England (CG 22) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

1 The second ship, USS ENGLAND (CG-22) was built by Todd Shipyard Corporation of San Pedro, CaHfornia, and commissioned on 7 December 1963. With a length of 533 feet, a beam of 54 feet, and a full displacement of over 7,800 tons, the ship is powered by modern steam turbine engines, and can reach maximum speeds in excess of 30 knots. ENGLAND is equipped with TERRIER guided missiles, anti-submarine rocket torpedoes (ASROC), Harpoon surface to surface missiles, two 20-MM Close- in Weapons Systems (CIWS), and two triple-tube torpedo launchers. Her extended range sonar provides early detection and engagement capabilities of hostile submarines, and her computerized Naval Tactical Data Systems (NTDS), coupled with radar guided missiles, presents a formidable threat to attacking aircraft and hostile ships. From April 1970 to June 1971, ENGLAND under- went an extensive modernization and rebuilding program at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Her present configuration and modern weaponry reflect the latest naval technology and present a powerful peace-keeping addition to the U.S. Navy. Homeported in San Diego, California, ENGLAND has completed numerous deployments to the Western Pacific. ENGLAND has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment ribbon with one bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal and currently holds many Departmental awards for Excellence.

Page 8 text:

HISTORY Both U.S. Navy ships which have borne the name ENGLAND have been named in honor of Ensign John Charles England, who was killed onboard the USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37) during the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The first USS ENGLAND (DE-635) was one of 149 Turbo-electric series destroyer escorts commissioned between April 1943 and March 1944. ENGLAND had a displacement of 1,400 tons, length 306 feet, and beam of 37 feet. It was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company at San Francisco California and launched 26 September 1943. She arrived for duty in the Pacific on 12 March 1944. From March 1944 until May 1944 ENGLAND had escort duty between Espirit Santo and Guadalcanal. It was during the period between 19 May 1944 and 31 May 1944 that ENGLAND accomplished the unmatched feat of sinking six Japanese submarines and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. Following these successes against Japan, ENGLAND continued her service in the Pacific Theatre and was involved in operations at Solomon Islands, Leyte, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. During the battle at Okinawa ENGLAND suffered major damage and fire as the result of a kamikaze crash into the starboard side forward. Following temporary repairs at Leyte, ENGLAND returned to Philadelphia on 16 July 1945. With the war ' s end in August 1945 EN- GLAND ' S service came to an end and she was decom- missioned on 15 October 1945. I m

Page 10 text:

CAPTAIN G. L. DUNN COMMANDING OFFICER Captain Gerald L. Dunn was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and commissioned Ensign June 7, 1961. He served aboard USS TOWERS (DDG-9) from 1961 to 1963 as first Lieutenant and ASW Nuclear Weapons Officer. From 1963 to 1965 he served as Assistant CIC Officer in USS KEARSARGE (CVS-33). Following this tour he reported to U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA. as a student in the Nuclear Engineering Effects curriculum. He then reported to USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG-5) as TALOS Missile Battery Officer. In July 1970, he reported to the U.S. Naval Academy as an instructor and Officer-in-Charge of the Basic Ordnance Engineering Core Course. Captain Dunn served in USS RICHMOND K. TURNER (DLG- 20) as Weapons Officer from February 1972, until February 1974. Upon completion of Prospective Executive Officer School, Newport, R.I., he served as XO, USS RICHARD E. BYRD (DDG-23) from May 1974, until December 1975. He then attended the Defense Systems Manage- ment College, Fort Belvoir, VA. Upon graduation, he assumed the duties as Deputy Project Manager (Operations) for the Shipboard Intermediate Range Combat System. During this tour of duty, he received a M.S. Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. Commencing November 1978, Captain Dunn attended a series of courses including the Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Course and Prospective Commanding Officer Course. On 28 June 1979, he assumed command of USS DECATUR (DDG-31). Upon completion of this tour, which included major overhaul in Bremerton, WA and a Western Pacific deployment, he reported to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego in August 1981, for duty as Force Combat Systems Officer, Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness and Training, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Warfare Requirements and Tactics. Captain Dunn has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and wears the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon. Captain Dunn is married to the former Karen Hansen of Milwaukee, WI. The Dunn ' s have one daughter, Laurie and one son, David.