JULY-AUGUST 2013
U N I T E D S T A T E S N AVA L A C A D E M Y A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N
75 TH
ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
USNA.COM
May-June 2013
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Class of 2017 Induction Day On 27 June at 6 a.m. the approximately 1,200 young men and women who will make up the United States Naval Academy Class of 2017 entered Alumni Hall to begin the 2013 Induction Day process. The soon-to-be plebes rushed from station to station kicking off the first day of Plebe Summer, a six-week program designed to transform civilians into midshipmen. For photo galleries of I-Day and Plebe Summer visit www.usna.com. Inset: Families, friends and loved ones send off their sons, daughters, sisters and brothers outside of Alumni Hall. Large photo by Barbara Hendricks.
2013 Welcome Aboard Picnic As soon-to-be plebes endured Induction Day, parents, siblings, grandparents and friends made their way over to the Alumni Association’s annual I-Day Family Information Expo and Picnic on Hospital Point. The event provides plebe families with the opportunity to enjoy good food and to meet members of the parent clubs, chapters, local sponsors and members of the Another Link in the Chain class sponsoring the plebes through their Naval Academy journey. The event has been held for more than 18 years and provides families with a welcomed respite from the stress of Induction Day. For more photos of the Alumni Association’s Expo and Picnic, visit www.usna.com. Inset photo by Barbara Hendricks
2013 Plebe Summer Midshipmen begin Plebe Summer, a six-week period filled with rigorous exercise, training and education. The summer builds the foundation necessary for plebes to succeed at the Academy when the Brigade returns from summer training and the academic year begins. High standards of honor, character and conduct are instilled in the plebes as they learn the basics of seamanship, navigation and boat handling. Members of the Class of 2017 attempt the climbing wall exercise during Plebe Summer.
Catch the Navy Spirit! Join us for home football tailgates… Navy Football is just around the corner! Our tailgates have the most delicious food, coldest drinks and the best Navy spirit! We are open to all Navy fans! The party starts 2 hours before kickoff, and the bar is open all the way through halftime! Please note that tailgate starting times will vary, as the kickoff times for each game differ. For full details see our website at usna.com/tailgates.
14 September 5 October 26 October 9 November 16 November
Navy vs. Delaware Navy vs. Air Force Navy vs. Pittsburgh – (Homecoming) Navy vs. Hawai’i Navy vs. South Alabama
Become a VIP! When you sign up in advance for all 5 home games, you will have reserved seating at each home tailgate. You will also receive a personalized “VIP” nametag to use at all our USNA Alumni Association home tailgates. Must register for all home tailgates by 26 August to receive the VIP Package; no VIP refunds after this date. For full details and to register online see www.usna.com/tailgates or email events@usna.com. Registration closes at 10 a.m. the Monday prior to the event.
…and join us at our Army-Navy bus and tailgate! 14 December
Army-Navy in Philadelphia
For full details and to register online see www.usna.com/tailgates or email events@usna.com. Registration closes at 10 a.m. the Monday prior to the event. Visit armynavygame.com for the most up to date Army-Navy game info!
GO NAVY!
www.usna.com/tailgates For more details and to register online for these events go to www.usna.com. See page 53 for more Alumni Products and Services
SHIPMATE
J ULY-AUGUST 2013
U N I T E D S TAT E S N AVA L A C A D E M Y A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
V O L U M E 76, N O.5
OUR MISSION To serve and support the United States, the Naval Service, the Naval Academy and its Alumni; By furthering the highest standards at the Naval Academy; By seeking out,
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informing, encouraging and assisting
Perspectives on Shipmate
outstanding, qualified young men and women to pursue careers as officers in the Navy and Marine Corps through the Naval Academy; and, By initiating and sponsoring activities which will perpetuate the history, traditions, memories and growth of the
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Naval Academy and bind Alumni
75 Years and Counting: Shipmate Through the Decades
together in support of the highest ideals of command, citizenship and government.
Serving the Alma Mater and its Alumni since 1886
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Binding and Bonding
FEATURE 12
Another Successful Year
COLUMNS 10
Letter From the President Byron F. Marchant ’78
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An Ocean Away Major Jeffrey “Murph” McCarthy ’00, USMC
ON THE COVER Celebrating 75 years of Shipmate
DEPARTMENTS 9 46 50 53 56 134 153 154 169 176
Calendar of Events Index of Advertisers Bravo Zulu Alumni Products and Services Class News Chapter News In Memoriam, Admiral Kelso Last Call Classified Ads Staff and Assistance
ISSN 0488-6720 (USPS 494-440) July-August 2013
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SHIPMATE EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher Byron F. Marchant ’78 410-295-4090; byron.marchant@usna.com Editor-in-Chief Lawrence Heyworth III ’70 410-295-4070; skid@usna.com Managing Editor Kristen Pironis 410-295-4072; kristen.pironis@usna.com Production Manager Jackie Furton 410-295-4073; jackie.furton@usna.com Assistant Production Manager/ Classes Editor Maria O’Shea 410-295-4074; maria.oshea@usna.com Writers and Editors Courtney Jolley 410-295-4075; courtney.jolley@usna.com Samantha Richer 410-295-4027; samantha.richer@usna.com Anne Sharpe 410-295-4078; anne.sharpe@usna.com Elizabeth Wrightson 410-295-4071; elizabeth.wrightson@usna.com Chapter and Classes Editor Sandra Stansbury-Spadaro 410-295-4076; sandy.spadaro@usna.com Obituaries Editor Timothy Elizabeth Woodbury 410-295-4064; timothy.woodbury@usna.com Production Assistant Tonya White 410-295-4066; tonya.white@usna.com Contributing Editor Captain David Poyer ’71, USNR (Ret.) Contributing Photographers Barbara Hendricks Debbie Latta
CONTACT SHIPMATE Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-295-4000 Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-295-4003 Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-295-4074 Display Advertising . . . . . . . . . 800-795-7696 x1251 Alum. Registration/Corrections . . . .410-295-4026 Submissions: Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .shipmate@usna.com Address/Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .alumni@usna.com Chapter ColumnsH . . . . . . . .chapternews@usna.com Class ColumnsH . . . . . . . . . . . .classnews@usna.com Mail Boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mailboat@usna.com Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .obits@usna.com Register of Alumni. . . . . . .registerofalumni@usna.com H For Secretary use only, please Opinions expressed in Shipmate are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, its officers or editorial staff. All pictures are official Department of Defense photographs unless otherwise credited. Member, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Shipmate (ISSN 0488-6720) is published eight times annually including six bi-monthly issues in January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, November-December as well as two special issues in May and September. Copyrighted 2013 by the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc., 247 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402-1306. Membership dues (including Shipmate) are $70 per year. Subscription rate is $70; Canadian and foreign subscriptions are $75. Single copies are $7 each. Periodicals Postage Paid at Annapolis, MD, and at additional mailing offices.
CALENDAR
OF
EVENTS
Brigade Reforms U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 15-17 August 2013 The Brigade of Midshipmen returns for the 2013 fall semester.
Delayed Graduation Mahan Hall, U.S. Naval Academy Annapolis, MD 16 August 2013 Delayed graduation ceremony for the Class of 2013.
Service Academy Career Conference Manchester Grand Hyatt—San Diego One Market Place, San Diego, CA 22-23 August 2013 Register online at www.sacc-jobfair.com.
Football Season Opener Navy vs. Indiana Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN 7 September 2013, 6 pm Visit www.navysports.com for more information on the fall sports schedule.
Reunions: Classes of 1978, 1988 and 2003 Annapolis, MD 12-15 September 2013 Visit www.usna.com/reunions for information on these and other reunions.
All editorial matter should be addressed to Kristen Pironis, p: 410-295-4072, kristen. pironis@usna.com. Inquiries concerning membership or subscriptions and notification of change of address of members and subscribers should be addressed to U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, 247 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402-1306; p: 410-295-4026; alumni@usna.com. Postmaster: send address changes to U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, 247 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402-1306. Matters concerning display advertising should be addressed to Pentagon Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 451403, Atlanta, GA 31145; 1-800-795-7696, x 1251; info@pentagon-usa.com. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that does not meet the standards set by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. Volume 76, No. 5 T.M. Reg U.S. Pat. Off. Printed in U.S.A.
For the latest information about Alumni activities, visit www.usna.com. For a complete list of Navy sports, visit www.navysports.com.
VISIT OUR ALUMNI PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SECTION STARTING ON PAGE 53
LETTER
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
By Byron F. Marchant ’78
Photo by Kathleen Lange
Shipmate: To Help and Serve In May 1938, members of the fledgling Alumni Association received Shipmate in the mail for the first time. The president of the Alumni Association, W.H. Stayton, Class of 1881, and the officers noted that Shipmate will be “the means of promulgating useful information, will provide a means of informing all members of what is being accomplished and what is hoped to accomplish along the lines of our mission.” More than 75 years later, Shipmate serves the same purpose. While the graphics, page count, number of issues and topics covered have changed through the years, the goal of connecting alumni with their alma mater and sharing information has been the same. In this issue, we share perspectives from those who have helped Shipmate throughout the years. In addition to hearing from past editors, longtime readers and contributors, the Superintendent, along with his report on “Another Successful Year” on page 12, offers his thoughts on Shipmate magazine. However, it’s important
75 Years Online Every page of every issue of Shipmate, going back to May 1938, is available online. Members can read the current issue before it is mailed and browse the complete archive. There is a lot more to read than we could highlight in this anniversary issue, and you’re invited to join us in celebrating 75 years of Shipmate.
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
to acknowledge that Shipmate is the publication it is today because of its readers and the members and friends of the Alumni Association. Without the contributions of classmates, without the tireless efforts of class and chapter secretaries, without the feedback you provide, Shipmate would only be a shell. It comes to life with your stories, your photos and your input. Shipmate is one of the most visible benefits of Alumni Association membership. It is what keeps the Alumni Association in front of its members. While traveling, I am often asked, “Why don’t you just put Shipmate online and save the postage?” Conversely, I’m asked, “Why can’t you print more issues of the magazine?” These questions illustrate the diversity and span of our audience. They also reinforce the value of Shipmate. We do offer Shipmate online for members as well as on an iPad app in addition to the mailed copies. At this time and for the foreseeable future, we’ll continue to offer Shipmate content through multiple vehicles. As it turns out, magazine readership is growing for the 18-to-34 year old population. Further, social media and apps are growing for all segments. There is not a onesize-fits-all approach to communicating with members of the Classes of the ’30s to the incoming Class of ’17. Our membership grows and adapts with society, and the magazine must continue to do so as well. Over time, we have added communication tools to better communicate with our membership as well as investing in the magazine. When it first launched, Shipmate was barely 20 pages and mailed irregularly. Along with the publishing industry, we’ve since improved upon our process and our production. In “Binding and Bonding” on page 44, read about some of the behind the scenes details and how it all comes together. In reviewing 75 years of Shipmate coverage, it is striking how similar the messages and the stories are to today’s features. Shipmate has covered history through
the lens of the Naval Academy Alumni Association. In a review of the decades of coverage, beginning on page 26, you’ll find poignant vignettes about wartime, read names that have not only made history but reported it and see photos that capture the imagination and a moment in time. As Shipmate found its voice, it became—and remains today—the flagship for the Alumni Association. It is a
privilege to serve as the publisher of Shipmate and to be a part of its history. The professional staff feels the same way. They are not only good stewards of our resources in producing Shipmate, but good stewards of our Naval Academy history and traditions. Thank you for being a part of Shipmate, and for helping us tell the story of the Naval Academy through its alumni.
Then and Now: I-Day From the July 1939 issue of Shipmate:
At the time of going to press, new midshipmen are pouring into the Naval Academy each day. To date (June 20) some 200 have entered. To date, we know little about the individuals who are making up the class of 1943. We have learned that the total number to be admitted by the time September rolls around, will be approximately 857. We wish the class of 1943—each and every one of them, every happiness and success. As their class history unfolds, we are confident it will be worthy of the traditions of our Naval Academy and the Navy. On 27 June, days before we sent this July-August issue to the printer, 1,206 men and women entered the Naval Academy with the Class of 2017. More than 17,600 students applied for admission to the Academy. The new class includes 18 international students from 17 different countries, including Cambodia, a first for the Academy. There are now 59 international students across all four
Plebes are marched into Bancroft Hall after being officially sworn in at the conclusion of I-Day. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julia A. Casper
classes, the most the Academy has had at one time. A third of the students come from minority backgrounds, and 23 percent are women. Additionally, 63 students in the Class of 2017 formerly served as enlisted sailors and Marines. Welcome aboard, Class of ’17! Visit www.usna.com and our Facebook page for more photos and coverage.
July-August 2013
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FEATURE
Another SuccessfulYear he Naval Academy has concluded yet another successful year and, as is my custom and privilege, I want to provide you—our alumni, friends and supporters—a brief summary highlighting our more notable achievements.The culmination of each year is, of course, our Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, attended this year on 24 May, to our great honor, by our Commander-in-Chief President Barack Obama. My heartfelt congratulations go out to the 1,043 members of the Class of 2013 who depart the banks of the Severn to serve vitally important roles as the newest generation of leaders
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Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller ’74, USN
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
in our Navy and Marine Corps.We’re proud of their leadership in the Brigade and look forward to their service in the fleet and Fleet Marine Force. I am equally proud of the superb work by our great faculty and staff in preparing these young men and women for the challenges that await them in the naval service. Our country is fortunate to have such dedicated professionals guiding the development and education of the Brigade, and to them I extend my admiration and gratitude. As I enter my fourth year as superintendent, I believe the key to our success is maintaining constancy of
purpose. Guided by a consistent, specific mission, the Naval Academy remains clearly focused on three primary pursuits: building ethical leaders, delivering a premier education and persevering on the field of athletic endeavor. To this end, we constantly challenge and encourage midshipmen to strive for excellence, both at the Academy and in their ensuing naval and civilian careers.
Ethical Leadership The development of ethical leaders with unshakable moral character remains the most important element in our immersive, four-year development process. We strive to produce courageous officers with the integrity and instinct to “do the right thing” regardless of circumstance. As you would expect, the Naval Academy continues to take aggressive steps to uphold the highest standards of behavior and eliminate any instance of sexual misconduct within the Brigade. Not surprisingly, the overwhelmingly vast majority of midshipmen treat one another with the dignity and respect one would expect of an officer. They understand that this type of character flaw is simply incompatible with leading sailors and Marines. Despite our comprehensive training and education to deter and eliminate this unacceptable behavior, a small number of incidents involving midshipmen continue to occur.We’ve taken a firm stand to reinforce our standards and clearly communicate that USNA has “zero tolerance’”for this criminal behavior. Our standards are clear—sexual assault and sexual harassment have no place at USNA or in the naval service. Our purpose is to produce leaders, and we will not graduate or commission anyone who cannot measure up to this critical standard of behavior. As I’ve stated many times, honor forms the basis for trust, and trust is the prime enabler of leadership. Guided by our time-tested Honor Concept and the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, honor and character are continuously taught throughout the Brigade and reinforced by experiential learning opportunities. Continuing last year’s positive trend, we again saw a decrease in numbers of honor and major-level conduct offenses, as well as alcohol-related incidents. I firmly believe our success in decreasing these incidents is directly attributable to strong leadership within the Brigade and our unrelenting commitment to upholding our necessarily high standards.Without question, the development of ethical and highly competent leaders will continue to distinguish the Naval Academy and its graduates from all others.
