POW/MIA luncheon Sept. 18 ... The Pensacola Chapter Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and the Pensacola Council, Navy League of the United States cordially invite you and your guest to the 20th annual POW/MIA Luncheon Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m. at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Guest Speaker is Ellen W. Vinson, “Remembering Captain John L. ‘Blackie’ Porter III Army Air Corps pilot, leader of Blackie’s Gang.” Cost is $20 per person, sponsorships available. For more information call 436-8552 or e-mail navyleagueofus@bellsouth.net.
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
Vol. 82, No. 35
August 31, 2018
Farewell to a legend and shipmate:
Sen. John S. McCain III passes away By Elizabeth M. Collins Defense Media Activity
Senator and retired Navy Capt. John S. McCain III, former prisoner of war, passed away Aug. 25 at the age of 81. McCain had been battling an aggressive type of brain tumor known as a glioblastoma since at least the summer of 2017. Born in the Panama Canal Zone, Aug. 29, 1936, the son and grandson of men who would become four-star admirals, McCain’s future seemed preordained. He resisted it, “from time to time,” he said in an oral history for the Veterans History Project, “but I was pretty sure that’s what was going to happen.” He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1958 – fifth from the bottom of his class – and headed for flight school, according to a Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) biography.
“I thought it was the most glamorous and exciting life anyone could choose,” he said of his decision to become a pilot. “And my grandfather had been a Navy aviator.” As a new pilot, McCain was guilty of self-confessed “daredevil clowning.” He had several misses and near misses, and once knocked out power lines in Spain. A “small international incident” resulted, according to his memoir, “Faith of my Fathers.” But when war came, he was ready. McCain deployed to Vietnam in 1967 as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot with VA-46. There, in addition to his bombing runs, McCain was witness to one of the Navy’s most devastating fires, which occurred aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59), July 29, 1967, when a rocket misfired, then hit a fuel tank. This set off a chain of explosions that eventually resulted in the loss of See McCain on page 2
Undated photo of John S. McCain III (lower right) during flight training. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
Medal of Honor presented to Tech. Sgt John Chapman’s family By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) – On what would have been their 26th wedding anniversary, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman’s widow Valerie Nessel accepted his Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump during a ceremony at the White House Aug. 22. “We are gathered together this afternoon to pay tribute to a fallen warrior, a great warrior ... and to award him with our nation’s highest and most revered military honor,” Trump said.
Tech. Sgt. John Chapman
Fighting in the early morning hours through brisk air and deep snow, Chapman sacrificed his own life to preserve the lives of his teammates during the Battle of Taku Ghar, Afghanistan, March 4, 2002. “(John) would want to recognize the other men who lost their lives,” Valerie said in a previous interview. “Even though he did something he was awarded the Medal of Honor for, he would not want the other guys to be forgotten – they were part of the team together. I think he would say his Medal of Honor was not just for him, but
NAC hosts 2018 chief selectees
for all of the guys who were lost.” Chapman was originally awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions; however, following a review of the Air Force Cross and Silver Star recipients directed by then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Deborah James, then-Secretary of the Air Force, recommended Chapman’s Air Force Cross be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. “John was always selfless – it didn’t just emerge at Taku Ghar – he had always been selfless and highly competent, and thank God for all those qualities,” retired Air Force Col. Ken Rodriguez, Chapman’s commander at the time of the battle, said in a previous interview. “He See Chapman on page 2
NAVFAC Southeast ‘star’ employees recognized
By Ed Barker Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) Public Affairs
From staff reports
Several groups of prospective chief petty officers (CPO) from Gulf Coast-area commands visited the Navy Advancement Center (NAC) at Saufley Field Aug. 20 through 27 as part of their transition training from petty officer first class to CPO. The Commanding Officer of the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center Capt. Kertreck Brooks kicked-off the training by reinforcing the important role the new chiefs will have with their Sailors. “One of the most important jobs for a chief is to share their knowledge and train new junior officers,” Brooks said. “I’m standing here today as the Commanding Officer of NETPDC because I had outstanding chiefs to See NAC on page 2
Women’s Equality Day (Aug. 26) recognized ... Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar was the guest speaker at a Women’s Equality Day event hosted by the Naval Hospital Jacksonville’s diversity committee. The day was also recognized with a presentation onboard NAS Pensacola. Photo by Suzanne Speight
In a recent e-mail message, Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar congratulated supervisors and employees of the year at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NAVFAC Southeast). “Please join me in congratulating the following NAVFAC Southeast employees for being recognized as the FY2018 Superstars of the Year,” Bolivar wrote. “This is a huge testament to their dedication to ex-
cellence in supporting our Navy Region Southeast installations.” Onboard NAS Pensacola, Sheri Hoffman and Michael Hardy were singled out. “GS Tier 1 – Employee of the Year – Ms. Sheri Hoffman (Pensacola). (Hoffman) takes pride in providing outstanding customer support. Not content to remain behind her desk, she balances her administrative responsibilities while constantly meeting both clients and See NAVFAC on page 2
Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.