Oklahoma City (CLG 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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Vice Admiral William A. Schoech, USN, who assumed command of the Seventh Fleet 28 October 1961, was born in Blakesburg, lowa, on 17 October 1904. He attended public schools in Iowa and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1928. He was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology in 1938. ln 1950 he graduated from the Na- tional War College in Washington, D.C. Admiral Schoech completed flight training and was designated a naval aviator in 1930. During World War II he saw duty principally in the Pacific Fleet and the Naval Air Operational Training Command. Immediately after the war he assumed command of the Asiatic Wing of the Naval Air Transport Service. Admiral Schoech has commanded three aircraft carriers, the USS SABLE, the USS SlClLY and the USS TICONDEROGA. ln 1959 he commanded Carrier Division Three and Task Force 77 in the Seventh Fleet. Since the war, Admiral Schoechis duties in Washington have seen him in the Bureau of Aeronautics as Chief for Research and Development and then as Deputy Chief. He also served in the Oflice of the Chief of Naval Operations. Prior to assuming command of the Seventh Fleet he was Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Naval Weapons. Prior to coming to Japan, Admiral and Mrs. Schoech resided in Alexandria, Virginia Commander UNITED STATES SEVENTH FLEET Vice Admzral William A Schoech

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Umted States Seventh Fleet The U. S. Seventh Fleet serves as a vast deterrent against the forces of aggres- sion in the Far East. It is composed of 125 ships, 650 aircraft, and 60,000 Navy and Manne Corps personnel ready at all times to fuhill its motto Ready power for peace . The Seventh Fleet is responsihle for protecting almost oneiyifth ofthe earth's surface, or thirty million square miles, from the Bering Sea in the north to Antarctica, and from 160 degrees East Longitude to the Indian Ocean. This area is inhahited hy almost one and one-hay hillion people, more than one-hay the ivorld's population. Since many of these people live on land either near or on the sea, freedom to use the seas has played a predomi- nate role in the history and foreign policies of their countries. Seventh Fleet, in protecting the interests vested in the sea hy these countries, plays an indispensable role. Directing operations of the Seventh Fleet are Vice Admiral Wfilliam A. Schoech and his staff of more than jo officers and 200 enlisted men. These men lived and worked ahoard the OKLA- HOMA CITY during her Westem Pacific cruise. In this manner, OKLAHOMA CITY played perhaps her most important role in the Far East-that of flagship for Commander Seventh Fleet.

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Chief of S taff UNITED STATES SEVENTH FLEET Captain Grover S. H1'ggj.nbotham 'wah' Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander Seventh Fleet is Captain Grover S. Higginbotham. The d d d Virginia-born naval officer entered the U.S. Naval Academy at the age of 16 and was gra uate an commissioned an Ensign in 1935. . . . .Q. I M Q. He was born in Amherst County, Virginia, on 11 January 1915, son of Mrs. CT1I'1-t1I1C E tx ay.l Higginbotham and the late Mr. Orover J. Higginbotham. After graduating from the Naval Academy he served aboard the battleship USS ARIZONA QBB-391 from July 1935 to December 1938, thereafter returning to the Naval Academy as Assistant Crew Coach in the Department of Physical Education. l the summer of 1939, he reported to the USS WYOMING tAC-171 and one year later joined the n Staff of Commander Transport Squadron One. He then served in the battleship USS TEXAS tBB-551 until July 19413. Subsequent assignments included duty in the Ofhce of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet. command d ' Clref Atlantic and of the destroyer USS A. W. GRANT QDD-6-fl49j, on the Staffs of the Comman ers in 1 . Atlantic Fleet, at the Fifteenth Naval District, Commander Destroyer Division 52, and Head of the Surface Weapons Branch in the Ollice of the Chief of Naval Operations. H t d t Commander Seventh Fleet as Chief of Staff and Aide in September 1961 following three e repor e o ' D ' th ear 1953 he was Chief of Staff for Commander Cruiser Dixision successive tours at sea. uring e y 1 - Two, then commanded the FSS PONCHATOULA KAO-14183 and later was Commander Destroyer Squadron 25. He is married to the former Miss Vivian W. Huslwick of Long Beach. California. They have a on Kenneth A.. and a daughter, Mrs. Christine H. Slaven.