Premier Education Our challenge is to continue providing one of the finest undergraduate educations in the country, while remaining responsive enough to anticipate change and prepare our midshipmen for the challenges that await them as leaders in tomorrow’s Navy and Marine Corps. The military’s increased emphasis on operating effectively in a cyber/information warfare environment has prompted the Naval Academy to add a Cyber Operations major, bringing our total number of majors to 24, 18 of which are in technical disciplines.This new major, coupled with a core course in cyber security fundamentals currently taken by all plebes, an additional core cyber course to be taken by all second-class midshipmen beginning in August 2013, additional elective courses and internships in cyber security, as well as our Center for Cyber Security Studies, clearly positions the Academy to remain a national leader and resource in cyber education for years to come. To augment midshipmen classroom learning and expose midshipmen to a variety of national and international scholars, USNA has three “crown jewel” conferences annually— the Science and Engineering Conference in the fall, the Leadership Conference in the winter and the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC) in the spring. The Leadership Conference has grown over the past three decades from a small gathering of representatives from the three service academies to the full-fledged 250-person operation it is today. I highlight this point because it is important for midshipmen to interact with students from schools such as Princeton and Harvard who will be leaders in other fields throughout their careers. A school that prides itself in the development of ethical leaders should be the first to recognize the importance of leadership studies in business, academia and government, in addition to the military. This year’s 30th Leadership Conference was themed “Bold Action in the Face of Adversity” and featured former FBI Director Louis Freeh. Similarly, the 53rd NAFAC discussed the rising influence of China and the importance of the western Pacific region to national security, and our third annual Science and Engineering Conference discussed renewable energy, alternative fuels, cyberspace and cybersecurity, and was attended by 120 representatives and students from 32 universities and organizations. We’re pleased to see USNA continuing to receive accolades from a number of reputable national media which place the Academy in the upper echelon of national colleges and universities in terms of graduation rate, selectivity and
July-August 2013
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overall academic quality. Serving as evidence of this academic quality, 50 midshipmen will pursue post-graduate degrees immediately upon commissioning. Included in this total are two Rhodes Scholars, two Marshall Scholars and one Mitchell Scholar—tying a Naval Academy record for largest combined number of these prestigious scholarships awarded in one year. Nineteen additional midshipmen were selected for delayed scholarships, which will permit post-graduate degree work within three years of commissioning. Finally, the Brigade continues to demonstrate consistently high academic achievement, as evidenced by average GPAs of 3.01 and 3.04 for last fall and spring semesters, respectively.
Athletic Excellence Through the pursuit of athletic excellence, midshipmen compete at the highest levels and learn to lead and persevere when facing adversity. We want to instill in each midshipman an indomitable fighting spirit and will to win—timeless characteristics of the leaders that our nation expects them to be. Our midshipmen truly expect to win, and sustaining this “winning brand” continues to be among our chief endeavors. This past year our physical mission has seen a great number of successes. Most significantly, for the eighth consecutive year, our varsity athlete graduation rate of 93 percent remains among national leaders—and best among the three service academies. USNA produced six All-Americans, 11 conference champions, three Academic All-Americans, 15 conference Athletes of the Year, six national/conference Rookies of the Year, six national/conference Coaches of the Year and eight Patriot League Scholar Athletes of the Year. Additionally, 36 Class of 2013 varsity athletes earned the status of honor graduate, placing in the top 100 of their class, including Ensign Christopher Galvin ’13, USN, who stood #1 in the class. Our football team reclaimed the Commander-in-Chief Trophy and beat Army for a record 11th straight year—an unprecedented achievement of which we’re tremendously proud.Through their continued success, our midshipmen clearly demonstrate that at the Naval Academy athletic and academic achievements are common, complementary virtues. Institutional Accomplishments The Naval Academy has long been a true national treasure, housing not only the Brigade, but countless displays of America’s distinguished nautical heritage.We are committed to keeping the Yard a “showplace” for our more than 1.5 million
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
annual visitors and prospective candidates. Our primary construction projects for 2013 included the relocation of our admissions staff from Leahy Hall to newly renovated spaces in Halsey Field House. An additional project as part of the ongoing improvement of Halsey Field House will be the expansion of the multipurpose gym, establishing two full basketball courts for practice. Lejeune Hall construction included a major renovation of swimming pools and installation of a new HVAC system. “Smoke” Park has been given a face-lift to include a new underground storm water management system to comply with local environmental regulations. Lastly, the administration building—one of Ernest Flagg’s original buildings—is currently undergoing its first renovation in recent history, and my staff offices have been temporarily relocated to Leahy Hall during this one-year project. Our incoming Class of 2017 is complete, and this past year we received nearly 18,000 applications, indicative of our diligent recruiting efforts and the ongoing appeal of service among America’s youth.With 1,190 spots available for the Class of 2017, our selection rate again places us in the top-tier of our nation’s most sought-after universities. International engagement remains a priority as we strive to broaden cultural perspectives and awareness within the Brigade.This year we sent 200 midshipmen overseas to study abroad and for immersive experiences in dozens of foreign countries—down from 420 the previous year.While we had planned to send 470 midshipmen overseas this year, as a result
of budget uncertainties associated with sequestration, we were forced to cancel a number of opportunities, but hope to resume these important engagements as our fiscal resources become clearer next fiscal year. Our goal remains to provide this valuable opportunity for 700 midshipmen per year. I continue to be extremely impressed with the generosity of the Brigade, who give of their precious free time to help those less fortunate. It should be heartening to know that in this important undertaking, our midshipmen are serving as role models for the rest of our country. This past year, midshipmen contributed more than 23,000 hours of community service— an increase of more than 1,000 hours over last year’s recordsetting tally—receiving praise and gratitude from community leaders and volunteer groups, locally and nationally, by bettering the lives of others. I mention this publically, as much as any other Brigade accomplishment, whenever I speak about what a difference our midshipmen make in the lives of others. This service is yet another example of the high character resident in the Brigade. Finally, we continue to meet the service assignment requirements of both the Navy and Marine Corps, and you can find specific community assignments for the Class of 2013 in the accompanying graphic. After thorough screening to ensure we were placing midshipmen with the service community best suited to their talents and interest, 94 percent of graduating midshipmen received their preferred or alternate service assignment.
Service Assignment— Class of 2013 (as of 23 May 2013) SWO SWO (NUCLEAR) SUBMARINES SPECIAL WARFARE (SEAL) EXPLOSIVE ORD. DISPOSAL NAVY PILOT NAVY NF MEDICAL CORPS RESTRICTED LINE USMC GROUND USMC AIR U.S. AIR FORCE
227 31 130 26 14 226 60 11 42 168 92 3
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FEATURE Summary In conclusion, I am very proud of our accomplishments and am pleased to report another successful year in fulfilling our time-honored mission. Most importantly, we’re not resting on our laurels and are constantly seeking to improve this great institution, every day, and in every way. I’m confident USNA has a bright future, and if you get a chance to talk to our midshipmen, you will share in my confidence.We will continue to face challenges, but we are well-positioned for continued success in the years ahead. As always, your support is sincerely appreciated, and encourages me and the entire Naval Academy team as we continue our tradition of providing superb young officers to lead and to serve the Navy and Marine Corps and the nation.
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
“It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the Naval Academy Alumni Association as they celebrate 75 years of publishing Shipmate. As the official alumni magazine of the United States Naval Academy, Shipmate has kept generations of graduates, friends and family of the Naval Academy connected and apprised of our great institution’s progress in fulfilling its time-honored mission of producing ethical leaders for the Navy and Marine Corps. Since its inception, the mission of Shipmate has been to keep alumni, midshipmen, parents, donors, legislators, faculty, administrators and friends informed, interested and excited about the Naval Academy and the Alumni Association and Foundation. Shipmate has kept the bonds of friendship tight for tens of thousands of classmates, as well as chapter organizations. On behalf of more than 4,400 midshipmen and 1,600 members of our faculty and staff, please accept my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for Shipmate magazine’s invaluable service to the Naval Academy and our alumni. We wish the magazine every continued success and are confident its next 75 years will be as productive and impactful. GO NAVY!”
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FEATURE
Perspectives on Shipmate rior to the printing of the first edition of Shipmate magazine, thenpresident of the Naval Academy Alumni Association W.H. Stayton asked his contemporaries to weigh in on the new alumni publication. In the May 1938 issue, the Chief of Naval Operations; Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet; Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department,Washington, DC; Commandant of the United States Marine Corps; and the Superintendent
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
of the Naval Academy offered their congratulations and their advice for the fledgling publication. More than 75 years later, Shipmate asked those who have helped produce the magazine to offer their perspectives on why Shipmate continues to resonate with our membership today. To share your thoughts on Shipmate, please email shipmate@usna.com.We’d like to share your perspectives as we celebrate our 75th year.
Shipmate for Shipmates n May 1938, the first issue of Shipmate was sent to Naval Academy alumni—all 20 pages of it with two full-page advertisements on the inside front cover and the back cover, courtesy of General Electric and Chesterfield cigarettes. It would be interesting to compare content from 75 years ago with today’s, but what intrigued me the most was the new magazine’s name and the comments made by the Navy and Marine Corps leadership in that very first issue. At the same time, I couldn’t help but reflect on what my grandfather and his classmates in 1919 were doing with their careers and those in my great-grandfather’s 1896 West Point class during those pre-WWII days. My father, USNA ’43, would have just finished high school and was preparing to attend the University of Chicago for a year before entering the Academy in 1939. Why Shipmate? It’s not clear why our predecessors chose this title, but it now seems intuitively obvious when we review the congratulatory letters from the naval leadership:
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I am not an alumnus of the Naval Academy, it “wasWhile my pleasure as a very young Marine officer to serve at Annapolis; and for 38 years I have been ‘shipmates’ with the alumni… the Marine Corps feels that it has an interest in the Naval Academy, second only to that of the line of the Navy itself. —T. Holcomb Lieutenant General, USMC 17th Commandant of the U. S. Marine Corps 1936-1943
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I think those who have gone before us would be pleased with today’s Shipmate. It has become the flagship of our communications fleet, bringing 10 decades of shipmates together in support of the U.S. Naval Academy. Commander Lawrence “Skid” Heyworth III ’70, USN (Ret.) Editor-in-Chief, 2003-present
name of the publication is a happy choice for ‘shipmate’ “hasThea connotation of special significance for those who have lived in ships... As I look back upon my years afloat, I keenly realize that some of our most lasting friendships were formed with shipmates.The term ‘good shipmate’ epitomizes in terse nautical language so many of the admirable qualities of human relations. —William D. Leahy Class of 1887, Admiral, USN, CNO 1937-1939
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The word ‘shipmate’ is an all-inclusive term, particularly “applying to those of us who follow the sea and who live in close association with brother officers and men on board ship. There is no better way of knowing a man intimately and finding out his salient characteristics than to be his shipmate. ‘Shipmate’ has a further, more distinctive meaning, in that it implies that when we know a man as a shipmate we not only feel friendly towards him, but, following an unwritten law which has come down through the ages of sea-faring men, we will stand by him and help him in every possible way. He belongs, in other words, to our own family. —Adolphus Andrews Class of 1901, Rear Admiral, USN, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation 1935-1938
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May-June 2013
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The Chain that Links Us All
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Mike, this is Admiral Stockdale.” Thus began a 45-minute conversation that I will remember forever. Conversations like this were not uncommon, and are part of what made my experience at Shipmate one of the most rewarding of my professional career. When I joined Shipmate, then-CEO Rear Admiral Ron Marryott ’57 had three marching orders: get Shipmate out on time, on budget and make it interesting. Ron Marryott was a prince. He, along with the ladies of Shipmate, made working at Alumni House a joy. Being editor of Shipmate was like having an all-access pass to American history. I had license to do what I wanted. Sometimes it was heady stuff, like interviewing a Medal of Honor winner, Cabinet Secretary, Commandant of the Marine Corps or best-selling author. But often it was looking at Shipmate like a puzzle, putting together individual stories to show a bigger picture. Of course we highlighted alumni who served or were still serving in the fleet and Fleet Marine Forces. Producing naval officers is, after all, the raison d’être of our alma mater. But I did not want to overlook alumni who have contributed significantly to our nation outside of the Navy and Marine Corps. I enjoyed sharing the stories of alumni who served in the Air Force, made it in the entertainment industry, were noted authors or headed our nation’s power companies. Highlighting such significant events as the Korean War, the return of U.S. POWs from Vietnam, the 25th anniversary of women at the Academy, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and more, showed what a unique fraternity we are in. Early in my tenure, former Shipmate editor, Captain Roy Smith ’34, stopped by to share some thoughts. It was a reunion of sorts. Roy and his classmate, Commander “Butch” Harbold ’34, had informally adopted us when we were firsties.They felt there should be a link between 50-year classes, and since we were Class of ’84, in 34th Company, it was a natural fit. Roy and Butch were “Another Link in The Chain” long before ALINC was cool. Roy’s advice was simple: Talk with our alumni and share their stories. It not only made the magazine more interesting, but it made my job more fun. It was pretty good advice, because Shipmate is the chain that links us all. Commander Mike Collins ’84, USN (Ret.) Editor-in-Chief, 1998-2003 continued on page 22
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July-August 2013
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continued from page 20
Some Memories of Early Issues volunteer staff of just three alumni produced the first issue of Shipmate in May 1938, promising, if financial support developed, to continue 12 times a year as a monthly publication.The interior pages appeared in black and white while the back cover, an advertisement featuring a picture of a beautiful girl smoking a Chesterfield cigarette, gained attention by use of vivid color. Each month showed a different girl, all outstandingly lovely and all puffing away, obviously happy. An unidentified donor provided the financial backing for the first issue as well as the next few. Further publication depended, according to the editors, on what they termed “voluntary contributions” set at one dollar for a year’s subscription.The front article of every issue repeated the desperate call for help, threatening to cease publication if support did not emerge. A story in the October 1938 issue tells something about the tenor of the times. It noted remarks of Japanese Admiral Baron Soto Kichi Uriu speaking on the “traditional bonds of amity” between his country and the United States. No comment by the editors accompanied the item.
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More than half of the publication was devoted to Naval Academy athletics. Printing times apparently were short enough for accounts and photos of sporting events to appear in the next issue after their happening. An indication of the value of a dollar in the late 1930s was an advertisement in the October 1938 issue for an alumni dinner dance in Philadelphia to follow the Navy-Pennsylvania football game scheduled for Saturday, 5 November 1938.The price for dinner and an evening of dancing was $2.50. The November 1938 issue told that the United States Congress had awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science retrospectively to all graduates of the Naval Academy going back to the founding in 1845.The Superintendent, it stated, was preparing formal parchment certificates for delivery to living graduates. Shipmate in its early years appeared willing to include attempts at humor in each issue. Here is one from March 1939: Here lies John P. Murphy We buried him today He lived the life of Riley While Riley was away Rear Admiral Ed Keats ’35, USN (Ret.)
