Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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lparige O omrriand I:cbruaryl3,l97l FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Further Information USS IWO JIMA ILPH-2l Release Af Public Affairs Officer Date: 13 FEB 1971 FPO San Francisco 96601 UNIQUE CEREMONY FOR IWO CHANGE OF COMMAND Rear Admiral W.D. GADDIS, USN, Commander of Pacific Amphibious Forces, was the guest speaker at the change of command ceremony in which Captain Wycliffe D. TOOLE, Jr., USN relieved Captain Leland E. KIRKEMO, USN as Commanding Officer of the USS IWO JIMA ILPH-21. The change of command ceremony was an unusual one, perhaps unique among US Navy ships. The normal ceremony, with all hands drawn up in smart ranks in the bright sunshine of the flight deck, could not be held due to IWO's operational committments that kept both ship and crew ready for instant action in a combat support role. The change of command ceremony was broadcast to all hands over the IWO's closed-circuit TV system. The TV system, normally used for shipboard training lectures and nightly enter- tainment, served as an admirable vehicle as the ceremony's principals in the TV studio were viewed by the crew in offices, lounges, and berthing compartments throughout the ship. 8

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Commander David H. Fischer assumed his duties as the USS IWO JIMA Executive Officer on the twenty first of December Executive Qfficer Commander Fischer was commissioned in the Navy upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1953. After commissioning he reported back to the Naval Academy as an instructor in the Department of Naval Engineering. ln September 1953 Commander Fischer reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. Since his designation as a Naval Aviator he has served as Flight Officer in Patrol Squadron 44, Assistant Maintenance Officer in Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 31 and Maintenance Officer in both Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 36 and 24. Commander Fischer's assignments prior to lwo Jima have been many and varied. He served as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 27. interspersed with Squadron assignments, Commander Fischer served in the Department of Physical Education at the Naval Academy from 1958 to 1961 as an instructor and both assistant and head Plebe Football Coach. From October 1962 to July 1964, he served as Flag Lieutenant and Aide to Commander Second Fleet. Following that tour Commander Fischer attended the Naval War College Command and Staff Course. ln connection with the Naval War College he attended the George Washington University extension school and received a Master of Science Degree in International Relations. Prior to his selection for Aviation Command, Commander Fischer served on the Staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as an Operational and Command CDR David H Fischer Management Analyst in the office of the Fleet lnspector General. United 513195 Navv Commander Fischer is married to the former Betty Lee of Silver g Springs, Maryland. They have two children, Mark and Lynn. .1 1 wi 1 af. lin. 4 R -. f' is . V , .E I 'l I? ,ALS-A ' ' -4 l 1 A if f ti . VII, f ' 1, Q. X . 1 ig.: . 1 ff' gm af 4 lx