Coral Sea (CVA 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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xxx EXECUTIVE CDFFICE t i 5 CDR FREDRICK In Petersburg, Alaska in 1925, Commander Frediiigk Louis Nelson was born. Nineteen years later, C, M '1- mander Nelson entered the United States N A' Academy. He stayed at the Academy for four years and in 1948 he received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. 'll Upon com- pletion of ilight training in 1949, he reported to Attack Squadron 115 aboard the USS Philippine Sea QCVA-471 and deployed on two combat tours in Korea between 1950 and 1952. 'II Sub- sequent tours of duty included service in attack squadrons in the Pacific and with the Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Washington, D.C. 'li In 1965 he reported to Attack Squadron 215 aboard

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In 1919, England was reconstructing after the plague of World War I. It was in this year, in St. Helens, England, that James Ferris was born. 111 Two years later, James Ferris emigrated with his parents, to the United States. Later in his life, James ' Ferris attended Elon College in Elon, North Carolina. He attended Elon until October, 1941, when he enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 22. 'll Two years later, James Ferris became Ensign James Ferris after receiving his commission as an oiiicer in the U.S. Navy. 'He reported to Fighter Squadron 12 aboard USS Saratoga QCV-3, and participated inf the Solomon Islands campaign in World War H. Little did Ensign James Ferris realize that one day his title would be Captain James Ferris and that he would command a ship much larger than Saratoga of WWII. 'll In the following years, Captain Ferris would receive many promotions and change-of-duty assignments. Among them were two combat tours in Korea in 1950, 13,51-,52. 'll He commanded, Fighter Squadron 33, Attack Carrier Air Wing 8, Carrier Replacement Air Wing 4 and USS Truckee CAO-1471. 'ill As a Captain, his last. assignment before assuming command of USS Coral Sea QCVA-431 was as Operations Officer for x Q Cifimmander Carrier Division 4. 'II Cagptain Ferris proudly wears the' Distinguished Cross with one star, the Air Medal with three stars, the Navy Commendation Medal, the' Korean Service Medal with' three stars and the ,Korean Presidential Unit Citation. T 4 ,.,. Q, I 4',gfff'g ff' H' . ,. I-ff e , , . 'x 1, . 'Q , , f 5 7,3 ff. 1 pg M ...f 5 -,MV 'rg an ' Hy 'r f fi ee W f ' J '93,v This page: CAboveD SN Smith C3rd Div.J watches as Captain Ferris takes the helm of his other ship, the Captain's gig, on the way to Grande Island in the Philippines. fBelowJ Captain Ferris, an avid supporter of ship- board athletics, instructs Cpl. Pumphrey CCARDIV 35 Cleftj and MM2 Delk CM Div.J on what he expects from the boxers in the ship's first Smoker of the '68-'69 deployment.

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v'Q I gb. K 1 2 N Q' 1 ..,- ., -,Af .' . ,Q .WLS h fr , . n H .Y if .x D Th' a : CDR Nelson discusses the details of a Opposite page: CDR Nelson reads and approves the final draft of the daily Plan of the ay. is p ge message with the Administrative Assistant LT Hutchinson. 1 . . P .30 USS!-Iancock QCVA-19j as Executive Oiiicer followed Aa tour as Commanding Officer. Upon completion of two combat deployments in Vietnam, he reported to USS Coral Sea in 1967 as Operation Officer. 111 - Commander Nelson's decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, 21 Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, and, two Navy Unit Citations. 'JI Com- mander Nelson graduated from the General Line School and attended George Washington University where, in 1964, he was awarded a Masters of Business. 'll On December 17, 1968, Commander Nelson was relieved as Executive Officer of USS Coral Sea by Commander Edward V. Laney. '