Tare Victor George s I mark the date of my 76th year since my 1937 graduation from the Naval Academy, I am grateful Shipmate celebrates a similar milestone, since it has been such a beacon for me these many years. First and foremost it has played a major role in binding our class together and fostering long-term connections with other classes as well. Just recently an Academy graduate I had lost touch with called after seeing my photo in our Class News.This example of renewed friendship facilitated by Shipmate is something very dear to me, especially at this stage of my life. Beyond Class News, I count on Shipmate to keep me abreast of the many
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other facets of policies at our alma mater. There have been so many changes since we were midshipmen, i.e. broadening the academic field, emphasis on leadership, female midshipmen, education abroad, exchanging students with the other service academies and countries, and even the unthinkable,“midshipmen no longer banned from riding in automobiles!” Shipmate has done a superlative job in keeping its alumni updated and informed. So I give Shipmate a TARE VICTOR GEORGE, now superseded by BRAVO ZULU, (“well done” for those not familiar with the signal book) for its contribution to alumni camaraderie and keeping
Association members informed of the policies of the Academy and its wide variety of ongoing activities. Captain Jack Slaughter ’37, USN (Ret.) continued on page 24
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continued from page 22
All Me Bloomin’ Life Sir he line in Reef Points of “all me bloomin’ life sir” resonates with many of us. I have had the privilege of being secretary of my great Class of 1962 since February 1959–in my plebe year. I wrote my first Shipmate article for the August 1962 issue and except for a few times over the last 51 years, I have not missed submitting our class input. First, I must thank and congratulate my classmates and their families for the thousands of letters, photos and stories they have sent me over this half century. In my humble estimation, our Shipmate magazine is one of the best publications of its kind in the college/university community. The recent addition of color has greatly enhanced the quality, readability and overall presentation of the magazine. My classmates not only read our class column but many other class columns around our time at the Academy and for classes in which they served with senior and junior officers. In addition to Class News, the Chapter News keeps us abreast of events nationwide.The feature articles provide great information of what’s happening at the Yard, the Navy and the world. It’s a must read when it arrives in the mail. Over these past 50 years, I have been helped, guided, advised and cajoled by many people who contributed to our column. Foremost are all the past editors of Shipmate, a very talented and dedicated group who have read through my offerings and put them into a more presentable form. I thank them, especially Maria O’Shea, our current editor. She not only interacts with me but fields calls and emails from my classmates. Also my personal Shipmate secretary, Carol Lofland, has put up with my thoughts and misspellings for over 30 years. I am always at the edge of the time constraints issued by Shipmate, even though they are published eight months in advance. Last minute calls to Carol telling her to expect my initial draft have led her to spend many late nights in preparing my column. I thank all of these dedicated individuals. Again, let me reiterate that I deem it a great privilege and pleasure to represent my class in the Shipmate family. I love my classmates and the Naval Academy. After the upbringing provided by my parents, this institution and its inhabitants have had the most influence and impact on my life. You never really leave this place and I believe that writing Shipmate is one way to give back a small measure of what I received. Again, all me bloomin’ life sir! Thank you 1962!
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Commander Howard Pinskey ’62, USNR (Ret.)
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Contributing to Shipmate feel very privileged to be asked to contribute to this 75th anniversary issue, and also to be named as Shipmate’s first contributing editor. It’s a great honor, and one I will try hard to live up to! As a retired grad, it was natural for me to now and then ponder contributing to Shipmate “someday.” After all, I’d done a lot of work for other magazines— Chesapeake Bay,The Writer, State Street Review,Tidewater Virginian, Lady Jane’s Miscellany, Grenade and others—as well as publishing more than 30 books. And I admit, I’ve always had a soft spot for my alma mater. Not that I liked everything about attending USNA, but most of what I didn’t care for has been ameliorated in the decades since I graduated…or so I am told. And the Academy did prepare me well for life after graduation. At last, back in 2006—gosh, is it really that long ago already?—Kristen Pironis contacted me about doing a piece on Philo McGiffin. That first article,“American Mandarin: In Search of Philo N. McGiffin,” came out that September-October issue. Writing that first biographical article was something new for me. Although I’d researched McGiffin for my novel, The Return of Philo T. McGiffin (Naval Institute Press), and maintained his web page for years, straight biography was a genre I’d never tried before. More or less in fun, I decided to begin plugging in end notes. I remembered footnotes from Professor White’s Bull class as being real time-eaters, but with modern software they were easy to do and even fun, and they certainly help keep the facts straight. In fact, it went so well that I began working steadily with Kristen on piece after piece.The topics have varied widely: CHESAPEAKE-LEOPARD,Tecumseh, Richmond Hobson, Park Benjamin,Wendell Neville, Babylon,Tom Hudner, The Navy Hymn, George Jones, John Ripley, Macedonian and in last month’s issue,“Our” Winston Churchill. The response from our readers has been very positive. In an age of sound-bites and e-books, there’s still a place for a long, carefully researched and fluently told narrative about a historical or biographical topic, as long as it can be kept light and interesting, and, occasionally, relevant to today’s news (as, surprisingly often, many of these articles about our shared past turn out to be). Once in a while, as in our article about the demise of The Log, a piece can even trigger change for the better. I hope to be able to continue writing for Shipmate for years yet, as there are so many intriguing nooks and byways of our history to explore. But let me also encourage you, our readers, to try your hands too.There are lots of tales out there that haven’t yet been told … and will never be, unless you take charge and
Capturing Moments
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his picture represents the remarkable difference four years at the U. S. Naval Academy makes. All the hopes, dreams and potential of these young men and women are realized at graduation in the intelligent, strong and resourceful young leaders they have become—the next to serve our nation. Though they know not what the future may afford them, they carry our hope for a more prosperous nation and peaceful world.
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Debbie Latta Photographer
t has been such an honor for me to have several of my photographs selected to be printed in Shipmate magazine. I think my favorite has to be the one with the statue of Admiral Stockdale gazing down upon plebes as they look up to this great American hero. “From Humble beginnings come great things.” I believe the picture says it all: honor, duty, integrity, commitment, loyalty. I was very lucky with this shot, it was not posed, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
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Barbara Hendricks Photographer move out on them. Maybe you don’t think of yourself as a skilled writer, but that’s what editors are for. And Shipmate’s got ’em! Dave Poyer ’71 Contributing Editor July-August 2013
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FEATURE
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To some of us, the tang of the sea fills our nostrils; to others, the din of the streets about us reverberates throughout the air; to still others of us, the freshness of the country air drifts gently across the meadows to us; however, in ALL OF US, those days of yesterday spent within the bounds of our ALMA MATER bring a yearning to return to those wonderful days. For this reason, in the hope that happiness and fond recollection may be brought to you, our Alumni, this publication, SHIPMATE, comes into existence to HELP and SERVE its members. If this, Volume 1 No. 1, brings you any of the purport and desire of those who are responsible for its being, then that work and effort is not in vain.
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—Charles Henry Hatteras in the first feature in Shipmate, “To Help and Serve”
75Years and Counting: Shipmate Through the Decades ith the vote of a four-man board of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, Shipmate was launched in May 1938. Members of the board—president of the Alumni Association,William H. Slayton, Class of 1881; George V. Stewart, Class of 1905, head of the Postgraduate School; Bryson Bruce, Class of 1907, head of the “Steam” Department; and Edwin F. Cochrane, Class of 1916—sought to publish a magazine to have regular communication with the membership. Having recently freed themselves from debt, the small staff of the Alumni Association had enough funds on hand to produce three issues of the publication.The outlook for future issues was unclear, although they were considering additional advertising and voluntary contributions.
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More than 50 years after the establishment of the Association of Graduates (in 1931, the organization transitioned to an Alumni Association and was incorporated in the District of Columbia), the inaugural issue of Shipmate was delivered to the mailboxes of nearly 3,000 alumni. Over the years, editors have come and gone, features and columns have changed with the times, and the coverage hasn’t always been consistent as Shipmate was finding its voice and its readers were helping to establish it as the publication we send to more than 50,000 homes today.Take a look back at Shipmate through the decades, and do your own searching through our digital archives where we have each page of each issue back to our inaugural edition May 1938.
1930s—The Launch Register of Alumni On the inside cover of the July 1938 issue, the secretary-treasurer of the Alumni Association, Lieutenant Commander Edwin F. Cochrane ’16, USN (Ret.), states his case for the 1938 Register of Alumni of the U.S. Naval Academy. The book will be sent to all members with the request that $1 is sent back for payment. While payment is not mandatory, Cochrane reminds the members that the Register is the sole source of income for the Alumni Association. He also notes that “your dollar will just about pay for the postage alone of these publications [Shipmate] during the year.” WWII Begins In June 1939, the Shipmate editors write an article called “If War Comes” to lead off the issue. It reads:“Many of us, being veterans of the World War, which was far from a pleasant cruise, would be happy to see the entire world completely and permanently at peace. None of us, however, are willing to sacrifice honor that we might avoid a war.We are, moreover, firm in our conviction the President, and all others in authority, will strive diligently to Printed in the October 1939 maintain always an honorable peace. issue, after World War II It is not beyond the realm of possibility broke out. their desires may one day be overridden, and should this happen, the duty of every ‘NAVY’ man, even though he be a civilian is clear.” The Dope Originally called “The Dope,” and then “What’s the Dope,” we know it today as Class Notes.They started humbly with the publisher of Shipmate begging its readers to submit more news through their class leadership. Early issues sometimes filled two pages with submissions. Skipping Issues August and September issues were not printed so that the new Officers and Trustees of the Association could make any necessary changes to the magazine, according to Trustee Notes in the July 1938 issue. However, in the May issue it was reported that there were only enough funds on hand to print three issues, July being
the Association’s third printing. Perhaps the election gave the publisher more time to collect the funds necessary? Fill the Page Early issues used photos sparingly and filled every inch of the page with text.When a small space was left, it was filled with poetry and often jokes. Errors and Omissions The first correction appears in December 1938.“In that editorial the late C. B. Hutchins was designated as a member of the Class of 1934 whereas he was a member of the Class of 1926.” Unfortunately, it’s not the last.
1940s—The Early Years Pearl Harbor Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox writes “America Is a Battlefield” in the February 1942 issue. Regarding the attack on Pearl Harbor, he writes:“We are now united. Pearl Harbor did that. Never before in any war in our history have we entered upon the contest with anything even approaching our present national unity.” Shore to Ship A new department called “Shore to Ship” for the magazine is announced with great zeal in February 1942. Unfortunately, the new department never materializes. However, a new section,War Communiques, is added in the same issue and includes so much information that Shipmate often prints inserts for the magazine to share all of the gouge. Normandy Invasion The first mention of D-Day in the pages of Shipmate is with the article “D-Day and the Royal Navy” by Lieutenant D.Wilson MacArthur, Royal Navy Reserve, printed in August 1944.The following issue, September 1944, includes an account by a Navy combat artist and a report from Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk ’09, USN. July-August 2013
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FEATURE Your House In the July 1945 issue, in response to readers who want to know where the Shipmate office will be located, readers get their first look at Alumni House with a tour of the work on the building. In the article, Managing Editor Harry England ’27 states that “I think the $10.00 minimum contribution that is asked of every alumni is a modest sum.” The donations helped pay for the buildings and updates to the facilities so that the staff could better serve alumni and have a fitting place to produce Shipmate. WWII Ends The October 1945 issue includes an article called “Here’s How the Middies Celebrated the JAP Armistice” by Commander E. John Long ’22, USNR. Long captured the raucous moment in Shipmate:“The Jap bell, whose harsh clanging is heard only when Navy triumphs over West Point at football, had been silent since World War II began. But a few days before 14 August, at the orders of Rear Admiral J. R. Beardall, USN, Superintendent of Midshipmen, it was moved from Lover’s Lane to Tecumseh Court. Admiral Beardall said there would be no formal celebration of the armistice. But word was passed that, if the Middies wanted to blow off a little steam, and wanted a place to do it—well there was Tecumseh Court and the Jap bell! What they did about it, and tradition, was up to them.” A Busy October The same issue also marked the 100th anniversary of the Academy’s founding. While the centennial took a back seat to the war, the issue included a salute from the Secretary of the Navy, proclamation from the State of Maryland and an invitation to all alumni to celebrate in the “birthday party.”
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First AfricanAmerican Graduate EnsignWesley A. Brown ’49, CEC, USN, became the first African-American graduate of the Naval Academy on 3 June 1949.While June Week was covered in the JuneJuly 1949 issue, there was no mention of this milestone. However, Ensign Brown, “reports a new address, Naval Shipyard Boston, Boston, Mass” in the “What’s the Dope” section in the following issue of August-September.
1950s The Cost of Alumni Association Business The expense of producing Shipmate and, unfortunately, an apathetic membership drive (less than 25 percent) remain topics in the magazine with an impassioned article, or perhaps plea, by L.F. Brown ’16, in February 1950. He writes:“The cost is five dollars a year which includes a subscription to Shipmate. In most cases, this is the cost of an hour or two at your favorite bar which you probably do afford with varying frequency.” He ends his article with “Why not join us and take part in building an organization to be proud of?” Olympic Gold Shipmate celebrates Navy’s oarsmen in September 1952 and gave updates on the team throughout the summer issues.The headline tells it all:“Navy’s EightOared Shell Wins Olympic Title; Midshipmen Finish With Clean Slate.”
Korean War Ends The end of the Korean War is memorialized in the July 1953 issue of Shipmate with a firsthand account by Vice Admiral C.Turner Joy ’16, USN, in “The Korean Truce Talks—As I Saw Them.” Admiral Joy writes about the 10-month negotiation process and what he learned from his time “meeting with the communists.” Gossip Pages in Shipmate From 1949 to 1965,“Bulletin Board,” written by Oretha Schwartz, wife of wrestling coach Ray Schwartz, appeared as a lengthy, gossip and society column. Schwartz was succeeded by Maurine Hayter, widow of Hubert M. Hayter ’24, who continued the column in earnest even though it was voted the least popular column by the readers. Eventually, with the growth of class columns, the material was absorbed and the “Bulletin Board” disappeared from the pages of Shipmate. Dedicated to Faculty In 1957, Shipmate dedicated its May issue to faculty, and not just of the Naval Academy. In fact, a feature by Dr. Sidney Forman, archivist and A sidebar from “The West Point Professorship: historian for the U.S. Military Graduates in this Office Have Academy, covered West Point Left Their Mark” in May 1957. professors accompanied by features on Naval Academy departments and professors. American Education, but not USNA A report called “American Education, 1958” is included in the April 1958 issue of Shipmate.While it is an informative piece on the post-war boom increasing the number of highly qualified applicants for higher education, the report has no mention of the Academy in more than 30 pages of editorial and none of the 14 writers or editors are affiliated with service academies. However, there is an earlier piece in the issue on the Alumni Foundation and Prep School Program written by its executive director, Rear Admiral W. F. Fitzgerald Jr. ’21, USN (Ret.). Also in this issue is a how-to article on getting “junior” ready for college.
A New Stadium A commemorative issue of Shipmate is printed in September 1959 celebrating the dedication of the new Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium including a history of the stadium, a map and description of the “march-on plan,” and the full Homecoming schedule. Earlier in the ’50s, there is a brief mention of a possible new stadium, describing the location as “located on Taylor Avenue and is adjacent to the proposed Annapolis approach highway connecting with the new express highway now under construction” (December 1951). By April, the groundbreaking is covered in Shipmate, an accounting of classes and gifts are noted, and lists of memorial chairs to be placed are printed.
