, Texas, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray L. Chatham, still reside. A graduate of Rice University, he received his commission as a naval officer in June 1956. He was designated a naval aviator upon completion of flight training in August 1957. As an aviator, Captain Chatham has served in both fighter and attack squadrons and with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels). He has flown approximately 5,000 hours in over 30 different aircraft types and logged over 1,000 carrier arrested landings. Captain Chatham has commanded Attack Squa- dron FIFTY SIX, Carrier Air Wing FIVE, USS HASSAYAMPA (AO-145) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). He assumed the position of Chief of Staff on June 12, 1980 and upon promotion to Rear Admiral was relieved by Captain Rodney B. McDaniel on August 20, 1981. Captain Chatham was awarded the Legion of Merit upon his departure. Captain Chatham has also served on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations; Commander, U. S. Naval Forces Japan; and Commander, Light Attack Wings Pacific. His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross (4 awards), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (10 awards), Strike Flight Air Medals (35 awards). Navy Commenda- tion Medal (4 awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal. Captain Chatham is married to the former Ann Simkins of Lemoore, California. They have four children.

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The U. S. SEVENTH Fleet was established March 15, 1943, when the Southwest Pacific Force was renamed. The Fleet participated in several World War II Pacific campaigns, the most famous of which was at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. After the war, the coast of mainland China became the Fleet ' s operating area, and in 1947 its name was changed again to Naval Forces Western Pacific. Three years later the official designation reverted to SEVENTH Fleet just prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. SEVENTH Fleet units participated in every major operation of the Korean War. Two days after South Korea was invaded in June 1950, Task Force 77, the Fleet ' s Attack Carrier Striking Force, was formed. The first Navy jet aircraft used in combat flew from a task force 77 carrier, and the famous landings in Inchon, Korea were launched from SEVENTH Fleet amphibious ships. Combat action successes in Korea demonstrat- ed the readiness and mobility of the Fleet. In early 1955, Fleet units evacuated about 38,000 military and civilian personnel from the Nationalist Chinese Tachan Islands, which had come under attack from the mainland. The presence of Fleet units in the South China Sea cooled another hot spot in 1959, when political unrest in Laos threatened to spread to other Southeast Asia countries. Fighting again broke out in Laos in 1962. This time a SEVENTH Fleet amphibious squadron, at the direction of the U. S. Government, was quickly moved to Thailand. At the same time, 1400 Fleet Marines landed in Bangkok, while SEVENTH Fleet carriers and antisubmarine forces operated in the South China Sea. In August 1964, two U. S. destroyers were attacked by North Vietnamese PT boats in international waters in the Tonkin Gulf. The act triggered further U. S. involvement in the Vietnam conflict as aircraft from Task Force 77 carriers were launched against targets in North Vietnam. Throughout the following decade, the SEVENTH Fleet was heavily engaged in combat operations against North Vietnam and enemy forces in South Vietnam — through attack carrier air strikes, naval gunfire strikes, amphibious operations, patrol and reconnaissance operations and mine warfare. In 1973, a ceasefire agreement was signed at negotiations in Paris, after which SEVENTH Fleet conducted mine countermeasure oper ations in North Vietnam. Sustained Indian Ocean operations began during the same period when a five ship task group led by the aircraft carrier USS HANCOCK deployed to the Arabian Sea. The Fleet ' s continued involvement in Southeast Asia culminated in the spring of 1975, when Fleet units successfully evacuated thousands of refugees from Cambodia and South Vietnam when those two countries fell to opposing forces. In May 1975, SEVENTH Fleet units successfully recovered the American merchant ship MAYAGUEZ and her crew after their seizure on the high seas by hostile Cambodian forces. Most recently SEVENTH Fleet units have assisted thousands of Vietnamese Boat People in rescue operations at sea. SEVENTH Fleet units in the Indian Ocean were augmented in November 1979, when the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group joined the USS MIDWAY Battle Group during the Iranian crisis, bringing the U. S. Naval presence in the Indian Ocean to over 16,000 sailors and 25 ships. Shortly thereafter, in January 1980, the USS NIMITZ Battle Group arrived from the Mediterran- ean to augment the SEVENTH Fleet. From World War II, to Korea, to Vietnam, the United States SEVENTH Fleet has always been prepared to respond to events in its 50 million square mile operating area. The ships of SEVENTH Fleet are a familiar sight on the high seas and in the friendly 10