USS LEXINGTON Former Crew Member

Name: Casaday, Gerald

Service Dates: AVT-16 from 4/84 to 11/87

Rank/Duty Assigned: AG1/OA Div. OA LPO. OPS LPO/DCPO. Asst. Air Transfer Officer. Asst. Mars Station Operator. President First Class Association. Duty Aviation Weather Forecaster (Night).

If anyone has a photo of me acting as Capt. Feran’s hood ornament (standing on top of yellow gear at leading edge of flight deck with anemometer in hand) please forward to me at [email protected]. I went up to 0-10 level lookout many times at night, but never did hear any ghosts. Lost count of how many times security or prowling electronics techs scared crap out of me up there though! And as far as I know, I’m the 1st class who bunked in a stateroom on The Lex.

Was on board for participation as exhibit in World’s Fair 1984 in New Orleans. Philly for major overhaul 1984-1985. Grounding at Ft Mcrae and escape from Hurricane Eleanor the day after returning to P’cola from the overhaul in 8/85. Filming of movie “The Winds of War” and tv special “Bob Hope Show” 1986. Coached Lexington’s men’s softball team in 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation softball tourney 1987. Assistant to ship’s MARS station operator 1984-1987. TAD 8/85-7/86 to OPS as OPS LPO, OPS DCPO and Asst to ETCM Bob McDole, who taught me many things, including: 1) “If you can’t find me, then assume that I’m in the CPO mess doing ‘Chiefly’ things.” and 2) “Any First Class Petty Officer who doesn’t get his ass chewed out by his Chief at least once a day isn’t working hard.”