Oriskany (CV 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR S. E. CLARK Commander Currier Air Group Four ARRIER Air Group Four, under CDR Sam E. Clark, USN, served as father to all the squadrons and com- posite squadron detachments, except the helicopter unit, on the cruise with the Oriskany. CVG-4 enlisted men were assigned to keep each unit up to date on records and materiel. CDR Clarkls own responsibilities extended even outside the ship. During the summer, he was called to London to participate in conferences on defense of the West. I On September 1, 1950, the Air Group was commis- sioned at NAS Jacksonville, later moving to Cecil Field. Of the Group's five squadrons, three flew aboard the Oriskany where they were joined by a Marine Fighter Squadron, VMF-122. VF-43 flew Corsair FKLU-5sg VF -62, Banshee F ZH-Zsg VA-45, Sky Raider AD-25, and VMF- 122, Banshee F21-1-2s. Four composite squadron detach- ments, VC-4, VC-12, VC-33 and VC-62, used night fight- ers, radar planes and other specialized Craft. Serving under CDR Clark with CVG-4 were LCDR Richard lVl. Deavitt as administrative and operations of- ficer and LT Peter V. Siegel as flight surgeon. Percy L. Dominy, of Georgia, was maintenance and materiel chief, and James E. Sparks, from Iowa, was administration chief. Enlisted men of the group hailed from all over the States. Willie Crabb, of Alabama and uF1orida Bounds lived only a stump-jump from Cecil Field but Tom Need- ham, who loved the sack, came all the Way from Ohio and 'cOne-Wayi' Esposito from the hills of Pennsylvania.

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1--i, Y!,.ln..,,..f' COMMANDER AIR GROUP STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE DEPT. Lett to Right: W. O. Crabb, T. E. Needham, J. E. Sparks, LT W. J. Hooks, and LCDR R. M. Deavitt, Administrative Officer. COMMANDER AIR GROUP STAFF L.S.O.s AND FRIEND Left to Right: LT P. J. 0'Keefe, LT J. J. Goodens, and friend Capt. Rocky Gillis. .il Q F , 'Q if I I QWWW Wffwwn , fm' ff ' , 5 4.0 f ff ., W Q M M, Left to Right: N. J. Benoit, M. J. Kester, P. S T. E. Needham, J. E. Mittner. . . . FIRST ROW Dominy. E wg Ollicers, CVG4. 6 TOP ROW, Left to Right: J. E. Tilton, C. Fultz, W. S. Sigmon, C. DiFiIippo, Jr., W. E. Weathers, W. O. Crabb, P. A. Esposito. . . . SECOND ROW, Starr, D. Sizemore, D. R. Bounds, M. J. Fogos, Left to Right: J. E. Sparks, LTJG H. H. Wendell, LT J. J. Goodens, LT P. J. O'Keefe, CDR Sam E. Clark, LT P. V. Siegel, LT W. J. Hooks, P. L. Moore, HM1. J. E. Mittner, HMC: LT P. V. Siegel: W. R. COMMANDER AIR GROUP STAFF-MAINTENANCE DEPT. Left to Right: P. L. Dominy, Leading Chief Air Group: LTJG H. H. Wendell, Maintenance and Material Otticer: P. A. Esposito, Staff Storekeeper: D. R. Bounds, Status Boardkeeper. 71.71