Oriskany (CV 34) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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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

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I.CDR J. Jones Attack Squadron Q X! X X XX , x Q is 4Q X s 2 1 lm . C Sv ox Y MMM. u'NPK'M 'mi5 Right: CDR G. O. Wood, Commanding Oflicer, VA-45 .... Left: LCDR Lf. F. U. Smith Lt. A. Curry Lf. C. .l. Connor W :xfff w Lf-I, ff ,V ,,W f f f fff 1 R. E. Cheney, Executive Officer, VA-45. TTACK Squadron 45 began its existence September 1, 1950, as the fifth squadron, as- signed to attack operations, of Carrier Air Group Four. They trained in Douglas AD-2 Sky Raiders. On April 23, 1951, VA-41.5 fiew aboard the Oriskany at Mayport, near the Squadron's base at Jacksonville, Fla. During the next two days, all pilots qualified in day and night carrier landings. For the Mediterranean Cruise, VA-4.5 embarked under command of CDR George O. Wood, USN, with LCDR Ralph E. Cheney, USN, as Executive Officer. , Directed by LCDR ,lack B. Jones, USN, the maintenance de- A partment produced excellent aircraft availability to meet op- erational requirements during the cruise. A special HWell donew was extended to the chiefs of the Squadron and the entire maintenance crew for their efforts in maintaining Squadron aircraft. Bossing the Squadronis Flight Deck crew was a rugged job. lt took 30 pounds off the Waistline of Chief John E. Livingstone. But it was Worth it for the Squadron ranked consistently high in achieving the goals of the Air Group and of the Oriskany. Enthusiasm for Work boiled over into time off for liberty. Both officers and men brought back many mementos from foreign ports: fezzes from Africa and Turkey, photographs of the Parthenon, and healthy tans from the beaches along the French Riviera. In memory, all these shores were successfully invaded. 4 f A xiii' .J Q IJ. G. H. Gardner, Jr. Lt. J. K. Mealy, Jr. LTJG R. K. Morrow LTJG W. D. Lambert ,. dem, - , , . .. y fp ?i7v.F'f4F'?F'f .4 -24 twat