Independence (CV 62) - Naval Cruise Book

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Commanding Officer Capt. William R. Needham 13

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28 July 86 - 24 Feb. 89 Commanding Officer Capt W.R. Buzz Needham Captain William R Needham began his military career following gradua- tion from public school in Providence. R I He entered the US Naval Academy in July 1957 Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Capt Needham reported immediately to flight training. He received his wings in October 1962. and in April 1963. he reported to Attack Squadron FORTY FOUR in Jacksonville. Fla , for training in the A-4D Sky- hawk In October 1963. he reported to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX, flying the A-4C, One of Captain Needham ' s most interesting assign- ments followed in August 1966. He reported to the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. Calif Upon completion of this training with the U.S. Air Force, the Navy put his expertise to work at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, fwld.. where he served in the Carrier suitability branch of the Flight Test Division In August 1968, Capt. Needham reported to Attack Squadron FORTY TWO at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va , for training in the A-6 Intruder In tVlarch 1969, he became a member of Attack Squadron EIGHTY FIVE and saw combat action in Vietnam with Air Wing FOURTEEN aboard USS CONSTELLATION In June 1971. Capt. Needham reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Calif., where he received his Master ' s degree in finan- cial management. After graduation in 1972, he reported to Washington, DC. working under the Chief of Naval Personnel as head of the Enlisted Strength and Advancement Section. In January 1975. after refresher training in the A-6 Intruder at Attack Squadron FORTY TWO. Capt. Needham reported for duty as the Opera- tions Officer for Carner Air Wing One embarked aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY. Subsequently, he was assigned as Executive Officer and Com- manding Officer of Attack Squadron SIXTY FIVE from September 1976 to March 1979 Immediately thereafter, he was temporarily assigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force. U.S. Atlantic Fleet, in preparation for assuming command of Carrier Air Wing SEVEN in December 1979. After being relieved as Commander. Carrier Air Wing SEVEN in March 1981, Capt. Needham served on the staff of Commander. Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as the comptroller In June 1984, he became Commanding Officer of USS SYLVANIA (AFS 2) and was relieved on March 28, 1986. He assumed command of USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) on July 28, 1986.

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July 12, 1985 to July 15, 1987 Executive Officer Capt. Andrew J. Murphy Captain Andrew J. Murphy is a native of Louisville, Ky He received his commission through the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, and after flight training was designated a Naval Aviator aW[FJM«mip.dmi » J2rBM Station Memphis. While attached to VAW-12, Capt. Murphy deployed with detachments aboard USS WASP (CVS 18) and USS RANDOLPH (CVS 15). In April 1967. he took part in the commissioning of VAW-121, and subsequently deployed to the Mediterranean and EASTLANT aboard USS mMMm m MMSMM cornpleted transition training to the E-2B aircraft, and in In November 1977, he reported to VAW-121 as Executive Officer. In February 1979, Capt. Murphy assumed command of . . .V, .y „ were awarded the CNO AEW Excel lence Award. the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle E, and the CNO Safety S while deployed in USS DWIGHT D EISEN- HOWER (CVN 69). CAPTAIN MURPHY then reported to USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) as Assistant Air Officer. He served as NIMITZ ' s Air Officer from July 1981 until August 1982 when he assumed command of VAW-120, the LANTFLT E2C gHlttliiliiMiTtltBTTTST; port, Rl., enroute to duty with the office of the Chief of Naval J1II A»Jt llyMt|l|IH[ MtH 91 tlSJ rC M It 1 1 kVI Vi ZMSi 1 . 2 11 ■] 1 1 1 .jg- ter of Science degree in June In November 1971, Capt. Murphy reported to VAW-123, he served as Safety Officer and 88 Maintenance Officer com- pleting a ten month combat deployment to Southeast Asia and later participating in initial fleet introduction of the E-2C aircraft. Following a tour under instruction at the Armed For- ollfJ • ° ' ' ®g® ' Capt. Murphy reported to the Naval Safety Center in February 1975 as an Aircraft Accident Investigator reported to USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) and served as ' Executive Officer until August 1987. Capt. Murphy has been awarded the Meritorious Sen ice Medal (four awards), the Air Medal (four strike flight awards), the Navy Commendation Medal, and various other unit and campaign medals. Captain Murphy and his wife, the former Pamela Browning of Louisville, Ky., reside in San Diego, Calif. They have three children, Kimberly, Kevin, and Brian J.K.