The White Falcon - 09.07.1971, Blaðsíða 12

Fleet Weather command to change hands
FARRIS
Cdr. Don M. Farris will take
over the three-hat position as
commanding officer of the Fleet
Weather Facility,when he relieves
Cdr. David J. Spowart in a change
of command ceremony next week.
Cdr. Spowart has been the com-
manding officer of the facility
since June 22 of last year. The
two additional jobs are "Staff
Meteorological Officer" for Com-
SPCWART
mander Naval Forces Iceland and
Commander Iceland Defense Force.
Cdr. Farris comes to Keflavik
from his previous duties at the
Joint Meteorological Satellite
Project Office in Washington,D.C.
He was bom in Seattle, Wash.,
and attended Marin College and
San Francisco State College. Upon
graduation from college in 1953,
he was commissioned an Ensign,
was assigned to the amphibiou'
command ship Eldorado. Further
assignments included: Staff, Com-
mander Amphibious Force, Pacific,
and as a student at the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey,
Calif., where he graduated with a
bachelors degree in Meteorology.
He then went to the Naval Air
Station, Cubi Point, Philippines.
From there he was assigned as the
Meteorological Officer aboard the
attack carrier Saratoga,then went
to Guam where he was attached to
Fleet Weather Central.
He was promoted to his present
rank in July 1967, and wears the
following decorations: Meritori-
ous Unit Commendation, China Ser-
vice Medal, National Defense Med-
al, Navy Expeditionary Medal and
a permanent Expert Pistol Medal.
Cdr. Farris is married to the
former Marjorie Jean Dugger
Lake County, Calif. They h
three children.
Cdr. Spowart, a native of Oak-
land, Calif., will be going to
the U. S. Naval Weapons Center at
China Lake, Calif., where he will
be the Meteorological Officer.

me
Capt. Verso gets second DFC
By JOSN Terry J. Carroll
Air Force Capt. Thomas J. Verso received the
Distinguished Flying Cross June 30 from Col. Budd
H. Butcher, Commander AFI.
The citation accompanying his award read in
part, "First Lieutenant Thomas J. Verso distin-
guished himself by extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air
Controller on 23 August 1969. On this date Lieu-
tenant Verso flew extremely hazardous missions
through adverse weather conditions and through the
constant threat of hostile ground fire and attack."
And, "Through his personal bravery and energetic
application of his knowledge and skill he signifi-
cantly furthered the goal of the United States in
Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aer-
ial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieu-
tenant Verso reflect great credit upon himself
and the United States Air Force."
This is the captain's second Flying Cross for
his performance as a Forward Air Controller (FAC)
over Vietnam from April to October of 1969. Among
the other medals he received for the same tour are
the Silver Star, the Air Force Commendation Medal
and 11 Air Medals. Capt. Verso is presently
attached to the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
(See Verso, page 10)
Air Force Capt. Thomas J. Verso receives his sec-
ond Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony in'
Andrews Theater June 30.
12
July 9, 1971