La Salle (AGF 3) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 14 text:

Robert Willis Chewning graduated from Randolph Macon Academy, Front Royal, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia at Charlot- tesville, for one year, prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy on an appointment from his native state in 1949. Following graduation in 1953, he remained at the academy as Plebe Drill Instructor and Boxing Coach until September. He then reported to USS RADFORD (DDE-446) as First Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer. Next he attended Submarine School, New London, CT. In January 1956 he reported to USS AMBER JACK (SS-522). In January 1958 he returned to New London to attend Nuclear Power School, pro- totype training at the Bettis Plant, Atomic Laboratory, Pittsburgh. In March 1959 he joined the pre-commissioning Blue Crew of USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN-598), the nations first fleet ballistic missle submarine. During the period 1961 through 1965 he served as Engineering and Executive Officer of USS SKIPJACK (SSN-585), attended Prospective Commanding Officers School, under- went Fleet Ballistic Missile Training and served as Executive Officer of USS ALEXANDER HAMILTON (SSBN-617), He commanded USS HADDO (SSN-604) from November 1965 until assuming command of the Nuclear Power Training Command in September 1967 where he served for three years. From November 1970 to July 1974 he served as Commander of Submarine Division Fifty-One, Commander of Submarine Flotilla Five and squadrons One and Seven. Following a course in Security Assistance at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he served as Chief Navy Section, Joint U. S. Military Mission for Aid to Turkey, where he served until September 1976. He then reported to Washington, DC as special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations for Pan American Affairs until assuming his present duties in June 1979. His home town is Orange. Virginia. He is married to the former Virginia Louise Harvey of Kilmarnock, Virginia and they have three chil- dren, Carol-Winter, Virginia Sue and Rush Willis.

Page 13 text:

Iji COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN HAROLD J. BERNSEN Captain. In March 1980 while at sea in the Persian Gulf, Captain Bernsen assumed command of USS LA SALLE (AGF-3) the flagship of Commander Middle East Force. Captain Bernsen has earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Three Navy Unit Commendations as well as theatre medals and ribbons for Vietnam and Iranian contingency operations. Originally from Boston, Captain Bernsen is the son of Mrs. Harold A. Bernsen of Kristiansand, Norway and the late Mr. Bernsen. He and his wife, the former Doris Champion of Shelby, North Carolina, now reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 4

Page 15 text:

COMMANDER, MIDDLE EAST FORCE REAR ADMIRAL ROBERT W. CHEWNING