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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