Firedrake (AE 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Harry N. O ' Connor, of Coronado, California, assumed command of the U.S.S. FIRE DRAKE (AE 14) on July 31, 1965. He received his orders to FIREDRAKE while attending the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, I). C. Captain O ' Connor ' s colorful history in the field of aviation began in 1933. At the age of 13, he flew solo in his lirst aircraft and continued to pursue his desire to become a pilot until he was commissioned a Naval Aviator on December 16, 1943. He was a member of the cruiser NASHVILLE ' s crew (as a volunteer reservist) during her shakedown cruise in 1938, and participated in the capture of the German submarine U-505 while serving as a fighter pilot in the European Theater aboard USS GUADALCANAL. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the carrier NEHENTA BAY during the invasion of Okinawa. The Captain is one of the first pilots in the Navy to fly jet aircraft, is a graduate of Flight Test Pilots School, and is currently a member of The Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He served as Commanding Officer of VX-5 at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, Cali- fornia where he worked in experimental testing, evaluation and development of attack aircraft from January 1963 until February 1964. He has also served aboard the aircraft carriers CARD. TRIPOLI. BAIR( K I, MIDWAY, VALLEY FORGE and BON HOMME RICHARD. He was Air Officer aboard KITTY HAWK and is one of her plankowners. Before attending the Industrial College, the Captain was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations on special assignment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Captain O ' Connor holds the Distinguished Flying Cross. Air Medal (1th Award), Navy Commendation Ribbon with Combat V, Presidential Commendation, and the Unit Commendation in addition to 13 other medals. He and his wife. Helen, reside in Coronado. California with their two children, Maureen and Kevin.

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■■7- « • ' %; -tr . 4 0t. X K , 7 This is the Captain speaking .... Several months ago, we took FIREDRAKE from the harpies of the shore , rehabili- tated her for sailor men, and went to sea. Looking back, it zvas much like the first cross- country flight of a student pilot-some mighty rough maneuvers and, to many of us, mysteries which ivere yet unsolved. An exceptionally short time later, ice were on Dixie bucking like a bronco in that wild night UNREP of KITTY HAWK. Dixie shook everything loose that was not secure, including any mysteries that were remaining. We emerged professionals. Since then, we have sailed our old lady through the swamps off of Saigon, threaded Julia Shoal and sighted along the guns of TOPEKA during Double Eagle. We sear- ched the murk of Cape Padaran and saved our shipwrecked brother. Despite our lack of modern equipment, FIREDRAKE became ii vital member of the world ' s finest fighting fleet . You, with muscle and brain, made it so. God bless each of you and the loyal, lonely families who support you back home.

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Lieutenant Commander Clovde I. Brown became FIREDRAKE ' s Executive Officer on Novemver 21, 1965. Mr. Brown was Commanding Officer of the U. S. Naval Facility, San Salvador, Bahamas before reporting to FIREDRAKE. Commissioned an Ensign upon graduation from the University of Colorado in June 1953, he re- ported for first duty to USS ORLECK (DD-886) . He served in the capacity of Assistant CIC Officer during the last months of the Korean conflict. He was transferred from ORLECK in October 1956 and reported to SNS LePANTO (ex-USS CAPPS (DD-446)) where he served as Gunnery Officer and assisted in the training of LePANTO ' s Spanish crew. LCDR Brown attended the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California until June 1958 when he was ordered to return to sea aboard the USS SHADWELL (LSD-15) . He served tours as First Lieutenant and Engineering Officer aboard the amphibious vessel. In March I960, Mi Brown was assigned to the U S Atlantic Fleel Operational Control Center at Norfolk. He performed duties as Officer-in -Charge of the Movement Control Center and addi- tional duty on CINCLANT, CINCLANTFLT, and CINCWESTLANT Staffs. In April 1962, LCDR Brown assumed duties as Navigator aboard the cruiser USS CANBERRA (CAG-2) until August 1964. During this period, CANBERRA was one of many Atlantic Fleet combatant units participating in the 1962 Naval blockade against installation of Soviet missile sites in Cuba. He also served as Flag Navigator for the blockade flagship during a portion of the Cuban Crisis. FIREDRAKE ' s Executive Officer has been awarded the Ko- rean Service Medal and the United Nations Medal (Korea) for his service aboard USS ORLECK. He also holds the China Service Medal and the National Defense Medal.