Leyte Gulf (CG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY The Captain has many responsibilities J- gf? Been there, done that. Damon helps bring in the New Year.

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COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN MARK A. ROGERS UNITED STATES NAVY Captain Rogers was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Soon thereafter he moved with his family to Nashville, Ten- nessee, which he now calls home. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1970 with a degree in Systems Engineering. Reporting to USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14), Captain Rogers served three division officer tours, followed by duty in USS ENGLAND (CG 22) as Missile Officer and Navigator. After completion of Destroyer School in 1975, he returned to the West Coast as the Operations Officer aboard USS LYNDE MCCORMICK (DDG 8) and later as the Engineer Officer aboard USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36). A tour as the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, ended in December 1980, when Captain Rogers re- ceived his Masters of Science Degree in Computer Science. He then served as Executive Officer aboard USS SEMMES (DDG 18) followed by a tour as Commanding Officer, USS FEARLESS (MSO 442). Captain Rogers commanded USS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36) from October 1985 to October 1987. From January 1988 to May 1989, Captain Rogers served on the staff of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare (OP-03)) as the Branch Head for Surface Combatants. He then was assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Navy Program Planning (OP-08)) from May 1989 until March 1991. He has commanded USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) since August 1991. Each ship commanded by Captain Rogers has been awarded the Battle Efficiency E and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. USS FEARLESS was awarded the Type Commander ' s Mine Warfare Excellence Award. USS UNDER- WOOD won the Battenberg Cup as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet. USS LEYTE GULF was the Commander, Carrier Group TWO ' S nominee for the Marjorie Sterett Battleship Fund Award for overall operational excellence. Addition- ally, LEYTE GULF was also awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coach Guard Special Operations Ribbon and a second consecutive Battle Efficiency E under Captain Rogers. Captain Rogers ' personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V and Gold Star, and the Combat Action R ibbon. Captain Rogers was the recipient of the Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Leader- ship Award presented by the Chief of Naval Operations in 1986. Captain Rogers was recently selected for the 1992 John Paul Jones award for Inspirational Leadership. Captain Rogers is married to the former Mary Damon Akin of Franklin, Tennessee. They have a daughter, Courte- nay Damon, and a son, Matthew Newman, and presently make their home in Mayport, Florida.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DAVID THOMAS, U.S. NAVY Lieutenant Commander David M. Thomas, Jr United States Navy Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Lieuten- ant Commander Thomas was gradu- ated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a Bachelors of Science degree. Upon commissioning, he reported for duty in USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12) and served for three years as Main Propulsion Assistant and Navi- gator. After completion of Depart- ment Head School in 1985, he served as Engineer Officer in USS ES- TOCIN (FFG 15) and in USS WIL- LAMETTE (AO 180). Lieutenant Commander Thomas served as a Surface Warfare Junior Officer assignment officer in the Bu- reau of Naval Personnel from May 1989 to August 1990, and then as Aide to Commander, Second Fleet from 1990 to 1992. He began his current assignment as Executive Officer in USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) in October 1992. Lieutenant Commander Thomas ' personal awards include the Merito- rious Service Medal, the Joint Ser- vice Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, and the Navy Achieve- ment Medal. Lieutenant Commander Thomas is; married to the former Katherine Carol Peterson of Pensacola, Florida.. They presently reside in Mayport,, Florida, with their three children,, Michael, Emily, and Peter.