Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) - Naval Cruise Book

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aptain . I ,f K Harold F. Lang, I Chief Qf staff, ComCarDiv EVE Captain Harold F. Lang, Chief of Staff for Commander Carrier Division SEVEN, was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy from his native New Jersey in 1939. Upon his graduation and commissioning on June 19, 1942, he was ordered to the cruiser MILWAUKEE. While aboard the MILWAUKEE he participated in the Murmansk Run - convoy and anti-submarine duty around the northern capes of Norway protecting munitions destined for the Russian war effort through the port of Murmansk. He was assigned to the cruiser SALT LAKE CITY in October 1944, where he served through the invasions of Iwo Jima-and Okinawa, and the subsequent occupation of Japan. He attended flight schools at Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1947. His first avia- tion assignment was with Attack Squadron 18-A flying TBM 'fAvengers and AD Skyraiders. After training at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, he became an armamentfweapons test pilot and served as Branch Engineering Director at the Center until April 1953. During the Korean War Captain Lang served as executive officer and acting commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 143, flying F9F-6 Cougar jets from the aircraft carrier ESSEX. In August 1954 he was assigned to the staff of Commander Fleet Air Hawaii as Attack Carrier and Air Group Training Officer. During a tour as Air-to-Air Guided Missile and Space Projects Officer at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, Calif., he began studying for a masters degree in Dynamics and Space Technology through the University of California. He received his degree in 1961. Captain Lang became commanding officer of Heavy Attack Squadron SEVEN in October 1958, and assumed command of Carrier Air Group SEVEN in March 1960. He then served as Operations Officer of the nuclear-powered attack aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE, program manager for all-weather attack aircraft in the Bureau of Naval Weapons, commanded the fleet oiler KANKAKEE and the super-carrier SARATOGA, and assumed the duties of Chief of Staff of Carrier Division SEVEN in November 1966. In addition to the Bronze Star QOkinawa - 19453 and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal fDominican Republic Expeditionjg Captain Lang wears the American Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal fwith three starsjz Philippine Liberation Ribbong European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal fwith two starsjg Victory Medal fWorld War 1111 Navy Occupation Service Medal fjapanlg Korean Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

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Captain James B. Cain, Chief of Staff, ComCarDiv SEV N Captain James B. Cain was born in Charlottesville, Georgia, on April 23, 1920. Upon graduation from Cramerton High School tNorth Carolinaj, he entered Gardner Webb College at Boiling Springs, North Carolina, from which he graduated in June 1940. Captain Cain entered the Navy on November 9, 1940, and reported for duty in the Navy V-5 program on April 12, 1941, and the Navy's Flight Training program at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Upon completion of flight training in October 1941, he was com- missioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator. He served as a flight instructor at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, until July 1942, before going to NAS Miami, where he flew anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In 1943, he served as an in- structor in fighter aircraft at Lee Field, Green Cove Springs, Florida. In April 1944, Captain Cain reported to VF-45 as Chief Flight Officer shortly before the squadron boarded USS TICONDEROGA. He was subsequently transferred with the squadron to USS SAN JACINTO where he saw action in the Pacific Theatre Campaign including the air and sea battles. In these engagements he was credited with nine Japanese aircraft shot down and a destroyer sunk in the South China Sea. For this action Captain Cain joined the ranks of U.S. Fighter Aces. At the end of World War II, Captain Cain was aboard the USS CUMBERLAND SOUND participating in the Bikini Atomic Test Program. For the next three years he was the Commanding Officer of VF-ATU-1 in Corpus Christi, Texas. In January 1951, after a year at the Nav Post Graduate School at Montere California he reported to Fighter Squadron ONE SEVEN TWO as Executive Officer, serving in Y Y, , that capacity aboard USS ESSEX during the first two years of the Korean conflict. A Captain Cain served as Commanding Officer of VF-212 aboard the USS WASP during a second deployment to Korea in 1953 and 1954. In 1955, he was selected to establish and command the Jet Transitional Training Unit at Olathe, Kansas. As Special Project Officer of Experimental Test Squadron THREE from 1957 until late 1958, he assisted in the development of the Navy's first supersonic jet fighter aircraft. Captain Cain served with Commander Air Group FOUR as Chief Staff Officer for two years. In 1960, he reported aboard USS WASP as Executive Officer. This tour of duty was interrupted after four months by a change of orders to the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. ' ' T' A ' ' ' - A ' ' U US k' t t s 'n the area off th,eCOaSt IH 1964, Captain Cam became Commanding. Officer of the Fleet Store' Ship USS, REG L ma mg wo our 1 of Vietnam. He assumed command of the USS YORKTOWN on June 10, 1965, and made two more tours in the South China Sea. ln May 1966, he was detached and assumed his present duties as Aide and Chief of Staff to Commander Carrier Division THREE. Captain Cain has earned 32 medals and campaign ribbons, which include the Silver Star, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 13 Air Medals and two personal Navy Commendation Medals. W A-ef' 21 'e eww - -' ' LZ.. UT. .

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Captain erard F. Colleran, Commanding fficer Captain Gerard F. Colleran was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 11, 1921. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a Mid- shipman in 1939 and was commissioned Ensign upon graduation in June 1942. During World War II Captain Colleran served as Engineering Division Officer aboard the USS ATLANTA which was sunk at Guadal- canal in November, 1942. He later reported aboard the USS BUNKER HILL as Fire Control Division Officer. For service aboard the ATLANTA and BUNKER HILL he received two Presidential Unit Citations. Captain Colleran's next duty station was the USS SPRING- FIELD where he served as Fire Control Division Officer. In July, 1945, he entered flight training at the Naval Air Station, Dallas, Texas, where he was designated a Naval Aviator in Novem- ber, 1946. He reported to FIGHTER SQUADRON 8A in June, 1947, as Operations Officer, and later became Executive Officer and Acting Commanding Officer. In July, 1949, he joined the Staff of Comman'der Fleet Air, at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, as Fighter Squadron Training Officer. From January 1951 to May 1953, he served as Guided Missiles Project Officer at the Navy Department's Bureau of Ordnance. . His next two years were spent as Executive Officer of FIGHTER SQUADRON 72. Captain Colleran later reported to the Naval War College for a Command and Staff Course. Upon graduation he was assigned to the Navy Department in Washington, where he served as head of Combat Air and Special Weapons Section, Plans Branch, Avionics Division. In February 1959, he was assigned to CARRIER AIR WING TWELVE, and in July 1959, became Commanding Officer of FIGHTER SQUAD- RON 191. While serving as Operations Officer aboard the USS MIDWAY in 1962, he was ordered for service with the Navy Department to head the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Section. In July 1964, he assumed command of the fleet oiler USS TALUGA QAO-621. He assumed the duties of Commanding Officer BON HOMME RICHARD on December 9, 1965. Captain Colleran has been awarded the American ,Defense,.American Theatre, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Q14 Starsl, Philippine Lib- eration, World War II Victory, European Occupation, Korean Service, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals. In addition to two Presi- dential Unit Citations, he also wears the Bronze Star and Commendation Ribbon. ' ' 'Y' . Y -..K ' '-41: -5' -'- van- J- -- .. .Lin.1f 'jg..,,.,..,,.::.z7..z531-'Jie W, i, MNA:-,,MjNTVH-:Y