Curtiss (AV 4) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 96 of the 1956 volume:

i m THE USS CURTISS (AV-4) CRUISE BOOK 1955-56 WIGWAM to REDWING _LAA .A-J1 IIM Ji gP n STAFF Business ManiiUL-rand Editor LT. R. L. CRABTREE Assistant Editor I,. E. ( l.OI PI IE. YN3 Historian ECDR K R Wll IR Photographer I) MARK. I ' lll Photograpiier R. i:. 1()E:SINAM, PHI ai id FORWARD The United States must remain militarily strong to preserve in the world the concepts on which our way of life is based — the ideas of individual dignity and freedom, of a government based upon a faith in spiritual values and deriving its power and authority from consent of the governed. This book presents a pictorial record of the officers and men of the U.S.S. Curtiss (AV-4) during the period 1955-1956, and a part of the story of events and activities that played a significant part in developing the naval strength and military power of the nation. For security reasons the complete story cannot be told. However, this book portrays representative sketches of the life and activities on board ship. Each member of this outstanding Curtiss crew can share and take pride in the knowledge of many memorable, laborious and essential tasks well done. B. L. BAILEY Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding •I- v .jLj Mrf ?m i9 m Commanding Officer CAPTAIN B. L. BAILEY, USN Captain B. L. Bailey, USN, assumed command of the USS CURTISS (AV-4) on 15 July 1955. Capt. Bailey comes to the ship from the National War College, Wash., D.C., where he completed a course of instruction. Cap- tain Bailey is a member of the class of 1932, United States Naval Academy. After receivinc his commission as Ensign he was assigned to the USS WEST VIRGINIA and served for three and one-half years. Following his duty on the USS WEST VIRGINIA he was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1937. Captain Bailey has served on the carriers LEXINGTON, SARATOGA, TARAWA and BOXER. While serving as Executive Officer of the USS BOXER the ship made its record run across the Pacific carrying Air Force aircraft and personnel to Japan and supported the Inchon invasion. Capt. Bailey ' s cam- paign and service medals include the Navy Commenda- tion Ribbon, The American Defense. The American Campaign Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Executive Officer X ' ' ' V COMMANDER MAURICE B. JACKSON, USN Commander Maurice B. Jackson, USN, has been Execu- tive Officer of the USS CURTISS (AV-4) since 1 Feb- ruary 1956. He reported aboard in August of 1954 and, until assuming the duties of Executive Officer, served as Operations Officer. Commander Jackson arrived at the CURTISS from the Bureau of Aeronautics where he was special assistant to the Director of the Publications Divi- sion. Commander Jackson was first commissioned in the Navy through the V-7 program in May of 1942. After tours of duty in the Caribbean and aboard surface units, he reported for flight training in March of 1943. After training and tours of duty as an instructor he was ordered to the Naval Air Transport Service and through air trans- port participated in the Berlin Air Lift. During the Berlin Air Lift he completed 103 missions and was awarded the Air Medal and the Medal for Humane Action. Other campaign and service medals include Occupation Medal, American Theater, World War II Victory, and Korean Service Medal. 