Lassen (DDG 82) - Naval Cruise Book

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LCDR LASSEN Commander Clyde Everett Lassen, USN, (1942-1994), a native of Fort Myers, Florida, eamed the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courageous rescue of two downed aviators while commander of a search and rescue helicoppter :in Vietnam. 4 On June 1 9, 1 968, Lassen, then a 27 year ■ old Lieutenant flying a U H-2 Seasprite, embarked on a mission to recover two downed naval aviators whose plane had been shot down deep In North Vietnamese tenitory. Upon reaching the hilly terrain where the aviators were hiding, LT Lassen made several attempts to recover the aviators, but dense tree cover, |my weapons fire and intermittent illumination ted his efforts. Determined to complete his n, LT Lassen tumed on the landing lights i hellicopter, despite the danger of revealing sition to the enemy. After the pilots made way to the helicopter and with his bullet- Kl helicopter dangerously low on fuel, LT en evaded further antiaircraft fire before iig safely at sea onboard a guided missile ,x)yer - with only five minutes of fuel left in the helicopter ' s fuel lines. The accoUnVHHHBe was logged as a successful, routine search and rescue mission. But at the home base for Helicopter Combat Squadron Seven, the rescue flight of June 19, 1968, will always be acdaimed as one of the most daring feats of flying to come out of the Vietnam Conflict. LT Lassen became the first naval aviator and fifth Navy man to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in Vietnam.

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- s % ' gra Dra (0)1? ©©[ Kffl rafi COMMAND MASTER CHIEF Master Chref Kenneweg, a native of Ma i Ohio, enlisted in the U.S. Navy under the N delayed entry program in August 1981 and graduated recailt training from Recruit Tralj Command, Great Lakes, iL on December I 1981 . Upon completion of Recmit Training Master Chief Kenneweg attended and successfully completed Operations Specig A School, Dam Neck, Virginia. Master (1 Kenneweg ' s shipboard tours include USS OGDEN (LPD 5), USS DULUTH (LPD 6). USS ' JUNEAU (LPD 10). PCU RUSHMORE (LSD 47), a second tour onboard USS JUNEAU (LPD 10), and USS BOXER (LHD 4). His shore tours M include: Naval Reserve Detachment (active reserves) Santa Barbara, Califomia, Afloat Training Group Pacific San Diego, Califomia, and Fleet Training Center San Diego Ca. Master Chief Kenneweg ' s military education include: Ship ' s Weapons Coordinator and Operations Specialist Modules 11 and III located at Point Loma, Califomia; the Senior Enlisted Academy, Newport Rhode, Island; and Fleet Training Center San Diego, Califomia. MasterChief Kenneweg is cun-ently serving his second Command Master Chief tour. His first tour was at - Helicopter Ant-Submarine Squadron 2 based at Naval Air Station North Island and embarked onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). His current tour is onboard USS LASSEN (DDG 82), stationed at Naval Station San Diego Ca. Master Chief Kenneweg awards include; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 4 stars; Navy Achievement medal with 1 star, various cam paign ribbons and ten sea service deployment ribbons. CMCs CORNER. SHIPMATE! How ' s ltgolng......GREATl When I started thinking about whatTsRou. write about for the cnjisebook I felt as if I was not going to do you all justice. I wanted to ensure that I truly express how proud of you and how grateful I am to have been your CMC during LASSENs maiden deployment and one that was most challenging and rewarding. We started tills deployment with just a few weeks notice. Yes, some people grumbled but you all realized that as Sailors when the nation called for us to keep a lid on the Pacific region you were ready and willing. From watchstation qualifications to ESWS and even PACE courses, you each tried to excel both personally and professionally. This you have each done well and should be proud of your accompiishments.This being my 10th deployment in my 22 year career I can honestly say that it had been my most challenging but it has also been my moist rewarding. This I contribute to each and every one of you. I thank you again for allowing me to be your CMC.

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DEPARTURE •■•(■•■■• §■■■■■•■• ■■■■■•■■■ i •■(■■•■•■■a From: To: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY USS LASSEN (DDG 82) FPOAP 96671 -1299 Commanding Officer, USS LASSEN (DDG 82) Whom It May Concern ICOO DDG 82 9 Jan 3 S ' ob: : LETTER OF NOTIFICATION In support of Operation Enduring Preedoii and the Global War on Terrorism, USS LASSEN (DDG 82) will be deploying in the month of January for an extended period. This letter is applicable to all USS LASSEN (DDG 82) crew who can be identified by the command crest affixed Co their military identification card. This deployrnent is an unexpected and unplanned operational requirement and absolutely no fault of the service member. Consequently, it is requested that any fees or penalties associated with early termination of services be fully waived for LASSEN Sailors. Additionally, this letter certifies a military operational requirement that requires the service members presence overseas for an extended period and validates any military clauses m any existing accounts, contracts, or agreements. Your support of the Armed Services is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or desire to extend your support of LASSEN Sailors further, please contact me or my representatives directly at (619)556-4438 or oneal@lassen. navy.mil . Sincerely, H. W. O ' NEAL By direction w af