Constellation (CV 64) - Naval Cruise Book

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Chiefs of Staff Carrier Group One CAPT Howard R. Jones, Jr. relieved CAPT Sibley L. Ward as Chief of Staff, Carrier Group One in June. CAPT Jones was born in Amory, Mississippi on March 12, 1936. He graduated from Rhodes College at Memphis with a BA in Philosophy and received his commission from Officer Candidate School in May 1959. He was awarded a MA in Personnel Management from Central Michigan University in 1980. His first tour of duty was on USS Allen M. Summer (DD-692) as ASW Officer. From 1962 to 1963, he was Weapons Officer on board USS Robert H. McCard (DD-822). His next assignment was as Operations Officer on the Staff of COMDESRON 34. In 1964, CAPT Jones served as Assistant Current Plans Officer on the staff of COMASWFORLANT. Upon completion of this tour in 1966, he reported to USS Dewey (DLG-14) as Operations Officer. From 1968 to 1970, CAPT Jones was attached to COMUSMACTHAI JUSMAGTHAI in Bangkok where he was ASW advisor to the Royal Thai Navy. His next assignment was as XO on USS E.A. Greene (DD-711). In 1971, he served as CAPT Sibley L. Ward CAPT Howard R. Jones, Jr. Chief Staff Officer for COMDESRON 32. He assumed command of USS McCandless (FF 1084) in 1973. CAPT Jones had duty in Washington, D.C. from 1975 to 1983 as Head, Surface Warfare Manpower Requirements Section, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Legislative Affairs and Head, Enlisted Community Manager. CAPT Jones was also Commander Destroyer Squadron Seven. CAPT Jones has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with combat V and the Navy Achievement Medal. CAPT Jones is married to the former Joan Brown of Boston, Mass. and they have two children, Penney Lee and H. Richard III. 11

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Commander Carrier Group One Rear Admiral Leon Edney was born in Dehnam, Mass., and attended Northeastern University for a year prior to entering the Naval Academy. He earned a general science degree before graduation from the academy with the Class of 1957. He was designated a Naval aviator, and served numerous tours with both anti-submarine and attack squadrons. During this period he flew over 350 combat missions in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. RADM Edney has earned a Master ' s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard, which came in handy, particularly during his two assignments to the Chief of Naval Operations office. In 1970-71, he served as a White House Fellow. It was one of the unique things I had an opportunity to do, he said. RADM Edney ' s personal decorations include two Legions of Merit, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, four Single Action Air Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, and the Navy Achievement Medal. At one time, RADM Edney worked as an executive assistant to the Secretary of Transportation, who turned out to be the ex-governor of RADM Edney ' s home state of Massachusetts. RADM Edney assumed command of Attack Squadron 27 in December 1972. He then commanded Attack Carrier Wing Two and fleet oiler USS RADM Leon A. Edney Ponchatoula (AO-148). Following a tour as Chief of Staff, Cruiser Destroyer Group Five, in 1980 he assumed command of Constellation. After commandin g Connie, RADM Edney served as Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy from June 1981 to January 1984. He reported aboard as Commander, Carrier Group One on March 9, 1984. Once again, he found himself on Connie, impressed with the job done during the overhaul in Bremerton, Wash. RADM Edney called his responsibilities as Commander of Carrier Group One varied and very interesting. He said the basic responsibility is combat readiness of the battle group. RADM Edney is married to the former Margon Beck of Hastings, Neb. They have two daughters, Merrie and Jaimie. 10

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