0 1 l .JLJiil .JJi JJ JIIAP ■Bl The Former Skipper Captain Joseph H. Kuhl held command of the USSCURTISS (AV-4) from 14 JULY 1954 to 15 JULY 1955. He previously commanded Tactical Air Control Group ONE and served as Aviation Officer to COMPHIBPAC. Cap- tain Kuhl is a member of the class of 1932. U.S. Naval Academy and completed his flight training at Pensacola. Florida, in 1936. His past duties include serving as Deputy Chief. OfTice of Programming, for the Munitions Board of the Oftice of the Secretary of De- fense, and. in 1941-2. Coinmandinu Officer of the AVP USS THRUSH. CAPTAIN JOSEPH H. KLIHL Former Executive Officer CUMMANDHR JOHN C. LAWRi.NC Commander John C. Lawrence was Execu- tive Officer of the USS CURTISS (A -4) from November 1954 to February 1956. He reported aboard from the Office of Chief of Naval Operations. Washington. DC. where he was head of the .Aviation Bases. Mobiliza- tion Plans Section. Commander Lawrence is a member of the class of 1939. United States Naval Academy, and received his Naval .Avi- ator ' s Wings at Pensacola. Florida, in 1942. He was among the crew of the USS EST VIRGINIA when it was hit by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor on 7 I eccmber 1941. Com- mander Lawrence v as awarded the Na y Cross for participation in the sinking of the Japanese battleship Y.AMOTO as Command- ing Officer of Torpedo Squadron TEN. based on the USS INTREPID. Included among his other decorations are the Distinszuished Fly- ing Cross, , ' ir Medal with Gold Star. .Ameri- can Theater. I-uropean-.African Theater, Pa- cific Theater and the China Service Medal. O c S£j n JO ' ' l! UQ 1) 03 g ' O 00 1 -2 Offia. t32 P o g JJ5: Q ' t U 13 ■ c o: tzge Ider Nu S EW jf-o w-Wd ? o o « c , LtJg CWO s, CW Cohen llivan, . Boui 2 o-nU Lt. J W. F WOS mU . jritson, I, LtJg rang, C ■s5§ g = :s c.- i ' - !£ IS J= ■= i o ; wc . ' a ■ s - mj t ' 2 :=U 2 ' S O CQ T3 ■■= ■aoi cH k Row: WO W L. Qu WO L. oU U o-J a-j CQ b. VV. Jl A .lli JJll u O . 01 ■c — .= s .. o g :0 a: a: uj-;-aU.Qa 5 HISTORY OF THE USS CURTISS (AV-4) The USS CURTISS (AV-4) was the first ship of the name and the first ship to be designed and constructed to function solely as a Seaplane Ten- der. She was authorized by an act of Congress dated 30 July 1937. The contract for her building was awarded to the New York Shipbuilding Cor- poration, Camden, New Jersey. The Ship ' s keel was laid on 25 April 1938. She was launched on 20 April 1940, being christened by Mrs. H. Sayre Wheeler of Miami Springs, Flor- ida. Mrs. Wheeler was the widow of the late Glenn Hammond Curtiss, inventor and aviator, after whom the ship was named. . . . Glenn Hammond Curtiss was bom in Ham- mondsport. New York on 21 Mav 1878, and died 23 July 1930. Mr. Curtiss, with Mr. J. B. Willys, the automobile manufacturer, expanded the Cur- tiss Aircraft Factory, which Mr. Curtiss founded, to meet the demands of the Allied Forces in World War I for combat aircraft. Mr. Curtiss was a noted leader in the field of aviation. He designed many types of planes, among the most notable were the Navy Curtiss Flying Boats, NC-1, 2, 3, and 4, which later made the first Trans-Atlantic Cross- ing. As an individual he set many early aeronau- tical records . . . The USS CURTISS was commissioned on 15 November 1940, at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, by RADM A. E. WATSON, USN, Commandant of the Fourth Naval District. CDR. S. P. CIN- DER, USN, accepted command of the new ship. During the first six months of active service, the CURTISS was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, serv- ing in the Caribbean Sea, with Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as its base. In May 1941, the CURTISS was assisned to Patrol Wing TWO in the Pacific Fleet. She ar- rived at Pearl Harbor in June of that year. The next five months were spent patrolling the sur- rounding areas and tending VPB Squadrons 21, 23. 