Canberra (CAG 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

CAPTAIN MARK W. WOODS, USN COMMANDING OFFICER 7

Page 10 text:

Captain Mark W. Woods was born on April 28, 1918, in Whitehall, Montana. He spent two and one- half years at. the University of Nebraska and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938. He was graduated and commissioned Ensign in December, 1941, with the Academy Class of 1942. He subsequently advanced to the rank of Captain in july, 1961. His first sea duty in World War II was on board USS NORTH CAROLINA as Signal Officer, where he took part in the Guadacanal Operations. In 1943, he became Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Rear Admiral George H. Fort, Commander, Landing Craft, South Pacific Force, for the remainder of the Solomon Islands campaigns. He later served as Assistant Oper- ations Officer on the staff of Commander, Amphibious Group FIVE during the assault on Peleliu and Angaur. In 1945, he commissioned USS TURNER QDD-843D as Gunnery Officer and later- became the Executive Officer of USS LOFBERG CDD-759j during the Korean War and Commanding Officer of USS GEARING QDD- 7101 from 1954 to 1956. He was also in command of the Terrier Missile Frigate USS FARRAGUT QDLG-6D in 1960 during her construction period. Three years of post-graduate training in Ordnance Engineering resulted in a Master's degree in engineering at John Hopkins University. He has had tours as Terrier Missile Research and Development Project Officer in the Bureau of Ordnance, and as Branch Head for Sur- face to Air Missiles in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From 1960 to 1963 he was director of the Surface Warfare and Space Division on the staff of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, U.S. Navy. His last assignment was Executive Officer and Deputy Director of the newly-formed U.S. Naval Ship Missile Systems Engineering Station, Port Hueneme, California. Captain Woods has been awarded the following medals and decorations: Silver Star, Navy Unit Citation, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with seven stars, Navy Occupation Service, China Service, Korean Service, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation. Captain Woods assumed command of USS CAN- BERRA QCAG-2, in December, 1964.

Page 12 text:

Captain Peter Sterling Smith was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on March 11, 1919. - He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938 and graduated on December 19, 1941. Ensign Smith reported to USS WINSLOW QDD-'359j in February, 1942, progressing through junior officer duties and, at the time of his detachment, was Gunnery Officer and Navigator. In 1944, Lieutenant Smith returned to the states. He was ordered to the pre-commissioning detail of USS BRENNER QDD-8071 and as- sumed the duties of Gunnery Officer and Navigator. In 1946 Lieutenant Smith was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and assumed the duties of Executive Officer on the BRENNER. In September 1946, Lieutenant Commander Smith was ordered to duty at the U.S. Naval Academy as an instructor in chemistry. Complet- ing two academic years at the Academy, he was ordered to USS PROVI- DENCE CCL-821 as Navigator and later to the USS SALEM QCA-139D as Gunnery Officer. In january 1951, he received orders as Commanding Officer of USS MCCOY REYNOLDS QDE-440j. During this tour of duty, he deployed to WESTPAC and operated as a unit of TF 95 in the Korean engagement. In August 1952, Lieutenant Commander Smith was ordered to the Naval War College. Subsequently, he reported to Commander Training Command, Pacific Fleet for duty on his staff as Gunnery Training Officer. In 1956, Commander Smith was ordered to command USS DUN- CAN QDDR-874j. Upon completion of this command, he remained in the destroyer force when he reported for duty as Training and Readiness Officer on the Staff of Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Two years later, he reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Head Officer Education and Training Branch with cognizance of all BUPERS sponsored officer schools. Upon promotion to Captain, he as- sumed duties as Director, Instructional Standards and Material Division. Captain Smith reported for duty as Commander Destroyer Division ONE HUNDRED TWELVE in March 1963. On 6 March, 1964, Captain Smith reported to the staff of Com- mander, Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla SEVEN as Chief of Staff and Aide of COMCRUDESFLOTSEVEN. CAPTAIN PETER S. SMITH USN CHIEF OF STAFF MARCH 6, 1964 - MAY 24 1965