Blue Ridge (LCC 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMSEVENTHFLT COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET VICE ADMIRAL PAUL F. McCarthy jr. ' A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Vice Admiral Paul F, McCarthy, Jr., was born March 3, 1934. He attended Walertown High School in Walertown, Massachusetts, and graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as an Ensign in 1954. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in marine and electrical engineering and a Master of Science degree in financial management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. A qualified Surface Warfare Officer, Vice Admiral McCarthy first served aboard the USS Savage (DEK 386) as an Ensign before attending flight training and earning his Naval Aviator designation in May 1957. He served in Fighter Squadron 71 until March 1 959 and in Attack Squadron 12 until 1961. After tours in Air Development Squadron Five and at U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, he was assigned as Flag Secretary and Aide to the Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean. In January 1967, Vice Admiral McCarthy served as Operations Officer in Attack Squadron 1 5 and was subsequently assigned to the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Following his tour as Executive Officer in Attack Squadron 195, he assumed command of the squadron in 1971. Additional command tours include Carrier Air Wing Nine in 1973; Commanding Officer, USS Niagara falls {AFS-3) in 1976; and Commanding Officer, USS Constellation (CV-64) from 1978 to 1980. Vice Admiral McCarthy has served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as a Deputy in the Systems Analysis Division (OP-962), and as Director, Aviation Plans and Requirements Division (OP-50). In June 1981, he reported as Commander, Carrier Group One. From May 1984 until January 1985, Vice Admiral McCarthy served as Commander, Battle Force Seventh Fleet (CTF-70). With more than 260 combat missions, Vice Admiral McCarthy has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal and other individual, unit and campaign awards. Vice Admiral McCarthy and his wife, the former Sandra S. Williams of Bellport, Long Island and Virginia Beach, have two children, Paul and Susan, both of whom are college students in San Diego, California.

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USS Blue Ridge LCC- 19 COMMANDING OFFICER, USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) CAPTAIN JOHN H. HEIDT Captain John H. Heidt reported for duty as Commanding Officer from assignment as Head, Education Plans and Policy Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington in May 1961 and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Candidate program. During the first seven years he served on the staff of Commander Naval Base, Subic Bay, Philippines and aboard three destroyers in both the Atlantic and the Pacific-the USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884), USS Belknap (DLG-26)andUSS ' ( ' Wf (DLG-15)-servingin Communications, Combat Information Center and Operations officer billets. During the next two years, 1968-1970, he was assigned as an analyst in the Systems Analysis Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. During 1971 he served as the Special Plans Officer on the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Vietnam in Saigon. This was followed by a tour as Executive Officer aboard the USS O ' Callahan (DE- 05 ) in the Pacific. For the next three years he served ashore in various billets at the Fleet Combat Systems Training Center, Pacific in San Diego, California. In early 1977, Captain Heidt reported as Executive Officer aboard the USS Nashville (LPD-13) in Norfolk, Virginia, serving until 1979. Remaining in Norfolk, he assumed command of the USS Fairfax Co( «n ' (EST- 1 193) from July 1979 through July 1 98 1. He then served as Chief Staff Officer of Amphibious Squadron Four in Norfolk, until 1983, at which time he assumed command of the USS A ' t ' Hy?o - (LST-l 179) for a brief period before reporting to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island for one year as a student in the College of Naval Warfare. During this time he earned a Master ' s degree in International Relations from Salve Regina College in Newport. Captain Heidt is the recipient of the following awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal with one star; Navy Commendation Medal with combat V and three stars; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation with one star; Meritorious Unit Citation with one star; Navy Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon); National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea); Vietnam Service Medal with seven stars; Humanitarian Service Medal (Lebanon); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two stars; Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (Combat); Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (Civil Action); and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Captain Heidt is married to the former Patricia Fitzgerald of Chevy Chase, Maryland. They have five children: John, Anne, Michele, David and Stephen.

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..AHMlHriHlB iSSBIucRickeLCC-19 EXECUTIVE OFFICER, USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) COMMANDER WILLIAM K. COXE, JR. Commander William K. Coxe, Jr. was commissioned an Ensign and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1 969. His first tour of duty was served aboard the USS Hanson (DD-862) as Electronic Material Officer (EMO) and ship ' s Navigator. From September 1971 until October 1972, he attended the Naval Inshore Operational Training Center (NIOTC) , Mare Island, California, and Naval Destroyer School (NAVDESCOL), Newport, Rhode Island. Following a short tour as the Engineering Officer and Decommissioning Officer on the USS Purdy (DD-1 34), Commander Coxe reported for duty as Weapons Officer aboard the USS Voge(DD- 041) in August 1973. In November 1974, he was assigned as the Initial Assignment Counselor at the Officer Candidate School (OCS), Newport, Rhode Island. From October 1976 until March 1979, he was the First Lieutenant for the USS Portland (LSD-37). Commander Coxe reported to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP- 1 50) , where he served as Action Officer between April 1979 and May 1 98 1 . In June of 1 98 1 , he was assigned as Navigator during his two-year tour aboard the USS Nassau (LHA-4). From March 1983 to July 1 984, Commander Coxe served as Executive Officer with the Readiness Support Group (REDSUPPGRU), Norfolk, Virginia, before reporting to the USS Blue Ridge (LCC- 9) as Executive Officer on 29 August 1984. Commander Coxe is authorized to wear the following awards and decorations: Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal with two stars; Battle Efficiency Ribbon with two E ' s; American Expeditionary award, Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with two stars; and Sea Service Deployment with one star. Commander Coxe is married to the former Janice Walker of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. They have two sons, William and Andrew. CAP IR ' Mvers,ni I Araerican imtiaMas specializm relations, I Intelnall avalWar Operations, for Navy re Pacific Sob -M lTforPe Captain! L ' SS Jnmi 1 5S Cpcti ■ licron.