Coral Sea (CVA 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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Being totally responsible for the ship and all of its men is a lonely job.

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CAPTAIN THOMAS S. ROGERS, JR. COMMANDING OFFICER On January 25, 1974 Captain Thomas S. Rogers Jr. became Commanding Officer of Cora Sea, relieving Captain P. Peck. Captain Rogers was born in Cfiicago, Illinois, on March 12, 1928; the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Rogers. He attended Georgetown University for one year; applied for and was accepted for entrance to the U. S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in June 1950. Upon graduation from the Academy fte was assigned to USS Shea (DM-30) as First Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer. Captain Rogers commenced flight training in 1951 and was designated a Naval Aviator in July of 1952. M K 1 B If V Bi ib9 I 1 During his career. Captain Rogers has accumulated some 4.500 flight hours in various types of carrier aircraft including all of the types of jet aircraft currently in tfte Navy inventory. He has been awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star with Combat V . the Meritorious Service Medal, fourteen Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Unit Commendations. Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and numerous other decorations Captain Rogers is married to the former Eleanor Jane Carta of Charleston. West Virginia. They have one son. Mike and 3 daughters. Carol. Sharon and Diane.

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Commander Gordon C. Cornell reported aboard Coral Sea originally as our Operations Officer. Before he left he became the Executive Officer of the fleet ' s finest aircraft carrier. Coral Sea. Commander Cornell graduated from New York State University of Applied Arts and Science in 1953 with an Associate of Arts degree in Mechanical Technology. He also holds a Baccalaureate Degree in Foreign Affairs from the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey. California. Commander Cornell entered basic flight training in 1953 at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. He completed advanced training in 1955 at Kingsville. Texas. The Commander was designated a Naval Aviator in 1955. Among Commander Cornell ' s many decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross (2), Bronze Star. Air Medal. Navy Commendation (4). Purple Heart Navy and Meritorious Unit Commendations, National Defense Service Medal. Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Vietnam Campaign (one silver and one bronze star) and Republic of Vietnam 2nd Class Navy Distinguished Service Order. Commander Cornell became Coral Sea ' s Executive Officer in May of 1974 He remained as the XO until February, 1975. During his tenure as Executive Officer. Commander Cornell ' s primary area of concern was in the area of cleanliness He pointed out that during Coral Sea ' s wartime cruises a lot of things were put off due to the operating schedule and tempo of the times. He once said we would have to put in a lot of hard work to make up for those years and bring the cleanliness of Coral Sea up to par once again. He was right It took a lot of hard work and effort to get Coral Sea clean We still have some work left to do. but Commander Cornell helped get the program off the deck Commander Cornell is originally from Penn Yan. New York He is married to the former Sharon L Burton They have three children : Catherine Ann. Christen Lorraine arid Peter C Cornell 22