Kenneth Whiting (AV 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN LEMUEL M. STEVENS, JR., USN Commanding Officer Captain Lemuel Mussetter Stevens, Jr., was born in Honolulu, T.H. Commissioned on Ensign in 1933, his first assignment as a naval officer was to the battleship USS NEW YORK. After three years aboard the NEW YORK, he attended the Naval Avia- tion School at Pensacola, graduating in 1937 as a Naval Aviator. His career has been in naval avia- tion since that time. In January 1952 he was pro- moted to the grade of Captain, USN. On completion of flight training, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS RANGER, as a pilot in VS-41. In 1939 he returned to his former ship, the NEW YORK, in the VO-5 unit, and after a short period was transferred to the USS TEXAS. Later in ■40, he was assigned to NAS, COCO SOLA, Canal Zone, in the Overhaul and Repair Department. Returning to the sea again after the outbreak of WW II, he helped commission the carrier PR INCE- TON (CVL-23) and was assigned Assistant Air Officer. Remaining on board the PRINCETON until 1944, he was transferred to the ADMIRALTY ISLANDS (CVE-99), to put her in commission, as Executive Officer. From there he went to Washing- ton, D.C., and became Aide to Vice Chief of Naval Operations, in July 1945. The then Commander Stevens, received his orders to sea duty again. This time to NAS NOB Midv oy Islands, where he was assigned the dual roles of Executive Officer and Chief Staff Officer. In 1949, he returned to the U. S. to attend the Armed Forces Staff College. In the fall of ' 49, he again went to Wash- ington, D.C., this time to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Remaining there until 1951, he was transferred to the Staff of Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, as head of Plans and Develop- ment. In 1954, he became Commanding Officer of NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Fla., and held that post until receiving his orders to command the USS KENNETH WHITING (AV-14) in June, 1955.

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CAPTAIN WILLIAM W. HOLLISTER, USN Commanding Officer July 1954 to June 1955 CAPTAIN LLOYD H. McALPINE Chief of Staff Commander Fleet Air Wmg One Commander Formosa Patrol Force

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COMMANDER JOHN N. WEST, USN Executive Officer Commander John Norman West was born in Forest Grove, Oregon, but claims Corvallis, Oregon his home. Commissioned as Ensign in 1938 upon his gradu- ation from flight training at the Naval Aviation School, Pensacola, his first assignment as a Naval Officer was aboard the carrier USS WASP with Scouting Squadron 72. In 1939, he was transferred to another scouting squadron, VS-6, aboard the car- rier ENTERPRISE, where he served during the first part of World War II in the Pacific. From the ENTER- PRISE he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Jack- sonville, Florida, as an instructor in Scouting and Fighter aircraft. Later in 1944, ho to tions lor Commander job of Air Opera- r-r Forces. In 1945 he was ordered to duty as Air Officer aboard the USS SITKOH BAY (CVE-86). Promoted to Commander in 1945, he was assigned to the General Line School, Newport, R. I., as a student. On graduation, he drew the assignment as Commanding Officer of FASRON- 110, and held that post for two years. From here he was transferred again to the General Line School in Newport, this time as an instructor. In Septemiber, 1950, Commander West took over command of Scouting-26. In 1952 he returned to the field of education, this time to the Armed Forces Staff College at Newport, R. I. On graduating, he was as- signed as Chief Inspector, Bremerton Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, where he remained until reporting aboard the USS KENNETH WHITING in October 1954.