24, and 25. On 22 November 1941. CDR S. P. GINDER, USN, was relieved by CDR H. S. KENDALL, USN, as Commanding Officer. Two weeks later the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. At 0755, 7 December 1941, the CURTISS (AV-4) and its crew went to General Quarters under enemy attack. The Japanese had already bombed the seaplane hangar at the air station and many ships in the dry dock and channel had also been hit. At 0805 CURTISS commenced firing on attacking Japanese aircraft while lighting off boil- ers 1 , 2, and 4. CURTISS tested heV main engines at 0835 and the Engineering Department reported ready to get underway. One minute later a submarine periscope was sighted on the starboard quarter at a range of 700 yards. CURTISS opened fire with machine puns numbers 3, 9, and 1 1 and main guns 2 and 3. At 0840 the submarine broke surface in a dam- aeed condition and was immediately bit by fire from the ship ' s 5 and 50 caliber machine ijuns. At 0842 the CURTISS ceased fire on the submar- ine when the USS MONAHAN steamed along- side the sub dropping two depth charges. The submarine while sinking fired a torpedo up the center of Pearl Citv Channel. At 08.53. Cl ' RTISS ' s anti-aircraft guns opened fire on a number of enemy planes. At 0905. a Jap dive bomber was hit while making a diving pass at the ship ' s starboard beam. The aircraft burst into names, and crashed into number I crane where it burned completely. The blast and heat etlect put the ship ' s number 3 gun out of action temporarily. It also set fire to the boats on the starboard side aft. .Another enemy plane came in low over the bow of the CURTISS at 0908. passmg from star- board to port. This plane was hit by the 50 caliber machine guns forward and by number ! (5 ) gun. It crashed immediately. At 0912. an enemy plane made a steep diving attack on the ship ' s starboard beam, letting go a bomb. The bomb hit in the vicinity of number 1 crane and expkuied below decks. The attacking plane was hit and crashed about 1.000 yards on the port beam. The bomb hit: set the hanger, main deck aft, and number 4 handling room on fire. This fire put number 4 gun out of action. At this time all preparations were made for abandoning ship or fi r running aground. At 0925, three planes attacked from ahead. They dropped one bomb close aboard to star- board and two under the stern. None of these bombs caused any apparent damage. The after engine room was reported out of action at 0927 due to smoke and a ruptured steam line. All fires were r eported under control by the First Lieutenant at 0936. However, all fires were not extinguished until 1430. At 1900, half the gun crews and lookouts were on watch with the remainder sleeping on their stations. One hour later, six aircraft from the USS F.NTr.RPRlSF were reported approaching Pearl Harbor from the south. As the planes were sighted at 2108. anti-aircraft batteries commenced firing on them until 2112. at which time they were identified as friendly. That cveninu. after the holocaust of 7 Decem- ber. 1941. the CL ' RTISS counted forty (40) dead blue jackets in her ship ' s company. .After making emergency repairs, the CURTISS sailed for San Dieuo. California where she arrived on 4 January 1942. Here the immediate need for added anti-air- craft batteries made it necessary to replace the damaged number 1 crane with 20 MM batteries. After ' this was done the Cl ' RTISS departed San Diciio on 8 Januarv l ' ) 42. for Pearl Harbor. She arrived there on 1 3 January with the scars of December 7th still showine. Upon arrival at Pearl Harbor the USS CUR- TISS was assigned the task of ferrying men and supplies to forward bases in the Central Pacific. Her first voyage with this duty took her southward to the Christmas Islands and Pago Pago. Samoa, arriving at the latter on 1 2 February. She then steamed for Suva in the Fiji Islands, arrivinc there 18 February 1942. The CURTISS then set s ail for Noumea. New Caledonia on the 19th. She re- mained at Noumea until 7 March, after which she sailed for Pearl Harbor, arrivinc there the 1 9th of March 1942. On 26 April 1942. CDR