Canberra (CAG 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN MARK W. WGODS, USN COMMANDING GFFICER 4

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In late january 1966, in San Diego, CANBERRA's crew was warned to be ready for anything. One month later CANBERRA was almost 8,000 miles away on the Naval Gunfire Support line in Viet Nam. Between the lines of these simple statements one can discern many things, true demonstration of our Navy's ready response to sudden need, willing minds, hearts and hands bending to the last minute tasks required of unexpected deployment, and courageous wives and families supporting their husbands and sons inspite of ruined personal plans and concern for safety of their men at war. Through March, April, and May we roamed up and down the Viet Nam coast providing thousands of rounds of heavy fire support to US and allied forces ashore. The pace was fast and wearing on men and equipment, so the brief visits to Subic Bay, Hong Kong and Yokosuka were welcome and needed. We also gave unstinting sup- port to the small boys , the minesweepers, swifts and patrol craft, US and RVN - medical attention, food, water, repair parts and technical assistance. When transport was available we took weary soldiers aboard for a few hours of rest and relaxation. Six gun -salvo or six scoops of ice cream, Can-do Kangaroo was ready, willing and able. This book is the panorama of these actions. As you turn the pages, remember with well deserved pride what you did here, the shipmates that shared the experience with you, and the families at home who supported you in heart and spirit. 'ani 3

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Captain Mark W. Woods, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Pace Woods, was born on April 28, I 1918, in Whitehall, Montana. In 1921, the family returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Captain Woods attended public schools. He spent two and one-half years at the University of Nebraska, where he was president of his chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938 and 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 sea first duty in -World War II was on board USS NORTH CAROLINA as Signal Officer, where he took part in the Guadalcanal 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 cam- paigns. He later served as assistant Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander, Amphibious Group Five, during the assult on Peleliu and TT Angaur. In 1945, he commissioned USS TUR- , NER CDD-8341 as Gunnery Oiiicer and later became the EX- ecutive Officer. Additional destroyer duty was included a tour of Executive OHicer of USS LOFBERG QDD-7591 during the Korean War and Commanding Oificer of USS GEARING QDD-710D from 1954 to 1956. He was also in command of the Terrier missile frigate, USS FARRAGUT QDLG-6D during her construction period. Three years of post-gradute training in Ordnance Engine- ering resulted in a Master's degree in engineering at John Hopkins University, where he was elected to the honorary en- gineering society, Sigma Ki. He has had tours as Terrier Missile Research and Development Project Oilicer in the Bureau of Ordnance, and as Branch Head for Surface to Air Missiles in the Ofice 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 Ofiicer and Deputy Director of the newly formed U. S. Naval Ship Missile Systems Engineering Station, Port Hueneme, California. Captain Mark W. Woods haslbeen awarded the following medals and decorations: Silver Star, Navy Commendation medal, 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 CANBERRA QCAG-25 in december, 1964. 5