Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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LISS ESSEX CLHD 25 COMMAN DI NG OFFICER Captain Thomas F. Radich Captain Thomas Francis Radich graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned on June 9, 1971. Captain Radich reported July 1971 for his initial sea tour in USS HERMITAGE CLSD 345 as lst Division Officer and then Navigator. In September 1974, he returned to the Naval Academy as a Seamanship and Navigation Instructor. Concurrently, he earned a Master of Science degree from George Washington University, graduating in February 1977. After completing Department Head School in August 1978, he returned to sea in September 1978 serving consecutive Department Head tours as Operations Officer in USS GRAY CFF 10545 and then as First Lieutenant in USS BRISTOL COUNTY QLST 11985. In January 1983, Captain Radich reported as Shipboard Management Department Head at Surface Warfare Officer School in Coronado, California. He was subsequently as signed as Executive Officer in USS ALAMO CLSD 335 in March 1985. He was ordered to Washington, D.C., in January 1987 as the Amphibious Plans and Programs Officer for the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations CSurface WarfareCOP0355. Captain Radich then commanded the USS FORT FISHER CLSD 405 from December 1989 to January 1992. During his command tour, FORT FISHER deployed to the Western Pacific and participated in many operations in the Eastern Pacific including a highly successful counter narcotics operation in South America. FORT FISHER was subsequently awarded the coveted Battle W, Efficiency E and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. PHOTO: PH1QAW5 ABELL 8 -1: E f or f YN v f X rf In February 1992, Captain Radich reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as Deputy Director, Surface Officer Distribution Division CPers 41B5. In August 1994,he was assigned as a student at the National War College and was awarded a Master of Science degree in National Security Policy in June 1995. Captain Radich relieved as Commanding Officer, USS ESSEX CLHD 25 on October 20,1995. Captain Radich' s personal decorations include three Meritorious ServiceMedals, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal. Captain Radich is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L60 Radich of Beach HavenTerrace, New Jersey. He is married I0 the former Judy Jeanette Jones of Annapolis,Maryland. They have two sons, Thomas, age 17, and Christopher, age 13. l ,l io V. '1 Me'

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5 -is :Z?xs'f-11 'gli' ., .,,. , JLG., 'X 'iff f-,WI ' ij, , Z if USS ESSEX ILH D 23 EXECUTIVE OFFICER Captain Tftomasj. Ross Captain Thomas J. Ross reported June 1973 to the Naval School of Diving and Salvage in Washington, D.C., where he was designated a Deep Sea Salvage and Helium-Oxygen Diving Officer. In December 1973, he reported aboard USS SUNBIRD CASR 153. Deploying to the North Atlantic in support of research submarine NR-1, he was involved in recovery operations of an F-14 north of the Orkney Islands in 1975. After serving as Diving Officer, Operations Officer and Chief Engineer, Captain Ross was designated a Surface Warfare Officer and ordered to USS SAVANNAH CAOR 43 as Navigator, deploying to the Mediterranean. He then reported for flight training at NAS Pensacola in February 1978. After designation as a Naval Aviator, Captain Ross reported to Attack Squadron FOUR TWO CVA 423 for fleet replacement training. In December 1980, he was assigned to the f'TIGERS of Attack Squadron SIX FIVE CVA 653, aboard USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER CCVN 693, deploying twice to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. In January 1984, Captain Ross attended the Armed Forces Staff College and, following a brief refresher at Attack Squadron FOUR TWO CVA 423, joined the THUNDERBOLTS of Attack Squadron ONE SEVEN SIX CVA 1763 aboard USS INDEPENDENCE CCV 623, deployed to the Indian Ocean. He later deployed aboard USS FORRESTAL CCV 593 to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic while serving as Operations, Administration and Training Officer. In November 1987, Captain Ross reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., as SIOP Advisor in the National Military Command Center CNMCC3. He left the Strategic Operations Division CJ-33 in September 1989, after designation as a Joint Specialist. Following a brief refresher, Captain Ross reported to Attack Squadron SIX FIVE CVA 653 in February 1990. Deploying with them aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT CCVN 713 in support of Operation Desert Shield!Storm, he flew over 50 combat missions in Iraq and Kuwait. He took command of the squadron in August 1991. Under his command, the FIGHTING TIGERS won the Pratt and Whitney Operational Excellence Award, Intruder Derby, SECNAV Energy Conservation Award, COMNAVAIRLANT Silver Anchor Award, CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor and the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle HE? Following his command tour, he reported to the Program Plans and Development Branch CN803 in OPNAV, as Head, Aviation and Joint Services Programs. He also served as the CINCLANTFLT representative for the CINC Liaison Division CN 833. Reporting in June 1995, he assumed the duties as Executive Officer of USS ESSEX CLHD-23. Captain Ross has over 3,400 hours in the A-6 Intruder and over 850 carrier landings. His decorations include two Distinguished Flying Crosses with NVQ' the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Medals Cthree Individual with f'V lfour Strike3, the Navy Commendation Medal with f'V,', two Navy Achievement Medals and various unit and expeditionary awards. 7 Captain Ross is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Ross of Fremont, Ohio. He is married to the former Elena Trioli of Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have two children, Jessica and Jason. 10 . i M