1960s New Year’s Resolution In “The Superintendent Reports” in January 1960,Vice Admiral Charles L. Melson, Class of 1927, writes that “one of my New Year’s resolutions is to eliminate any spectacles from the Naval Academy scene which might convey a coed concept to our alumni.” Clearly, he had some strong feedback on the midshipmen’s “spirited and unanticipated antics,” which included female cheerleaders at the William & Mary football game. Kennedy Inauguration and Assassination In the May 1961 issue, Ensign Donald W. Allee ’62 shares a personal account of how he—along with the entire Sixth Battalion—ended up in the stands to watch the Brigade of Midshipmen march in the Inaugural Parade for President John F. Kennedy. Only a few years later, in the December 1963 issue, Rear Admiral W. F. Fitzgerald Jr. ’21, USN (Ret.), executive director of the Alumni Association, would pay tribute to President Kennedy in a beautifully written article after the president’s assassination titled “Yankee Go Home.” Lashing Out at Bad Press In fact, Fitzgerald used the power of the press throughout the decade. In May 1966, he addressed an academic controversy. He writes:“we will not descend to a nit-picking contest with a crusading reporter.” Fitzgerald was commenting on recent press
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FEATURE on the Naval Academy, from grading disparities to faculty unrest.The overarching commentary outside of the Naval Academy questioned whether a military institution could offer civilian faculty the academic freedom that they expected. In his open letter in Shipmate, Fitzgerald reminds his readers that “the Academy exists for one purpose—to produce professional, dedicated, career officers for the Navy and Marine Corps.” Space Race The editorial in the May 1966 issue of Shipmate is focused on the space program, with contributing writers including Admiral W. Fred Boone ’21, USN (Ret.), assistant administrator for Defense Affairs, NASA; Rear Admiral John K. Leydon ’38, USN, chief of Naval Research; Captain Walter M. Schirra, Jr. ’46, USN, astronaut; and Dr. Charles S. Sheldon II, a member of the president’s National Aeronautics and Space Council. There was a fair bit of pride in noting Navy’s contribution to the space program: “the 50 astronauts now assigned include 17 naval officers and three Marines; five of these officers are USNA graduates. Of the 19 Air Force officers on the team, six are graduates of the Naval Academy.” Computer-Aided Education Modern technology and its application to education and training by department is covered in the December 1967 issue. In an article covering the master plan, the USNA philosophy and how technology will be implemented by each department, the Naval Academy notes that it is “a step ahead of the traditional applications of computers in schools and universities.” Sealed in Shipmate While the SEAL Teams were established in 1962, Shipmate doesn’t cover much of their work until March 1968, with a feature titled “Sealed Orders” by Captain Paul Schratz ’39, USN (Ret.). In his piece, Schratz begins with a bit of humor noting that the
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reason the SEALs are so secretive is that “they all wear Elizabeth Arden makeup and nobody knew how to break the news to the folks at home.” He quickly goes from jokes to a serious description of SEALs action in Vietnam, saying “their individual and team heroics are carving a significant chapter in the Vietnam war.” Vietnam Coverage Throughout the decade,Vietnam is mentioned in the pages of Shipmate with an emphasis on the differences for Marines. In “The Newest Breed” in the November 1968 issue, author Lieutenant Colonel W.G. Leftwich Jr. ’53, USMC, lays out the challenge of the Vietnam War is that the Marines are “asked to fight a limited war and keep it limited, and in the process to adapt rapidly and unerringly to several varying levels of conflict.” Further, the times are “marked by unprecedented doubt, reaction and a challenge to ancient values.” A Technical Glitch, and Progress In January 1969 in the “Now Hear This” section (like the “All Hands” section of today, or the “What’s the Dope” of years past), Shipmate apologizes to two dozen members who were not sent three issues of the magazine. In an effort to update the mailing process to “electronic data processing,” more than a few “computer casualties” were left out.To make things right, these members had their membership expiration extended by six months. In other news, this “electronic data processing” assisted in the publication of the first technology-based Register of Alumni, with the Alumni Association promising that the information will be no more than six weeks old at the time of publication. Earlier in the decade, March 1965, Shipmate recipients were asked to provide zip codes with all address changes because postal authorities would begin requiring the information with all mail by 1967.
1970s Celebrating 125 Years of USNA The SeptemberOctober 1970 commemorative issue leads off with a congratulatory letter from President of the United States Richard Nixon stating that the Academy “richly deserves the salute of a grateful nation on
this, its anniversary.” Shipmate also printed letters from Secretary of the Navy John H. Chafee and Superintendent Vice Admiral James Calvert ’43 for the celebration. The lead article was titled “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” by Hanson W. Baldwin ’24. Baldwin’s piece begins with what he called the “haunting lament of the Hippies,” describing the crises facing the Naval Academy: the technology revolution, population explosion, racial conflicts, environmental crisis and a drug culture all fueled by a permissive society. In the seven-page feature, former NewYork Times writer Baldwin illustrates the incongruity of the values and tradition of the Naval Academy within the environment of the times. Baldwin’s article, along with articles about yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s Academy, written by Captain Frank Rigler ’23, USN (Ret.); Ensign Thomas Sher ’70, USN; and Captain Paul Schratz ’39, USN (Ret.), round out the commemorative issue with both the hope and the skepticism that marked the 1970s.
Vietnamization Articles on Vietnam and alumni involvement continue in the ’70s, but focus on the transition of military efforts from the United States to the Republic of South Vietnam.The articles also include a shift from covering the action to a plea to help prisoners of war and those missing in action. From “Just 1600 Men” by H. Ross Perot ’53 in the April 1971 issue to “POW Campaign in Bancroft Hall” by Midshipman Joe Glover ’72 in July-August 1971, the compassion and excitement for those alumni returning home was documented in Shipmate. Mini-advertisements in class columns implored readers to “Remember our POWs” and lists and photos of alumni returning home were printed in the magazine. continued on page 34
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FEATURE continued from page 31
Where There’s Smoke Captain William Busik ’43, USN (Ret.), executive director of the Alumni Association, provides an account of an electrical fire in the basement of Alumni House on 7 July 1971. From the September-October issue: It started in the basement galley. In addition to a detailed Photo by the Annapolis Fire Department accounting of the damages, Busik makes the case for contributions through classes and chapters to help make improvements to the house ($28,000) along with what insurance will likely cover. A year later, in the September-October 1972 issue, Shipmate featured the completed construction and thanked those who gave for their contributions to the project. Navigating the Cheating Incident In May 1974, seven midshipmen from a navigation course were separated and 13 were placed on probation for honor violations. In the September-October issue of Shipmate, Superintendent Vice Admiral William Mack ’37, USN, addresses the issue with a feature responding to the many inquiries he received from alumni. He closes the detailed account of the incident and the investigation with the reminder that “honor is a concept” and “a learning process during the four years.” Midshipwomen, Midshipmam, MidSHEpman Shipmate included brief notes on the court proceedings and the fate of female midshipmen leading up to Induction Day in 1976 in the “All Hands” section. In the September 1976 issue, Shipmate reports on the 1,274, including 81 women, who entered the Academy with the Class of 1980.While more media attended this I-Day, the article describes the day as “routine” and “aside from their profiles they looked pretty much the same as their male
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counterparts—and the thousands who had gone before—bewildered, mostly, but determined.” The following month, October 1976, in “Mailboat,” one reader from the Class of 1916 wrote of his experience watching the coed I-Day:“They are a brave group of girls, of whom we should be proud. In years to come, history no doubt will record many deeds of valor from what we now think of the weaker sex.” And in the November 1976 issue, Midshipman Robert K. Morris ’80, a classmate, wrote “A Plebe Looks at Women Plebes.” In writing about Plebe Summer he said:“Then as now, male plebes have been too interested in their own survival to protest the sudden co-equality.” As for how he thought the female midshipmen will fare in the coming years? He wrote:“This surviving core of women would, from my observations, not only make it through the four years but will be equal to any jobs they undertake in their naval careers.” Tecumseh Didn’t Fall Six months later, for the March 1977 issue, author Jean Ebert wrote “Women Midshipmen” for Shipmate, detailing the integration of women at the Academy. While she describes the transition as a “radically new chapter in the Academy’s history,” she also conceded that the success of change should not have surprised anyone because “the Academy has been responding to challenges with verve and professionalism for over 130 years.” Of course, she detailed some of the missteps, both by the Academy and its newest midshipmen, over six pages in the alumni magazine. In the September 1979 issue, Midshipman Beth Leadbetter ’80 wrote the “A Few Inches from the Yard” column, marking just one first to be recognized in Shipmate over the more than 30 years since women have entered the Academy. June Week Makes Way for Commissioning Week Without fanfare or much explanation, “Commissioning Week” replaces June Week in the Naval Academy lexicon. In the June 1979 issue, the cover photo was described as “This was a June Week Ring Dance, one of the Academy’s most colorful traditions since its inception in 1925. From now on, however, it will be the Commissioning Week Ring Dance.” There is more detail in the class notes with the Class of ’26 reporting “with some sadness” the change to the name. By the July-August issue, the name had been replaced and June Week was only mentioned a few times in the class columns.
The Cost of Doing Business: Advertising in Shipmate Since its inception,
Shipmate has been an investment in communications for members of the Alumni November 1938 Association, and that investment comes with a pretty hefty price tag. From that first issue in 1938, its publishers partnered with companies for advertising. In fact, the Trustees notice states that several requests for advertising space have been received, and advertising will be included in subsequent issues. The first issue, however, only had the inside and back covers sold to General Electric and Chesterfield cigarettes. Later in the issue, a note about the advertisers is included: “Shipmate is made possible by the help of our advertisers. The next time you purchase cigarettes, buy a carton of Chesterfields; when purchasing electrical fixtures, buy General Electric products.� A few years after the launch of Shipmate and with the U.S. entering World War II, advertising in Shipmate ballooned. The content of the magazine shifted dramatically and the page count increased substantially, from around 20 pages to more than 100 (June 1944 topped out at 178 pages with 71 paid advertising pages from 194 advertisers). Despite the large number of advertisers, Shipmate was not self-supporting and lost money mostly because of its large list of unpaid, non-member recipients. Even today, Shipmate would be a very different magazine if not for the financial support and commitment of its advertisers. In addition to member dues and private gifts through the annual fund, advertising helps to offset the price of printing and postage for Shipmate. Given its long history with advertisers, Shipmate wanted to celebrate its 75th anniversary with a look back at advertising throughout the years.
January 1945
July 1950
November 1954
May 1963
May 1964
March 1965
November 1968
May 1971
November 1973
May 1982
May 1987
April 1993
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FEATURE
1980s First Class Lacked Coverage Contrary to the intense coverage of women in the Class of ’80 on Induction Day, their presence was understated at graduation. However, the reasons were quite admirable as reported in Shipmate:“An excellent graduation address was delivered by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward ’48, USN, who downplayed the presence of 55 women among the graduates—unlike the SecDef at West Point. Hayward’s point was that all 938 were graduates and (all but 17) commissioned in the Navy and Marine Corps with common responsibilities as team players rather than individuals.” That year, 921 (48 women) were commissioned as ensigns by Admiral Hayward and 121 (seven women) as second lieutenants by General Robert Barrow, Commandant of the Marine Corps. And, 896 graduated as life members of the Alumni Association having participated in the new life membership at graduation program from the Alumni Association, according to the July 1980 Shipmate. Giddy Up In the September 1981 issue, it was reported that “cowboy hats and boots—in good condition—are acceptable civilian garb at the Naval Academy.” Turns out Senator John Tower, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and from the great state of Texas, received a complaint from a midshipman that he was unable to wear his native Texas garb on informal occasions, but that President Ronald Reagan could don such attire. Centennial Celebration The Naval War College, established on 6 October 1884, was commemorated in the October 1984 issue.The article covered its humble beginnings with nine officers sharing 12 borrowed chairs, four desks and one lamp to its transformation to a “superior” institution with strong alumni influence and support. Elite Eight Navy sports in the May 1986 issue focused on basketball and the influence of Midshipman David Robinson ’87, USN.That year, Navy made it to the elite eight in the NCAA Championship— farther than any service academy had gone in the tournament. Robinson was named the MVP for the second year in a row.
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Robinson, in turn, gave the award to point guard and classmate Doug Wojcik ’87, recognizing his contributions to the team’s—and Robinson’s— success.The article included excruciating details on the tournament play by the second.Today we would have read about it online or in the daily paper, but then, Shipmate was one of few publications to print the dope on Navy sports. An Ocean Away Through the mid to late ’80s (and into the ’90s), frequent Shipmate contributor Commander Jim Stavridis ’76, USN, kept the readers of Shipmate connected with the Navy writing about current events, his experience and today’s Navy. In 2006, Shipmate welcomed back Admiral Stavridis to its pages for updates in the “An Ocean Away” column. Campaign for the Naval Academy Vice Admiral Bob Baldwin ’45, USN (Ret.), and Rear Admiral Ron Marryott ’57, USN, laid out the fundraising case and priorities for the Naval Academy including the centerpiece, a new Brigade Activities Center (later named Alumni Hall).The Brigade Activities Center, as described by Baldwin, would be a public/ private partnership with $13 million in appropriated funds and $11.7 million raised through private sources.The campaign goal at the public launch on 9 September 1988 was $20 million. Challenging Coverage Not everything can be covered in Shipmate. The pages are limited, the deadlines are long, the print and mail times From left to right: Sharon "Christa" lag. A startling omission, McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judy Resnik, Commander Dick Scobee, Ronald however, was the lack of McNair, Michael Smith ‘67 and Ellison coverage on the Space Onizuka. Photo courtesy of NASA Shuttle CHALLENGER disaster on 28 January 1986, where one graduate—Captain Michael Smith ’67—and the entire STS-51L crew were killed when the craft broke apart during ascent.
