Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER uss CONSTELLATION CAPTAIN PAUL F. McCarthy, JR. Captain McCarthy was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 3, 1934. Graduating in August 1954 from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, his first assignment was Damage Control Assistant aboard the USS SAVAGE. In March 1956 he entered flight training, completing the course in June 1957. Shortly thereafter he was assigned to Fighter Squadron SEVENTY ONE, serving as Adminis- trative Officer. During .lune of 1959 he was reassigned to Attack Squadron TWELVE as Oper- ations Officer. Upon completion of this tour in April 1961, Captain McCarthy spent the succeeding two years as the Nuclear Weapons Delivery Project Officer at Air Development Squadron FIVE, onboard the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake California. Advance study at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School came in 1963. After graduating with a Master of Science degree in management in June 1964, he spent the next two years as Flag Secretary and Aide to Commander Fleet Air, Mediterranean. Commencing refresher training in July 1966, he served the following twenty-six months as Operations Officer for Attack Squadron FIFTEEN. His subsequent assignment, beginning November 1968, was on the joint staff of Commander in Chief, Atlantic. During February 1970, Captain McCarthy joined Attack Squadron ONE-NINETY-FIVE, the DAMBUSTERS , in the capacity of Executive Officer and later lleeted up to command the squadron. In March 1972 he joined the USS ENTERPRISE as Navigator. This tour was followed bv command of Attack Carrier Air Wing NINE from May 1973 until July 1974 onboard USS CONSTELLATION. From July 1974 until June 1976, Captain McCarthy was the Deputy, Projection Forces Branch of the Systems Analysis Division, OP-96, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. That tour was followed by command of the USS NIAGARA FALLS until January 1978. Prior to assuming command of the USS CONSTELLATION on June 29, 1 978, he attended the Senior Officer ' s Ship Material Readiness Course, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Captain McCarthy has flown over 260 combat missions. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, the Cross of Gallantry Medal, 24 Air Medals with 3 Gold Clusters, and various unit commendations and campaign awards. 16 ' m