Oriskany (CV 34) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 83 text:

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

Page 82 text:

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.

Page 84 text:

Clvlllan Technicians Making the Mediterranean Cruise as observers for their companies were two civilians: Carl E. Bud,' Wright, repre- senting McDonnell Aircraft Corp., and William Lawrence Wolfe, of Westinghouse Electric Corp. They lived and worked aboard, and hurried ashore like everyone else at liberty ports. As basis for a report to his company, Bud Wright took notes on operation of the Banshee, a McDonnell jet-powered aircraft. For Westinghouse, an analysis was made by Bill Wolfe covering the equipment manufactured by the giant electrical equipment corporation and used aboard the Oris- kany, much of it for the first time under simulated battle conditions at sea. ARL E. '4Budv Wright, Field Representative for McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, brought aboard an impressive ci- vilian background in aeronautical engineering. Born November 12, 1914, at Albion, N. Y., he studied aeronautical engineering and aerodynamics at the University of Buffalo. Before his class graduated, he began work for Curtiss-Wright at Buffalo. By 1937, be became supervisor in charge of the Customer Contact Department. He went up the ranks at Curtiss-Wright, from the Service Department into Field Service, to administration. Early in 1945, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, went to boot camp at Sampson, N. Y., to service school and to various stations, and then was discharged in the summer of 1946. After discharge, Mr. Wright worked for TWA in Kansas City and St. Louis. Breaking away from aviation, he joined the White-Rodgers Electric Company in St. Louis and, later, the Texo Corp., selling chemicals. In early 1949, McDonnell Air- craft hired him as a Field Representative. In that capacity, he spent 16 months at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, and at NAMC, Philadelphia, Pa. He then was assigned to work with VF-62 at Oceana, Va., and came aboard the Oriskany with the squadron. Bud Wright and Bill Wolfe ILLIAM Lawrence Wolfe, Field Service Engineer for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, had a long record of experience in civilian aviation before he embarked on the Oriskany as an observer for his company. I He had been gainfully employed in aviation since 1933- Among his many responsible jobs were those of operator Of a private airport, flight supervisor, maintenance supervisor and chief pilot. He also ran a G.l. aviation school. Born in Norwalk, Conn., on July 21, 1915, Mr. Wolfe Ob- tained his Aircraft and Engine Pilot's License in 1938. At the time of the cruise he held the Commercial Pilot Examiner? De5ign3tiOI1, AS and ME, land and sea, and all ground instruc- tofis ratings, as well as A8zE. His log Showed 6,000 lwufs in all types of aircraft. He had been with Westinghouse Since December 1, 1950.