Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAI KENNETH PYLE COMM DIN G OFFICER Captain Kenneth L. Pyle was born in Casselton, North Dakota, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest G. Pyle. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and received a Bachelor of Science degree and commission in the U.S. Navy in June 1968. Prior to reporting for flight training, he attended the California Institute of Technology as the recepient of the Daedalian Fellowship and received a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in June 1969. Designated a Naval Avaiator in December 1970, he reported to VA-42, NAS Oceana, Virginia for A-6 replacement training. He reported to VA-75 in December 1971 and deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS SARATOGA ICV 60j flying more than 180 combat sorties. For performance during that deployment, the Sunday Punchers earned the Rear Adm. C. Wade McCluskey Award as the Navy's best attack squadron, the first A-6 squadron so honored. In April 1974, Captain Pyle received orders to VX-5 Det O at NAS Oceana. Following disestablishment of Det O, he completed his VX-5 tour at NAS China Lake, California. He served as Safety Officer, A-6 Tactical Manual Coordinator and project pilot for A-6E TRAM initial operational testing. Captain Pyle was then ordered to VA-196 and joined the Main Battery in August 1977, completing a Westpac deployment aboard USS ENTERPRISE KCVN 653. During that time he served as Training Officer, Operations and Maintenance Officer. Captain Pyle's next assignment was to VA-128 in November 1979 as an instructor pilot. While with the Golden lntruders, he was the MAWS Coordinator, Crew Training Officer and Operations Officer. He rejoined the Main Battery in November 1981 as Executive Officer and deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS CORAL SEA ICV 431. In December 1982, he assumed command of VA-196, completing an Around-the-World deployment in September 1983. During this tour, the squadron was awarded the Rear Adm. C. Wade McCluskey Award, the Hughes Trophy and the coveted Battle HE. Following selection for and completion of Nuclear Propulsion Training, Captain Pyle served as Executive Officer of USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER CCVN 69j from February 1986 to March 1988. During this tour, Ike completed its first complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, Virginia. Following Captain Pyle's tour as Executive Officer aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower ICVN 691, he reported to the Naval Education and Training Center, Newport, Rhode Island for the Prospective Commanding Officer's Course. Upon completion of the PCO course, Captain Pyle assumed command of USS IWO JIMA ILPH 21 in November 1988. Captain Pyle has been awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, 17 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal, and various service and national campaign awards. He has over 3500 flight hours in the A-6 Intruder and has logged over 700 carrier arrested landings. Captain Pyle is married to the former Sandra Jean Dilks of Lansdowne, Maryland. They have four children: Kenneth Michael, Joshua, and twin daughters Marin and Michelle.

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24th MARINE UNIT COLONEL RONALD R. MATTHEWS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS Colonel Ronald R. Matthews was born on March 31, 1940 in New York City, New York. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1963, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. X Following graduation from The Basic School in December 1963, he reported to 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa where he successively served as Platoon Commander, Company Commander, and Battalion Operations Officer of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. ln April 1965, he was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, where he served as a Series Commander until May 1966, when he was transferred to Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Republic of the Phlllipines. From May 1966 to February 1968, First Lieutenant Matthews served as Executive Officer, and subsequently, Commanding Officer, of Detached Guard Company. Captain Matthews reported to the Naval Academy Group, Rung Sat Special Zone, Republic of Vietnam in May 1968, where he served as a Marine Advisor until May 1969. Upon returning from Vietnam he attended Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia. After graduation he was assigned as a Company Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Following this tour, he was assigned to Second Marine Division. During the period August 1973 to August 1976 Major Matthews served as BLT 212 operations officer, 2d Marine Regiment Operations Officer and BLT 212 Executive Officer. In August 1976, he reported to the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Following graduation, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, Headquarters Company, Ill Marine Amphibious Force in Okinawa, and served in that capacity during the period August 1977 to August 1978. Reporting to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. in September 1978, Lieutenant Colonel Matthews served as an Action Officer and subsequently, Section Head within the Training Division. After leaving Headquarters Marine Corps in August 1981, he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C. Concurrently, he attended George Washington University where he earned a Masters Degree in Management. Upon graduation Lieutenant Colonel Matthews reported to the 2d Marine Division where he served as the G-3 Plans and G-3 Operations Officer. ln November 1983 Lieutenant Colonel Matthews assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 2d Marines. ln May 1985, Colonel Matthews reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C. where he served as a Strategic Planner, Strategy Division, J-5 Directorate from July 1985 until April 1988. He assumed his current duties on May 6, 1988. EXPEDITIONARY

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'-CEE! C :fair J'x 5 . I x N, . N I Ci, S' ' fs j I , I Afkyr, it We ILEFTJ THE CAPTAIN SITS IN HIS CHAIR AND CLOSELY WATCHES THE BRIDGE PERSONNEL. ILEFTJ CAPTAIN PYLE ADDRESSES THE CREW DURING COMMAND INSPECTION.