Knight, Lendall, CAPT

On 19 November 1980, Independence deployed to the Indian Ocean along with the Harry E. Yarnell (CG-17) and was on watch along with the Ranger on "Gonzo Station" as President Reagan took office and the Iranian Hostages were freed. Subsequently, completing an Indian Ocean cruise, Independence transited the Suez Canal northbound, shortly after America (CV-66) had transited southbound, making America the first United States Navy carrier (and, thus, Independence the second) to transit the Suez Canal since Intrepid (CV-11) in 1967. Independence completed a deployment of 204 days. Scheduled to go to Singapore, the crew was instead diverted to the Persian Gulf to back up the Nimitz (CV-68) during the Iran Hostage Crisis mission with CAPT. T.E. Shanahan Commanding. There was a Shellback Initiation conducted and a Flightdeck party at 60 days out to sea. The crew saw liberty only two times: a week in Perth, Western Australia, 5 days in Port Louis Mauritius before crossing the Atlantic to return to Norfolk on 10 June 1981. See: http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv62-81/index.html