M. E. BROWDER, USN, relieved CDR H S. KENDALL, USN, as Commandine Ofiicer. The CURTISS departed Pearl Harbor enroute to Noumea. New Caledonia on 2 June 1942. She made stops at Paeo Pa eo on 9 June, at Nukualofa Harbor. Tonga Islands on 12-13 June, and ar- rived at Noumea on 16 June 1942. She remained in Noumea until 4 .August 1942. During her stav there. Commander Naval .Air. South Pacific, had his flat; aboard. On 4 August 1942. CURTISS steamed to Fspiritu Santo in the New Hebrides, arriving there the same day In the months that followed. CL ' R- TISS not only served as a seaplane tender and fiauship, but also served as a repair and supply ship for destroyers and small craft engaged in the battle of Guadalcanal during the Solomon Islands Campaign. Diirinsz her stav at Espiritu Santo. CAPT W. P. COGSWELL. USN, relieved CAPT M. E. MROWDER. USN. as Commandinc Oflicer. On 4 July 1943. the U ' SS CUIRTISS weighed anchor and sailed for San Francisco for overhaul and repairs. She stopped at Nanda. Fiji Islands and Funafuti in th e Fllice Islands while enroute. On 15 October 1943. CAPT S. F. PECK, USN. relieved CAPT W. P. COGSWELL, USN. as Commanding Officer. The CURTISS sailed for Pearl Harbor on 17 October 1943 In November of that vear. V.ADM J. H. HOOVER. USN. Commander ' Air. Central Pacific, chose the CURTISS as his flagship with Funafuti as the base of operations. The rapid advance of the .American f-drces in the Central Pacific in 1944. kept the CIRTISS continually shifting bases. She shifted to Tarawaw, Kwajalein, and I-niwetok in that order. After the American Forces captured Saipan the CURTISS made that island her base of operations until December 1944. Then she moved to Guam. The invasion of the Ryukyu Islands found the CL ' RTISS enroute to Keramo Retlo Islands. .She arri ed there on 22 Mav 1945. On 21 June 1945. CAPT H. C. DOAN. USN, relieved CAPT S. E. PECK, USN. as Command- ine OtTicer. THE FATEFUL SUNDAY-7 DECEMBER 1941 Map showing the disposition o( the fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1 941 . J Late on the day of 21 June 1945, the CURTISS was struck by a Kamikaze and its 1,000 lb. bomb. The delayed-action bomb passed through the deck of the ship and exploded in the heart of the CURTISS above a bomb stowage magazine which miraculously failed to detonate. The suicide plane struck the ship on the starboard side amidships at an estimated speed of 400 mph. The engine, part of the tail assembly, and the heavy bomb ripped through the skin of the ship, opening two gaping holes and exploding on the number 3 deck. The terrific explosion wiped out the sick-bay spaces, together with the warrant officers ' messroom, sev- eral staterooms, officer ' s galley, pantry and library. In the inferno thirty-five (35) men died and twenty-one (21 ) were wounded. Choking smoke gushed from the damaged area and flames licked through four decks above the point of the explosion. Fire mains and sprinkler systems in the blasted area were ruptured and the fire-fighting crews had to bring emergency extin- guishing equipment into use. CURTISS ' executive officer took prompt ac- tion and organized and directed all fire-fighting and damage control parties. All fires were out of con- trol and there was imminent danger of flames reaching the bomb stowage magazine, the upper ammunition handling rooms and adjacent maga- zines. It soon became apparent that a great volume of water would be needed to bring the fires under control. Two salvage vessels and two ocean tugs came alongside to assist. They were the USS SHACKLE, USS CHICKASAW, USS ARA 73, and USS ATA 124. These small ships, under grave danger from threatened explosions in the CURTISS ' maga- zines, remained alongside for more than an hour pumping heavy streams of water into the burning compartments. USS SHACKLE sent