Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAG PRESENT COMMANDER MELVIN D. MUNSINGER Commander Melvin D. Munsinger was born in Los Molinos, California, in December 1935. Following graduation from Chico High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chico State College in 1958. He was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy in January 1959 through the AOC Program. He was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1960. Commander Munsinger ' s first tour of duty was with VAW-1 1. where he made his first WESTP.A.C deployment. In February 1964 he moved to Lemoore as an instructor, flying VA-122 ' s A-1 Spads. He made an in-country tour while attached to VA-122 as .Advisor to the South Vietnamese Air Force. He returned to sea in 1967 with VA-97 to continue his combat career with .Air Wing FOURTEEN deployed on CONSTELLATION. CDR Munsinger left VA-97 in February 1970. returning to VA-122 as an instructor. He departed aviation in July 1970 for a year ' s study at the Naval War College and earned a Master ' s Degree at George Washington University. He returned to the Pacific Fleet attack community as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer of V. ' -192. where he made one more combat cruise aboard USS KITTY H.- WK. .After a shore tour with COML.ATWINGP.AC Staff CDR Munsinger served as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of V.- -l 13 at Lemore, California from November 1973 to May 1976. During this time he made two more cruises and earned the CVW-2 Individual Golden Tailhook Award. In May 1976. he departed the USS R.ANGER and headed for China Lake, California, where he served as Executive Officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron FIVE until July 1978. CDR Munsinger ' s decorations include the Silver Star, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, seven Air Medals. 39 Strike Flight awards, seven Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V . the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat .Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Navy Unit Commenda- tion, Meritorious Unit Commendation. National Defense Medal. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal. .Air Gallantry Cross, and Vietnam Unit Com- mendation. He is one of the few aviators who has flown in excess of five hundred combat missions, and is the first pilot to fiy more than three thousand hours in the A-7 Corsair Two. CDR .Munsinger resides in Lemoore. California, with his wife Mary and their two daughters. Carrie and Kimberly. 25

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