Lewis Puller (FFG 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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The FRESNO Color Guard presents the Colors. ... ' ■ I ■ Change of Command September 14, 1991 Guest of Honor RADM Bresnahan, COMNAVSURFRESFOR CDR Morrell addresses the crew for the final time. CDR King assumes command. The FRESNO crew. 72 The new captain leaving the podium.

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Commander Kendall J. King U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Born in Pocatello, Idaho, Commander Kendall J. King is a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsyl- vania and was commissioned an Ensign upon completion of Officer ' s Candidate School (OCS), Newport, Rhode Island, in August 1971. He initially served onboard USS LASALLE (LPD-3 and AGF-3) as a Deck Division Officer and Communications Officer. After a tour of duty on the Staff of Commander, Naval Telecommunications Command, Commander King was assigned as Electronic Warfare Officer onboard USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY (CG-32) from 1976 to 1978. Upon graduating from the Surface Warfare Officer School Department Head course, he reported to USS DUPONT (DD-941) as Weapons Officer. His subsequent Department Head tour was as Weapons Officer on USS CALIFORNIA (CGN-36) from 1981-1982. Commander King was next assigned to the Staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Fleet as Tactics and Doctrine Officer. Returning to sea duty, he served as Executive Officer of USS CON- YNGHAM (DDG-17) from 1984 to 1986. This was followed by duty as Tactical Concepts and Doctrine Officer for Commander, Surface Warfare Development Group. Commander King was most recently the Pre-Commissioning Operations Officer on USS WASP (LHD-1) from 1988-1990. Commander King has earned Master Degrees in Technology of Management from the American University and in Business Administration from Golden Gate University. He is a proven sub-specialist in Computer Systems and in Weapons Systems Technology. He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College. His decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (with three Gold Stars in lieu of a fourth award), and the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. Commander King is married to the former Gail Suzanne Kiser of Clarion, Pennsylvannia. The Kings have two sons, Jeffrey, a Senior at James Madison University, and Gregory, a Senior at Salem High School in Virginia Beach. 71

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Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. Barry U.S. Navy Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Barry is from Oakland, California. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Villanova University in 1976 and a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Education from St. John ' s College, Annapolis, Maryland in 1988. He was commissioned an Ensign through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Villanova and in March of 1977 reported to the USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CG-5). He has also completed tours as a Deck Officer on USS EDWARD MCDONNELL (FF-1043), Operations Officer on USS MEYERKORD (FF-1058), Operation Officer on USS FREDERICK (LST-1184), Action Officer on Naval Operations (OP-605), and First Lieutenant on USS RANGER (CV-61). Lieutenant Commander Barry wears the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various service awards. He is unmarried. Master Chief Weapons Technician John M. Vechil U.S. Naval Reserve Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command Master Chief Weapons Technician Vechil is from Bakersfield, California. He received an Associates of Arts degree in General Education from Bakersfield Junior College. He enlisted in the Navy in 1962 and attended GMT A school. He became a nuclear weapons assembly crew member and was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island where he advanced to GMT2 before being transferred to W Division USS KITTY HAWK (CVA- 63) for two combat deployments. He then completed tours at Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility and NAD Oahu before he reported back to sea for a combat cruise aboard USS MIDWAY (CVA-43) and his only peacetime cruise on USS RANGER (CVA-61). He left active duty in October 1974 and returned to Bakersfield where he joined the Naval Reserve the following month. His naval reserve billets have included: USS O ' CALLAHAN (FF-1051), Naval Weapons Station Concord, USS WADSWORTH (FFG-9), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, EOD Mobil Three, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. He has been the command Senior Master Chief of the Naval Reserve component of all the ships and both Weapons Stations he has been assigned. Master Chief Vechil wears the Navy Achievement Medal, Presi- dential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation (two awards), Good Conduct Medal (three awards), Vietnam Service Medal (five awards), and other service awards. He is married to Shannon Lee Roether of Bakersfield, California.