Franklin D Roosevelt (CV 42) - Naval Cruise Book

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Rear Admiral Nicholson was born in Charleroi, Pa. He started his military career as an enlisted man in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served one year before entering the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1 944. He was graduated and commissioned ensign in June 1948. The admiral, as a junior officer, has been an instructor at the Naval Academy on two separate tours, has had duty on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, a tour as operations officer on an amphibious assault destroyer in the Pacific and served as antisubmarine warfare officer on an amphibious squadron staff and executive officer of a destroyer. In 1964, he was administrative aide to the Secratary of the Navy. Admiral Nicholson has had six commands at sea. His first was a minesweeper in the Atlantic. Later he commanded the destroyer USS LLOYD THOMAS, where he received the Navy Commendation Medal. this was followed by command of Destroyer Escort Squadron Eight in the Atlantic. In 1 968-69 he was assistant chief of staff for operations on the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Vietnam, where he received the Legion of Merit with Combat V, Vietnamese National Order and the Vietnamese Staff Medal. During that same period in Vietnam he commanded the Swift Boat Flotilla where he was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals with Combat V. After Vietnam he commanded the Destroyer Development Group where he received his first Meritorious Service Medal. Later he commanded Destroyer Squadron 26. For his performance he was awarded the second Meritorious Service Medal. His last tour of duty, prior to reporting as Commander Cruiser- Destroyer Group Eight was in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., as coordinator for the homeporting of ships and depen- dents overseas. He is married to the former Marilyn Fiedler and they have two children, Barry Richard and Melissa Jane Nicholson. REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD EARL NICHOLSON COMCRUDESGRU EIGHT

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, ROOSEVELT was to do more than r -ood will, she needed extensi s in aviation, including the wid (Kad use of jet aire were making the ship less effective, as a striking force. In January, R QQSEVELT made the long journey around Cape Horn the west coast, where she was decomrnis sioned and modernized at the Puget Soimcl Naval Shipyard in Washington. ... —■ 1954-56 -CVB TO CVA K ■ « W i s±s

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LEAVING MAYPORT Even with clear skies and warm weather, some of the crew felt that it should have rained the day that ROOSEVELT deployed for the Mediterranean. It was sad for many to leave loved ones at home and joyous event for those seeking adventure. Some of the old salts looked forward to revisiting Palma, Barcelona, Naples and liked the idea of a six month vacation.