Coral Sea (CVA 43) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 26 text:

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

Page 25 text:

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

Page 27 text:

In February. 1975 Captain Thomas Wynne Durant became Executive Officer of Coral Sea, relieving Commander Cornell Captain Thomas Durant was born in Williston, North Dakota on April 14, 1932, the son of Bradford IV. and Eh a G. Durant who presently reside in Glendive, Montana. Captain Durant attended Missoula County High School in Missoula, Montana, graduating in 1950. Shortly thereafter, he entered the University of Montana, for two years. As a Naval Aviation Cadet, Captain Durant entered flight training in December 1952 at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Aviator in May of 1953 at Corpus Christi, Texas. During his career. Captain Durant has served in various capacities with attack and training squadrons. He was Executive Officer of Attack Squadron 121; Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 27. Other tours have included Maintenance Officer Operations Officer Admin Officer with Attack Squadron 145; flight instructor with Trainer Squadron 2 at Whiting Field, Milton, Florida; Aircraft Handling Officer on board USS Hancock; Air Operations and Operations Officer onboard USS Oriskany; and at his previous duty station served as Operations Plans Training and Readiness Officer for COMLA TWINGPA C. Captain Durant has accumulated over 5.000 flight hours. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Air Medal (15), three Navy Commendation Medals. Navy Achievement Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. From I960 to 1962 Captain Durant att ended the United States Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, graduating with a Baccalaureate Degree in Naval Science. Captain Durant is married to the former Faye Joanne Denton of Council Bluffs, Iowa. They have three children, Jo Anne, Tom and Mike.