Captain Roger Elden Box 28 May 1979 - 20 October 1980 Graduated from the Naval Academy in 1956 Retired with the rank of Rear Admiral Captain Roger E. Box graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned in 1956. He then proceeded to Pensacola, FL and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1957. Captain Box began his duty with squadrons VF-173, VF-174, and VF-84. Following these tours he attended the Naval Test Pilot School and upon graduation became an F8/F4 project pilot in the Weapons Test Division. Subsequently, Captain Box served as part of the Commissioning Crew of USS America (CVA-66) as Assistant Navigator. In 1966 he returned to Fighter Aviation as a member of VF-21 and made two combat deployments to Southeast Asia aboard USS Ranger. In 1970 Captain Box was awarded his Master's degree in Business Administration from Auburn College. Captain Box was the first Commanding Officer of the Navy Fighter Weapons School [Top Gun]. He assumed command of VF-114 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) in 1972. He later went on to command CVW-14 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). Captain Box commanded the fleet oiler USS Hassayampa (AO-145) and later transferred the ship to the Military Sealift Command. Captain Box took command of USS Ranger on 22 May 1979. Upon his reliefe he assumed duties as Chief of Staff, Commander Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet. Captain Box's combat decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, 13 Air Medals, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".