California (CGN 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Officer I Captain Charles ]. Smith is a native of Frankfort, Indiana, and attended public s( hoois in that community. Following high school graduation in 1954, he entered the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned Fnsign, USN, in June 1958 upon graduation. FHis first sea tour was aboard the escort destroyer USS TAYLOR (DD-468) where he served in junior officer billets and as Engineer Officer prior to transfer to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in February 1962. In 1963 he was selected for nuclear power training which commenced in May 1964. Captain Smith was awarded the Master of Science degree in Operations Analysis in June 1964. He completed Nuclear Power School, Vallejo, California in October 1964 and was graduated from Nuclear Power Training Unit, Schenectady, New York, in May 1965. FHis second sea tour was as Executive Officer of the destroyer escort USS HARTLEY (DE-1029) where he served eighteen months prior to reporting to USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9) in January 1967 as Electrical Officer. During this tour the first surface-to-air missile destruction of a hostile aircraft was achieved by USS LONG BEACH. Following assignment as Executive Officer, Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho from August 1969 to January 1972, he returned to the USS LONG BEACH where he served as Executive Officer until July 1975. Captain Smith ' s subsequent assignment to the Training and Readiness Division of the COMNAV- SURFPAC Staff included concurrent duty as Senior Member of the NAVSURFPAC NAVAIRPAC and NAVSURFLANT NAVAIRLANT Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team. Following temporary assign- ment from February to May 1977 as Executive Officer, USS TRUXTUN (CGN-35), he commanded USS ROBISON (DDG-12) from July 1977 to December 1978. Fie holds the following decorations: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Viedal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation with star. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Battle Efficiency Award, National Defense Medal with star. Sea Service Ribbon with star, Vietnam Service Medal with six stars and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Captain Smith is married to the former Elizabeth Ellen Daine and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Woodruff of Frankfort, Indiana. The Smith ' s have a son, Daine, attending the University of Indiana; two sons. Derrick and Drew, attending Norfolk Collegiate Fligh School, and a daugher, Dia-Dianne attending Norfolk Collegiate Lower School.

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c Ffanlil COMMANDING OFFICER USS CALIFORNIA (CGN-36) 20 November 1981 To the World ' s Finest Crew If you could combine all the Navy recruiting cliches such as It ' s not just a job, it ' s an adventure, Join the Navy and see the world, Pride and Professionalism, Heritage, It ' s an education, and Scholar-ship, they could be summed up as CALIFORNIA ' 81 CREW - World ' s Finest. I have been very proud of your accomplishments this year. This book reflects many of the highlights and remembrances. IVhat you did that is difficult to show in pictures and describe in words is the hallmark of our present day Navy - READINESS. The E ' s and hash marks which rightly adorn CALIFORNIA and are proudly displayed in the Enlisted Dining Facility are indicators of your readin ess, which in this past year you have literally displayed around the world. CALIFORNIA has further enhanced her professional reputation as the World ' s Finest Warship because of her crew. I salute you - the Navy ' s highest accolade of excellence is yours - Well Donel I I in1i Acad destr inju prior ScliO( (or ni Ui) C Scien 1%4. Vallei fi oi th when lepoi I J. SMITH taptain, U.S. Navy 8

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Executive Officer Commander Neil M. Brennan was born in Annapolis, Maryland, on November 18, 1944. He attended the United States Naval Academy and was graduated in 1966 with a degree in Naval Science and was commissioned Ensign, USN. After completing nuclear power training, CDR Brennan served aboard USS BAINBRIDGE (DLGN-25) from 1968 to 1970 as Auxiliaries Officer and later as Damage Control Assistant. After completing the Department Head Course at the Naval Destroyer School, he served on USS RICH (DD-820) as Weapons Officer in 1971 and 1972. In August 1972, he reported for duty at the Naval Academy as the Fourth Company Officer. He returned to sea duty in October of 1975 as Electrical Officer on USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9). Commander Brennan served on the Staff, Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, from January 1978 to July 1979 as a member of the Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team and as Maintenance Manager for USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). Commander Brennan reported on board CALIFORNIA in November 1979, as Executive Officer. He has been awarded the National Defense Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Battle Efficiency Award, Naval Expedition- ary Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commedatlon Medal. Commander Brennan is married to the former Jane Young from Thomasville, North Carolina. They have four children: Neil, Kara, Jason, and 4 Stacey. 1. ' well , Pota