Coral Sea (CVA 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER CDR. R. E. RIERA, USN The CORAL SEA'S Executive Officer, Commander Robert E. Riera, was born in Pensacola, Fla., on November 30, 1912, where he attended school before entering the Naval Academy, from which he was graduated in 1935. Commander Riera then served as a line officer aboard battleships and destroyers before entering flight, training. Receiving his wings in 1939, he reported to Dive Bombing Squadron VB-2 aboard the U.S.S. LEXINGTON. During World War II, Commander Riera served as Com- manding Officer of Dive Bomber Squadron VB-20 aboard the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, and later as Air Group Commander on the U.S.S. HORNET, participating in the Marianas, Palau, and Philippine Sea campaigns. The war over, Commander Riera was assigned to the Attack Bomber Design Branch of the Bureau of Aeronautics. In 1947 he became Commander of Air Group One aboard the U.S.S. MIDWAY. Assignment as Single Engine Training Officer on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Air Advance Training at Corpus Christi, Texas, followed. Commander Riera entered the Naval War College at New- port, R. I., in 1950, later serving as Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander, Carrier Division Four. He reported aboard ,the CORAL SEA as Executive Officer in November, 1952. He was relieved by Commander S. B. Strong, USN, in October, 1953. COMMANDER CARRIER AIR GROUP EICIHT C'DR. R. B. WOOD, USN Commander Robert B. Wood was born January 15, 1917, in Hamilton, Ohio, where he graduated from high school before entering the Naval Academy in 1935. Commander Wood's first assignment upon graduation in 1939, was as a Turret Officer for two years on the 'U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS. He then entered flight training at Pensacola, Fla., and was later assigned to the U.S.S. IDAHO as senior aviator. His next assignment was with Bombing Squadron 17 aboard the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL. Early in 1944 Commander Wood joined the BUNKER HILL'S ship's company, serving as Operations Officer while the carrier took part in the Marshalls, Hollandia, Marianas and Caroline Islands operations. Later, he was given, com- mand of a fighter squadron, assigned in 1945 to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON. Commander Wood subsequently became a project pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md. He next went aboard the U.S.S. CABOT as Navigator, and in 1949 became Personnel Officer to the Staff of the Chief of Naval Air Basic Training. He took command of Air Group Eight, August 11, 1952.

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.Jn M 1-.fx L.: 1 .V ' S , it .1 CAPT. E. A. HANNEGAN, USN Captain Edward Allen Hannegan, born December 11, 1905, in Washington, D. C., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1928, then served on the U.S.S. WYOMING until 1930 when he was ordered to Pensacola, Fla., for flight training. Captain Hannegan served with various squadrons aboard the U.S.S. LANGLEY and U.S.S. LEXINGTON, in 1934 began two years with the Flight Testing Division, Anacostia, D. C. Subsequently, he served in the U.S.S. RANGER and in Fighting Squadron Four aboard that ship. From 1939 to 1941 Captain Hannegan was assigned to Fleet Air Wing Three at Coco Solo, C. Z. He then served in the Bureau of Aeronautics until 1943, when he reported aboard the U.S.S. LANGLEY as Air Officer, remaining aboard as Executive Officer until February, 1945. A series of assignments as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., the command of the U.S.S. SHELIKOF, and U.S.S. TIMBALIER, later as Chief of Staff to Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Pt., and finally to the Bureau of Personnel and the Armed Forces Industrial College, all led up to his appointment to the U.S.S. SIBONEY as Commanding Officer. Captain Hannegan's last assignment before reporting as Chief of Staff, ComCarDivSix, in July, 1953. CHIEF OF STAFF, COMMANDER CARRIER DIVISION SIX CAPT. W. 0. BURCH, USN Captain William O. Burch, Jr., born June 27th, 1904, in Paducah, Ky., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1927, receiving his wings in Pensacola in 1931. He served with observation and 'scouting squadrons until 1936, when he became an instructor at Pensacola. In 1938 Captain Burch reported to Scouting Squadron 5 as Flight Officer, later becoming Executive and Commanding Officer successively. This squadron went through the heaviest of the Pacific campaigns, and was aboard the YORKTOWN at Midway. In 1942-43, Captain Burch served as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Fla. He then became Executive Officer of the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA, until 1945 when he took command of the Naval Air Station at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 1947, he assumed command of the U.S.S. PINE ISLAND. Captain Burch returned to Washington in 1948 as Director of Enlisted Distribution in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. The National War College was his last assignment before reporting as Chief of Staff, Carrier Division Six, on July 8, 1952. '16

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