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 Â | Â Captain Billie C. Spell entered the United States Navy in June of 1942. He went to pre- flight and flight training and was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator on 8 June 1943. During World War II Captain Spell participated in the campaigns of Luzon, Leyte, and Iwo Jima. Captain Spell survived the sinking of the USS BISMARK SEA at Iwo Jima~ Captain Spell was one of the few per- sons to witness the raising of the Flag on Mount SURIBACHI at Iwo Jima. Because of this it seems fitting that he assumed command of the USS SURIBACHI (AE-21) on 24 March 1967. Captain Spell's former assignments have been Commanding Officer Fighter Squadron 114 and Fighter Squadron 112, both based at Naval Air Station, Miramar, California. Captain Spell served as Commanding Officer of the USS SURIBAC HI for the first half of her Cruise to the MED in 1968. After being relieved as Commanding Officer of SURIBACHI on 25 April 1968 by Captain M. 0. Muncie, Captain Spell and his family moved to his new command with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. |
 Â | Â Captain M. 0. MUNCIE, a native of Oklahoma, enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1942. He attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School and was admitted to the U. S. Naval Academy in June 1943. Upon graduation in June 1946, he reported to USS DAMATO (DD-871), where he served until December 1948. From January to June 1949, he attended the U. S. Naval Submarine School. Upon completion of this training, he reported to USS RONQUIL (SS-396) .Succeeding tours of duty include: USS MENHADEN (SS-377) ; Staff, COMSUBRON ONE, USS BUGARA (SS-331) and NROTC Unit, University of Oklahoma. In July 1956 he reported as Executive Officer, USS BALAO (SS-285) and succeeded to Command of that ship in April 1958. In August 1959, he reported as Commanding Officer, USS SENNET (SS-408). Following a three year tour in the Office of Naval Research, he reported as Executive Officer, USS PL YMOUTH ROCK (LSD-29) and then as Commanding Officer, USS BARTON (DD-722) . From August 1966 to June 1967 he attended the U. S. Naval War College, and upon graduation, reported as the Officer in Charge , Strategic Analysis Support Group, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, a field activity directly supporting the Chief of Naval Operations. In April 1968 he assumed Command of USS SURIBACHI (AE-21). Captain MUNCIE is married to the former Dorothy Jeanne BUCKLEY of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. There are three children. |
  1933 - 2005 | Commander Ronald Ray Grove was born in Johnstown, PA to Elizabeth Ray Grove and Dwight Eugene Grove of Johnstown, PA. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Naval Postgraduate School, and the Naval War College. Ronald retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander in 1978. During his naval career he served two tours in Vietnam, one in-country and one as Commanding Officer of the USS Suribachi (AE 21). After retirement from the Navy, he worked at Temple University in Philadelphia prior to his retirement in Milton. Commander Grove passed away Sunday, August 14, 2005, at Sacred Heart Hospital after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Ray Grove and Dwight Eugene Grove of Johnstown, PA. He is survived by his wife, Anne Cooper Grove, of Milton, FL and his son, Stephen Ray Grove (Wanda), of Smithfield, VA. He has two grandchildren, Madeline Ray Grove (8) and Joshua Paul Grove (4). Ronald has three brothers, Paul Grove, of Crossville, TN and William Grove and Gary Grove of Johnstown, PA. Funeral Services for Commander Grove will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The family would especially like to thank the doctors, nurses and associates at Sacred Heart Hospital for their care, kindness and support. He was loved and cherished by his family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Disabled American Veterans' Memorial Program P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, Ohio 45250 or www.DAV.org. |
  |  Commander LYNCH was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on April 20, 1939. He  was commisÂsioned as Ensign upon graduation from the Massachusetts Maritime  Academy in August, 1960. His first tour of duty in the Navy was aboard the USS MULIPHEN (AKA-61), where he served as Navigator. Following MULIPHEN, Commander LYNCH attended the U. S. Naval Destroyer School at Newport, R. I. Upon graduation with class 4, he reported to the USS HUGH PURVIS (DD-709), as Engineer Officer. Following a tour of duty as a Company Officer, at the U. S. Naval Officer Candidate School, he served as Senior Advisor, Coastal Group 28 (Junk Force) in Vietnam. He then served as Executive Officer aboard USS HARTLEY (DE-1029), from July 1968-June 1970. Following a tour as a student at the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School, Commander LYNCH reported to the USS PAWCATUCK (AO-108), as Executive Officer. For the past two years he has served as Force Operations Officer for Commander Service Force Sixth Fleet/CTF-63. In addition to campaign medals, Commander LYNCH holds the Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnamese Honor Medal (1st class). Commander LYNCH is married to the former Carol Ann SARNO, also from Marblehead. They have a son, Timothy, and a daughter, Toni Elizabeth. He assumed command of the USS SURIBACHI (AE-21) on 10 September 1976. |
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