Camden (AOE 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN GORDON C. WILEEN COMMANDING OFFICER Captain Gordon Charles Wileen was born in Tacoma, Washington, graduated from Stadium High School, and received his Bachelor ' s Degree from the University of Oregon. Commissioned an Ensign in August 1961, he entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1962. His first fleet assignment was with Attack Squadron ONE FIVE TWO (VA 152) homeported in Alameda, California, flying the A-IH J Skyraider, and included deployments in USS CORAL SEA (CVA 43) and USS ORISKANY (CVA 34). From 1966-1969 he served as a jet flight instructor with Training Squadron SEVEN (VT 7) in Meridian, Mississippi. In May 1969 he reported to Reconnaissance Attack Squadron THREE (RVAH 3) in Albany, Georgia for training as an RA-5C Vigilante pilot. He then served successive department head tours in Reconnaissance Attack Squadrons SIX, THREE, and SEVEN, Executive Officer in Reconnaissance Attack Squadron THIRTEEN and SIX. Included in these assignments were both Pacific and Atlantic deployments in USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). From 1978-1980 he served as Carrier Operations and Plans Officer on the staff of Commander SEVENTH Fleet, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. He then was sleeted as the U.S. member of the Naval Command College, the senior international officer ' s course at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In November 1981 he reported to USS SARATOGA (CV 60) as Executive Officer for the final portion of the carrier ' s Service Life Estension Program and pre-deployment operations following return to fleet service. From August 1983 to September 1985 he headed the Carrier Advanced Development Programs Branch of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare). Captain Wileen is authorized to wear the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Air Medal with Fifteen strike flight awards. Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguished Device, Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Air Medal and Gallantry Cross, in addition to various service and campaign ribbons. Captain Wileen is married to the former Jeanne Pearce of Albany, Georgia.

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CAMDEN INSIGNIA The insignia of USS CAMDEN (AOE 2) is derived from the city seal of Camden, New Jersey, the city where the ship was built and for which she is named. The Coat of Arms in the center is a facsimile of the shield of the city seal of Camden, New Jersey. The right half contains a sailing ship, representing the city as a port of entry, and its shipbuilding industries. The left half is a replica from the Coat of Arms of Lord Camden, after whom the city was named. Flexibility, Readiness, Endurance : CAMDEN ' s motto embodies the three characteristics the ship and her crew must possess to meet the logistical support challenge the ship is designed to fulfill. The crossed sword and anchor in the background represent her crew, both officers and enlisted. The line border circumscribing CAMDEN ' s emblem emphasized the unity of the fleet. CAMDEN is designed to furnish rapid simultaneous replenishment of petroleum, ammunition, and stores to the fleet. As one of the fastest underway replenishment ships ever built, she is able to operate with today ' s carriers and battle group escorts whenever and wherever needed. The capability to keep pace with carriers, in addition to replenishments, is a distinct step forward in fleet support. CAMDEN and her three sister AOE ' s substantially increase the strength and endurance of the fleet. Although this fine ship has four propulsion boilers which furnish steam to turbines originally intended for the Battleship Kentucky, it is the highly trained officers and men who make CAMDEN ' s mission successful. These professionals must know how to operate, maintain and repair everything onboard. They are required to perform their assigned duties, day or night, good weather or bad, and around the clock if necessary in order to fuel, feed, supply, rearm, and deliver the mail to the fleet. CAMDEN proudly serves under the motto: Flexibility-Readiness-Endurance

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LCRD ROBERT J. MCDONOUGH EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Robert McDonough was born in Jamacia, New York, graduated from Archbishop Molioy High School in Queens, and earned his Bachelor ' s Degree from the State University of New York. Commissioned an Ensign in 1974, he attended Gunnery and Fire Control Officer school in Dam Neck, Virginia. His first fleet assignment was to USS CLAUDE V. RICKETTS (DDG 5) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as Fire Control Officer. In September 1977, he received orders to Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California for Portuguese language training. Upon completion of training, he participated in the CNO Personnel Exchange Program, assigned to the Brazilian Naval Academy in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil as an English Instructor from 1978-1980. In August 1980, he reported to Naval Education and Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island and served as an instructor at Officer Candidate School until February 1981. He then attended Surface Warfare Officer Department Head school and upon completition in September 1981 was assigned to USS FORREST SHERMAN (DD 931) as Weapons Officer, homeported in Charleston. South Carolina. His follow-on tour was as Operations Officer, USS CONCORD (AFS 5) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, from November 1982 to November 1984. Selected to attend the Naval War College Command and Staff Course, he was once again assigned to the Personnel Exchange Program and attended the Brazilian Naval War College in Rio De Janeiro in 1985. After graduation he was assigned to the Brazilian Naval Fleet Training Center serving as an instructor of surface warfare until December 1986. Lieutenant Commander McDonough reported aboard USS CAMDEN (AOE 2) and assumed duties as Executive Officer in March 1987.