a combat fire team aboard to cut their way with torches into a compartment in which an uncontrolled danger- ous fire was burning. When the fires were under control, the ship ' s force, with little rest, turned to in order to clear away the debris and pump out the flodded com- partments and magazines. A service force repair crew then came aboard and welded a boilerplate patch on the five by eight foot gash in the ship ' s hull. That same day the CURTISS was ready to sail. Four days later the ship departed for Saipan for additional repairs. From Saipan, she sailed to Guam and in mid-July continued on to Pearl Har- bor. The end of that month the CURTISS was enroute to San Francisco leaving the Second World War to history. Her last war wounds were repaired at Mare Island, Navy Yard. In November 1945, with the termination of World War II, the CURTISS rejoined the Fleet in the Western Pacific. For her role on the Asiatic- Pacific Theatre of this conflict, the USS CURTISS (A ' V-4) earned seven battle stars for participating in the following operations: Pearl Harbor and Midway — 7 December 1941 Guadalcanal and Tulagi Landings — 7 to 9 August 1942 Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal — 10 Aucust 1942 through 8 February 1943 Santa Cruz Islands — 2 6 October 1942 Consolidation of the Solomon Islands — 8 February 1943 through 9 June 1943 Gilbert Islands Operation — 1 3 November 1943 through 8 December 1943 Assault and Occupation of Okinawa — 22 May 1945 through 25 June 1945 From 20 December 1945 through 8 March 1947, the CURTISS served in the Western Pacific under the operational control of the Commander Seventh Fleet. During this period she engaged in a number of Fleet exercises, operated with patrol squadrons in the Formosa Strait, ferried men and supplies to outlying bases, and made several visits to Tsingtao on the China Mainland. Durins this tour of duty on the Western Pacific in July 1946, CDR T. CUNNINGHAM, USN, relieved CAPT H. C. DO AN, USN. as Command- ing Officer. He in turn was relieved in July 1947 by CAPT H. R. NIEMAN, Jr.. USN. In April 1947, the CURTISS returned to Sai Diego, its home port. During the subsequent two years she operated off the California Coast parti- cipating in a number of fleet and training exer- cises. October 1947, found the CURTISS in the ship- yard at San Francisco. While there, all single 20MM anti-aircraft guns and mounts were re- placed by six 20MM twin batteries. In addition, the ship underwent modifications and ship altera- tions specified by CJTF 7, as recommended by the Atomic Energy Commission. Many spaces, deck fixtures and fittings were configurated for stowage of scientific equipage. In July 1948, CAPT E. J. DREW, USN, re- lieved CAPT H. R. NIEMAN, Jr.. USN. as Com- manding Officer. The winter of 1949 found the CURTISS en route to Alaskan Water as a unit of the First Fleet, in company with the USS BOXER (CVA 21), USS DULUTH (CL 87) and a number of de- stroyers and amphibious craft. CURTISS was the flagship for Commander, First Fleet. Anchor was let go at Kodiak on 1 1 February 1949. After three weeks participation in amphibious cold weather operations, undertaken in order to evaluate cold weather equipment, the CURTISS returned to San Diego. During the summer of 1949, the CURTISS again became flagship for the Commander, First Fleet, during which time it maneuvered with an Amphibious Task Force in Exercise MICKEY. This exercise was a joint Army-Navy operation. The scope of the e.xercise included a firing demon- stration, a joint amphibious assault on hostile beaches in the Seattle area, followed by a with- drawal and tactical re -embarkation. Shortly after the advent of the Korean Conflict in June 1950, CAPT A. C. PERKINS, LISN, re- lieved CAPT E. J. DREW, USN, as Commanding Officer. Three weeks later