Shangri La (CVA 38) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain Nelson And Brother, Mai. R. H. Nelson, USA Captain W. S. Nelson is a na- tive of Salem, Oregon. In 1941, after two years at the University of Oregon, he entered the Naval Academy with the class of 1944. Following graduation in June 1944, he served in CABOT lCVL-281 during the last four campaigns of World War ll, after which he en- tered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1947. Following a tour in VA-155 aboard VALLEY FORGE and AN- TIETAM, he served on the staff COMFAIRALEMEDA followed by a year in ONI, and two years on the Staff, Commander SIXTH Fleet as Air Intelligence Officer. From 1955 to 1957 Captain Nelson was Flight Test Inspection Officer at NAS, Alameda. He served during 1958 and 1959 in Light Photo Squadron 62 deploy- ing with SARATOGA. In 1960, he was Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander-in- Chief, Pacific, following which he served as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of VA- 106 operating from SHANGRI-LA. From 1963 to 1967, Captain Nelson was closely associated with the A6A Intruder program, first as Commanding Officer of VA-42 and then as A6A Program Co- ordinator in OPNAV. Prior to reporting to SHAN- GRI-LA Captain Nelson completed a tour as Commanding Officer, USS CHILTON CAPA-381, Flag- ship PHIBRON TWO. Captain Nelson has been mar- ried for 25 years to the former Barbara Anne Johnson of Port- land, Oregon, who was on hand to greet SHANG at each Med port.

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Commanding Officer Captain W. S. Nelson

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M i 1 1 -Miff- fr :V I . 9 .A-F-we- f 'TT '-7? - A - , E.. :V . . . 5 t lc V4 .0 U W , I a :SQ . fr 'v Captain J. W Captain J. W. Roberts was born in Park Rapids. Minnesota on July 30, 1926. He ioined the Navy's V-5 program in April 1944. From December 1945 until May 1946 Captain Roberts was enrolled in Pre-Flight Training at Ottamwa, Iowa. From there, he attended Primary and Basic Training at Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Avia- tor and commissioned an Ensign in August1947. After completing an opera- tional training period at Jackson- ville, Florida in February 19-18, Captain Roberts reported to VF- 1A flying the FSF Bearcat. He helped commission VF-13 in August 1948 and shortly there- after made an around-the-world cruise aboard the USS TAR- AWA. ln January 1951 he ioined VF-874 flying the F4U-4 aboard the USS BON HOMME RICHARD during the Korean conflict. Roberts Executive Officer From March 1952 until Jan- uary l954 Captain Roberts was a test pilot of the Overhaul and Repair Department at the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Flor- ida. Joining VF-62 in January 195-1 and then commissioning VA- 106 in July 1955, Captain Roberts flew the F2H-2 and F9F-8 respectively. During the Suez Crisis of 1956 he was aboard the USS CORAL SEA in the eastern Mediterranean. He attended the Line Officer School at Monterey, California, from July 1957 until June 1958. After completing the Line Qfficer School, he attended the University of Minnesota and received his Bachelor of Science Degree Wim honors. Captain Roberts ioined CVG4 in JUlY 1960 as Landing Signal Officer. He deployed with The AlrWingtothe Mediterranean aboard USS ROOSEVELT. A5 Landing Signal officer, he Con- trolled the initial carrier land- ing on the USS ENTERPRISE during its shakedown cruise. Next, Captain Roberts iolned VA-44 as a pilot before attend- ing the Armed Forces Staff Col- lege from January to June 1964- From there he reported to VA' 125 for a brief tour prior to commanding VA-164 in AUQUS7 1964. As Commanding Officer of vA-164, na led his sflvadion during its first Vietnam cruise aboard USS ORISKANY in 1965- Staff, Carrier Divisl0fl seven was his next four Of duty. Reporting in AUQUST 1965 as Air Warfare Officer, he sailed aboard ina uss MIDWAY, EN' TERPRisE, CORAL SEA and oRlsi4ANY until Septembe' 1966. His last duty station befofe reporting to SHANGRI-L.A Wai as the Commanding Officer 0 vA-44 at NAs cecil Field, Fla-