Subject: Grandson of former CO Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 18:17:32 -0500 From: "S. Jamie Smith" To: Dear Mr.Pires My name is Jamie Smith, and my grandfather was the former commanding officer of the USS Bennington. His name was Capt. James Richard Compton. I believe he took command of the Bennington between the late 1950s to the early 1960s. I think he became commanding officer after Capt. William M. Ryon. He will not be able to attend the reunion because he died in 1989. I'm 14, and in 8th grade in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I'm very interested in the Bennington and very proud of my grandfather, and hope to follow in his footsteps. Since he died, I've wanted to go to the Naval Academy and am working towards that goal. Please send me info about the Bennington during his command. My email address is jamies@exis.net. Sincerely, Jamie Smith (From Time Line: 1958 July 3 - 1958 December 31 - - 580703 New CO: Compton, James R. )