USS Tarawa (LHA 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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USS TARA WA FLA GSHIP OF t CUMMANDER A PHIBIO US S Q UADR O SE VE 1- USS SCHENCTADY 2.- USS BARBOUR COUNTRY 3- U35 ST' LOUIS 4- USS DENVER 5- USS FORT FISHER 6- USS TARAWA CAPTAIN FRANCIS L. ROACH Captain ROACH was born in Eric, Pennsylvania, on 9 De- cember 1928. Captain ROACH graduated from high school in 1946 and joined the Navy as an enlisted man where he studied electronics. He entered the Naval Academy inJune of 1949 and graduated on 5 June 1953 as an Ensign. Captain ROACH'S career includes duty on a destroyer, tank landing ships, a cruiser, var- ious shore duty commands, and USS ST. LOUIS as Commanding Officer. He assumed the duties as Commander, Amphibious Squadron SEVEN on 2 June, 1978.