At the Helm of USS America

The late James E. Wise, Jr., a retired Navy captain in Alexandria, Virginia (d. 2013), wrote many books on history and the performing arts. He served as an intelligence officer aboard USS America during the 1967 Six Day War in the eastern Mediterranean and later in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. Scott Baron, Vietnam era Army veteran and former law enforcement officer, teaches United States history in Salinas, California.

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