Essex (CVS 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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f I Q . ,yy Iii V Z, . . . .zsyijz 5' -. 4' ' ' ,Wu .- 4 -1,4 .., V ' , , 4 N. P , . - --M . ,, . N. ,y X ., , QV, ADMIRAL MCELROY lt was Admiral McElroy who brought Carrier Di- vision 18 to ESSEX, and it is to his credit that operations between the ship and the new Flag have been so smooth . . . Former Skipper of the super-carrier INDE- PENDENCE, the Admiral was no stranger to the complex operations of a Flagship. As Commander, Anti-Sub- marine Group 3, he also had tactical command of the destroyers of the Fleet's finest hunter-killer groups . . . A keen and imaginative mind fthree weather briefings a day and a staff briefing every afternoonj kept the Admiral on top of every situation that arose. But Ad- miral McElroy wasn't all work and no play! He was known to enjoy his evening cinema, and even an oc- casional afternoon matinee . . . ln his new post as Com- mander Naval Base, Key West, we know that Admiral McElroy is enioying every success. COMMANDER CARRIER DIVISION EIGHTEEN ADMIRAL ASHWORTH Admiral Ashworth brought many years of out- standing Naval service to CARDIV l8. Before assuming command of CARDIV 18, he held posts as Commanding Officer, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, Commandant of Midshipmen, U. S. Naval Academy, and Director, Atomic Energy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations . . . In the six months that he has been aboard, we have all learned to know and respect the Admiral. This respect was developed by confidence in his professional and technical abilities and his firm and positive leadership, which stressed the importance of each individual and produced a can-do spirit . . . He has commanded Anti-Submarine Group 3 half way around the world, and has led our Flagship in ioint operations with the British, French, Pakistanis, Canadi- ans, and Iranians. We are confident that the Navies of these countries, like ourselves, have the utmost respect for the ASW readiness of his Flag and for his profes- sional abilities. 22

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Thus, a legend was born of a mighty carrier up The Fightin est Ship in the Fleet wrote its name in blooah in fire, in triumph. Such a name can be but an inspiration to the future. l It cannot be ' an epitaph to the past. We aletlicate the ship anew to those high hopes anal great spirit which brought anal will bring both fame ancl eternal responsibility to all who serve in ESSEX

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CAPTAIN SMITH Captain Smith was the first Chief of Staff that we of ESSEX knew. And those of us who knew him well re- alized that he was the man responsible for the relaxed, easy-going attitude the staff took toward us . . . Many years of destroyer and MINELANT duty made Capt. Smith an invaluable person to have in Flag Plot during an anti-submarine warfare exercise . . . Often seen en- ioying his familiar cigar, he was calm and understand- ing at all times . . . Though most of us didn't know it he was probably one of the biggest Hi-Fi bugs on the ship. Music was indeed his favorite pastime during his free hours, and late in the evening he could be found in his cabin listening to Beethoven or Brubeck . . . We know that Capt. Smith is now doing the same fine iob as Chief of Staff, Commander Mine Force, Atlantic as he did aboard ESSEX as Chief of Staff to CARDIV 18. CHIEF OF STAFF CARRIER DIVISION EIGHTEEN CAPTAIN PRICE Captain Price brought many years of destroyer experience with him to CARDIV 18. Since his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1941, he has served aboard tin cans in both fleets, and has been Exec of the SHUBRICK IDD-9361 and Skipper of the BEALE QDD- 41 71. Prior to ioining this Flag, he was Commander, De- stroyer Division 362 . . . His knowledge of the role of the destroyer in anti-submarine warfare has been of invaluable help, and it is to him that much of the credit is due for Anti-Submarine Group Three's effectiveness . . . ln Flag Plot, he has always had a complete under- standing of the tactical situation, and he has constantly kept the Flagship informed . .I . BSCOIUSG of l'IIS OIIIGNIIOI1 to detail and organizational ability, he has cultivated the cooperative attitude that exists between COMCAR- DIV 18 and ESSEX. ' 23