Nimitz (CVN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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CAPTAIN JOHN R. BATZLER, U.S. NAVY COMMANDING OFFICER, USS NIMITZ Captain John Bichard Batzler, son of Mr. 81 Mrs. William E. Batzler, was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on December 9, 1932. He is a graduate of La Jolla High School, La Jolla, California and the University of California at Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. Commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in June 1955, Captain Batzler reported for Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida and received his wings and designated a Naval Aviator in January 1957. As a Photo Beconnais- sance Pilot with Light Photographic Squadron SIXTY- THBEE, he completed deployments to the Western Pacific aboard USS BON HOMME BICHABD QCVAESU and USS OBISKANY QCVA-345. During his first tour of shore duty, Captain Batzler served for one year at the U.S. Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent Biver, Maryland, as a graduate Navy Test Pilot and Project Pilot in the Weapon Systems Test Division. Beporting to Fighter Squadron THIBTY-ONE in November 1965, he served as Maintenance and then Oper- ations Officer during one and one-half deployments to the Mediterranean aboard USS SABATOGA QCVA-605. A tour with Fighter Squadron NINETY-SIX followed, where Captain Batzler served as the squadrons Operations Officer while completing his first combat tour to Southeast Asia in USS ENTEBPBISE QCVAN-655. A tour at the U.S. Naval Post- graduate School followed, where Captain Batzler received a Master's Degree in Computer System Management. ln August 1970, he reported to Fighter Squadron TWENTY- FOUB as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer. With the Fighting Bed Checkertails he made two com- bat deployments to Southeast Asia in USS HANCOCK QCVA-195. Following completion of nuclear propulsion- engineering training in June 1973, Captain Batzler served a short tour on the Staff of Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and then reported to USS ENTEBPBISE QCVAN-653 as Executive Officer in January 1975. Before reporting as Commanding Officer of USS NIMITZ, Captain Batzler served as Commanding Officer of USS ASHTABU- LA QAO-515 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from January 1977 through August of 1978. Captain Batzler's personal awards and decorations in- clude: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, numerous Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medalg and various service and campaign ribbons for his participation in the Vietnam Conflict. He is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a member of the Cousteau Society. Captain Batzler is married to the former Carolyn Wright of Exexter, California. They have three children, Michael, Karen, and Gregory Shane. Captain Batzlerfwas to be relieved as Commanding-Offr cer of USS NIMITZ, promoted to Bear Admiral, and report for duty in Washington, D.C. shortly after Nimitz' return from deployment in February 1982. 15

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tri NAVY UNIT COMMENDATIDN 3 On 19 March 1981, just after leaving the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, Captain Batzler treated the crew to a surprise award during a personnel inspection! awards presentation on the hangar deck, when he read the following: The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COIVIMENDATION to USS NIMITZ QCVN 681 and Embarked Carrier Air Wing EIGHT for service as set forth in the following citation: 'For meritorious senfice in support of United States contingency operations in the Indian Ocean from 23 January to 1 May 1980. ln response to national tasking, USS NIMITZ QCVN 681 and Embarked Carrier Air Wing EIGHT clearly demonstrated the capability to maintain an effective military presence in an area consid- ered to be of vital importance to the nation's security. Chal- 16 lenged with implementing contingency plans to rescue the American Hostages held in Iran, NlMlTZ's crewmembers responded by resourceful development and flawless ex- ecution of tactics which ensured the successful initiation of this vital mission. The superior planning and outstanding coordination of all participating units resulted in mission execution without outside detection. The superior profes- sionalism of all hands and supporting personnel contribut- ed significantly to sustained operations of unprecedented duration in a remote area of the world. By their steadfast diligence, technical expertise, and selfless devotion to duty, the officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees of USS NIMITZ QCVN 681 and Embarked Carrier Air Wing EIGHT reflected credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.' AEA