Coronado (AGF 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER RADM JOHN B. LAPLANTE, USN Rear Admiral Laplante was born on June 6, 1940, and grew up in the midwest. Following graduation from Severn School near Annapolis, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned in 1962. He holds degrees as Bache- lor of Science in General Engineering and as Master of Science in International Affairs. After commissioning he joined USS D.H. FOX (DD-779), an Atlantic Fleet Destroyer. He went to the Pacific Fleet follow- ing Destroyer School, and completed department head tours on both USS DUNCAN (DDR-874) and USS SAMPLE (FF- 1048). He has served on six amphibious ships: he was Execu- tive Officer on USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST-1189) and USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3), and he commanded USS SAN JOAQIN COUNTY (LST-1122), USS FLOYD COUN- TY (LST-762), USS THOMASTON (LSD-28), and the THIRD FLEET flagship USS CORONADO (AGF-11). He was serving as Commanding Officer on USS CORONADO (AGF-11) when he was selected for promotion to Rear Admi- ral in 1987. He is now serving as Commander Naval Logis- tics Command U.S. Pacific Fleet out of Pearl Harbor, Ha- Shore tours have included duty at the Naval Academy in the office of the Commandant, as student at the Naval War College, as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific, as Amphibious Warfare Branch Head on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and as a CNO Strategic Studies Group fellow. Rear Admiral Laplante is married to the former Phyllis Elaine DeBartolo of Youngstown, Ohio. They have two chil- dren, John and Elizabeth.

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SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WILLIAM BALL III USS CORONADO AGF-11 SIDE BOYS. f If I mm : t ! -• z— f ri in

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ICOMMANDING OFFICER CAPT ROBERT C. WILLIAMSON, USN Captain Williamson received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in June 1967. He com- pleted flight training in Kingsville, Texas and was designat- ed a Naval Aviator in October 1968. Captain Williamson completed ready replacement train- ing at NAS Miramar, California, in the F-4 aircraft with Fighter Squadron 121 and reported to Fighter Squadron 92 in July 1969. He served as Material Officer during two West- ern Pacific deployments on the USS AMERICA (CV-66) and USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). ' :i uuuiig i , ER1CA( c Following this first operational tour, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, where he was awarded the presti- gious Navy League Award as Outstanding Student in Febru- ary 1973. He was then assigned as project test pilot with the Flying Qualities and Performance Branch, Flight Test Divi- sion, of the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Mary- land. In October, 1973, he volunteered for instructor duty on the staff of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Captain Williamson ' s next assignment was to the Com- mand and Staff Course at the Naval War College in New- port, Rhode Island. He graduated with distinction in August 1977 and reported to F ighter Squadron 171 for refresher training in the F-4. He then served as Administrative Offi- cer, Maintenance Officer, and Operations Officer in Fighter Squadron 103 during two extended deployments to the Mediterranean Sea on USS SARATOGA (CV-60). In Octo- ber 1980, he reported to Fighter Squadron 171, Detachment Key West, Florida, as a tactics instructor, flying both the F-4 and A-4 adversary aircraft. Six months later, he was assigned to Fighter Wing One, Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia, until assuming duties as Fighter Squadron 161 ' s Executive Officer in October 1981. He commanded Fighter Squadron 161 aboard USS MIDWAY (CV-41) from December 1982 through June 1984. After attending Nuclear Power School, CAPT Williamson was Executive Officer, USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) between JAN 1986 and Jan 1988. ■«■ T -v ' ; IH ■ F i «■■ Captain Williamson has piloted 34 different types of tactical jet aircraft and four models of U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Helicopters. He has accumulated over 4000 flight hours and over 850 carrier landings. A veteran of the Southeast Asia Conflict, his personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, twelve Strike Flight Air medals, the Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V , the Vietnamese Air Gallantry Cross and various unit, campaign, and service award. KsSjS ' 3 Captain Williamson assumed command of the USS CORONADO (AGF-11) in April of 1988. He and his wife Jo reside in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with their son Matthew and daughter Brook. 11