in July, the CURTISS sailed from San Francisco for Japan. The CUR- TISS arrived in Yokosuka the later part of July 1950, and became a unit under the operational control of the Commander, Seventh Fleet. During the following five months the ship patrolled in the Korea Strait, operating from bases at Iwakuni and Kure. During this period she tended two PBM- Mariner Patrol Squadrons a nd a squadron of Brit- ish Sunderlands operating over Korean territory. During the Korean War the CURTISS never came under enemy fire nor did it participate in anv amphibious assaults. In December 1950, the CURTISS weighed anchor at Yokosuka and set sail for San Fran- cisco. The CURTISS arrived at Hunter ' s Point on 14 January 1951. During the following six weeks the ship underwent further modifications and ship al- terations specified by CJTF 7. On 23 February 1951, the CURTISS set sail from San Francisco for Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. The ship anchored at Eniwetok Atoll on 8 March 1951, as a unit of Task Force 7.3, for participation in Operation GREENHOUSE. Dur- ing this operation the CURTISS was flagship for CTF 7.3. Atomic tests were conducted durmg Operation GREENHOUSE and the CURTISS was home to a staff of civilian and military tech- nicians. In addition, the CURTISS provided shop, laboratory and stowage space for scientific equip- ment. The ship also provided meteorological infor- mation and operated a boat pool for the Task Force. Upon the termination of Operation GREEN- HOUSE, the CURTISS set sail on 27 May 1951, and arrived in San Diego on 13 June, after brief layovers at Pearl Harbor and San Francisco. Shortly thereafter, on 13 July 1951, CAPT D. J. WELSH, USN, relieved CAPT A. C. PERKINS, USN, as Commanding Officer. For the next fourteen months the CURTISS operated in the San Diego area, participating in a number of fleet and training exercises. On 12 July 1952, CAPT D. J. WELSH, USN was re- lieved as Commanding Officer by CAPT J. HUL- ME, USN. On 29 September 1952, the CURTISS again set sail for Eniwetok. Enroute she was flagship for RADM C. W. WILKINS, USN, CTG 132.3. The ship arrived at Eniwetok Atoll, for participation in Operation IVY, on 12 October 1952. During the next two months the CURTISS actively en- gaged in tests of experimental atomic devices at the Atomic Proving Ground, Eniwetok Atoll. Dur- ing this period she was a Unit of JTF 132. While participating in this operation, the CURTISS pro- vided berthing, messing and shipboard assembly facilities for a part of TU 132.1.4, evacuated per- sonnel and equipment during shot phases, assumed various radar guards, and provided meteorolog- ical services to the Task Force. The CURTISS departed the Marshall Islands and arrived in San Diego on 4 December 1952, for several months of leave and upkeep. Shortly thereafter, on 2 April 1953, the ship sailed to Pearl Harbor for overhaul. Upon return to San Diego on 23 July 1953, CAPT R. E. JONES, USN, relieved CAPT J. HULME, USN, as Commanding Officer. During the period from 6 November through 9 November 1953, the CURTISS and its crew made a training and good will visit to Acapulco, Mexico. During the two months following the ship ' s return to San Diego from Acapulco, preparations were made for participation in the next atomic tests. Shortly thereafter, on 10 January 1954, the CURTISS sailed for Eniwetok. Enroute to the Marshall Islands, the CURTISS served as flagship for RADM H. C. BRUTON, USN, CTG 7.3. It served in a similar capacity from 6 March to 14 May. Anchor was let go at Eniwetok Atoll on 24 January 1954. Thereafter, the CURTISS was a Task Element and Unit of JTF 7 during Operation CASTLE. For the next four months the CURTISS participated in tests of experimental atomic and thermo-nuclear devices at the proving ground. The mission and