Deyo (DD 989) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

Commander J. Lane Willson Commanding Officer Commander John Lane Willson was born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Shedding New England roots, he grew up in North CaroUna, and graduated from Auburn University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in transportation and marketing. Returning to New England, he received his commission through OCS in Newport, Rhode Island. Commander Willson ' s first tour brought him to Charleston in USS JULIUS A PURER (FFG-6) serving as First Lieutenant, Electronic Warfare and Material Officer, Navigator, and Ship ' s Secretary. Follow on sea tours included Engineer Officer, USS INGERSOLL (DD-990), First Lieutenant and Engineer, USS PELELIU (LHA-5), and Executive Officer, USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47). Ashore, Commander Willson has served as Head, Nuclear Power Officer Recruiting for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command; Placement officer and Assistant Captain Detailer for the Bureau of Naval Personnel; and in the Program and Budget Analysis Division (J-8) for the Joint Staff. He holds a masters degree in finance from Marymount University and is a proven subspecialist in both manpower and financial manage- ment. His Personal decorations include the Defense Meritous Service Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award). Commander Willson in married to Gail Fendley of Red Level, Alabama. They have two children, son Ian Reid and daughter Erin Moss.

Page 7 text:

History USS DEYO (DD-989), the first United States warship to bear the name, was built by Ingalls shipbuilding of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Her keel was laid in October 14, 1977, and she was christened and launched on March 22, 1980. Since commissioning, DEYO has played a major role in operations in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, Western Pacific Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. The ships first major deployment came May 1981 when DEYO was ordered to the Persian Gulf in response to rising tensions in the Middle East. The ship received her first awards here, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Sea Service Deployment award . USS DEYO deployed again to the Persian Gulf in May 1983, and was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. DEYO has been an active player in numerous JCS Special operations in the Caribbean Sea and Western Pacific Ocean. It was here that she received a second Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. In October 1984, DEYO participated in Operation WAGONWHEEL, a joint Navy Coast Guard drug interdiction operation where DEYO earned the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. In March 1985, DEYO earned to coveted Battle Efficiency E as the top destroyer in Destroyer Squad- ron Six. Earlier that year, she underwent her first regu- lar overhaul for 15 months in Portland, Maine, where she was fitted with a series of new weapons, including the Tomahawk Cruise Missile System. Following over- haul, DEYO returned to her homeport of Charleston, SC. in May 1986. In July 1987, DEYO deployed with the USS IOWA Battleship Battle Group to the Mediterranean and North Arabian Seas and the Indian Ocean, where she earned her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. USS DEYO deployed yet again in July 1989 to the Persian Gulf, where she participated in tanker escort duties as part of Operation EARNEST WILL, earning her second Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Follow- ing the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces in late 1990, DEYO prepared for deployment in March 1991 with USS FORRESTAL in support of Operation DESERT STORM. After Middle Eastern hostilities ended in late February, USS DEYO ' s deployment was delayed until May 30, 1991, as part of the MED 3-91 carrier battlegroup with USS FORRESTAL. In July 1993, USS DEYO then deployed to the Baltic Sea as command ship for BALTOPS 93, in which she worked with many nations including the former Russian Navy., USS DEYO deployed again on May 20,1994 to the Mediterranean as part of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON carrier battlegroup in MED 2-94. Characteristics Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, MS Keel laid 14 October 1977 Christened 31 March 1979 Commissioned. 22 March 1980 Sponsor. Mrs. James H.P. Grant Length 563 feet Beam 55 feet Displacement.. ..8500 tons Personnel Officers CPO Enlisted Armament Tomahawk Cruise Missiles Harpoon Missiles Two 5-inch 54 cal MK 45 Gun Mounts Improved NATO Seasparrow Missiles Two MK 32 torpedo Launchers Two MK 91 Phalanx CIWS

Page 9 text:

Commander Michael D. Davis Executive Officer ■ ommander Michael D. Davis was born in Gary, Indiana and raised in Crown Point, Indiana. He graduated from the United States Naval Acad- emy and holds a Masters Degree in Meteorology and Ocean- ography from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. His past commands and duties include the USS AR- KANSAS (CGN-41 ) where he served as Electrical Officer, the Naval Prototype School where he was an instructor, the USS SIMPSON (FFG-56) where he served as Combat Sys- tems Officer, and USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) where he served as Electrical Officer and Reactor Training Officer. His Personal decorations include three Naval Commendation Medals. Commander Davis ' s wife, Judy, and two sons, Michael and Matthew, reside in Norfolk, Virginia.