Rankin (LKA 103) - Naval Cruise Book

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sg 5 'fi' ifff A GW at W CAPTAIN CONSTANTINO N. PIEROZZI UNITED STATES NAVY Entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in December l942, CAPT P began flight training in September I9-43, and receivedhis wings and commission on ll December I945. His first duty station was with VF-98, Long Beach, California. CAPT PIEROZZI then served with Fighter Squadron FIVE ABLE llater Fighter Squadron 5Il from October T946 to December I949. Fighter Squadron 5I was the first operational jet squadron in the Navy. He then attended UCLA from January l95O to August I95l. During the Korean War, CAPT PIEROZZI was Flight and Operations Officer in Fighter Squadron 87l aboard the USS ESSEX ICVA-9l. In February I953, he reported to the 3l7th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Air Defense Com- mand, McChord, AFB, Tacoma, Washington, for exchange duty with the U. S. Air Force. After attending General Line School in Monterey, California, in October I954, he flew with the Blue Angels as Operations Officer. October I957 saw CAPT PIEROZZI at CIC and Air Controller School preparing for his next billet as CATCC and assistant CIC Officer aboard the USS RANDOLPH ICVA-I5l, where he reported in April I958. After leaving the USS RANDOLPH, he attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, in August l96O. In l96I, CAPT PIEROZZI reported to Fighter Squadron 3I deployed with the Sixth Fleet aboard the USS SARATOGA ICVA-6Ol and assumed command on 20 .Iuly I962. In l963, he was assigned to the Office of Chief of Naval Operations lOp-342l. After leaving Washington in I965, he served as Operations Officer aboard the USS CONSTELLATIONICVA-641. In January I967, he reported as Commanding Officer of Air Development Squadron FOUR, Point Mugu, California. Captain PIEROZZI assumed command of RANKIN on April I4, I969. CAPT PIEROZZI has been awarded the Bronze Star, two Air Medals, Navy Commendation Ribbon with Combat V , American Theater, World War II Vic- tory Medal, China Service, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations, IEROZZI Korea and Vietnam Theater Ribbons. CAPT PIEROZZI skip ered the RANKIN through the Med deployment success- P fully. To him goes our gratitude and respect for a terrific fob as our Command- ing Officer. Thank you, Sir! 5

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!F f ' I fw it i f ,Wy S 4 X K 0--fqsmmw-a .cf 12172 M g .. H .r.,.., , f , f , . -f f1f+1a,',.tg,?,f M'..y1Q Q- ww gf ki . ,.,, 2-ni s..,..,.hnv-I 'CW , Z. - -sir, 'MTI X LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER JOSEPH S. BURKE EXECUTIVE OFFICER LCDR BURKE was our X. O. during MED ll 69. Being Executive Officer of a fairly large ship as the RANKIN is a difficult and at times ennervating billet. There is a multitude of items and affairs to handle, reams of paperwork, and varied func- tions to attend. lt is a credit to LCDR BURKE that the details of the entire cruise were accomplished without a hitch. His dedication to duty and his aggressive attitudes rubbed off on the entire crew, who patterned their actions and conduct on his brilliant example of the naval professional. LCDR BURKE will leave the RANKIN sometime after our return to the United States. With him go our best wishes and respect for our X. O. .Vw -'nn ,, ,Q L f ,ff W i if . l X xi Q ,if If!! 7 i' 'N . , ,,,,,...,.,M..m-w-u...,.,,,,,,,,.,,M Ww .,,33 i 4 if u' i, f. i,n.- f Eff' 5 ,1 . il? ,,-'al pw, ' t I 'A ff? ff 4' af