Independence (CVA 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain John P. Fox Commanding Officer 25 Aug 1966 Captain John P. Fox received his wings and was commissioned as Ensign in December 1941 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. His first duties were as a flight instructor at NAS, Jacksonville and later at NAS Grosse Isle, Michigan. In June 1943, he joined the Pacific Fleet as a fighter pilot flying from various escort carriers. From Novem- ber 1944 to June 1947 he was attached to Night Composite Squadron 2 and was Officer-in-Charge of night fighter detachments in USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT and USS LEYTE. fHis next assignment was at the Naval Intelligence School and Naval Language School after which he was assigned as Assistant Naval Attache, Madrid until 1952. Captain Fox then reported to the Naval Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland as Test Progress Officer. In 1954 he assumed Command of Fighter Squadron 123 and later was assigned to the Staff of Carrier Division 3. From 1957-1960 Captain Fox attended the Naval War College for a year followed by two years on the Staff. In 1960-1961 he was Executive Officer of USS BON HOMME RICHARD, and on the Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff. After completing the Stote Depart- ment Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy, he assumed command of USS FORT SNELLING. Prior to taking command of INDEPENDENCE, he wos assigned to the Staff of Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

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Captain John E. Kennedy Commanding Officer 11 Aug 1965 - 25 Aug 1966 In February 1941, upon completion of flight train- ing. Captain John E. Kennedy was commissioned as Ensign. During the next four years he had tours of duty as a flight instructor, as a member of Torpedo Squadron 5 and in USS INDEPENDENCE (CVL-22). In July 1946, after completing a tour on the NINETEENTH Fleet Staff, Captain Kennedy entered the General Line School, Newport. He was later assigned to the Staff of the Chief of Naval Air Train- ing. In June 1949, he assumed his first command. Attack Squadron 175. Between 1951 and 1955 he spent two years in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, after which he was transferred to Air Development Squad- ron 5 to become Executive Officer and later Acting Commanding Officer. In 1955 he assumed command of Air Task Group 4 and eighteen months later he returned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1959, after a tour as a student at the NATO Defense College, Paris, he was transferred to the Staff of U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Europe. Captain Kennedy was assigned to the Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1961 and joined the Staff of Carrier Division 3 in October 1962. In December 1963, he took Command of USS VESUVIUS. Before assuming command of USS INDEPEND- ENCE, Captain Kennedy served on the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

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Tj pi § If ' fA II- 1 Captain Sam Rorex, Jr. Executive Officer 21 December 1964-17 March 1966 Captain Jolin E. Hansen Executive Officer 17 March 1966-10 June 1966