Chourre (ARV 1) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 17 text:

Commander John W. Roberts, Executive Oflicer, was born in Redlands, California in 1915 and was .graduated from the University of Redlands in 1937. He became a Naval Aviation Cadet in 1939. Commissioned an Ensign, USNR, in May 19405 he became a multi-engine pilot and saw duty in the South Pacific from June 1941 to June 1943 flying Dumbos in the Guadalcanal and Bouganville campaigns. Returning to the states he was instructor, Maintanance Ofiicer and Operations Ofiicer at various Naval Air Stations until the end of the War. In September 1946, Commander Roberts transferred to the regular Navy and since that time has served as Commanding Officer of VP-HL3, 4 and 13, based at Barbers Point and Kaneohe, Commanding Oflicer of the Flag Administration Unit at Air Force Pacilic Fleet Headquarters and finally in February 1952 as Executive Oliicer of this vessel. Commander Roberts wears the American Defense Ribbon with one star, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with three stars, the American Area Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, the Korean Area Ribbon and the United Nations Ribbon. He is married to Mildred Clark Roberts, formerly of San Diego, California. They have two daughters aged 8 years and 14 months. -5-

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. 1. 7. Captain F. F. Gill, Commanding OHicer, was born in Orcutt, California, in 1907. Well known to Californians, he played on the University of California football teams of 1926, 1927, and 1928. Upon graduation he was employed by the Shell Oil Company in their marketing organization and became local manager in Livermore, California. Captain Gill has been active in the Naval Reserve since 1929 when he took flight trai- ning at NAS Seattle. As a Reserve Officer he served as a fighter pilot aboard the USS Saratoga f1930-311 and was a member of the Organized Reserve Squadron at NRAB, Oakland, California, from 1931 until 1941. In February of that year Captain Gill trans- ferred to the Regular Navy and saw duty aboard the USS Lexington' from April 1941 until May 1942, where he served as Division Officer and as one of the First Fighter Director Officers in the Navy. Surviving the sinking of the Lexington, he next served aboard the carrier USS Santee during the African invasion. In February of 1944, Captain Gill became the Executive Ollicer of NAS Miami. In 1945 he put to sea as Executive Oflicer of the carrier USS Bairoka. Since World War II Captain Gill has held numerous commands and staff billets ashore. During the fall of 1950 he was sent on a special public relations mission to the Far East and took part in the Inchon and Wonsan landings. On 21 February of this year he became Commanding Oflicer of this vessel. Captain Gill has earned the Commendation Ribbon with two Q21 stars, the Presiden- tial Unit Citaion, the American Defense Service Ribbon with one star, the American Area Ribbon, European-African Middle-Eastern Area Ribbon with two stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon with three stars, the World War II Victory Ribbon, thc Chinese Service Ribbon, The japanese Occupation Ribbon, the Naval Reserve Ribbon the Korean War Ribbon with three stars, and the United Nations Ribbon. He is married to Barbara Gross Gill, formerly of Oakland, California, and has two daughters, ages 10 and 7. -4-

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Lieutenant Ccmmanoer W E Leutloff, the ship's Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Argento, The ship's Personnel and Administrative Officer, hails from Rochester, New York. He attended Syracuse UniverSity where he completed a pre-dental course. In April 1941 he joined the Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet and shortly thereafter received his commission. During the War he was attached to patrol plane squadrons in the South Atlantic and in the Atrician Campaign. Since the end ot the War Lieutenant Commander Argento has served as Plane Commander in Air Transport Squadrons in the Pacific and has instructed instrurneht flying at U. S. Naval School All Weather Flight at NAS Corus Christi, Texas. comes from St Anne Illinois He attend Aeronautical University of Chicago between September 1940 and August 1942 and then was employed by the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, San Diego, California. He entered the Navy in 1942 and served with the Overhaul and Repair Department, NAS Lakehurst, N. I. and with the Hedron Detachment, Naval Station, Azores. In May 1946 he was released from active duty and returned to the Consc- lidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation as an! employee in the Engineering Department. During this time he completed his education at San Diego State College, receiving a BA degree. In September 1950, Lieutenant Com- mander LEUTLOFF was recalled to active duty, serving a tour oft duty at NAS Midway Island before reporting to the USS Chourre. -5-