Leftwich (DD 984) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER Commander Ronald Charles Berning Commander Ronald Charles Berning received his commission in June 1968 from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Commander Beming’s previous sea tours have included: Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, USS HOLLISTER (DD-788): Operations Officer, Pre-Commissioning Crew. USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (DD-788): Aide Flag Lieutenant on the staff of Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla THREE Cruiscr-Dcstroycr Group ONE; Commanding Officer, USS CALLUP (PC-85); and most recently. Executive Officer, USS BRISCOE (DD-977). His shore duty assignments have included being a student at U.S. Naval Destroyer School. Newport. Rhode Island in 1970 and a tour at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1977 to 1979 as a Scamanship Tactics Instructor and the Power Craft Coordinator, responsible for over 40 training craft. Prior to reporting to USS LEFTWICH (DD-984), Commander Berning served three years in Washington. D.C.. on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare) as the Surface Warfare Programs Officer in the Manpower and Training Requirements Division (OP-39). HIS military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V” and Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Commander Bcrning's home of record is Treasure Island. Florida. He is married to Barbara Jean Ray of Alexandria, Virginia. They have two children. Pete and Mary.

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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, L'SS BRADLEY (EE-1041): Engineer Officer, USS RAMSEY (DEC-2); Communications and CIC Officer. USS GARCIA (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. Elect Combat Training Center Pacific and Aide and Elag 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.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER Commander Richard Markley Smith Richard Markley SMITH was born in Santa Monica. California on 27 August 1949. son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford SMITH. He graduated from J.H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley. California and entered the United States Naval Academy in JUNE 1967. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy on 9 June 1971. CDR SMITH reported to the USS HENRY B. WILSON (01)0-7) where he served as 1st Lieutenant and Main Propulsion Assistant. During that tour, he deployed to the Western Pacific from August 1971 to December 1971 and June 1972 to February 1973. From September 1974 to September 1976 CDR SMITH attended the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey, California. While CDR SMITH attended the Naval Post Graduate School he received a MS degree in Physical Oceanography. From October 1976 to May 1977 CDR SMITH attcndcs Surface Warfare Officer Department Head School at Newport. Rhode Island. Upon graduation, he reported to the Pre-commissioning Crew of the USS G RIDLEY (CG 21), serving as Engineering Officer until October 1981. In November 1981. CDR SMITH reported to Staff Commander, Training Command. U.S. Pacific Fleet as Flag Secretary. CDR SMITH assumed duties as Executive Officer, USS LEFTWICH (DD 1984) in April 1984. Commander SMITH'S home is Spring Valley, California, lie is married to Nancy Lynn MCGOWAN of Covina. California and they have one son. Kcllcn. CDR SMITH has earned and is entitled to wear the Combat Action Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), and the Vietnamese Gallentry Cross with Silver Star Award.