Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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Executive Officer USS Constellation V - Captain Thomas B. Latendresse attended Yakima Valley College prior to enlisting in the Navy in 1963. He entered flight training in Pensacola, Fla. under the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. In 1965, he was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator. CAPT Latendresse ' s first fleet assignment was with Airborne Early Warning Squadron 13, homeported in Alameda, Calif. In August 1967, he reported to Training Squadron 26 in Beeville, Texas for a 26 month tour. In October 1969, CAPT Latendresse was separated from active duty. He was recalled back to active duty in 1970, assigned to Attack Squadron 127. In December 1970, CAPT Latendresse reported to Attack Squadron 55, homeported at NAS Lemoore, Calif. During his two year tour, CAPT Latendresse made two deployments aboard USS Hancock (CV-19). In May, 1972, he was shot down and captured in North Vietnam. During his internment in Hanoi ' s P.O.W. camps, CAPT Latendresse was assigned to the Fourth Allied Composite P.O.W. Wing. He returned to U.S. Military jurisdiction in March, 1973. For one year following his return to the U.S., CAPT Latendresse was assigned to the U.S. Navy Hospital in Oakland, Calif. In March 1974, he reported to the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, Calif. After graduating CAPT Thomas B. Latendresse Cum Laude he reported to Attack Squadron 122 at NAS Lemoore. In September 1976, CAPT Latendresse reported to Attack Squadron 192, at NAS Lemoore. During his tour he cruised aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and USS America (CV-66). In May 1979, CAPT Latendresse reported to the Staff of Commander Light Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Lemoore. In July 1979, he again reported to VA-192 as XO, assuming command on June 17, 1980. In September 1984, CAPT Latendresse reported to U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Constellation ' s executive officer graduated with distinction in November 1982 and reported to Carrier Air Wing Reserve 30 as Commander, Air Group. In September 1984, CAPT Latendresse reported to USS Constellation as Executive Officer. CAPT Latendresse has flown over 4,800 hours and accumulated over 1,000 carrier landings. CAPT Latendresse ' s awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, two individual Air Medals, 26 Strike Flight Air Medals, two Purple Hearts and various other campaign and personal awards. CAPT Latendresse is married to the former Nancy Miller of Hoquiam, Wash. The Latendresse ' s and their children Tom, Carter, Greg and Lisa Marie reside in the San Francisco Bay area.

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Commanding Officer USS Constellation Captain John F. Calhoun, a native of Springfield, Mo. joined the Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet in 1957. He received his commission in November 1958 and reported to Patrol Squadron 46. CAPT Calhoun ' s subsequent assignments included duty in Patrol Squadron 31, attendance at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and a tour in USS Currituck (AV-7). In 1967, CAPT Calhoun was assigned to VA-55. In 1970 CAPT Calhoun reported to VA-174. He assumed command of VA-12 onboard USS Independence (CV-62) in October 1973. In 1975 CAPT Calhoun was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations office until July 1977 when he assumed command of VA-174. CAPT Calhoun served as Executive Officer of USS Independence from March 1979 until November 1980. In July 1981 CAPT Calhoun received command of USS Detroit (AOE-4). CAPT Calhoun was assigned as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, from March 1983 until April 1984. CAPT Calhoun has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. CAPT Calhoun is married to the former Claudia Schimmel of Pensacola, Fla. He has three daughters Erin, Elizabeth and Catherine Anne.

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Command Master Chief USS Constellation ::5 i;ii AOCM Gordon R. Zehm was raised in Spokane, Wash. After high school and four years in the National Guard, he entered the Navy in 1952 and went to boot camp in San Diego, Calif. He attended Airman Prep. School in Norman, Okla. and then went through AO school in Jacksonville, Fla. His first ship was USS Cabot (CVL-28), homeported in Norfolk, Va. In 1954, he was transferred to FASRON 77 in Naples, Italy for three years. His next assignment was VX-1 in Key West, Fla, for two years. From there, he went to USS Essex (CVA-9) for four years, homeported in Mayport, Fla. and later as a CVS in Quanset Pt., R.I. Next, he was assigned to VA-44, Cecil Field, Fla., and in 1965 he was sent to VA-212 (CAG-21) on USS Hancock (CVA-19) off North Vietnam. In 1967, his squadron was assigned to USS Bon Home Richard (CVA-31) on which he completed combat cruises in 1967 and 1968. During this time, his squadron was first to introduce a new weapons system into combat, the Walleye weapon. In 1969 his squadron was back on USS Hancock for another combat cruise. In early 1970, AOC Zehm was sent to Millington, Tenn. to attend instructor training and after graduation, was assigned to NAMTD Lemoore, Calif, where he instructed A-4 and A-7 armament maintenance and MK4 gun pod. After being promoted to AOCS in AOCM Gordon R. Zehm 1971, he was sent to USS Coral Sea (CV-43) where he served as LCPO for flight deck maintenance, G. Division and Weapons Department. In 1978, AOCM Zehm became Command Master Chief of Coral Sea. In 1982 he went to shore duty at NAS Fallon, Nev. He reported aboard USS Constellation in 1985 just prior to the WESTPAC deployment. Master Chief Zehm has seen most of the world at sea and in the air. He has made numerous Mediterranean, North Atlantic and WESTPAC cruises and four Vietnam cruises. He has earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with combat V, Navy Achievement Medal with star, three Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Commendations, eight Good Conduct Awards, three Navy Expeditionary Medals, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with eight campaign stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, four Sea Service ribbons, RVN Armed Forces Mug (Gallantry Cross), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device. He is authorized to wear the Surface Warfare emblem. In 1982 AOCM Zehm was a candidate for Master Chief of the Navy, and was among the top ten selectees. His total devotion is to represent our finest and most valuable assets — our sailors.