Mobile (LKA 115) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPT. WILLIAM SPRUNK, JR. COMMANDING OFFICER (AUGUST 1975- PRESENT) A native of New York City, New York, Captain Sprunk, Jr attended Auburn University where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering. He was later graduated from the Of- ficer Candidate Program And commissioned an ensign on 4 April 1952. Following his com- missioning. Captain Sprunk attended various aviation schools as a student. After receiving his wings as a Naval Aviator he became active in the area of avionics and was sub- sequently stationed with VW-3 in a typhoon reconnaissance squadron in June 1954. After serving various tours, which in- cluded a one year tour in the Republic of Vietnam as a C-47 Pilot in 1966, Captain Sprunk became Executive Officer and eventually Commanding Officer of VS Squadron 31. Captain Sprunk holds a MBA from George Washington University and in August of 1967 he attended the Naval Warfare Course at the Naval War College. Captains Sprunk ' s last shipboard tour was as Operations Officer and Ex- ecutive Officer aboard the USS WASP (CVS-13) from 1970- 1972. From 1972 until he assumed Command of MOBILE, Captain Sprunk has been attached to the Bureau Of Naval Operations in Washington DC. In the Aviation Procurment Programs and Budgets Department. Captain Sprunk has been awarded two air medals, the Navy ' s Commendation Medal with Combat V , the Navy Unit Commendation and two combat and action ribbons. Other cam- paign and service medals are as follows: The Navy Ex- peditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet- nam Service, and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal

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LCDR STEPHEN W. BARBER EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR Barber has had a broad and varied career before reporting aboard MOBILE in February of 1975 as Executive Officer. His career began as the CIC Officer aboard the USS NOBLE (APA-218). From there, the then, LTJG Barber reported aboard the USS DEHAVEN (DD-727) as Operations Officer. His first shore tour came as Readiness and Training Officer for MINE FLOTILLA ONE. During the Vietnam conflict LCDR Barber took command of the Inshore Undersea Warfare and Surveillance Unit 22 stationed at NHA Trang, Republic of Vietnam, receiving the small craft Commander Designation. Soon after his tour in Vietnam he transferred to the USS FINCH (DER-328) as Ex- ecutive Officer and Navigator. LCDR Barber ' s most recent tour before reporting aboard MOBILE was the Inter- American Defense College, Washington D.C. as Operations Officer. LCDR Barber holds an A.B. in history from Princeton University and has had specialized training at the institute for Foreign Trade. He is married to the former Maryann Comisky and is the father of two children Stephen (7) and Jennifer (5).