USS Tarawa (LHA 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMA DI G 0 FIC R C t ' Robert E. KLEE began his Naval career by enlisting in the Naval Reserve at Tacoma, Washington in ap ain May 1974 Upon completion of one year at the University of Puget Sound he received a Secretary of the Navy appointment to the U.,S. Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1953. After commissioning, Captain KLEE spent four years at sea on the USS LENAWEE CAPA 1953 and USS NAIFEH CDE 3243. In August 1957 he was assigned to Stanford University as an NROTC instructor where he remained until the summer of 1959 when he reported to the USS JOHN S. MCCAIN CDL33 as Operations Officer and subsequent assignment as Weapons Officer. Upon completion of this sea tour, he reported to Commander in Chief Pacific as Flag Lieutenant and aide to the Chief of Staff and later as Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. He attended the Command and Staff course at the Naval War College in 1963-4 and concurrently earned a Master's Degree in International Relations from George Washington University. He then returned to sea as Executive Officer, USS PARSONS CDD 9493 until February 1966, when he assumed command of USS FALGOUT CDER 3523. He began his first Washington tour in the summer of 1968 as an action officer in the office of the Chief of Naval Operation, Plans and Policy Directorate COP 603. In 1970, he reported to Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans and assumed command of the newly commissioned USS JOSEPH HEWES CFF 10783. He returned to the Naval War College in 1972-3 and attended a second Washington tour in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Plansland Policy Directorate CJ53, where he served until August 1976 before assuming command of USS DEN- VER CLPD 93. In February 197-7, he attended the Senior Officer's ship Material Readiness course at Idaho Falls. Captain KLEE as- sumed command of USS TARAWA CLHA-13 on February 9th, 1979. 72? , if ,,,,.. Hi ' ' I f! JJ 7 iw L s , f 'its-4 Captain Robert E. KLEE, USN A v 'i 4' ., , 3 i . k. M... 1 M.. 4 ..,,, , An..-new an ml.-mnamffnw or 0-V V , . 5 ,,fQ,w, V,-of-gym' Q 'rgl-fypq

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Now a full scale amphib-workup began, and its culmina- tion was Exercise Varsity Eagle in March of 1977. At the end of that month the Navy and Marine Corps realized they had the greatest quantitative jump in amphibious capabilities since the inception of the concept. But her tests were hard- ly over. In June of 1977 five days of shock trials further established her integrity for sea, the work was hard but, in point of fact, the hardest was yet to come. Eleven grueling, dirty, frustrating months at Long Beach Naval Shipyard ad- ded additional capabilities, enhanced others and taught the crew how to drive from Long Beach to San Diego and back with their eyes closed on always too short weekends. More REFTRA, AMPHIBREFTRA and suddenly it was 30 days to deployment. For many however, the years of workup would not be rewarded with a cruise and January and February heard numerous rings of Plankowner- departing . Change of Command 9 Feb. 79, CAPT R. E. KLEE relieves CAPT. G.A. CHURCI-ls 5 . Those Boilers Light Off Again Shock Trials On February the 9th 1979 one who was not a plan kowner but who had been through it all also departed Captain G A CHURCH was relieved by Captain R E KLEE in ceremonies on the hangar deck This encapsulated history cannot begin to tell all the stories happy or sad associated with the developement of this First of a Class Ship It took many people and we can write this book only because of their efforts The Eagle of the Sea has spread her wings and joined the fleet providing depth ability and a new responsive capability to our nations defense and she does so because of these men the PLAN KOWNERS

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EXECUTIVE 0 FICER Commander John F. GAMBOA, from Lone Pine, California is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1958. After graduation he served as a sailing instructor for the plebes at the Academy. In September 1958 he reported aboard the USS PUTNAM CDD 7575 where he served as First Lieutenant and CIC Officer. From October 1960 to June 1962, he served as Communication Officer on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron TWO. He was then ordered to the U.S. Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterrey, California, graduating in June 1964, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications Engineering. ln July 1964, he reported to the USS COLUMBUS CCG 125 and served two years as Communication Officer. In August 1966, he was ordered to Commander United States Forces Korea!Commander in Chief, United Nations Command as Chief, Operations Branch, J-6 Division. His next duty station was in Washington D.C., on the Staff of the Manager, National Communications System. Commander GAMBOA also attended the University of Maryland and earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. ln September 1970, he received orders to the Commissioning crew of the USS PENSACOLA CLSD 385 in Quincy, Massachusetts as Operations Officer. In May 1972, he assumed duty as Executive Officer, USS LA SALLE CAGF 35, Fla shi of 8 D Commander Middle East Force, homeport in Bahrain, Persain Gulf. Commander GAMBOA then served in the Canal Zone from 3 December 1973 to 3 September 1976 as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Communications Station, Balboa, and Secretary Inter- American Naval Telecommunications Network. Commander GAMBOA commanded USS FORT FISHER CLSD 405 from 3 De- cember 1976 to 22 December 1978. On January 12, 1979 he assumed duties as Executive Officer of USS TARAWA CLHA-15. 6. if . -0 f f- . . A ' V W' :L 'v 'A ' -' ' - 1. W4 ' -' T 1 ...M ' Commander John F. GAMBOA QQ ilu