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

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER USS CONSTELLATION COMMANDER D.J. TAFT Commander Denis J. Taft graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958. He was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1959 and assigned to VP-46. In July 1963 he reported to VP-31 as a P-3A instructor pilot. Commander Taft reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in July 1964. From June 1965 to October 1 967 he attended the Cranfield Institute of Technology in England, earning a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Commander Taft next reported to VAH-123 for training in the A-3 Skywarrior. In July he joined the VAH-10 Vikings and made two Southeast Asia deployments, aboard USS HANCOCK and USS CORAL SEA. Commander Taft graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in June 1971. He was then assigned to the Flight Test Division of the Naval Air Test Center as head of the Flight Qualities and Performance Branch. In July 1974, after completing EA-6B training in VAQ-129, Commander Taft reported to the Scorpions of VAQ-132 as Executive Officer. He assumed command of VAQ-132 in July 1975. Commander Taft was assigned to the staff of Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force for six months prior to assuming command of VAQ-129 in March 1977. Commander Taft reported to USS CONSTELLATION in August of 1978 as Executive Officer. Commander Taft has logged over 5400 flight hours in 33 different aircraft models. His awards include three Air Medals, the Navy Unit Commendation and a Meritorious Unit Citation. 18