1990s Now Hear This The Alumni Association announces new computer communications technology—an electronic bulletin board named “Over the Wall.” There are two ways for members to access the information: through a toll-free number or via your own “computer, modem and specialized software.” Among the benefits listed for this new program is the opportunity to send class columns electronically which would—no doubt—speed up the publication process. However, the announcement includes a cautionary message to not publicize the number for the service as the “Association will be paying long distance charges for calls received and hopes to generally limit the users to those with a legitimate relationship to the Academy.” The Gulf War Throughout the war in “An Ocean Away,”“Mailboat” and “Class News,” readers are kept informed of both actions taken and outcomes in the Gulf. In the April 1991 issue, Jim Stravidis ’76, USN, writes a compelling piece on “A Just War” while classes add their commentary in the class column to include “what the Gulf War will mean to all of us is a lot of money if nothing else” and “among the Class of ’58 juniors serving in the Persian Gulf…” and “pray for the safe return of everyone in the Gulf, and good luck to all of us heading out there!” Campaign Corner A new column was introduced after the public announcement of the campaign for the Naval Academy. Progress is tracked and notable gifts acknowledged.The September 1991 column highlights a gift from the USO supporting the Bob Hope Performing Arts Center within Alumni Hall.The following month’s issue shows the new Alumni Hall for the Class of ’95’s Induction Day, the first use of the building. Tragedy and Scandal The ’90s were marred by tragedy and scandal and the pages of the January-February 1994 issue tell the story. Lieutenant Joseph Navratil ’89, USN, writes about the unexpected deaths of past and present midshipmen in an apparent murder-suicide in
California which was then followed by a freak car accident where three midshipmen died in “Learning from the Tragedies.” Only a few years older than the midshipmen he was teaching, Navratil wrote about his experience dealing with his own emotions as he helped midshipmen cope. A few pages later in the issue, a letter from Superintendent Rear Admiral Tom Lynch ’64, USN, addressed the Navy Inspector General’s report on the electrical engineering final examination—deemed the “worst cheating scandal” in Naval Academy history by the press—and subsequent actions by the Secretary of the Navy.The following issues of Shipmate were filled with letters, parables and articles as alumni tried to make sense of the scandal at their alma mater. These included “Anatomy of a Scandal” by Lieutenant Michael J. Collins ’84, USN, a future editor of Shipmate, in the April 1994 issue and “No Points for Honor” by Rear Admiral Edward J. Hogan Jr. ’54, USN (Ret.), in July-August 1994. The Sesquicentennial The yearlong 150th anniversary celebration also marked the Alumni Association’s 50th year of calling Ogle Hall home. The commemorative October 1995 issue concluded a terrific four-part series on the history of the Naval Academy (“Modern Era”) by James W. Cheevers of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. Scandal Strikes Again Just a few years after the cheating scandal, the Naval Academy is rocked by both a drug scandal and car theft ring. The “All Hands” section in May 1996 reads like a crime blotter with accounts of past and current midshipmen “indicted for allegedly conspiring to transport, receive and sell stolen motor vehicles which traveled in interstate commerce;” one midshipman found guilty of “conspiracy and attempt to possess LSD, possession of LSD and marijuana and use of LSD and marijuana;” and a fourth-class midshipman arrested in April on charges of “child abuse involving sexual offenses and assault and battery.” Electronic Communications An announcement in the “All Hands” section in December 1996 reads:“Flashnet Begins.” The Alumni Association launched email “in our ever increasing effort to get information to you as quickly as possible.” It’s also noted that a web page will be available in 1997. As promised, the June 1997 issue includes an advertisement to “Come Surf with Us” on the new web page. July-August 2013
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FEATURE Charter Membership Charter membership for the Robert Means Thompson Society was announced in the January-February 1997 issue with a fullpage description of the recognition society for those who have made deferred gift commitments to benefit the Naval Academy. Distinguished Graduate Recognized Admiral Thomas H. Moorer ’33, USN (Ret.), was named the first U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award recipient in the September 1999 issue. Each year the Alumni Association dedicates an issue to honor the lives and contributions of these graduates.
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2000s September 11, 2001 The Shipmate staff sent the October 2001 issue to press on 11 September 2001. As the day’s events Images from the November 2011 Table of unfolded, they decided Contents page. to keep the issue as is and work to honor the fallen in the November 2001 issue. In the “President’s Call,” President and CEO George Watt ’73 wrote: “I mentioned that much has changed since 11 September. What is far more important is that which is unchanged: The work underway at the Naval Academy, its mission and its cause.That work is no less important today than it was prior to 11 September.” In the October issue, as well as each following September issue through 2006 and again in
September 2011, Shipmate printed a list of fallen alumni with special coverage on the fifth and 10th anniversaries. Firsts and ‘Dants The decade in Shipmate marked three firsts with the Commandant of Midshipmen—the first Marine, the first female and the first African-American in the position. Colonel John R. Allen ’76, USMC, wrote “A Commandant’s Intent” for the November 2002 issue after having served as Deputy Commandant and Commandant, and again was in the pages of Shipmate with a Q&A in the November-December 2003 issue. A brief announcement in “All Hands” in the July-August 2005 issue welcomed Captain Bruce Grooms ’80, USN, and was followed by “AYear into the Tour” in May 2006. Captain Margaret Klein ’81, USN, was interviewed for the December 2006 issue in “Welcome Aboard” announcing her position and Captain Grooms’ selection for rear admiral. COLUMBIA Disaster The focus of the March 2003 Shipmate was on service, and it was fitting to pay tribute to the STS-107 crew of Space Shuttle COLUMBIA including Commander Willie McCool ’83, USN. In addition to a mention in the “President’s Call,” the issue reprinted remarks by President George W. Bush at the memorial service for the crew, an article from The Washington Post and a piece from The Capital. In the article “The Right Stuff,” Shipmate staff wrote:“The loss of COLUMBIA and our own Willie McCool ’83 gives us pause for thought and reflection on those who have gone before, and those who will lead the way into the future—the graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy who stand at the cusp of discovery, and the pinnacle of physical, mental, and spiritual excellence.” Supe Shuffle In June 2003, the “Superintendent’s Call,” which had been a monthly feature, abruptly ends, but no explanation is offered in the pages of Shipmate. Vice Admiral Richard Naughton ’68, USN, ended the column with the familiar “until next month,” but June was his last and acting Superintendent Vice Admiral Charles W. Moore Jr. ’68, USN,
picked up the pen for the July-August issue. By the following month, September 2003, Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt ’66, USN, was in place as Superintendent and set out his goals for his administration in the pages of Shipmate. While there is no official word on the Superintendent shifts in Shipmate, the class columns include much speculation and information. Hurricane Isabel Strikes Isabel struck the East Coast in September and by the NovemberDecember 2003 issue, Superintendent Vice Admiral Rodney Rempt ’66, USN, provided an update. He listed the buildings with damage as the Academy experienced a 7.5-foot storm surge. However, he reassures readers by writing:“Our people are committed to restoring full mission capability as rapidly as possible.”
Leaders to Serve the Nation While the successful Leaders to Serve the Nation campaign ended on 31 December 2005, updates on the public campaign were made in each issue of Shipmate culminating with an article in January-February 2006 called “The End of the Beginning: Looking Past the Campaign.” The article recapped the generosity of our alumni and friends having met and exceeded the original goal set in June 2001 of $175 million with gifts of more than $250 million in support of the Naval Academy and Brigade of Midshipmen, and announced a new goal of strengthening the culture of philanthropy among our growing network of supporters of the Naval Academy. Keeping it Brief In November 2005, the Alumni Association invited Shipmate corresponding secretaries back to Annapolis in an effort to work through the process of printing Shipmate magazine. Earlier that year (July-August), Shipmate went through a redesign to increase Shipmate covered the corresponding readability and respond to a secretaries meeting in December recent reader survey. As part of the 2005. redesign, the class and chapter columns were reduced to 2,000 and 750 words, respectively. While the changes initially caused problems for both the secretaries and staff, they were able to work through the issues and have since been able to invest in the columns. Shipmate continues to be grateful for the work of the class and chapter secretaries in producing Shipmate. July-August 2013
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FEATURE
Covering the Alma Mater and its Alumni The cover of any magazine is an invitation. The reader takes it and cracks open the pages, or it lays unread or, worse yet, ends up in the trash. Over 75 years, Shipmate has had some incredible covers where an image tells a story without even printing a word, drawing the reader into the pages of the publication. The opposite, unfortunately, is also true. From the iconic to the awful, Shipmate has “covered” it all. Each cover image is run with the original cover caption from the issue.
Merry Covers In a series of themed Christmas covers, Shipmate boldly used text and color to tell the story in the 1950s. The theme continued into the 60s, but lost favor with widespread use of color photography. August 1953 Pre-Dawn Atomic Light … This was taken seconds after the atomic detonation. Although it was before dawn, the atomic light lit up the entire area including the six-foot-deep entrenching area.
Mastheads: Who’s Our Audience The February 1941 issue masthead adds the tagline “Published For and By the Navy.” That tagline only lasted two issues with “The Eyes and the Ears of the Navy” making its debut in April 1941. In June 1947, Shipmate returned to its original intention with the new tagline of “The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Monthly” which lasted through November 1958, but the sentiment remained. January 1943 Kodachrome of a Navy Christmas Dinner. Editor’s Note: The first (and only) Shipmate cover featuring food. Illustrated December 1945 ran without a cover caption for this beautifully illustrated cover. It was reproduced in December 2007.
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August 1961 Navy’s 1961 Football Schedule. For ticket information write or phone the Naval Academy Athletic Association, U.S.N.A., Annapolis MD Colonial 3-9271. May 1963: 25th Anniversary Issue The inspiration for our 75th anniversary cover, the issue beautifully features 25 years of Shipmate (including some that we’ve highlighted here). January 1969 There are many customs and traditions peculiar to the deep-water sailor. One of antiquity, and greatly esteemed, is that of writing the first midwatch log of the new year in rhyme. Sometimes the officer with this watch is one of more than average talent and a real gem goes into the ship’s history and eventually into the archives. But, regardless of the literary value, each and every write-up in the ship’s log must fulfill all requirements as to fact and condition. Twenty-five years ago TEXAS was at sea as part of the ocean escort for a Europe-bound convoy. Lt. Richard P. Axten, USNR, had the mid on 1 January and he wrote the log which is reproduced on Shipmate’s cover.
April 1971 A Prisoner of War exhibit in the concourse of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. January-February 1977 The 38th President of the United States, James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. USNA ’47. See “Hail to the Chief” on page 1. Photo in Reflections The most notable Shipmate error, according to Colonel James W. Hammond Jr. ’51, USMC (Ret.), who wrote about it in the 25th anniversary issue of Shipmate in May 1988, was printed in the November 1977 issue. To celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, Shipmate featured those alumni who had served as Commandants of the Marine Corps, a very fitting tribute. However, the picture of Wallace M. Green Jr. ’30, USMC in his evening dress was reversed, with his medals on his right.
before 5 December. For those going to the game, may we suggest that you bring it to the stadium and wave it to cheer on the Big Blue Team. December 1994 The Alumni Association staff wishes you a very happy Holiday. First step (all l-r); Barrie Petersen, Stephanie Tuttle, Joni Jones; second, Cammy Bosworth, Ron Brandquist, Chip Seymour, Skid Heyworth, Tom Trueblood; third, Clarence Strong and Patsy Linthicum; fourth, Diana Vickerman, Emma Hofford, Mary Touhey, Babs Miller, and Marcy Wilson; fifth, Kenny Whiteside, Dave Church, Donna Reed-Wickstrand, and Cordy Richards; sixth, Julia Hutchison, Joan Mack, and Dan Truax; back, Mark Tuzo, Glenn Randall, Yvonne Parker, and Jennifer John. Not present: Nancy Gorum and Robine Aleshire. May 1995 V-E Day as the Brigade read about it in 1945. Thanks to The Capital (the old Evening Capital) for allowing us to reprise their page 1 of that momentous day. October 2001 Memorial Hall.
Topsy Turvy Traditionally vertically-oriented and at the top, the Shipmate covers shifted around with horizontal covers and moving artwork in the 1980s. June 1986 Music by J.W. Crosley December 1987 This is the sentiment of all Alumni and as well all of the Brigade. This issue will be in the mail on 23 November. That should be ample time to have it in your hands
June 2005 STS-U4 Mission Specialist Wendy B. Lawrence ’81 uses a climbing apparatus to lower herself from a simulated trouble-plagued Shuttle in an emergency egress training session at Johnson Space Center. November-December 2010 Run to Honor participant Giovanna Kostruhala ’95 at the Marine Corps Marathon.
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FEATURE Cutting Back March-April 2009 was a tough issue, and one that never went to press.While the issue was posted online, it was not mailed to homes. Instead, readers received an email or postcard announcing a reduction in the frequency of Shipmate. While it wasn’t a decision made lightly by the Board of Trustees and staff, it was necessary given the economic climate and need for increased communications via other vehicles. After much feedback from our members and readers, the Alumni Association settled on printing eight issues each year, down from 10. As of 2012, nine issues of the magazine are printed and mailed (the donor report is mailed with the Spring Stewardship issue and had previously been an electronic issue).
2010s A Global Force for Good Alumni involvement in the humanitarian relief in Haiti following the catastrophic earthquake in January was featured in the March-April 2010 issue.The touching stories illustrated the difference our graduates make around the world. Notes in Color It’s common knowledge that a picture is worth 1,000 words, but color photos? That must top 10,000. Shipmate added full color to the most-read sections of the magazine—the class and chapter notes in January 2011, much to the delight of its readers. E-Shipmate In 2012, Shipmate for the iPad was launched for those who want to read features on the move.While it won’t replace the hard copy any time soon, it’s important to share the information through many vehicles to reach our diverse audiences. Further, we’re looking at improving the experience and making it available on multiple devices—stay tuned. And, in January 2013, all 75 years of Shipmate—every page of every issue—was made available to members (after login) on www.usna.com.
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Sports Coverage In the inaugural issue in May 1938, coverage of Naval Academy athletics consisted of a series of updates from the playing field and newsy items of interest. Fittingly, the lead item shined a 1939 Army-Navy game light on a rather relevant topic in the Yard—the Army-Navy rivalry. The announcement read, “The recent decision reached between the authorities of the Military and Naval Academy, whereby the Army and Navy will meet on a home and home basis in practically all sports, is most welcome news.” With that, Shipmate’s nod to athletics and its pervasive presence at the Academy was off and running. For most of its life, Shipmate has sought to keep its readers on top of the Navy sports scene by devoting two pages or more to the world of results. Season recaps and previews generally were published in as timely a manner as possible, mainly written by the school’s sports information office. In recent decades, the magazine has branched out by publishing lengthier features, profiles and news stories with heftier background and perspective. And while football has grabbed the lion’s share of space allotted for sports coverage— all the way back to an account of Navy’s 10-0 victory over Army in 1939 that featured two grainy, black-and-white photos showing referees clad in baggy whites and players sporting leather helmets—other athletic endeavors have made the editorial grade. Some examples include an account of the Mids’ squash team written by former player Craig Dawson ’73 in the January-February 1995 issue. An amusing ode to some aging former Navy lacrosse players on an alumni team graced the April 1993 issue. Among other targets, it poked fun at ex-player Kevin O’Connor ’71 by describing his goal as “so slow the video had to be fast-forwarded in order to catch the action.” In the January-February 2000 issue by Philadelphia Enquirer sports writing legend Bill Lyon wrote on the spectacle of the Army-Navy game. “Where else, other than in a tavern, can you see a mule riding in a tank and it’s OK?” Lyon wrote. Throughout its 75-year run, Shipmate has covered Navy athletics—from legendary cross country coach Al Cantello to the rifle team preparing for the Olympic Trials in May 2000, to NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson ‘87; to its crew, boxing and sailing teams and the myth and legend of Bill the Goat. Thanks to sportswriter Gary Lambrecht for his outstanding coverage of Navy sports, and for this recap.
July-August 2013
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FEATURE
Binding and Bonding: It’s Not Just Our Mission ver the years of printing Shipmate, the technology has changed, the process has been updated and mailing procedures have advanced, but the language of print remains.The Naval Academy, the Navy and Marine Corps, and even the Alumni Association and Foundation have a special language— or slang for those “in the know”— full of jargon and acronyms.The printing world is no different.
