USS Pocono Association
USS Pocono AGC-16/LCC-16/JCC-16
USS Pocono Decomissioning
USS Pocono LCC-16 Decommissioning Program
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
Page 1
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
Page 2
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.
Page 3
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.”
Page 4
PREVIOUS COMMANDING OFFICERS
CAPTAIN D.L. HANCOCK 16 JAN 1971 - 25 JUN 1971
CAPTAIN J. D. RILEY, JR. 9 JAN 1970-16 JAN 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
Page 5
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.
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
Page 1
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
Page 2
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.
Page 3
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.”
Page 4
PREVIOUS COMMANDING OFFICERS
CAPTAIN D.L. HANCOCK 16 JAN 1971 - 25 JUN 1971
CAPTAIN J. D. RILEY, JR. 9 JAN 1970-16 JAN 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
Page 5
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.
