Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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il... I .. . I ,xg ang, .M- 1,- ll- I-,Q -52. lf -5.-t iz. ,,-v 1 .,-- -41. .41 11 41 aj. all F 1' ,f 6...- af. 3... pf. if 9,- st... ff- ',,. gm if sr ,off 7 , L...- lv' 1, .fl I--'I I.- lf- Captain Thomas D. Harris, Commanding Officer of the USS IWO JIMA QLPH-21 was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 13, 1913, the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Harris. A graduate of California prep schools, Captain Harris attended Porterville Junior College, and the University of California, Berkeley, California, prior to being designated Naval Aviator at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, in August 1938. Captain Harris was Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander, Carrier Division THREE in December 1960, when he received his orders to report to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, as Prospective Commanding Officer of IWO J IMA. Extensive carrier service has characterized Captain Harris' naval aviator career, including tours of duty aboard USS RANGER, USS GILBERT ISLANDS, USS BOXER, USS PHILIPPINE SEA AND USS ESSEX. Embracing the years of 1941 through 1956, such carrier tours of duty were replete with Air and Operations Officer, Fighter Squadron and Air Groups Commands. He was Executive Officer, USS ESSEX, 1955-1956. As Air and Operations Officer, USS GILBERT ISLAND, during World War II, Captain Harris saw action in the Okinawa Campaign, Borneo In- vasion and the campaign against the Japanese homeland. During the Korean Conflict, he was Commander, Carrier Air Group NINE, embarked in USS PHILIPPINE SEA, operating with Task Force 77 in extensive action against North Korean Forces, March 1952 to August 1953. Other prominent peace and wartime tours of duty include Operations Officer, Naval Air Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, 1947-1948, Training Officer, Staff, Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training, 1953-1955, Training Officer, Staff, Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training, 1956-1957, and Commanding Officer, NAAS Chase Field, 1957-1958. He completed the resident course at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 1959. Promotion to Captain was received in July, 1957. In recognition of distinguished service to his country, Captain Harris holds the Legion of Merit fwith combat VND, Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Ribbons Qwith combat VRD, and the Navy Unit Commendation. He may also wear the following campaign and service medals: American Defense fwith Bronze Starl, American Theatre, Pacific Theatre with three stars, World War II Victory, Philippine Liberation, United Nations and Korean Theatre with three stars.

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CAPT. T. D. HARRIS, USN CQMMANDING QFFICER 1 . C 4 RR R RR 111.01111 1 l I l l l I l I I I 1 4 G 1

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