Ticonderoga Apollo Recovery (CVS 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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A is Day . in History A Tradition of Greatness The Story of TICONDEROGA and Apollo 1 6 A Time of Success J? ,

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Y Y ,.,1 ,lmui Y Commander William S. Myers Executive Officer Commander William S. Myers was born in Mukden, China, and remained in the Far East until fall of 1941. After attending Purdue University he enlisted in the Navy in October 1949 and shortly thereafter entered flight training under the Naval Aviation Cadet program. He was commissioned and received his wings in 1951. Commander Myers first sea tour was in Patrol Squadron 812 at the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, Washington. This squadron, redesignated Patrol Squadron Twenty-Nine, participated as a member of the United Nations Force in the Korean Conflict. ln 1954 Commander Myers was ordered to shore duty in the Naval Air Basic Training Command, Pensacola, Florida, where he acted as a flight instructor until 1958. Upon completion of his first shore billet, Commander Myers graduated from the Naval Reconnaissance Photographic School prior to reportring to Patrol Squadron Seven, based at the Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine. ln December 1959, he was ordered to the Staff, Commander, Fleet Air Wing Three as Weapons Employment Training Officer. After graduating from the Naval War College, Newport in June 1963, he served as the SubmarinefAnti-Submarine Computer Warfare Officer, on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. During this period he did additional duty tours with the Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff. ln September 1965, he reported aboard-the USS RANDOLPH fCVS-155 as the Nuclear Weapons Supervisor, a billet he held until November 1966. Following completion of Combat Replacement Air Group Training, he reported to Patrol Squadron Eleven in May 1967 as Executive Officer. Commander Myers assumed command on 10 May 1968. Being relieved 7 July 1969 he attended the Naval War College-School of Naval Warfare, Newport, from August 1969 to June 1970. From June 1970 to January 1971 he undertook undergraduate work at the University of Rhode Island in Political Science. He reported aboard USS TICONDEROGA QCVS.-141 as Executive Officer in May 1971. .Commander Myers has been selected for the rank of Captain. A 221- WS

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with early planning . . . Long before TICONDEROGA was due to .leave San Diego on 23 March 1972, there was much planning which had to be accomplished. The officers and men of TICONDEROGA had their work cut out. The first of many planning conferences commenced on ThurSdaYf 16 December 1971, with the following words from Captain Edward A.' Boyd, USN, Commanding Officer, USS TICONDEROGA: . On behalf of the officers and men of TICONDEBOGA, I wish to extend a hearty Welcome Aboard to all participants in this planning conference. -We are deeply honored in being chosen Prime Recovery Ship for A190110 16 Operations and welcome the opportunity IQ J01n the CTF' 130fNASA Team. During today s proceedings WC 110136 to draw heavily upon your experience and expertise to complement our own preparations for the upcoming venture. We in TICONDEROGA are anxious to get on with the recovery phase of this most important mission. 'The ship's facilities and personnel stand at your disposal .... . WELCOME ABOARD. Thus, it all began-the molding together of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, CTF-130+Manned Space Recovery Force, Pacific, HC-l, UDT-12, VAW-111, VR-30 and you, the professionals of TICONDEROGA, to form a team with the mission of one specific purpose: the successful recovery of three astronauts and their spacecraft, a mission of high national priority and international importance. TICONDEROGA had joined the quest for knowledge from the stars-another step toward human freedom.