Helena (CA 75) - Naval Cruise Book

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it EXECUTIl E OFFICER CDR. Hugh A. HANNA was born at Rock Island, Illinois, on Sep- tember 10, 1916, attending city sctiools and the Devitt Preparatory School in Washington, D. C. Upon receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, he completed his education there and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Class of 1940. Serving aboard the USS PHOENIX during the Second World War, CDR. HANNA participated in many engagements, including Guadal- canal, New Guinea, Leyte and the initial attack on Pearl Harbor. Duty followed on the staff of the Commander, Operational Development Force. In 1951, he assumed command of the USS MADDOX (DD-731 ), which post he held until December, 1953, when he began a tour of duty with the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D. C. Soon afterwards, CDR. HANNA was transferred to his present position as Executive Officer of the HELENA. CDR. HANNA holds the Legion of Merit, a second Bronze Star Award, and a Commendation Ribbon. He is married to the former Henriette Von Wickeren of Sydney, Australia. They have three children. John is 1 1, Paul, 6, and Mary Catherine, 3.

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' ■ ' ■ ' ■- -■■ COMMANDING OFFICER Born in Laconic, New Hampshire, on Christmas Day in 1908, Captain Arthur F. SPRING, Commanding Officer, attended public schools there. He received appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1926 and was graduated and commissioned as Ensign in the Class of 1930. An outstanding midshipman, he played varsity football and basketball and was a member of the Ail-American LaCrosse Team for three years. Among other positions of leadership. Captain SPRING served as Executive Officer aboard the USS MISSOURI and as Commanding Officer of the USS MOUNT KATMAI before promotion to the rank of Captain in July, 1949. He then served under the Joint Chiefs of Staff before assuming command of the transport ship USS RENVILLE in 1954. For fourteen months before reporting to his present duty. Captain SPRING served as Chief of Staff for Commander of Training Command, U. S. Pacific Fleet. In October, 1956, he assumed command of the HELENA, now Flagship for the United States Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific. Captain SPRING is married to the former Clare Murphy of San Fran- cisco, California. They have one son, Arthur Thomas, who graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1957, and who is presently beginning his Naval career as an Ensign serving in the Pacific Fleet.

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COM 7th FLEET X i . Vice Admiral Wallace Morris BEAKLEY was born in Vineland, New Jersey, on January 20, 1903, attending local schools before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Winning letters in two sports, he was commissioned an Ensign in the Class of 1924. After two sea duty stations, he was ordered to the Naval Air Station for flight training, becoming a Naval aviator on November 24, 1926. Service with a number of squadrons followed shortly thereafter. Later, he attended the Postgraduate School at Annapolis, Maryland, and the California Institute of Technology, where he received a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. During World War II, VADM BEAKLEY served in many important po- sitions, beginning as Commander of the Air Group of the carrier USS WASP, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. An assignment followed on the staff of Commander Air Force, Pacific, for which he received the Legi on of Merit for his excel- lence in tactics, aiding immeasurably in the victories on Marcus and Tarawa Islands. He later assumed command of the USS BLOCK ISLAND, whch steamed into Formosa to liberate 1 200 Allied personnel from prison camps. After varied duties including command of the USS MIDWAY and Commander of the Anti-Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet, as well as assignment to the Navy Department in Washington, VADM Beakley assumed command of the US Seventh Fleet on January 28, 1957. He is married to the former Ruth Millette. They reside in Washington, D. C.