O
Shipmate on press at an RR Donnelley facility. Photo courtesy of RR Donnelley
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Why would anyone want to use “fugitive” glue? Or worry about registration on a signature? Or calculate the bleed on a spread? Or weigh the benefits and costs of PMS versus CMYK? Or spend time working on a dummy so that the gang is right? Of course we want it perfect, but what about a perfect binding?
Here are a few of the staff ’s favorites:
Bleed: Content (images, text, illustrations) that extends beyond the trimmed edge on a page, and could also be the result of a paper cut.
CMYK: The ink colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) that make up the four color (4C) process in standard printing. As our readers know, we used to print part of the magazine in two color (K + a PMS) and a section just in K, but now we are CMYK or 4C throughout.
Dummy: A preliminary layout showing the position of editorial and advertising pages.
Folio: A sheet of folded paper. Page numbers are also known as folios.
glued on. It’s the way Shipmate is bound. Smaller magazines or documents may be saddle-stitched (stapled), but that’s not an option for Shipmate.
Pica: The standard unit of measurement in printing.There are 12 points to a pica and approximately six picas to an inch.
Point: The standard unit of measurement for type sizes in printing. PMS: Pantone Matching System is an ink color guide with an unfortunate acronym.
Registration: Marks on a press sheet to make certain the four color plates match up on press.
Signature: A group of folios making up a larger document. Shipmate prints in 16- and 32-page signatures.
Spread: Two facing pages of one article or ad form a spread.
Fugitive Glue: The sticky but not permanent glue used to insert the travel catalog in the magazine. Also known as “booger” or “snot” glue.
FPO: “For position only” acronym noting that artwork placed is meant to show placement and not intended for reproduction. We know the Navy’s fondness for acronyms.
Gang: The reproduction of two or more copies of the same piece on the same sheet on a print run.
Hickey: An annoying mark left on a printed sheet from dust or something stuck to the printing plate. It shows up as a dark spot surrounded by a halo.
Lorem Ipsum: Dummy or fake text inserted in a document to mock up a layout or to see how many words are needed to fill out a document. It doesn’t mean anything, but nicely approximates text in a document. Also known as “greeking.” Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus pharetra congue turpis, a ultricies urna iaculis nec. Maecenas faucibus ante sed mauris laoreet, sed hendrerit massa pellentesque.Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia.
Orphans and Widows: Text left on its own; an orphan is a partial line left at the top of a page, and a widow is a single word left on the last line of a paragraph.
Perfect Binding: After the printed pieces are stacked, the ends are ground down to form an even surface and the cover is
May-June 2013
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FEATURE Stet: For those who tried to read the greeking, this comes from the latin,“let it stand.” It’s a proofing note to cancel a previous correction. Tip: The separate insertion of a single page or item in a magazine or book either during or after binding.We tip the business reply envelope (BRE) in Shipmate each month.
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Alumni Products and Services Alumni Assoc. Home Football Tailgates and Army-Navy Bus and Tailgate .......6 Alumni Assoc. Homecoming Golf .........53 Alumni Assoc. Tailgate Sign-up .............55 Anchors Away Alumni Travel 2014........54 Academy Leadership LLC ...........................16 Army Distaff Foundation, Knollwood .........46 Ashford Univ.–Bridgepoint Education .......50 Beechcraft ....................................................46 Beverly Diamond Designs...........................45 Boeing............................................................21 Century 21 New Millennium .........................8 DHS Technologies LLC-Drash ......................5 Electric Boat Corp. .......................................24 Fleet Landing.................................................47 Jostens ..........................................................51 Kazan, McClain, Satterley, Lyons, Greenwood & Oberman ............................52
Maersk Line Ltd................................................43 Monterey Institute of Int’l Studies.................31 NASSCO ............................................................23 Naval Mutual Aid Assoc.....Inside Back Cover Navy Fed. Credit Union....Inside Front Cover Navy-Marine Corps Relief Services ..........19 Polaris..............................................................1 Precision Turbines .......................................49 ProActive Technologies ..............................38 SONOCO Paperboard Specialties..............20 Trident Home Loans .....................................14 USMMA Department of Engineering ........49 USAA Corporate Ad Sales .........................17 USNA Foundation .......................................32 ViOn Corporation.........................................33 Whiting Turner Coantracting .....................24 Wolfcreek Federal Services, Inc...............20
July-August 2013
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AN OCEAN AWAY By Major Jeffrey “Murph” McCarthy ’00, USMC
What Binds Us Regardless of the addiction we (or our spouses) have to Facebook, or whatever your favorite flavor of social media is, there remains something “old school” that keeps us all up to speed on the Yard, the Navy and Marine Corps and the latest and greatest of what our classmates are up to. Shipmate, the magazine, our alumni rag, is the chosen instrument of how we pay attention to our alma mater from just a few to many, many miles away. We have approached 75 years of Shipmate—much has changed, and much has remained the same.There is now an archive of past Shipmate issues on the www.usna.com site, and I highly recommend taking a gander. I was pretty proud of myself for picking out a picture of Stephen B. Luce before I could zoom in on the caption. I was then fascinated by the ensuing sea story of a series of interactions with the admiral over the course of a career. Admiral Luce decided we needed a graduate study program for the art of war, and so it was to be. He decided training with just two ships was not varsity enough and forced his skippers to first maneuver around bays instead of oceans because he thought it would be harder for them to get lost. He often said that he never took more than a glass of champagne, but would let his host refill it several times. After one of these “one glass occasions” he was told by his host that he was “tight.” He quipped, “If Stephen B. Luce … how can Stephen be tight?” Regrettably, it was at this point the legend in my mind of the man for whom our professional development building is named had just exceeded being “the admiral with the greatest facial hair ensemble in our naval history.” I will note that the Luce article I found was written by a guy from the Class of ’83. This was
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not the ’83 where Van Halen still had David Lee Roth as the lead singer and topped the charts with their hit “Jump.” In the May-June 2013 issue, there is a great story about the “other Winston Churchill,” Class of 1894. This guy was a bit of a politician, too, not to mention a football player and a crew stud. In addition, he wrote a book or two … and made the best seller list eight times. Who knew? Shipmate remains good training. The old Shipmate issues have many stories on big Navy and a ton of updates on Academy athletics. The thunder of said athletic updates have been stolen by the internet, as well as our esteemed stalwart Sports Information Director, Scott Strasemeier. Shipmate has taken on a more “Yard and alumni pure” focus as a result of these transgressions and remains a prized piece of snail mail. The Class News sections are almost the same flavor, but since getting a picture into a magazine in the 1950s was like trying to get something patented today, we have substantially more pictures now, and the color makes us all look younger (and heavier). As any class corresponding secretary can attest, getting the class article together for each issue can go from judging a cash-paying writing contest to drawing blood from a stone. The art is making sure the good is good and the bad remains bad enough to be fun to read. With about a week to my graduation, the Commandant of Midshipmen proceeded to tell my firstie class they needed to elect class officers that were responsible and willing to spend the time and make the effort on behalf of their classmates to keep them informed. We all kind of sat there wondering what we needed to be informed of. I was squirming in my seat because I was the class president, and I thought this guy was about to hold an impromptu election and I needed
a reelection speech. He then told us that he was embarrassed that his class had not rendered an update to Shipmate in six months. I took the mental note that getting an article into Shipmate was not a task to be taken lightly. Each of us has a “Shipmate routine” where we go straight to certain sections and read them first—some of us have portions of the magazine we have never seen. I, myself, can see the faces now in my head of a dozen realtors at my disposal for my next PCS! About five years ago, in an effort to “move forward with technology,” we examined moving Shipmate online and scaling back the amount of magazines delivered to alumni per year. This was greeted with the same vigor as when Coca-Cola briefly tried to change its recipe in 1985. The message was clear: “Don’t mess with Shipmate, Shipmate.” Happy 75th! See you in my mailbox! Major Murph McCarthy ’00, USMC, serves as assistant director in the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership
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BRAVOZULU 1950s ’51: Col Peter Hilgartner, USMC (Ret.), and Sam Ginder have co-authored a book entitled, Highpocket’s War Stories and Other Tall Tails. ’58: CAPT Ralph Buck, USN (Ret.), has been awarded the Values in Practice Award by Acentia, provider of technology and management solutions to the federal government and commercial markets. ’59: CAPT J. Phillip London, USN (Ret.), has been awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations.
1960s ’66: Col Andrew Finlayson, USMC (Ret.), has authored a book entitled, Killer Kane—A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968. Jimmy Persels has been awarded the Retired Pro Bono Volunteer Award by the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.
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’68: VADM Paul Gaffney II, USN (Ret.), has retired after a successful 10-year tenure as president of Monmouth University. ’69: Dr. Maury Docton has been inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor in recognition of his combat action in Vietnam.
1970s ’70: VADM Cutler Dawson, USN (Ret.), has been elected as vice chairman of the Senate for Creative Leadership’s board of governors. Dan Akerson has been named a “Michiganian of the Year” by the Detroit News for his support of Habitat for Humanity. ’72: CAPT David Brown, USN (Ret.), has earned a Ph.D. in organization and management from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. ’76: ADM James Stavridis, USN (Ret.), has been appointed as dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts University in Medford, MA.
’78: ADM Cecil Haney, USN, has been assigned as commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, NE. ADM Harry Harris Jr., USN, has been assigned as commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, HI. Dan McCready has been named chief credit officer of NewStar Financial. ’79: RADM James Cloyd, USN, has been assigned as director, maritime operations (N3/N5/N2/N7), U.S. Fleet Forces, Norfolk,VA.
1980s ’81: RADM John N. Christenson, USN, has been assigned as deputy U.S. military representative to NATO Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium. RADM Terry Kraft, USN, has been assigned as commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan/commander, Navy Region Japan,Yokosuka, Japan. VADM William Moran, USN, has been assigned as deputy chief of naval operations for manpower, personnel, training and education, N1, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Chief of
Major Nicole Mann‘99, USMC Naval Personnel, Arlington,VA. CAPT Michael VanBrocklin, USNR (Ret.), has retired after 30 years of naval service. CDR Ted Carter, USN (Ret.), has been named president of the Naval War College, Newport, RI. ’83: RADM Frank Morneau, USN, has been assigned as commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific. RADM Phillip Sawyer, USN, has been assigned as commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, HI. RADM Brian Antonio, USN, has been selected as program executive officer for Littoral Combat Ships, Washington, DC. CDR Lawrence “Chip” Molloy, USNR (Ret.), has been named to the board of directors of Sprouts Farmers Market. RADM Robert Girrier, USN, has been assigned as deputy and chief of staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, HI. ’85: RADM Stuart Munsch, USN, has been assigned as commander, Submarine Group Seven/commander, Task Force Seven Four/
commander, Task Force Five Four,Yokosuka, Japan. RADM Andrew Lewis, USN, has been assigned as commander, Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, NV. ’86: RADM Louis Cariello, USN, has been assigned as deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/deputy commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific, Norfolk,VA. ’87: Carl Liebert III has been named president of USAA Capital Corporation’s senior executive team. CAPT Logan Jones, USN, has assumed command of Naval Support Activity, Annapolis. RADM Timothy White, USN, has been assigned as deputy chief, tailored access operations, S32, National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, MD. Margaret Utterback has received a certificate in executive management from the Mendoza College of Business. ’88: Steve Hassell has been promoted to president of Data Center Solutions, Emerson Network Power with responsibility for both Liebert North American Products and Avocent. ’89: CAPT Greg Pekari Jr., USN, has assumed command of Naval Station Rota, Spain.
1990s ’94: CDR Mike Sharp, USNR, has been named manager, Actuation and Propellers, Military Programs, at UTC Aerospace in Hartford, CT, and is currently serving as commanding officer, Charlie Company HQ, Coastal Riverine Squadron EIGHT on Naval Submarine Base New London, CT. ’95: CDR F.O. “Gump” Young, USN, has assumed command of VFA-105. ’96: CDR Bill Pennington, USN, has assumed command of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN, NAS Jacksonville, FL, from CDR Molly Boron ’95, USN. Matthew Lowe has been named project
One small step for Mann…Major Nicole Mann, that is. One of eight from a pool of more than 6,100, Mann has landed a spot in NASA’s 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the Academy and a master’s degree from Stanford University, Mann was off to flight school where she earned her pilot’s wings in 2003. She has logged more than 1,500 flight hours, flown 47 combat missions and pushed boundaries as a test pilot. Most recently she has been serving as an integrated Product Team Lead at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD. Soon she, along with her family, will head to Johnson Space Center to begin training for missions to, according to NASA, low-Earth orbit, an asteroid and even Mars.
manager for the Olmsted Locks and Dam construction project on the Ohio River with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ’97: CDR Nathan Johnston, USN, has been named commanding officer of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion ONE (NCHB-1). Alonzo Barber has joined the legal and corporate affairs department for Microsoft Corporation at their Redmond, WA, headquarters. ’99: LCDR Michael Lisa, USN, has been chosen as the 2012 Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific Pilot of the Year.
2000s ’00: LCDR Jim Prouty, USN, has been assigned as executive officer for pre-commissioning unit ILLINOIS currently in construction at Electric Boat, Groton, CT. ’07: LT Christopher Engdahl, USN, has been selected as the 2012 Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific Propulsion Plant Watch Officer of the Year.
Do you know someone who deserves a Bravo Zulu? Send to Communications Division at comms@usna.com
July-August 2013
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FORMAT SCRAMBLE THURSDAY
LD O S T! U O
Shotgun start at 9 a.m. No handicap required. Limit: 112 Paid Alumni and spouse or family member.
CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY Shotgun start at 9 a.m. USNA Alumni Championship Division— USGA handicap holders. Calloway Division—non USGA handicap holders. Individual stroke play by flights. Limit: 112 Paid Alumni.
• The Thursday, 24 October 2013, event is a Scramble format open to USNA Alumni. A spouse or family member can be paired with an USNA alumni.We will have the Mixed Foursome category again (must consist of two men and two women). No handicaps needed. Shotgun starts at 9 a.m. Limit is 112 players. • The Championship Round on Friday, 25 October 2013 will be open only to USNA Alumni. Those with established USGA handicaps will be in the Championship division and those without an established USGA handicap will be in the Calloway division (new division). The format is individual stroke play; a seniors flight will be included. Limit is 112 players. • Players in the Championship Round on Friday are required to submit photocopies of their USGA handicap cards with sign up to facilitate tournament administration. Please send a copy of your handicap card to noreen.frenaye@usna.com or fax to 410-295-4002. Naval Academy Golf Club members need not submit cards, but please note handicap below.
T! U O D SOL
• Optional—Senior Flight for players who are at least 70 years old. Seniors who elect to compete in the Seniors Flight, play from the Gold tees. You will still be paired with the foursome of your choosing. • Reservations will be accepted in the order in which paid applications are received. • Classes will be automatically grouped together, unless the individual specifically requests otherwise. Please mark your applications below accordingly. • Beverage cart will be available on course both days. • Complimentary appetizers, beer and wine available both days at The Club at Greenbury Point. • Raffle prizes and awards presented at The Club at Greenbury Point. • Raffle tickets available to purchase both days before and after playing. Mulligans are available to purchase on Thursday only. (No String available.)
