The Reminiscences of Adm. Charles Donald Griffin, USN (Ret.), vol. I (1906-1996)

The first volume overs his early career up to his command of the Seventh Fleet. Was designated naval aviator in 1930 and served as scouting pilot in the Chester, then Scouting Squadron Six in the USS Enterprise (CV-6). In 1949 was Commander Carrier Group Nine aboard the USS Essex (CV-9), participating in attacks on Marcus Island, Wake Island, Gilbert islands, and Kwajalein. In 1945 reported to Washington to be a member of Joint War Plans Committee of JCS--planning operations in the Pacific. Later duty included: CO of the escort carrier USS Croatan (CVE-25); Ops officer, Franklin D. Roosevelt; Assistant Chief of Staff, CinC Atlantic Fleet; Plans Officer, Commander Air Force U.S. PacFlt; CO, attack aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and Commander Carrier Division Four. Volume II covers his Seventh Fleet command, his duty as Deputy CNO for Fleet Operations and Readiness, his CinCUSNavEur command, and his CinCSouth (NATO) command. Discussions cover trips to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaya, Philippines, Taiwan, and Okinawa; McNamara and the "Whiz Kids;" defending the Navy's construction budget; Operation Deep Freeze; Cuban crisis; first round-the- world cruise of nuclear-powered task force; early 1960s buildup of Soviet naval forces in the Med; visits to NATO countries. Appendices contain records and notes of visits to Turkey, Iran, Belgium, and Spain.