Henry Wilson (DDG 7) - Naval Cruise Book

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, . .-,.- CUMMANDING OFFICER USS HENRY B. WILSUN QDIJB-71 USS HENRY B. WILSON's recent operations with t.he United States' SEVENTH FLEET in the Western Pacific in l976-77 have demonstrated the flexibility, mobility and multi-purpose capability of the Guided Missile Destroyer. Successfully participating in every type of operation for which she was designed, WILSON met all comrmitrments with huge success. While establishing her can do reputation, WILSON participated in KANGAROO II, TAE QUAN DO XIV, READIEX 1-77 and other exercises with US Navy vessels as well as units from Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. USS HENRY B. WILSON's reputation can onJ.y be a reflection on how hard the crew has worked to demonstrate their professionalism, dedication and determination. This pictorial is the record of that very successful WESTPAC cruise. Through it, the efforts of the entire crew are preserved so that none may forget that group of individuals who are responsible for building an exemplary record of teamwork, professionalism and for a job well done. Commander United States Navy Commanding Officer ff ',

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CAPTAIN DAVID EDWARD FERGUSON, USN David Edward FERGUSON was born in Long Beach, California on March 27, I933. He entered the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland by Presidential appointment upon graduation from High School in June l95O. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in l954, he reported to USS WEDDERBURN CDD-6845 for duty in the Gunnery Department where he subsequently became Gunnery Officer and Navigator. He was transferred to the staff of Commander Destroyer Division lO2 in June l957 and served as Staff Operations Officer for eighteen months and then as Operations Officer and Navigator with the initial commissioning crew of USS PARSONS CDD-9495. In July l96O he commenced a three year tour at the U. S. Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned the Master of Science degree in physics. In July I963, then Lieutenant FERGUSON reported to USS ENERGY CMSO-4365 as Commanding Officer where he served until September I964 when he was ordered to the Navy's nuclear power program. Completing instruction at the Nuclear Power School, Mare Island and the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho in January i966 he joined USS SHELTON CDD-7905 as Executive Officer and completed two tours in the combat zone in Southeast Asia. From July I967 to July l97O he was a Research Associate at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Livermore, California, where he worked on nuclear weapons related projects in conjunction with the Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission. In October l97O he reported to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as Prospective Commanding Officer of USS MANLEY CDD-9405, then undergoing a complete modernization in that yard. In April I97I, he assumed duties as Commanding Officer of MANLEY upon her recommissioning and served in that capacity until September I972. From then until November l974 he was the Surface Operations Officer on the staff of Commander Carrier Group TWO, permanently deployed to the Sixth Fleet as Commander Attack Carrier Striking Force Sixth Fleet CCTF-605. For meritorious service, which included service during the Middle East conflict of October l973, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. During the period December I974 to April I976 he was Director, Weapons Division in the Office of Manager, ASW systems Project, Washington, D.C. In May i976 he reported to the Naval Reactor Facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho, as a member of the initial class of the newly formed Senior Officers' Ship Material Readiness Course for I7 weeks of intensive training and review in preparation for assuming command of Destroyer Squadron SEVENTEEN, on I7 October l976. In addition to the Navy Commendation Medal, Captain FERGUSON has the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star, China Service Medal, National Defense Service medal with bronze star, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars and Republic of Vietnam Service medal. He is married to the former Lois Ann Drake of Coronado, California and they have two daughters, Valerie Gail and Laura Marie. They currently reside in Coronado, California.