PLEASE NOTE
GREAT PRIZES & AWARDS Individual awards for Championship-Captain William B. Morrow Trophy for overall low gross; overall low net; and low gross and low net winners and runners-up in each flight.
CONTACT Noreen Frenaye 410-295-4016 or signup online www.usna.com/golf log in online community.
Your $130 fee, due by 18 October, includes: a cart (all players must ride), 18 holes of golf, driving range, free practice balls, player package, lunch, awards programs, raffle prizes and a donation to the Navy Golf Team. DEADLINE: 18 October (all reservations received after this date are $140) Entry fees are non-refundable (includes inclement weather). Fee will be used to help defray tournament expenses with the remainder going to the Navy Golf Team.
Register online at www.usna.com/golf or complete form below.
USNA ALUMNI HOMECOMING GOLF 2013 NAME:________________________________________________USNA CLASS:________DATE:_________________ ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________________________ DAYTIME PHONE:__________________________________EMAIL:_______________________________________ Please check as applicable: p Enter me in the Scramble on Thursday, 24 October. p I am a current member of the USNA Golf Club. SOLD OUT p Enter me in the Championship on Friday, 25 October. p Name of Home Course__________________________. p Enter me in the Calloway on Friday, 25 October. p A photocopy of USGA card must be enclosed p Enter me in the Seniors Flight on Friday, 25 October. or faxed to 410-295-4002 by 18 October 2013. (Must be 70 years or older) (If a member of USNA Golf Club, copy of handicap p I cannot play, but am enclosing a donation in the is not needed.) amount of $__________ in support of Navy Golf. If you do not have a foursome, the golf chair and USNA golf coach will assign; or partner requests below: Name ____________________________________________USNA Class of__________ p 10/24/13 p 10/25/13 Name ____________________________________________USNA Class of__________ p 10/24/13 p 10/25/13 Name ____________________________________________USNA Class of__________ p 10/24/13 p 10/25/13 I am paying for: p One Day p Two Days Paying for guest listed above: pYes p No Total $__________________ p My entry fee is ___________. After 18 October, fee $140 (no exceptions).
PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE NAVY GOLF TEAM!
Please make checks payable to: USNA Alumni Association Golf or go online www.usna.com/golf Mail to: USNA Alumni Association, 247 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402; Attn: Noreen Frenaye For inquiries email noreen.frenaye@usna.com
REMINDER: FAX APPLICATION TO NOREEN FRENAYE AT: 410-295-4002
Join the Navy, See the World!
Spring 2014 Alumni Travel
ANCIENT MYSTERIES OF THE AMERICAS
ASIAN EXPLORATIONS
Experience the vibrant cultures and ancient civilizations of Central and South America—cruise the Caribbean to the island of Grand Cayman and the Mexican island of Cozumel. Explore temples in Belize, Mayan ruins in Guatemala and breathtaking landscapes in Honduras. Discover Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests, cruise the Panama Canal. Sail to Ecuador and explore Manta or Quito. Continue to Peru and its capital, Lima. GoNext. 19 days. From $3,999 per person, plus air.
Cruise from Hong Kong, a city of modern high-rise buildings dotted with timeless Chinese temples, then depart for Taipei, Taiwan. Continue north to the Japanese island of Okinawa, where the imposing 14th-century Shuri Castle awaits, experience Kyoto, home to Peace Memorial Park. Next is Shanghai, where bustling markets and distinct architecture line the Yangtze River, before a stop in Seoul, South Korea’s vivacious capital city. Conclude with a day in Beijing, China’s fascinating capital, home to remarkable sites such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the legendary Great Wall. GoNext. 19 days. From $6,399 per person, plus air.
20 FEBRUARY–10 MARCH 2014
16 JANUARY–3 FEBRUARY 2014
EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
31 JANUARY–13 FEBRUARY 2014 Cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, intimate M.S. L’AUSTRAL, the finest vessel in Antarctic waters. Experience the White Continent with fantastically shaped icebergs, turquoise glaciers, bustling penguin rookeries and breaching whales. Board a sturdy Zodiac craft for excursions ashore with the ship’s expert team of naturalists. Gohagan & Company. 14 days. From $7,695 per person, plus air.
PASSAGE TO BURMA/MYANMAR 1-12 FEBRUARY 2014
Discover Myanmar, a country long isolated from the outside world. Explore Yangon, the former capital, where gilded stupas, ornate pagodas and 19th-century British colonial buildings form the cityscape. Discover Myanmar’s natural beauty at Inle Lake. Enjoy a private cruise and visit a floating farm, cooking demonstration, and watch artisans at work as they make lacquer crafts, roll cigars, build boats and weave silk. Alumni Holidays. 12 days. From $5,695 per person, plus air.
CARIBBEAN DISCOVERY 12-22 FEBRUARY 2014
Set sail from Miami to the beautiful tropical islands of Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Barts. Experience spectacular vistas framed by swaying palm trees, hike through lush rainforests and beneath waterfalls, and snorkel vivid coral reefs teeming with colorful wildlife. GoNext. 11 days. From $2,699 per person, plus air.
HISTORIC REFLECTIONS
20 APRIL–1 MAY 2014 With Joint Academy Travel Uncover the historical treasures of France, Monaco, Italy, Turkey and Greece aboard Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, RIVIERA. Depart Barcelona for Marseille, then into the Provençal countryside to the lovely towns of Aix and Avignon.Visit Monte Carlo, on the renowned French Riviera, before continuing to Florence, bursting with art and architecture. Majestic Rome offers up its wealth of historical monuments and then stop at Taormina for a Sicilian blend of ancient ruins and modern comforts; and an exploration of ancient Ephesus near Kusadasi, Turkey; and the Greek isle of Santorini, before concluding your voyage in Athens, Greece. GoNext. 12 days. From $3,499 per person, plus air.
ANTEBELLUM SOUTH 9-18 MAY 2014
In the culturally rich city of New Orleans, board your paddlewheel steamboat bound for Memphis and discover the beauty of the mighty river as you delve into the history and grandeur of the antebellum South. Tour the plantation known as Oak Alley and walk beneath its amazing 300-year-old canopy of oak trees. Take in the many historic 19th-century homes found among the scenic countryside in St. Francisville and revel in the antebellum splendor of Natchez.Visit Vicksburg, renowned for its gracious Southern hospitality and National Military Park that commemorates the city’s famous Civil War siege. GoNext. 10 days. From $2,549 per person, plus air.
United States Naval Academy Alumni Association
www.usna.com/travel • 410-295-4023
ALL DATES, ITINERARIES AND PRICING TENTATIVE FOR ENTIRE 2014 SCHEDULE, PLEASE SEE CATALOG AT WWW.USNA.COM/TRAVEL.
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
ALUMNI PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
JOIN US THROUGH HALFTIME! Ta i l ga te w i t h t h e A l u m n i A s s o c i a t i o n ! O p e n to A L L N av y fa n s a n d l o c a te d i n s i d e t h e s t a d i u m a t t h e N o rt h E n d Z o n e . Ta i l ga te s t a rt s 2 h o u r s b e fo re k i cko ff a n d go e s t h ro u g h t h e e n d o f h a l ft i m e . Become a VIP! When you sign up in advance for all 5 home games, you will have reserved seating at each home tailgate. You will also receive a personalized “VIP” nametag to use at all our USNA Alumni Association home tailgates. Must register for all home tailgates by 26 August to receive the VIP Package; no VIP refunds after this date.
Date
Game
14 Sept 5 Oct 26 Oct 9 Nov 16 Nov
vs. Delaware vs. Air Force vs. Pittsburgh–Homecoming vs. Hawai’i vs. South Alabama
Buffet is open until kickoff and snacks are served until the end of halftime. Beer, wine and soda are available throughout the tailgate. See menus online at www.usna.com/tailgates. Please note the tailgate starting times will vary, as the kickoff time for each game differs.
HOME FOOTBALL TAILGATES # of Adults/ Children
Subtotal
14 Sept: Delaware
____/___
________
5 Oct: Air Force
____/___
________
26 Oct: Pittsburgh
____/___
________
9 Nov: Hawai’i
____/___
________
____/___
________
Total
________
Game
(Homecoming)
16 Nov: South Alabama
Prices: Members: $35, Member Children (ages 5-12): $32, Non-Members: $40, Non-Member Children (ages 5-12): $37.
Name: ______________________________________ Constituent ID:______________________Class:______ Address: ______________________________________ City: ________________________________________ State:____________________________Zip:_________ Email:________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ Method of Payment (check one): p Check* p Visa p MasterCard p AmExp p Discover * Made payable to USNA Alumni Association (Must be postmarked one week prior to the event)
Credit Card #: ____________________Exp. Date: ____ Signature: ____________________________________
Mail form to: USNA Alumni Association, Home Football Tailgates, P.O. Box 79073, Baltimore, MD 21279-0073. * Must be postmarked one week prior to the event.
REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.USNA.COM/TAILGATES Please note that if you don’t already have a password to our Online Community, there is a 24-hour delay in obtaining one. Registration closes at 10 a.m. the Monday prior to the event. No refunds will be given after this time. If you have additional questions, please contact events@usna.com or phone 410-295-4018.
C
NEWS
LASS 00•00 CLASS NEWS
“But still when two or three shall meet, And old tales be retold…” 26
Send news directly to Shipmate.
26 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0%
33 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0%
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 16%
PRES: RADM Ed Keats, USN (Ret.) 207 Brightwood Club Road Lutherville, MD 21093 H: 410-235-3803 E: edkeats@comcast.net
35 Left to right: Cdr Doyle Hodges ‘92 Chairman Seamanship and Navigation Department, Cdr Pat Stroop ‘69, Midn 1/C Haben Petros 27th company
On 17 May members of the Class of ’26 Juniors gathered at the Robert Crown Sailing Center to see Commander Pat Stroop, USN (Retired) ’69 present a pair of binoculars and the annual shiphandling award to Midshipman 1/C Haben Petros, USN of the 27th Company. Midshipman Petros was determined by the Seamanship and Navigation Department to have demonstrated outstanding performance during 1/C Atlantic Professional Afloat Training Cruise. Prior to the ceremony, the group was able to gather to socialize and have an enjoyable lunch at the Naval Academy Club. Attending this year’s event were: Ward and Judy LeHardy, Ward LeHardy Jr., Thomas LeHardy de Beaulieu, Linda Sweet, Maggie Sullivan, Judy Corbin Housley, Penny Vahsen, and Mary and Pat Stroop. If you are interested in knowing more about this annual event and perhaps attending in the future, please contact Pat Stroop pstroop@hotmail.com or 410-293-1914.
27•33
Send news directly to Shipmate.
27 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0% 28 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0% 29 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0% 30 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0% 31 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 0% 32 Annual Membership: 0% Life Membership: 5%
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 40%
PRES, SEC’Y/TREAS, AND CORR.SEC’Y: RADM Ed Keats, USN (Ret.) 207 Brightwood Club Road Lutherville, MD 21093 H: 410-235-3803 E: edkeats@comcast.net
Sad news Margaret Griggs Rodier Evans, widow of Gilbert Rodier, who died in 1984, died on 24 February.
Purnell Harrington 1864
We live longer now-a-days Purnell Harrington, 1864, was born in Dover, DE on 6 June 1844 and was said to be the oldest living Academy graduate at the time he died at his home In Yonkers, NY on 20 October 1937. His mustering in as an Acting Midshipman took place on 20 September 1860 and his promotion to Midshipman occurred on
16 July 1862. The twenty-one members of the A section of his class, after three years at the Academy, went on active duty immediately after their graduation in May 1863. The twenty-nine who comprised the B section, where he stood number three, followed in September of that year. His class and the class of 1865 graduated after three years at the Academy; the classes of 1862 and 1863 had but two years in residence. The procedure of shortened terms of three years at the Academy during time of war continued in World War I to affect the classes of 1918, 1919 and 1920. In World War II, the classes of 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947 also had three-year terms while the class of 1948 separated into A and B sections, the A graduating in 1947 and the B in 1948. Fifty members of Harrington’s class graduated and served in the US Navy as he did. Twenty-one resigned to join the Confederate States Navy when the Civil War began in 1861, well before their scheduled graduation. Harrington’s career included service ashore and afloat. In the Civil War he participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay under Admiral Farragut on 5 August 1864; he commanded Puritan in the SpanishAmerican War; and he served twice on the faculty of the Naval Academy. He became a Rear Admiral in 1903 at the age of 59 and was retired three years later, in 1906. Later in his retirement, in 1923, the Military Order of the Loyal Legions of the United States elected him as their Commander-in-Chief. Beyond his excellent career, the most noteworthy circumstance of his life from the perspective of today and the one we recall with astonishment is that, at the age of only ninety-three in 1937 he was, according to a Shipmate article published in 1938, the oldest living Academy graduate. In comparison, this year, seventy-six years later, a man aged ninety-three is number 227 on our list of oldest living graduates.
Opinions expressed in Shipmate are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, its officers or editorial staff. All pictures are official Department of Defense photographs unless otherwise credited. Member, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Shipmate (ISSN 0488-6720) is published eight times annually including six bi-monthly issues in January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, November-December as well as two special issues in May and September. Copyrighted 2013 by the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc., 247 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402-1306. Membership dues (including Shipmate) are $70 per year. Subscription rate is $70; Canadian and foreign subscriptions are $75. Single copies are $7 each. Periodicals Postage Paid at Annapolis, MD, and at additional mailing offices. All editorial matter should be addressed to Kristen Pironis, p: 410-295-4072, kpironis@usna.com. Inquiries concerning membership or subscriptions and notification of change of address of members and subscribers should be addressed to U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, 247 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402-1306; p: 410-295-4027; alumni@usna.com.
In addition, there are now seven centenarians and the very oldest living graduate is one hundred three. Although it is common knowledge that Americans in general are now living longer we have a Naval Academy graduate still alive today, a full decade beyond the oldest of 1937, with other survivors barely younger. The column brings all this to the attention of its readers, leaving it to them, however, to decide what makes Academy graduates these days live so much longer.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 14% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 0%
CORR. SEC’Y: Gordy Carmichael Seaman (daughter of Captain John H. Carmichael, USN (Ret.) E: gordy_seaman@bellsouth.net
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 67%
PRES: CAPT John S. Slaughter, USN (Ret.) 3801 Canterbury Rd. #812 Baltimore, MD 21218 E: captnjack1937@gmail.com VICE PRES: Meredith Minter Hinkle Daughter of Charlie Minter ’37 3603 Prince William Drive Fairfax,VA 22031; E: mahink@cox.net CORR. SEC’YS: RADM Robert B. Erly, USN (Ret.) E: BERly1914@aol.com Submit all posted material to: Bob Erly 830 Country Club Lane, Coronado, CA 92118-2411; P: 619-435-8919 If by email, submit to: Erly with cc to Arentzen E: arentzenrn@earthlink.net
38
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 69%
SEC’Y: RADM Paul G. Schultz, USN (Ret.) 5205 7th Ave. Dr.West, Bradenton, FL 34209 P:941-792-1492 E: pgschultz3@tampabay.rr.com
Obituaries— We’ve received the sad news that a non-graduate, Nash Williams, died on April 10, 2013, under hospice care at his home in Fallbrook, CA. Nash was another non-grad, like Henry Bowes (last issue), who maintained contact with the class and supported the Alumni Association all his life. He graduated from Georgia Tech, and then moved to California where he had a career as an aeronautical engineer first at Lockheed, Convair, and General Dynamics working on planes, then at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on rockets. Towards the end of his JPL tenure he became interested in solar power, and continued that interest in retirement. His other big interest was the Flying Samaritans, a charity operating free medical clinics in Mexico. He founded and ran two separate chapters (one in
Los Angeles, and one in San Diego). He was a ham radio operator (W6HCD), married, and had only one child, Gary, and no grandchildren. Class Roster— As many of you know, a roster has been maintained for several years by the class secretaries, showing as many names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail address of classmates and widows, as are known. However, for convenience distribution has been limited primarily to those with e-mail addresses. If anyone who doesn’t use e-mail but would like a copy, you probably have a relative or close friend with e-mail capabiltity who would be glad to obtain and print out a copy for you. If so, just have that person send me a request at the e-mail address shown in the masthead at the top of this column.
