Full Description
Only the best officers are given command of U.S. Navy ships, and only the elite of these are selected for aircraft carriers. The USS America was the third of four Kitty Hawk-class super-carriers. Commissioned in 1965, decommissioned in 1996, she served three times in Vietnam, and once each in Libya, the Persian Gulf and Bosnia. This book profiles the 23 men who commanded the America and her crew of 5,000 during 31 years. Most of them were combat veterans--World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Mayaguez Rescue Operations, Lebanon, Haiti, Libya, Bosnia, and Desert Storm. Four were Naval Academy graduates; seven were test pilots; one became Inspector General of the Navy; one wore both Navy wings and submariner dolphins; and one was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for nearly six years. Two retired as admirals--one was Chief of Naval Operations--five as vice admirals, and 11 as rear admirals. Each profile gives a career account based on official biographies, published memoirs, and interviews with the commanders or their families.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Scuttling of a U.S. Naval Super Aircraft Carrier
USS America (CVA-66) Joins the Fleet
The Skippers: Profiles of Extraordinary
Capt. Lawrence Heyworth, Jr. (January 1965-July 1966)
Capt. Donald D. Engen (July 1966-July 1967)
Capt. Frederick C. Turner (July 1967-October 1968)
Capt. Richard E. Rumble (October 1968-December 1969)
Capt. Thomas B. Hayward (December 1969-November 1970)
Capt. Thomas B. Russell, Jr. (November 1970-April 1972)
Capt. Burton H. Shepherd (April 1972-April 1973)
Capt. Thomas H. Replogle (April 1973-September 1974)
Capt. Daniel G. McCormick III (September 1974-April 1976)
Capt. Robert B. Fuller (April 1976-April 1978)
Capt. William F. Meyer (April 1978-August 1979)
Capt. Rene L. "Sam" Leeds (August 1979-February 1981)
Capt. James F. Dorsey, Jr. (February 1981-July 1982)
Capt. Denis T. Schwaab (July 1982-February 1984)
Capt. Leighton W. "Snuffy" Smith, Jr. (February 1984-July 1985)
Capt. Richard C. "Sweetpea" Allen (July 1985-February 1987)
Capt. James Lair (February 1987-August 1988)
Capt. John J. Coonan, Jr. (August 1988-October 1989)
Capt. John J. Mazach (October 1989-February 1991)
Capt. Kent W. Ewing (February 1991-August 1992)
Capt. William W. Copeland, Jr. (August 1992-February 1994)
Capt. Ralph E. Suggs (February 1994-September 1995)
Capt. Robert E. Besal (September 1995-September 1996)
New USS America (LHA-6)
Appendix A: Early Ships Named USS America
Appendix B: Flight Deck Colors
Appendix C: Career Summary of Medals Won by the Captains
Bibliography
Index
