Eldorado (AGC 11) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 10 text:

If CAPT RICHARD E. FOWLER, JR., USN COMMANDING OFFICER 27 AUGUST 1967 -10 OCTOBER 1968 6

Page 9 text:

ELDORADO was commissioned as an Amphibious Force Flagship on August 25, 1944. Launched as SS MONSOON by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, she was transferred to the Navy four months later and was converted by Bethlehem Steel Corporation. As flagship for Commander Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, ELDORADO participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945. From 1945 to 1950, ELDORADO served as flagship for amphibious commanders in the Pacific and, on two occasions, as flagship for Commander, Naval Forces, Western Pacific. During the Korean conflict, ELDORADO participated in the Inchon invasion. She also participated in Operation BIG SWITCH, the transfer of Chinese and North Korean prisoners of war from POW camps to Inchon for their repatriation. The ship saw a variety of duties during the late 1950 ' s: as flagship for command- ers in both Eastern and Western Pacific, and on two occasions in 1956 and 1957 as a participant in Arctic supply operations in support of the Air Defense Early Warning Stations. During the 1962 Cuban crisis, the ship com- pleted an eight-week deployment to the Caribbean. Since the Tonkin Gulf incident in 1964, ELDORADO has been deployed at least part of every year participating in amphibious operations off the coast of Vietnam. In 1967 the ship ' s per- formance in twelve operations in Vietnam earned her the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the first ship so honored. ELDORADO currently holds the Battle Efficiency E with hash mark for two consecu- tive years as best ship of her type in the Pacific Fleet.

Page 11 text:

Captain Richard E. Fowler, Jr. , though born in New Orleans, lived most of his early years in Houston, Texas and entered the navy as an aviation cadet in June, 1942 while a student at Rice University. He was commissioned in June, 1943. During his first two years of active duty, he served in Fighter Squadron Fifteen on board the USS ESSEX during the Marshall, Palau, and Philippine campaigns in the Pacific. Following World War II he served in various shore billets at Dahlgren, Va. , Tulane University in New Orleans, and the Naval Air Station, Olathe, Kansas. In 1950 Captain Fowler reported to Fighter Squadron Thirty-two and deployed on board the USS LEYTE to the Mediterranean. Upon commencement of hostilities in Korea, his carrier was sent half way around the world to support United Nations operations in Korea. Subsequent assignments during the early 1950 ' s included the Naval Air Advanced Training Command at Corpus Christi, Texas, and the carrier USS KEARSARGE as Conibat Information Center and Carrier Control Approach Officer . He served with Heavy Attack Squadron Nine in the Atlantic Fleet for two years starting 1957, and then reported for a tour of duty with the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Captain Fowler became Commanding Officer of Heavy Attack Squadron Four at the Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Wash, in 1961, and then Commander, Carrier Air Group One on board the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT in 1962. In 1964 he reported aboard as Executive Officer of the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE. Prior to assuming command of the USS ELDORADO (LCC-11), Captain Fowler served two years as Commander Reconnaissance Attack Wing One at the Naval Air Station in Sanford, Florida. His decorations include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with three stars, Air Medal with thirteen stars. Presidential Unit Citation with star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation with star, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation with star. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Studies from the University of Maryland, the Navy General Line School at Monterey, California; the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Va. ; and the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Fowler and his wife, the former Miss Jean Ray of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and their six children, Carolyn, Pamela, Richard, Elizabeth, Deborah, and Thomas reside at Bonita, California.