Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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TABLE DF CONTENTS DAY AT SEA Welcome Aboard Underway Replenishment Turn To Training Flight Operations Sports MOMENTS TO REMEMBER ORI Laos Christmas HMS Hermes Weapons Demonstration Moments You Probably Donpt Remember PORTS OF CALL Hawaii Guam Philippines Okinawa A Hong Kong Japan PERSONNEL Administration Operations Navigation Medical Sr Dental Gunnery A Engineering Supply Air Air Group 21 Carrier Division 3

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LEXINGTON. . . A PROUD NAME Named for the first battle of the Revolutionary War, fought at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. The famous Minutemert, farmers who were ready to leave their plows at a minutegs notice, fought to repulse a force of British regulars attempting to seize the colonists' powder supply. 26 September, 1942 rf.-,L vs za ' ' f 'ff-rafirfarizst 37 . f -' - K . ji-alyfg , - Q.:-U.-. L'2-IQ: - .w , V 5515153 I: :.pr'C?ZQ1- vi. !?jJ,4f1' ' 'gf-.f'1:,3 'I 2 .J . 'Tf-, J 1 ' f,., L' ' , - ',9'+S'9,:. ,-ggi- ..-iff - 1, f-3-gt':.5yFcf- gr-'f'ri,f vgv.,',-1-'.w',ja-ry.11 1. -. I I 4 I V- ' 2 412 ftja- ,,Lfi?iffJ3f5', iii-5 , - 213505 ,1hl'r':3Ly,.2f'7yfa'- 'f fl' 3. in , -' K ,'r,Q,',.-qv.. gi' 1 3 s -e gg? wfqgr-1-ix rt,-lip .vw +G, ng - .ge gl. 3 ': - . v ,ff an ,,, 1, 5 ' - - , V 'l'4-.:-IFE. aiu' 'mpg 54f,:g1s.i'15',w 5:'. ?Q-.qw-i,p'-tY:, V 'V Q. ' f U: g , g I ' ' I 1 f 1 ,,vg.. A445 .VJ - ,u'Ig,. .K J? .,f,,,::.,Wg. ,,,, '-,Wg MMM ,!,,.,G.1,k.,,.,. uh, ,, , ' .. . , ,h , f - W .1.,.56i.s 'f- 2141...-.1 'wzpwif.xg.:.L: ' ' ',I.,,--,...,. ,..,....-.-.L.1, , .J The USS LEXINGTON QCVA-16j was recommissioned in August 1955, having been placed in preserve at the end of World War Il. Modernized with angled flight deck, steam catapults, and mirror landing systems, the LEXINGTON is' a mobile air base capable of launching any carrier-based aircraft, including twin-engine jet bombers. The history of ships bearing the name LEXINGTON is as long and dramatic as the U. S. Navy itself. l From 1775, until today, the national ensign has flown from Eve successive LEXINGTONS. Through the Revolutionary War, the Mexican War, and the Civil War, a LEXINGTON Was in action. The outbreak of World War II found the fourth USS LEXINGTON QGV-221 and her sister ship, the USS SARATOGA, the first aircraft carriers built by the U. S. Navy, in the Pacific. Her many strikes took a steady toll of enemy warships and aircraft. The LEXINGTON compiled a brilliant combat record before she was sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 9, 1942, the result of torpedo and bomb damage. Sixteen months later the present LEXINGTON fone of the first H ESSEX Class carriersj appeared in the Pacific, participating in nearly every remaining campaign and avenging her predecessor. The enemy promptly dubbed her the at BLUE GHOST? P By the end of the War, the USS LEXINGTON QGVA-16j had destroyed more than 850 enemy planes. She sank 300,000 tons of shipping and damaged another 300,000 tons. Since recommissioning in 1955, the LEXQNGTON has alternated between carrier pilot qualifications on the West 'Coast and deployments in the Far East as a member of the SEVENTH FLEET. But no matter Where or what her immediate job is, her long range objective is to maintain the peace she fought so hard to Win. In crises such as Formosa and Laos, the modern MINUTEMEN of the USS LEXINGTON were ready, thus proving themselves Worthy descendants ofthe illustrious Massachusetts patriots whose battleground gave the ship its name.

