Ranger (CV 61) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 26 text:

Commander Camer Group ne Rear Admiral Charles R. McGrail assummed command as Commander, Carrier Group One and Commander, Battle Group ECHO in November 1985. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1957. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1958. RADM McGrai1's first tour was as a flight instructor with Training Squadron 21 at NAS Kingsville, Texas. Frpm 1960 to 1963 he moved to NAS Miramar, Calif., and deployed to the Western Pacific in Fighter Squadron 141 aboard USS LEXINGTON and then with Fighter Squadron 54 in USS TICONDEROGA. Following this tour, he served for three years as an RPV project pilot and test conductor at the Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, Calif. His next sea tour was from 1967 to '968 in Fighter Squadron 143 with which he deployed twice during the Vietrfim War to the Tonkin Gulf in USS CONSTELLATION. He was assigned as a Flight Commander and Instructor Pilot in the 4535th Combat Crew Training Squadron at George Air Force Base, Calif., while on exchange duty flying F-4E aircraft with the U.S. Air Force. Rear Admiral McGrail next served at Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Saigon, Vietnam, from 1971 to 1972 as an Air Operations Staff Officer on the joint staff and was involved in overall planning for all four service's tactical air operations in the Southeast Asia theater. His following tour was as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 96 during two deployments to Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific in USS CONSTELLATION. He spent two years at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C., in PERS-432 as Aviation Lieutenant Commander! Junior Officer Assignment Branch Head where he was responsible for the detailing and assignment of aviation officers to billets throughout the fleet. Returning to the Pacific Fleet, Rear Admiral McGrail commanded the F-4 Fleet Readiness Squadron 121 at NAS Miramar. He then served at sea on the Staff of Commander Task Force 77170, Carrier Strike Force SEVENTH Fleet. He next commanded USS MIDWAY CCV 411, the Navy's only aircraft carrier based overseas, in Japan, from 1982 to 1984 during which time MIDWAY won its second consecutive Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award and the Golden Anchor retention award while serving as flagship for Commander Task Force 777 70 during several deployments throughout the Western and Northem Pacific and Indian Oceans. Following selection to flag rank, he served as Director, Aircraft Carrier and Air Station Programs Division COP-551 and also as Director, Aviation Plans and Requirements Division QOP-501, on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations fAir Warfarej, Washington, D.C. As Commander, Carrier Group One, he is embarked in his flagship USS RANGER QCV 611 homeported in San Diego, Calif. Rear Admiral McGrail's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal, as well as various unit awards, campaign ribbons and foreign medals. He is married tothe former Jeanene Vescelius of San Diego where children, James, Mark, and Laurie maintain their homes. His daughters Cynthia, Catherine and Carolyn live in and attend schools in Texas.

Page 25 text:

..f Q vc .2 'x IJ gk ' ' 0 x- X .c...--v-- ., A, 3.2 g.. .N , -A, y . na'-N'J'5' 4' -'mn '. m . --rf. Q-23 , .1 ' if J, , A ur, Lv- A, bl l . K , bv f-v.l - . V . -x,mgLr.,', W ' Y -,E , -' p V , A. ' nan . .,.. v 1. . 'j',f ' A 'V' 'Q' . A M, 1 U . ,. in . - . . .5ff1 f'y.'5 : . -- 'Q-.A 'A -vw ,V pf., dr: y4:.:t-- .. A , 'gg .,-'QQL' -fztff. , 1 . 'I' ., , ' . ' A ' .z ,., - '!,',,-.4--N.. -' ' 1-5. ,, ' W',,'X . I ,E .9 iv zgf'f':,f- ' 'Q' 'A .5-ix H- If U- K. ig- .. , , ' , - Q , X., in f' ,Mu ,. , - Bins., Q- fi - I Nw., wait., v wx .S I' 'Q Y -QL 'gpfg' A .' -, 11 ' 'lj-Ryman. w N 1 -

Page 27 text:

'WW 0? 1 uf' '1 '.,2,, if ,ew . ,Ir . an-but up qw .Emi V. N Destro er quadron e en Captain Gaylord was commissioned an Ensign in 1961 following graduation from the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.l. Sea tours have included USS SHIELDS fDD 5961 C1C Officer: USS STRONG KDD 7581 Weapons Officer: USS FLOYD DOUNTY ILST 7629 Commanding Officer: USS WORDEN CCG 183 Weapons Officer: USS RAMSEY fFFG 23 Executive Officer: USS HEWITT fDD 9661 as Commanding Officer. and Carrier Group One as Surface Operations Officer. Captain Gaylord also served as the Commanding Officer of the Ex-Cambodian PCE 321 during Operation Frequent Wind. Shore assignments have included duties as Aide to the Commander. Mare Island Naval Shipyard. and two assignments at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. His most recent assignment was Head, Surface Warfare and General Unrestricted Line Officer Assignment, Nayal Military Personnel Command, Captain Gaylord is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley tBSl, Central Michigan fMSl, Armed Forces Staff College. and most recently. the Senior Officer Ship Material Readiness Group. Captain Gaylord is married to the former Antoinette Fahy. daughter of Rear Admiral and Mrs. Edward J, Fahy of Delray Beach. Fla. Captain and Mrs. Gaylord reside in Coronado. Calif, They have two sons, Michael. a junior at the University of California at Berkeley. and Reggie, a senior at Coronado High School. 23 1 -I