services provided by the ship during this operation were similar to that performed during Operation IVY. The CURTISS weighed anchor at Eniwetok Atoll on 13 May 1954, and arrived in San Diego on 28 May. Two months later CAPT J. H. KUHL, USN, relieved CAPT R. E. JONES, USN, as Commanding Officer on 14 July 1954. During the next eight months the CURTISS operated in the San Diego area with the excep- tion of two short cruises. For the period 27 through 30 July, the ship served as a training unit for the indoctrination of General Line School stu- dent officers at Monterey. During a later period, from 14 through 19 September, the CURTISS remained moored at Mare Island in order to par- ticipate in the centennial celebrations at that Navy Yard. During this visit the ship held open house and was host to over 5,000 visitors. In November and December 1954, the CUR- TISS visited the Navy Shipyard at Hunter ' s Point for six weeks. There she had her No. 41, 40mm anti-aircraft guns and director, and Nos. 51 and 52, 5 38 caliber single guns and mounts re- moved from the area forward on the 01 and 02 levels. In their place a helicopter landing platform was constructed three feet above the 02 deck level and extending from the forecastle aft to the superstructure. March 1955 found the CURTISS as flagship for VADM W. K. PHILLIPS, USN, Commander First Fleet, during Operation SURFBOARD. This operation was a joint Army-Navy amphibious assault on the San Simeon Area ninety miles south of Monterev, California. Durine this operation the CURTISS was a unit of CTF 12, under the com- mand of RADM A. E. JARRELL, USN. The CURTISS maneuvered in company with 50 ships of the Amphibious Assault Force durina SURF- BOARD and participated in the amphibious as- sault landing of 6,000 troops of the Regimental Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at San Simeon Bav on 22 March 1955. In April ' 1955, the CURTISS reported to CTG 7.3 for operational control and on 5 May 1955, sortied independently from North Island as a Task Unit of CTG 7.3. The ship ' s destination, some- where in the Eastern Pacific; its mision, to partici- pate in Operation WIGWAM. After joining up with the main body of the Task Group, the CURTISS became flagship for RADM C. B. Momsen, USN, CJTF 7, who came aboard the CURTISS on 9 May 1955, by high-line trans- fer from a destroyer. The role of the ship during Operation WIGWAM was similar to that which it played during previous participation in atomic tests. The CURTISS returned to San Diego after Operation WIGWAM on 17 May 1955. Shortly thereafter, the ship set sail for Pearl Harbor, arriving at the Yard there early in June 1955. On 15 June 1955, during this yard period. CDR J. C. Lawrence, USN, relieved Capt. J. H. Kuhl, USN, as the Commanding Officer. He in turn was re- lieved by Capt. B. L. Bailey, USN, the present Commanding Officer, on 15 July 1955. The CURTISS returned to San Diego on 14 September 1955. A few weeks later during the period 11 through 13 October, the ship again served as a training unit for the indoctrination of General Line School student officers at Mon- terey. The new year of 1956 began with a new Execu- tive Officer. Cdr. J. C. Lawrence, USN, was re- lieved by Cdr. M. B. Jackson, USN. The first sev- eral weeks were given over to underway training and preparation for a trip to Acapulco. Mexico. January 19 through the 30th the ship cruised to Acapulco and returned to San Diego. February presented the opportunity for further training, pleasures, and problems. On 1 7 February the CURTISS, in keeping with popular demand and COMAIRPAC instructions had a one-day guest cruise out of San Diego. The guests ' cruise was highly successful in giv- ing families the opportunity to come on board and observe the work their husbands and fathers were doing in