Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHANGE OF COMMAND, DECEMBER 1980

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USS La Salle (AGF-3) (foreground) and USS Coronado (AGF-11) steam in the Persian Gulf just prior to La Salle ' s return to CONUS and Coronado ' s assumption of duties as flagship for Commander Middle East Force.

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Captain Denis T. SCHWAAB, a native of New Jersey, was commissioned an Ensign in 1957 under the Officer Candidate Program at Newport, Rhode Island. Upon commissioning and after a short tour aboard the USS TALBOT COUNTY (LST 1153), he proceeded to flight training where he was ultimately designated as a Naval Aviator in July of 1958. Following an initial tour with Guided Missile Group TWO at NAS CHINCOTEAGUE Virginia, and VU-8 at Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Captain SCHWAAB received assignments to both fighter squadrons and the RDT E comm unity. Fighter tours included VF-33, VF-161 and command of VF-151, an F-4 squadron homeported in Japan aboard the USS MIDWAY (CV 41). Shore assignments consist of a tour as project officer at the Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, California, Head of the Ordance Branch at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, and once again to Point Mugu - as head of Flight Test at the Pacific Missile Test Center. Captain SCHWABB ' s most recent assignment was as Executive Officer aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 66) where he participated not only in the normal deployment cycle but also in an eleven month major overhaul. Captain SCHWABB received his Bachelors Degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1956. In 1966 he attended the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, where he graduated with distinction. While at the War College he took advantage of a cooperative program with George Washington University where he received a Masters Degree in International Affairs. Captain SCHWABB has accumulated over 4700 pilot hours in approximately 24 different types of aircraft and has logged 750 carrier arrested landings. He has over 250 combat missions to his credit. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (14 awards), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross, Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st class) and various other unit citations and campaign ribbons. Captain SCHWABB is married to the former Janet Rahn of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and now resides in Virginia Beach with their two children, Sandra and Debra. His three additional children, Alan, Kathy and Karen, now make their home in San Diego, California.