Inchon (LPH 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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Lieutenant Colonel Williom Deebe Lieutenant Colonel Williom A. Deebe, II graduated from Mississippi Stote University with a Dochelot of Aits degiee in Politicol Science and History in 1966. Aftet completion of Officers Candidote School in December 1966. he commenced flight training in Pensocolo, Flotido and wos designated o Navol Aviotoi in Aptil 1968. Lieutenant Colonel Deebes first ossignment wos with VMO-1 at MCAS (H) New Rivet. In August 1968 he transferred to southeost Asia for service with the Purple Foxes of HMM-064. He returned to Pensacola, Flotido in September 1969 for duty os a primory flight instructor in VT-1. During 1972 LtCol. Deebe offended Amphibious Worfore School in Quantico, Virginia. Upon completion in Februory 1973 he was ossigned to HMM-162 and served as the Opetotions Officer. Following completion of the Aviation Safety Coutse in Montery, Colifor- nio in 1973 LfCol. Deebe served with Sub-Unit Two MAG-36 in Atsugi, Japan. Upon his return he was assigned to HMM-163 MCAS (H) Tustin. Californio as Aviation Mointenance Officer. During this period LtCol. Deebe commanded the first Morine oviation detachment aboard the USS TARAWA dufing its moiden voyoge. In June 1978 LtCol. Deebe was ossigned os the Mobilization Officer of Headquorters Marine Corps. In September 1979 he wos selected foi Com. mond and Stoff and tronsferred upon completion in June 1980 to 2nd ANGLICO and setved as Logistics Officet. In August 1981 he teturned to MAG-26 ond assisted in developing implementing instructions for the re- placement Aircrew Coordinotion Center. In November 1981 he commenced service os the Executive Officer of the 24th MAU and returned to Deirut, Lebonon. His relief was sent to Deirut in June to petmit his return and assumption of command of HMM-264. Lieutenont Colonel Deebes decorations include the Silver Star, Distin- guished Flying Cross 4th Award ond 37 Air Medols. Lieutenont Colonel Richard Wenzell Lieutenant Colonel Richard M. Wenzell wos born in Norfolk, Virginio on 10 Moy 1946. He attended Dowling Green State University and in July 1967 enlisted in the Marine Corps. During recruit troining he entered the Enlisted Commissioning Ptogram and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 30 May 1968. Upon com- pletion of Dosic School 2ndLt Wenzell reported to the 1st Military Police Dottalion in the Republic of South Vietnom whete he served as o Platoon Commandet and subsequently qs Compony Commandet. Upon completion of his tout in Vietnam Fiist Lieutenont reported for duty with the 2nd Marine Division in Februory 1970. serving as o Plotoon Commandet with MP. Company ond as the Executive Officer of Headquarters Company, Head- quorters Dottolion. In August 1972. Captain Wenzell attended Amphibious Warfare School ond upon completion, was assigned to the Dosic School where he served as Tactics Instructor and Staff Plotoon Commonder. During February 1975 Coptoin Wenzell joined the Staff of the Commonder Am- phibious Squodron Two where he served as the Combat Corgo Officer. In March 1977 he was ossigned as an Instructor of Londing Force Training Command, Atlontic, Duting July 1979 Major Wenzell was ttonsferred to MCAS, New River where he ossumed duties as the Directot, Novo! Aviation Observer School until July 1981. Following completion of the Novol Command Staff College of Newpoit. Rhode Islond in June 1982. Major Wenzell reported to the 2nd Morine Division ond was assigned duties os the 8th Marines S-4 Officer. Lieutenont Colonel Wenzell s personol decorations include the Novy Commendotion Medal and the Navy Achievement Medol.

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COL ROSS 5. PLASTERER COMMANDING OFFICER 22D MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT Colonel Ross S. Plasterer was born in Leba- non, Pa. and was commissioned a Second Lieu- tenant in 1957 following his graduation from Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pa. He en- tered flight training in 1956 and was designat- ed a Naval Aviator in July 1959. Col. Plasterer ' s aviation assignments have included tours with HMR-264, HMM-162, HMX- 1, HML-167 and HMM-165. His staff assign- ments have included Officer in Charge, OSO, Philadelphia; Helicopter Projects and Oper- ations Officer VX-5 China Lake, California; Comptroller Management Services Officer NARF, Cherry Point; head of Disbursing Branch, Fiscal Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; head of the MAG-26 MAG-29 Reorganization Team 2d MAW, and CO. of HMM165 and MAG-29. Colonel Plasterer assumed his present command as Commanding Officer 22nd Ma- rine Amphibious Unit on July 1 1, 1964. He is a graduate of Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics from Lebanon Valley College, a Master of Business Administration degree from Widener College, Chester, Pa., and a Master of Public Administra- tion degree from the University of Southern California. Col. Plasterer holds the following personal decorations: three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star with Combat V. the Air Medal with two gold stars and Bronze Numeral 52, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and Presidential Service Badge. Colonel Plasterer has accumu- lated over 76,200 hours of flight time. Colonel Plasterer is married to the former Lesley L. Laigle of Jennings, Louisiana and his children are Michael, Kevin, Penny and Judi.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMANDER MORRIS G STEEN. JR. USN Commander Morris G. Steen, Jr., a native of Stiady Grove, Florida, graduated from High Sctiool in 1959 and the University of Florida in 1965. Additionally, he holds a Mas- ters Of Science from George Washington Uni- versity. Commander Steen was commis- sioned in December 1965 through the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate program at Pen- sacola, Florida and designated a Naval Avi- ator in January 1967. Commander Steen ' s first fleet assignment was Helicopter Attacl (Light) Squadron THREE (HAL-3) in the Republic of Vietnam where he flew the H-1 helicopter gunship. Other assignments include Aircraft Ferry Squadron THIRTY ONE (VRF-31), Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX (HC-6), COM- NAVAIRLANT Staff, Helicopter Mine Counter- measures Squadron TWELVE (HM-12), and Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron SIXTEEN (HM-16). In October 1980, Com- mander Steen reported to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron FOURTEEN (HM- 14) and served as Executive Officer until assuming Command in February 1962. Dur- ing his tour as Commanding Officer, (HM- 14) was awarded the 1962 Dottle Efficiency Award and the 1962 CNO Safety Award. He reported to USS INCHON (LPH- 12) in Septem- ber 1963 and served as Air Officer until March 1964. In May 1964 he became IN- CHON ' S Executive Officer. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and holds subspecialty codes in Manpower and Person- nel, and General Management. Cdr. Steen ' s personal aviation milestones include 639 combat missions and over 3500 pilot hours in 24 different aircraft models. He is qualified in rotary wing, fixed wing single and multi-engine, and jet type aircraft. His operational deployments include the Repub- lic of Vietnam, Western Pacific, North Atlan- tic, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf theaters. His decora- tions include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, forth- three Strike Flight Air Medals, the Navy Com- mendation Medal with Combat V , the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Ac- tion Ribbon and various other campaign medals, ribbons, and unit citations. Commander Steen resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with his wife Judy and their three children, Hayne, Heath, and Brittany.