Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 11 text:

a Commander Lewis Keith Athon was graduated from the University of Idaho in June 1969 and received his commission via the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps at the same time. Previous sea assignments include: Engineer Officer, USS RICHMOND K. TURNER (CC-20); Auxiliaries Officer, USS CORAL SEA (CV 43); Material Officer, COMDESRON Thirty-one staff; and Main Propulsion Assistant, USS WADDELL (DDG-24). Other assignments include the Naval Postgraduate School where he received a Master of Science degree in Physics in the Weapons Systems Engineering Curriculum, and 3M Officer on COMCRUDESPAC Staff. His military decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V” and the Combat Action Ribbon. Commander Athon is married to the former Janice Lynn Hilgesen of Castro Valley, California. They and their son, Michael, live in Chula Vista. Executive Officer Commander Lewis K. Athon 7

Page 10 text:

t Commanding Officer Commander James L. Burke Commander James Lawrence Burke was graduated from the City University of New York in June 1964 and received his commission from the Officer Candidate School in October of that year. Previous assignments in the destroyer force include: Executive Officer, USS BRADLEY (FF-1041); Engineer Officer, USS RAMSEY (DEC-2); Communications and CIC Officer, USS CARCIA (DE-1040); and Operations and Supply Officer, USS DARBY (DE-218). Additionally, he was Commanding Officer, USS ANTELOPE (PC-86) from 1971-1973 and served in the Republic of Vietnam as Officer in Charge of a Swift Boat from 1967-1968. Other assignments include tours ashore as Director of Training, Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific and Aide and Flag Secretary to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan. Commander Burke attended the U.S. Naval Destroyer School and is a graduate of the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College. His military decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V , the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Commander Burke is married to the former Jane Margaret Brodahl of West Covina, California. They and their three sons, Jim Jr., John, and Michael, reside in Fletcher Hills. 6

Page 12 text:

 Commander Destroyer Squadron Captain Raymond G. Zeller Captain ZELLER was born in 1937 in Olney, Illinois, the son of Mr. Mrs. Raymond ZELLER. He was commissioned an Ensign, U. S. Navy on 5 February 1960. He has served in several destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific, including USS WILKINSON (DL S), USS KENNTH D. BAILEY (DDR 713), and USS JOHN W. THOMASON (DD 760). He has commanded USS JOHN WILLIS (DE 1027), USS FURSE (DD 882) and USS BROOKE (EEC 1). Tours ashore have included the U. S. Naval Post Graduate School, Vietnam and Washington, D. C. Washington lours have included assignment as an Operations Analyst in the Systems Analysis Division of OPNAV (OP-96), Military Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries of Defense, and most recently as Executive Assistant to the Director, Navy Program Planning, OP-090. Captain ZELLER's decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Combat V and various campaign and service medals. 8