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FORW RD POWER FOR PEACE has been chosen as the title for this story ofthe 1960-61 Lexington W'estPac cruise. And whdf could be more appropriate than to include the United Nations emblem as a symbol for Peace . This cruise book is a pictorial history of the operations of a great aircraft carrier and of its men-operations which have been an experience we shall long remember, and this book will refresh our memories in years to come. POWER EOR PEACE is published for the men of the Lexington, their families and friends. For people who have never seen an aircraft carrier, but have only heard about it through your . . . . Q 79 letters, here is a training aid for you to use to describe your M home away from home . The Editors would like to have had twice as many pages available to tell this story. It is hoped that each man will feel that he is reading a diary written about a few months of his lje as he looks through these pages. q Here, then, is your book, POWER FOR PEACE. THE DECISION MAKERS REAR ADMIRAL FRANK B. MILLER, COMMANDER CARRIER DIVISION 3 Rear Admiral Frank B. Miller attended Swavely Preparatory School at Manasas, Virginia before his appointment to the Naval Academy in June 1926. He was commissioned an Ensign in June 1930. Upon graduation he served for nine months on board the USS NEVADA before reporting to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida in March 1931. After graduation, he served with aviation units in USS AUGUSTA and USS HOUSTON during 1932-1933. In 1935 he returned to Pensacola as an instructor. Two years later, he was assigned to Scouting Squadron SIX aboard USS ENTERPRISE. He assumed command of Scouting Squadron 1-D3 in December 1941 and served in that capacity until November 1942. His squadron participated in the antisubmarine campaign against the German U-boats that were ravaging the eastern seaboard at the start of the war. He next served as Air Ofiicer of USS PRINCETON from her commissioning until May 1944. During that tour of duty he received a letter of Commendation and Combat V from the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet, for especially meritorious service as Air Officer. He next served as Executive Ofiicer of USS MONTEREY, and saw action in the Philippines, including the first battle of the Eastern Philippine Sea and the battle for Leyte Gulf. In 1944 he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement. ' In August 1945 he returned to Washington, D. C. for duty as Head of the Research and Development Section for Aviation Ordnance in the Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department. He served there until June 1948, when he was ordered to the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. In 1950 Captain Miller assisted in forming the staff of Commander Naval Air Japan in Tokyo. He served there as Assistant Chief-of-Staff for Plans and Operations until December when he was ordered to the Strategic Plans Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. Admiral Miller was a student from July 1952 to June 1953 at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Upon graduation he served as Commanding Ofiicer of USS PALAU which saw action in Korea in 1953. Later that year, he returned to the Naval War College as Head of the Department of Strategy and Tactics. Command of the USS BOXER in 1955-1956 preceded his assignment to the Staff of the Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in July 1956. In 1957 he was transferred to duty as Chief-of-Staff and Aide to the Commander Carrier Division SEVEN and in December 1957, was again assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations CGeneral Planningj and Director of the General Planning Group. Admiral Miller wears the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V , Commendation Ribbon with Combat V , American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp, the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. His selection for the rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the President to date August 1, 1958. He became Commander Carrier Division THREE on August 5, 1960. He was born on August 5, 1906 in Washington, D.C. He is married to the former Miss Dorothy Darrow Graham of Chevy Chase, Maryland. They have one son, Frank Blake Miller, Jr. CAPTAIN FRENCH WAMPLER, JR., CHIEF OF STAFF Captain French Wampler, Jr., was born in Fountain City, Tennessee and entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931. Upon graduation he served for three years in the carrier USS SARATOGA before entering fiight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in the summer of 1939. Captain Wampler joined Torpedo Squadron' TWO operating off the carrier USS LEXINGTON after graduating from flight training. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic conduct in aerial flight during an attack in enemy controlled territory, which resulted in sinking three enemy ships. Following an assignment as Flight Officer at the Naval Air Station, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he reported in December 1943, as Air Officer aboard the escort carrier USS SANGAMON. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat V for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the Southwest Pacific Area from October 20 to November 1, 1944. During the early part of 1945 he was Air Officer on the staff of Commander Amphibious Group SEVEN and in August became Commanding Officer of the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Barin Field, Foley, Alabama. For two years, 1947-49, he served as Operations Officer of the aircraft carrier USS SAIPANQ after that he had duty in the Aviation Personnel Division Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department. Captain Wampler was a student in Strategy and Tactics at the Naval War College from August 1951 until June 1952 and in July became