USS Pocono LCC-16 Decommissioning Program

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FROM THE DESK OF THE CAPTAIN

Having served in Pocono for fifty-two months on two separate tours under six Commanding Officers, it has been a distinct pleasure and privilege to have served as her last Commanding Officer.

Pocono has given my family and I the unique opportunity of having associated and known a great number of ship's company personnel in addition to numerous flag officers and their staffs.

We are grateful to have had this opportunity and wish each of you the best in life in the coming years.

Landon and Jo Meadows

 

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

OFFICIAL PARTY ARRIVES

INVOCATION BY CHAPLAIN

COMMENTS BY COMMANDER MEADOWS

COMMANDER MEADOWS READS DECOMMISSIONING DIRECTIVE

NATIONAL ANTHEM

COMMANDER MEADOWS DIRECTS THAT COLORS, JACK AND COMMISSIONING PENNANT BE HAULED DOWN

COMMANDER MEADOWS DIRECTS THE WATCH BE SECURED

COMMANDER MEADOWS TURNS OVER POCONO TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVAL INACTIVE SHIP MAINTENANCE FACILITY, POR.TSMOUTH

COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVAL INACTIVE SHIP MAINTENANCE FACILITY, PORTSMOUTH, ACCEPTS CUSTODY OF POCONO

BENEDICTION

CEREMONY CONCLUDED

 

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Commander Landon 0. Meadows United States Navy

Commander Meadows reported to Pocono on 17 July 1969 and assumed the duties of Executive Officer. On 25 June 1971, he assumed command of Pocono when he relieved Captain D. L. Hancock.

Commander Meadows attended Florence State College, Florence, Alabama prior to being commissioned in 1956. His initial assignment, following his commissioning was at Training Schools Command, Treasure Island, California. In early 1957, he was assigned to Staff Commander Key West Force, Key West, Florida. Following this assignment, Commander Meadows was released from active duty subsequently being recalled to active duty in 1961.

Commander Meadows has served in the following ships, USS Willard Keith, USS Pocono (First tour as First Lieutenant) and USS Little Rock, followed by a tour in I Corps in South Vietnam before reporting to the Staff Commander Training Command, Atlantic.

Commander Meadows is married to the former Joan Doty and resides with his wife and four children in Virginia Beach. Following the inactivation of Pocono, Commander Meadows will report to the Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center, Dam Neck, Virginia for duty.

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HISTORY

Built in 1945 Wilmington, North Carolina, USS Pocono was converted for Naval use at Boston Naval Shipyard and commissioned on 19 December 1945 as an Amphibious Force Flagship. Since that time, Pocono has served as Flagship of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander Second Fleet; Commander Amphibious Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander Amphibious Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander Amphibious Group TWO; Commander Amphibious Group FOUR; Commander-in-Chief, Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean and Commander Amphibious Squadron EIGHT.

Pocono has participated in most major amphibious exercises in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean areas. During a normal Mediterranean deployment in 1958, Pocono was diverted to Beirut, Lebanon. There she controlled the landing that enabled that Country to maintain her political stability. In 1964 Pocono participated in Steel Spike I the largest amphibious exercises since World War II, with the overall Commander of the exercises forces, Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet embarked.

In 1965, Pocono deployed to the Dominican Republic where COMPHILANT in Pocono directed the Naval Forces’ support of the peacekeeping operation Santo Domingo. During the remainder of 1965, 1966, and 1967 Pocono participated in several Fleet Exercises as Flagship for Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander Amphibious Group TWO.

Pocono was overhauled from April until September 1968 at Boston Naval Shipyard and the deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Refresher Training. On August 1, 1968, Pocono was redesigned as an Amphibious Command Ship (LCC 16) and began serving as Flagship for Commander Amphibious Group FOUR.

During 1969, Pocono as Flagship for Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Commander Amphibious Group TWO and Commander Amphibious Group FOUR participating in several fleet exercises and operations. These included Springboard 70 and Exotic Dancer II.

In 1970, Pocono participated in numerous Atlantic Fleet Exercises and during the autumn deployed to the Mediterranean for NATO Exercise Deep Express returning to the Norfolk area in November.

On 12 January 1971, Pocono departed for the Caribbean. Four days after getting underway, Captain J. D. Riley Jr., was relieved by Captain D. L. Hancock as Commanding Officer. Pocono returned to Little Creek on 21 January and commenced preparations for underway training scheduled for early February. During this training cycle, Pocono completed several important training evolutions. In March, Pocono again, with Commander Amphibious Group embarked was underway and participated with JCS Exercise Exotic Dancer IV. The manner in which Pocono performed her mission during this exercise terminated her operational career in traditional Navy fashion. Upon returning to Little Creek, Pocono commenced her inactivation cycle, which terminates today when she joins the “Mothball Fleet.”

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PREVIOUS COMMANDING OFFICERS

CAPTAIN D.L. HANCOCK  16 JAN 1971 – 25 JUN 1971

CAPTAIN W. J. VAUGHT 10 JAN 1969–9 JAN 1970

CAPTAIN P. H. BARLEY 28 JUL 1967–10 JAN 1969

CAPTAIN J. E. DYAR, JR. 1 AUG 1966–28 JUL 1967

CAPTAIN V. L. VITUCCI 18 MAY 1965 –1 AUG 1966

CAPTAIN F. E. LEE 25 AUG 1964 –18 MAY 1965

CAPTAIN R. B. CARLSON 22 MAY 1963 –25 AUG 1964

CAPTAIN W. W. GENTRY 26 FEB 1962–22 MAY 1963

CAPTAIN J. W. REED 17 MAR 1961 –26 FEB 1962

CAPTAIN J. D. LINEHAN 26 MAR 1960 –17 MAR 1961

CAPTAIN J. A. LOYALL 20 FEB 1959–26 MAR 1960

CAPTAIN R. W. THOMPSON 7 MAY 1958 –20 FEB 1959

CAPTAIN C. H. SMITH 5 MAY 1957 –7 MAY 1958

CAPTAIN A. H. DROPP 9 JUN 1956–5 MAY 1957

CAPTAIN S. C. SMALL 9 JAN 1955–9 JUN 1956

CAPTAIN E. C. STEFFEN 4 AUG 1954–9 JAN 1955

CAPTAIN J. A. WEBSTER 7 AUG 1953–4 AUG 1954

CAPTAIN P. F. JOHNSON 8 JUL 1952–7 AUG 1953

CAPTAIN R. V. HULL 18 AUG 1951-8 JUL 1952

NEW YORK RESERVE FLEET 29 JUN 1949 -18 AUG 1951

CAPTAIN A. F. HOLLINGSWORTH 11 ARP 1949 -29 JUN 1949

CAPTAIN H. J. POHL 9 FEB 1949 -11 ARP 1949

CAPTAIN H R. DEMAREST 13 NOV 1947 -9 FEB 1949

CAPTAIN H. M. BRIGG 3 SEP 1946-13 NOV 1947

CAPTAIN H. A SAILOR 29 DEC 1945 -3 SEP 1946

 

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EPILOGUE

The USS Pocono is being decommissioned today 

after twenty-six years and eight months of prideful and dedicated

service. She has accomplished her missions under the professional

guidance, leadership and unselfish dedication of twenty-six

Commanding Officers, their officers and men.

It is through the personal efforts of these former “Captains” 

That has made Pocono a significant part in the lives of each of us

Who have served in her whether a member of ship’s company or an

Embarked staff. 

Pocono’s active service ceases today however, her spirit of

Friendship, pride and professional dedication to duty will exist for

As long as a member of her past crews live.