Coral Sea (CVA 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN G. L. KOHR, USN, was born in York, Penn- sylvania. After graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy in June 1929, he was assigned to the battleship Missis- sippi. Transferred to the Navy's Flight School at Pensa- cola, Florida, was 'designated a Naval Aviator in Septem- ber 1931, and served in all phases of naval aviation from 1931 to 1939. In a diverse naval career, Captain Kohr has served as aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander Air Force Atlantic Fleetg on air operations against enemy sub- marines -during World War IIQ a training instructor for Navy pilots getting versed on the Mariner Seaplanesg Commanding Officer of the USS FLOYDS BAY3 Com- manding Officer of the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit, Anacostia, D. C., as Chief of Stai to Commander Carrier Division Fifteen, a student in the Industrial College of the Armed Forcesg head of the Aviation Base Section of the Aviation Plans Division with the Chief of Naval Operations, and he was instrumental in furthering the development of aircraft drones and assisted in the intro- duction of gui-ded missles within the Operational Develop- ment Force. CHIEF of STAFF COMMANDER CARRIER DIVISION SIX 9 .Q

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x COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN HARRY E. SEARS was born in Beverly Mass. in 1906. He attended schools there and in Wash- ington, D. C., before entering the Naval Academy from which he graduated with the class of 1928. Receiving his aviator designation from Pensacola Fla. in 1930, Captain Sears' varied career in Naval Aviation has led him to command one of the world's laregst car- riers. He won his Presidential Unit Citation during World War II when he piloted the famed Liberator Bombing Squadron VB-104, The Buccaneers? against the Japanese in the South Pacific. ' He commanded two aircraft squadrons a tactical .air control group, the seaplane tender USS SAN CARLOS and the escort carrier USS SIBONEY before becoming Director of Naval Public Relations in Washington during 1949-50. Captain Sears later attended the National War as Director of Aviation Training with the Chief of Naval Operations. Numerous awards have been presented the Captain most noteworthy among which are the Navy Cross Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross! Air Medal and the Commendation Ribbon. Captain Sears was selected for Rear Admiral in July. College, Washington, D. C. More recently he was assigned

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER S. B. STRONG, USN, Executive Officer of the USS CORAL SEA, was born in Washington, D. C. in 1916 and graduated from the Naval Academy with the rank of Ensign in 1937. Prior to entering Hight training at Pensacola, Florida, he served on the cruiser USS VINCENNES. He Won his wings and was ordered to Scouting Squadron 5 aboard the aircraft carrier USS YORKTOWN. It was with this squad- ron that Commander Strong participated in the battle of the Coral Sea. He then participated actively for ten months in air Warfare against the Japanese as a pilot in scouting squadrons, based aboard the USS ENTERPRISE. Ordered ashore he served as Gunnery Officer of Armament Test at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent, River, Maryland. His next assignment was command of Bombing Squadron 85 and later of squadron VBF-85 on board the USS SHANGRI-LA, with which he saw action in the Okinawa campaign and attacks on the Japanese home islands. After the War, Commander Strong was attached to the Staff, Chief of Naval Air Technical Training at Memphis, Tennessee and to Composite Squadron FIVE, SIX, and Heavy Attack Wing ONE. His last assignment before coming to the Coral Sea was with the Joint Air Defense Board at Colorado Springs.