Franklin D Roosevelt (CV 42) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Easterling was born in Nash- ville, Tenn. on June 29, 1928. He was graduated from Randolf- Macon Academy in 1947 and from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1951. His first duty as an ensign was aboard the USS PERRY (DD 844). He was then or- dered to flight training and was designated a naval aviator in April 1953. Duty with Fighter Squadrons 1 1 , 43 and 103 included deployments with both the Sixth and Seventh Fleets. In September 1 964, following three years in Post Graduate School, Captain Easterling reported to Fighter Squadron 174. He then served as executive officer and then commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 13. In June 1968, he reported to the USS SARATOGA (CVA60), where he served as operations officer until January 1 970. Following a brief tour of duty on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, he was commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 124 until May 1971. Captain Easterling served as tactical air warfare analyst on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Air Warfare, and naval aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development before assuming command of the USS CONCORD (AFS 5) in August 1 973. Captain Easterling holds the degrees of Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Master of Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Engineer in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His awards in- clude the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). He is married to the former Miss Beverly Sherburne of Jacksonville, Fla. and now resides in Mayport, Fla. with his wife and twochildren, Alan and Karen. Captain Easterling assumed command of the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA 42) on Dec. 20, 1974. CAPTAIN CRAWFORD E. EASTERLING COMMANDING OFFICER

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First helicopter to join the Navy, trans- fers mail and supplies from ROOSE- VELT to the submarine Greenfish. million dollars--nearly half her original cost. The con- version was extensive--a hurricane bow was installed to lessen maintenance and improve seaworthiness, the flight deck was expanded to accommodate a waist catapult in addition to the two on the bow, an angle was put on the port flight deck, the hydraulic catapults were changed to steam to handle the larger aircraft. A centerline elevator was removed and a new one located on the starboard deck edge. Most of her guns were also removed. The expensive and time-consuming renovation made her truly depen- dent upon her air wing for both offense and defense. The remodeling also added years to the carrier ' s life, making her one of the most effective and self-sufficient fighting units in the world. In 1958, ROOSEVELT was awarded the E.F. Ney Award for the best large afloat mess; and two years later she won the Admiral James H. Flatley Award for Aviation Safety-the first of four such awards she was to receive in her career. ROOSEVELT ' S performance was being noticed, and her consistently high level of performance was assuring that she would continue to be noticed. Gradual immprovements in technology such as the in- stallation of the Fresnel Lens System to improve landing accuracy and safety of her aircraft, were keeping ROOSEVELT up-to-date. By 1971, she had completed 200,000 arrested landings. No other attack carrier can even approach that record. The tangible results of her tour were impresseive. During that long and extended tour, ROOSEVELT ' s air wing flew 7,000 sorties in support of the embattled Republic of Vietnam. Two decades of training in war prepared the carrier well for her first tour of combat . years of practice paid off. The Commander of the Seventh Fleet, who led the carrier task forces off Yankee Station, sent the following message to ROOSEVELT as she steamed home: Your spirit, aggressiveness and outstanding ac- complishments continued to be excellent during your recent tour on Yankee Station. The extension was regrettable, but when the chips were down, you came through like the pros we knew you were. On Feb. 21, 1967, after steaming a total of 94, 000 miles and crossing the equator four times, the carrier returned to Mayport. It was time for a rest and, after her 14th Mediterranean deployment, she entered the Norfolf Naval Shipyard for the most extensive overhaul ever attempted by that facility. During the latter part of the year, several short cruises during November prepared ROOSEVELT for her Operational Readiness Exercise. She passed with flying colors and, after spending the holidays in port, left Jan. 3, 1 975, to begin her 19th deployment with the Sixth Fleet. Despite her age, she operates at the same demanding pace as the newer carriers in the fleet and outperforms them in some areas, while continuing to break her old records and make new ones. ROOSEVELT plans to celebrate her 30th Anniversary on October 27, 1975. Setting her first record, a jet plane successfully landed and took off from the giant carrier. When ROOSEVELT became a CVA, her first aircraft were propeller driven.

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CAPTAIN PAUL SKARLATOS EXECUTIVE OFFICER Captain Skarlatos was born in Rochester, N.Y. and was graduated from Monroe Hieh School. He attended the University of Michigan before his selection to the Naval Academy. He was graduated and commissioned an ensign in 1954 and underwent flight training shortly after. He was designated a naval aviator in 1 955. His first duty assignment was with the Fleet Air Wings Training Unit, Atlantic Fleet. After duty there, he served with Attack Squadron 43 and later with Fighter Squadron 74 aboard the USS INTREPID. Service as naval science instructor at the Naval Academy from 1961 to 1964 preceded duty as guided missile officer aboard USS INDEPENDENCE. He served with Fighter Squadron 13 as operations officer aboard the USS SHANGRI LA in 1966, prior to attending the command and staff course at the Naval War College. In 1970, he served in Vietnamese waters with Fighter Squadron 53, flying off USS BON HOMME RICHARD. He first served as executive officer and later, after the commanding officer was killed, as com- manding officer. Captain Skarlatos served as personnel officer on the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces. Atlantic Fleet, prior to study at t he National War College. Prior to reporting to the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT as executive officer, he served with the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. as aviation com- mander detailer. He was promoted to Captain, effective 1 January 1975. Among his decorations are the Bronze Star with Combat V, the Navy Com- mendation Medal, the Air Medal and several campaign medals. He is married to the former Marguerite M. Ryan of Ardsley, N.Y. They have three children: Michael, Elizabeth and Mathew.