John F Kennedy (CV 67) - Naval Cruise Book

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Cllitil lil Sltlll Captain .John M. Langknecht was born in Kansas City, MO. A graduate of Beloit College in Wisconsin, he received his commission through Officer Candidate School in Newport. Rhode Island in April 1969. Following his initial sea assignment on USS PRAIRIE tAD 151. he served briefly on USS CARONADE QLFR ll during the Vietnam conflict. Subsequently he was ordered to USS ROBERT L. WILSON tDD 8471 serving as Antisubmarine Warfare Officer and then Weapons Officer during operations with the SECOND and SIXTH Fleets. In September 1972 Lieutenant Langknecht was ordered to duty as commissioning ASW Officer on USS CALIFORNIA TCGN 361. Following this tour he attended Naval Destroyer School in Newport, Rhode Island and was assigned as Weapons Officer on USS RARNEY tDDG Ol upon graduation. This assignment included Rattle Group operations in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Mediterranean. He was detached from USS RARNEY in .luly 1977 to attend the Command and Staff course at the Naval War College, graduating with highest distinction in June 1978. He was then assigned as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In December 1980, Commander Langknecht was ordered to USS SPRUANCE TDD 9631 as Executive Officer. During this assignment he participated in operations in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Inunediately following this tour in January 1981 hc reported to Destroyer Squadron TWENTY TWO as Chief Staff Officer. The squadron operated as a unit of the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY Rattle Group in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the 1983 crisis in l.ebanon. ln June 1985 Commander Langknecht assumed command of USS AURREY FITCH tFFG 341. During his two years in command, the ship conducted operations in the Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean, Pacific and Atlantic. Completing his tour in comm nd, Captain Langknecht was assigned as Assistant Chief ef Staff for Operations and Plans for Commander, Cruiser a Destroyer Group EIGIIT. This assignment included Rattle Force SXTII Fleet deployments with the USS SARATOGA and USS 'THEODORE ROOSEVELT Rattle Groups. -n August 1989, Captain Langknecht was ordered to Rath, ME as prospective Commanding Officer, in conjunction with construction and fitting out of USS GETTYSDURG ICG 641. Upon the ship's commissioning in June 1991, Captain Langknecht assumed command of GETTYSRURG. guiding it through its initial shakedown and deployment with the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY Datte Group in the Mediterranean. While under his command, GETTYSDURG served as Rattle Group Anti-air Warfare Commander and participated in Operation Provide Promise and numerous NATO and Joint exercises. Under his command, GETTYSRURG won the coveted Rattle and numerous community service awards. Jpon relinquishing connnand of GETTYSDURG in May 1993, Captain Langknecht was reassigned to the National War College in Washington, DC where he earned a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy. Ile was then ordered to duty with the Rallistic Missile Defense Organization, serving as Director, .loint Force and subsequently as Chief of Staff. In April 1997, Captain Langknecht assumed duties as Chief of Staff for Commander, Carrier Group TWO and the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY Rattle Group. Captain Langknechts personal decorations include the Joint Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Meda ITIIIRD Awardi. the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navv and Marine Corps Achievement Medal tSECOND awardl. 'S we-Q 4 I 0 COC

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RADM Robert C. Williamson

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0 CAPT John M. Langknecht M E ,W for ,