the ship. On 24 February the ship left San Diego for an unwelcomed but necessary ' emer- gency yard period in Long Beach and remained there until 16 March when she returned to San Diego. Administration k LT. CDR. OMER GETZ Personnel Officer, Navigator LT. ROBERT M. THOMPSON Administrative Asst., Educational LT. R. L. CRABTREE Chaplain, Library, Public Information Officer CWO. STANLEY M. BOUIS Aircraft Services Officer Asst. Transportation Officer o o O X 1 1 II iiji€CU(m ( fvaa a ( (mumia m LT. CDR. EDGAR P. PALM Operations Officer Operations Dept. LT. AVERILL G. GRIFFIN Communications Officer KENNETH R. WILZER Aerologist CWO WILLIAM T. H. OLIVER Electronics Material Officer LT. JOHN E. GODIN C. I. C. Officer o o ec O f- •;= • mmh m OR Division o Ul O o a CO ■2f SU a: OX ■3 CO t JLecAUfte cme O a c (T 3 u c ■3 w •— m pa -J 00 X •?Q u n U • s ■ o ._ ' i J N § J .Ed T3 . O T3 •2? S W tJ- a; o . . 5 = pa S ..icd 01 Division A o M o ( ) O o •iS • HI o O r 5 J o = s s ca Nan Division Deck Department LT. CDR. JASPER C. KILGORE First Lieutenant •5;;; LT. (JG) JAMES E. FITZGERALD Gunnery Officer CWO PETER F. GANDOLFI Ship ' s Boatswain CWO JAMES R. STRONG Air Department u J o d J ■55 o (L Ii == ' ' 5b J= -C .. 3 (U 0; O . 3 s ° ►!3 m -11 ■I- ' ' 2 2 ® oHCi Di • • DQ o C 5 O Is D 2 ■SCQ 3 . -- ow CJ ■ Sr i o First Division .- i .tei. I j? o o ■o c o u I ) Second Division o o X o t ' c H W Oi Qi c o S D. S CJj u u eJ X3 c o cu B c o 3 o ' c K N d c O ni 3 O u U u. ' Di Q T3 a. O ' C o u ID o 1) U T3 a: X CSi n. X -; Q b ' o v5 3 a; o . 5 . oX Pi • Fox Division Official Functions Official Functions 0f f-m _ Master at Arms Left to Right: CPO L. J. Josefowski, B. N. Beasley, K. N. Klapac, D. A. Flohr. K Miss Curt ue ( tuc ie f - c 0ue4t ( tuc IS Information Please J M I.T. CDR. MARSHALL P. DARNOLD Engineering Officer mt% Engineering Dept. cwo RICHARD E. ELDER Auxiliaries Officer 4lii LTJG. LEONARD SELOFF Damage Control Assistant LTJG. WALTER F. SULLIVAN Main Propulsion Officer CWO LYON R. BROOKS Electrical Officer N8 rh O Si CO X j- u Q _ a: 1 u u hJ W a: o ll! o 2 ra mz -a U c 5 [1: Able Division o o D 5 3-y X; CO - r ■ • ' . • ? = ' c i 2 J Easy Division L= o u •- ii u. . -JU H c J P4 o cd fv; jj- cd j: o HJ j U. - c Oi Q S O C3 DC o o a v d: u s CO u oi oi Q PQ J B O ° -J pa N oiX r o o 0) i cu Da (N Qigj 2 o o r- D :? 3 i2 Q c o - J c E c t: o o X X J P- pa c D O T) b CQ « tu O X O b f O 1) o pu 0- -an-, CO N Mike Division i o — 3: hJ u t; H u u o E m Q. C3 T3 OJ hJ eu a; hJ c ? J ' 73 -J CO Q o -J Roger Division Supply Department CDR. THOMAS C. WATTS Supply Officer ENS. ARTHUR C. ENGBRITSON Disbursing Officer CWO JOSEPH L. QUIGLEY Commissary Officer CWO GEORGE A. NUNN Stores Officer 1 c S5 o o -a Q -c 00 T3UJQ C !_■ §t 5 u ■ S-l - S-2 Divisions o ) o I u J . A re a 6-; ea 1) I- 3 .. -• o o c j: N c t d . o Q E a Ui SO = U, O . .CQ Ob: do Ho: l re O DQi U o oca i oa o oi 00 -o U ■ oil ■So re O • re J_- _- u c §:h ZH :Q so 3: DiO-- ' Chow Down m More Chow Down H D Departments DR. JOSEPH W, McALEER Dentist DR. JACK J. COHEN Medical Officer Lejt lo Right Chief W. F. Curry, C. J. Cooper, F. X. Shughrue, E. H. Henderson, J. M. Howell. , 4 Marine Detachment CAPT. RICHARD E. WRAY Co. Marine Detachment Asst. Security Officer LT ALAN E. SKAGERBERG Detachment Officer LT. HAROLD M. WASHINGTON Legal Officer — - ' ' - ' Happy Birthday Marines ' Marine Detachment ; . t ' ■ ' t H J Marine Detachment i C « J ... w 1 I %:j i[W 1 ?. ,- £ wv. ■o eir i ' di S m 0 E o - 0) Reserve Cruise to Ac apuico ' TIT J X Si? w efdmi Aut at Peofii : IP- ) 4cafiuCco 4c€ifluiC(y 4c xficdco - 7 iLi B Hfe ' A p . ,, ' IHb ! i ' • .  4 , - - t ;4caficdca 3ihJ feit ' ' 4c xpxiCca % -m | , -, , iMr 4cafiu(ca H ' i- 3i « . ' ' • w    . Jmm At Work ! This Is a Drill! Happy Hour 55 ' Happy Hour ' i ' iM : m