39
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 51%
PRES: VADM Thomas R.Weschler, USN (Ret.) 186 Jerry Browne Rd. #6415 Mystic, CT 06355 P. 860-572-4437; E. tomwes39@aol.com SEC’Y: Barbara Fidel Adams (Also Sec’y for ’39 Navy Juniors) Daughter of Jack and June Fidel 215 Ikerd Drive,Concord, NC 28025 P. 704-784-3876, E. adamsjimr@aol.com THIRTY-NINE ON LINE: tomwes39@aol.com WEBMASTER: Roland Weybourn Schumann III (son of Bud Schumann) 1011 Apollo Way, Incline Village, NV 89451 P: 775-298-2011; E: rolandws@gmail.com
Greetings to the great Class of ’39! Your Class Secretary has been delighted to be receiving your letters with wonderful things for our Shipmate column, and I hope to be hearing from each of you. Just remember, the column needs to be submitted two months in advance, so if you do not see something you have sent me, it will be appearing in the following issue. In the May-June issue we recalled that week in June 1939 when the class was graduating and about to embark on their military careers. By 1 September of that year, the Second World War had begun with the invasion of Poland by Germany. It was to become a global war, involving the vast majority of the world’s nations. WWII was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people serving in military units. The Class of ’39 was soon to be put to the test. Support the Annual Fund. Visit usna.com and click Give Online.
DONATE ONLINE
Harvey Lasell (97) and Adeline (7 months) great granddaughter
We received a letter from Harvey Lasell earlier this year telling us of the May reunion of USS Yorktown CVB-5 held in Branson, MO, and giving us a short history of the Yorktown, which seems appropriate for the class column. n “After graduation from USNA, a number of 39ers reported aboard USS Yorktown including Dave Cone, Neal Almgren, John Parks, Floyd Moan, Harvey Lasell and his roommate, Andy Gardner.Yorktown was home ported in San Diego, CA and from July 1939, the ship was occupied with aircraft flight training and gunnery exercises. In October, she went via the San Francisco World Fair and Seattle to Bremerton, WA shipyard. There she was fitted with the new distance measuring system- Radar. On 22 December, 1939 she left Bremerton heading for San Diego, where the Captain wanted to be for Christmas. He ordered 28 knots for the trip saying ‘we have Radar so the fog will not slow us’.Yorktown entered heavy fog as she left the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and….Yorktown didn’t slow. Fifteen miles from the San Diego harbor entrance weather cleared and we sighted a squadron of destroyers in column heading out. We slowed!” “Yorktown joined the Hawaiian Detachment and operated out of Pearl Harbor for several months.Then detached, under secret orders,Yorktown proceeded via the Panama Canal to Norfolk,VA, and from there to Argentia, Newfoundland forming up with other escorts to support a convoy destined for Europe.That assignment ended,Yorktown returned to Norfolk and berthed at the Portsmouth shipyard to receive new anti-aircraft weapons and load aircraft and gun ammunition ready for the next assignment” n Harvey Lasell clearly recalls the morning of 7 December, 1941. n “I took five days leave, beginning 3 December, for a visit to my uncle who July-August 2013
57
39•42 CLASS NEWS lived in D.C. and worked for the Navy. My uncle belonged to the Redland Hunt Club, whose members included General Patton (the General was busy elsewhere that day). My uncle stabled two horses in Washington, a few blocks from the Lincoln Memorial Bridge. On 7 December, we trailered them thirty miles out to the hunt area in Maryland, where farmers in the area cooperated with the hunt club, providing jumps over the property lines. After the club members mounted up, the Master of the Hounds (Tom Mott) , released the hounds who soon raised a fox. The four hour hunt began. The fox escaped. No one got the fox tail. The horses were reloaded for the return trip and we headed back for D.C about 6 p.m. Enroute to the stable, we stopped at the home of a friend, an Army Colonel, whose daughter rushed to meet us, exclaiming that her father had gone to the War Department Offices - the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. Needless to say, I immediately headed to Norfolk to rejoin Yorktown.” “In Norfolk, we traded in 50.50mm machine guns for 20 mm air-cooled guns. We left late December for the Pacific. Enroute to Pearl Harbor, we left a detachment of Marines at American Samoa. While at Pearl, we prepared for action. In company with other ships, we proceeded to Coral Sea where we cruised with Lexington. Hornet was occupied elsewhere with Doolittle and his bombers aboard. At Coral Sea,Yorktown was damaged, reducing her speed and Lexington was so badly damaged that she was sunk by accompanying destroyers.” “Following the Battle of Coral Sea, Yorktown returned to Pearl Harbor for limited necessary repairs, ordered by Admiral Nimitz, to fit her for action at Midway. While at Pearl, she received a full allowance of bombs and torpedos and a few happy (?) battleship survivors.” (In one Midway action, 41 Torpedo Bombers were launched from Enterprise, Yorktown and Hornet- only 6 returned to Enterprise and Yorktown, and none made it back to Hornet. USS Yorktown aircraft destroyed the Japanese carrier, Soryu and earned her three battle stars in these engagements). “At 1620, the second day of the Battle of Midway, June 5, 1942,Yorktown was hit by torpedoes on the port side, which caused her to list 25 degrees to port. The damage control officer said she was going to capsize, so the Captain ordered the ship
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
abandoned. I left Yorktown by rope and swam to a destroyer, leaving all of my uniforms on board.” The crew was picked up by escorting ships, including the destroyer USS Hammann (DD412). The Hammann was ordered alongside Yorktown to starboard to supply electric power and help in preparations to right Yorktown and prepare her for towing back to Pearl. A Japanese submarine torpedo hit Hammann amidship and ‘broke her back’she jackknifed and went down. When Hammann sank, there was an underwater explosion as her depth charges went off, killing many of the men in the water off Hornet and Yorktown. As a result of that damage,Yorktown sank. In 1998, Dr. Ballard (who located Titanic), discovered Yorktown, resting 18,000 feet down near Midway- her guns still elevated!” n Have had some great letters from Sally Gulick, residing in Pacific Palasides, CA. At 96, she is a terrific correspondent and, as ever, ‘39’s best cheerleader! For 21 years she and Bob hosted a “What about ’39” party for classmates and wives that started as a weekend party that grew to a 4-day affair with anywhere from 39-75 attendees. Following that, they had annual parties for the Army-Navy games as well as co-hosted Grant Roger’s Pajaro Dunes houseparties for many years (waiting to hear more about those!). Sally has sent me a ’39 Box filled with memorabilia, including the large, silk ‘39 banner that she sent out for display in the ’39 Seventieth Reunion photographs. It reads: United States Naval Academy Class of 1939…Go Navy-Beat Army!”) that she sent out for display in the ‘39 Seventieth Reunion photographs. In the box also were a needlepoint of Aviator wings; a large, stuffed Bill the Goat; blue and gold pompoms; and a wood goat, carved by Bob Wadsworth. Sally- these will all be displayed proudly at our Seventy Fifth Reunion, you can be assured! (details for this great event will soon be forthcoming).
Sally Gulick with her three great granddaughters Grace (8) Everette (3) and Mallaren (7)
Dagmar and Herb Kriloff celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 30th in Australia, and were very happy to receive congratulatory e-mails from many classmates, widows and ’39 Juniors. Herb met Dagmar in Sydney while his ship Wm B PRESTON was in for repairs after having been attacked and heavily damaged in mid- Feb ‘42 at Port Darwin by an augmented Japanese Pearl Harbor Strike Force. They married in Perth in early ’43 and repatriated to ConUS in October on a transport, with Dagmar being the lone woman among 700 men!
Dagmar and Herb Kriloff celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary
We have had sad news as well, learning of the death of Gene Fairfax. Seaman Recruit to Rear Admiral, USN, Gene Fairfax died 5, April, 2013 in Albuquerque. Burial services were held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on July 12th and a class Memorial was sent to the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg,TX (not only was Nimitz a fellow Texan, but his museum is the finest WWII Pacific Museum, with quite an emphasis on aviation.) Gene was born in Naples, Utah and following high school graduation in 1934, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard USS Nevada. Gene was accepted to the Naval Academy in 1935, was in Third Battalion, and Captain of the boxing team in 1939.He attended flight school at Pensacola and became the Senior Aviator on USS Tennessee; XO and then CO of VF-11 on USS Hornet flying F6F Hellcats. During that time he gained 203 combat hours, 58 carrier landings and was credited with downing four Japanese aircraft. Gene was XO of the Anti-Submarine Training Squadron, Navigator on USS Mindoro, and after attending Staff Naval War College, was promoted to the Night and All-Weather Attack Squadron (VC-33). He was Navigator as well as Operations officer on USS Forrestal, and became head of Air Launched Guided Missiles Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He had command of USS Passumpsic, was CO of
USS Ticonderoga, and Chief of Staff of Carrier Division 1. In addition, Gene was Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Group 5 on USS Hornet, and Commander of the Alaskan Sea Frontier. In his last active duty tour, he was U.S. Deputy Naval Inspector General. In addition to Gene, we have lost classmates BrigGen Gordon Gayle, USMC on 21 April, 2013 in Farnham,VA, and Col. Jack Hawkins, USMC on 17 May, 2013 in Frederickburg,VA. Ironically, your secretary had received a letter from Jack, postmarked 11April, in which he wrote: n “I met Gordon Gayle for the first time on the steps leading up to the Federal Building in Dallas,TX to take the Naval Academy entrance examinations and we have been close friends ever since.” n Jack’s graveside service was held at Quantico National Cemetery on 24 May; as of this writing, the date had not been set for Gordon. Both had incredible service records, each earning the Navy Cross. Details of their illustrious careers will be in featured in the next ’39 Shipmate column. Faithfully submitted by Barbara Fidel Adams, ’39 Class Secretary
40
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 9% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 66%
PRES: CAPT E. A. Rodgers, USN (Ret.) (Winter) 3609 S. Banana River Blvd. #414, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; P. 321-784-4894 (Summer) 28 Bear Rock Lane, Orland, ME 04472; P: 207-469-3562 E: earodgers@juno.com HONORARY VICE PRES AND TREAS: Wendi Winters Daughter of Leigh “Early” Cosart Winters 1007 Magothy Park Lane Annapolis, Maryland 21403-5300 H/O: 410-349-0945; C: 410-562-4189 E: wendi@wintersgeimer.com SEC’Y: CAPT John H. Sims, USN (Ret.) 726 Lakeside Court, Danville, CA 94526 P: 925-820-3954 E: JHSIMS@AOL.COM
Class Secretary John Sims continues his speedy recovery from a nasty spill he took a couple months ago. Part of the problem is ... John is stubborn! He fell in his garage on a concrete floor, bled “like a stuck pig,” and refused to go to the ER immediately. With some prodding, he went a few days later and has since made a couple return visits. Luckily, there were no broken bones. For the most part, he’s home and has help from family, friends and an aide. Do call or send him a note or email. John plans to be firmly back on his feet by the end of June - just in time for the next Shipmate deadline.
Classmate Capt. Richard Nesbitt, died March 8 at his home in Fellowship Village, Basking Ridge, NJ. He was 95. His memorial service was held March 30 at Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. A native of Nevada, he was on board the USS Nevada during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He served on active duty for 23 years and, afterwards, held several executive positions in the marine industry. He was also active in community and church service work in Short Hills and Millburn. He is survived by Peggy, his wife of 68 years. They met in Honolulu in 1941. Also surviving are his three daughters, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. There is not much more news to report. Next week at the USNA Columbarium, there will be an Internment Ceremony for the late Betty Rohn, the wife of Cdr. Bruce Rohn. Wendi plans to attend. She will take notes and photos for you. Hopefully, the Maryland, Northern Virginia and DC-area alums, family and friends might get together this summer. And, yes, it’s almost time to start planning for the Holiday Party in December. REUNION 75 NEWS: The Class of 1975 is hosting the Class of 1940 during the 2015 reunion party, which will be held during a Navy home football game. It will be the 40th reunion for those in ‘75, and the 75th reunion for the Class of 1940. We will have more details once the football schedule for 2015 is announced. Best, Wendi Winters Only ’40 is 4.0
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 68%
PRES, CHMN & SEC’Y: CAPT Victor Delano, USN (Ret.) 5610 Wisconsin Avenue, Apt. # 1409 Chevy Chase MD 20815-4439 H: 301-215-7532; C: 239-293-9155 E: vdelano@aol.com VICE PRES. &TREASURER: CAPT Russell S. Crenshaw Jr., USN (Ret.) 47371 W St.Mary’s Manor Road Drayden, MD 20630 H: 301-994-0899; F: 301-994-0686 E: rscrenshaw@earthlink.net E: rscrenshaw@earthlink.net
This is not an easy column to write because I have little more than bad news to tell you. On 4 April 2013, Waldron McLellon died, just a few months after his lovely wife, Naomi, had died. Mac and Naomi were married on 8 February 1941 and must have been the first one’s in ’41 to beat the 2 year preventive rule. I do know of one other who married early
and so reported to his Executive Officer who threw him out of his office, stating that he was not going to waste time filling out the necessary paperwork. Early in May I received a call from Bill Daubin’s widow, Rosalie, who wanted to get a copy of the latest Alumni Register and we had a delightful conversation. A few days later I received a call from a friend of Rosalie’s, CAPT John Townes ’47, to tell me that Rosalie had just been killed in an automobile accident near her home in Holiday FL. Although cremated, she will be buried in Arlington with her husband in a few months. Now for glorious birthdays: July – Kelley, Newsom and Thomas; August – Costagliola, Koecher and Shutt. Here is what this sextet are supposed to get. The July’s deserve Ruby’s for Contentment with Larkspurs or Water Lilies and the August’s should get Sardonyx or Peridots to signify Married Happiness and accompanied by Poppies and Gladioluses. Please, Classmates and others, please send me some news of a happy nature like trips you have taken or planning to take – or unexpected great grandchildren or whatever but preferably GOOD news.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 5% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 55%
PRES: CAPT Max C. Duncan, USN (Ret.) Villa 209 The Marshes, 95 Skidaway Is. Pk. Rd. Savannah, GA 21411; P: 912-598-7013 E: maxc1942@aol.com SEC’Y: CDR R.S. Day, USN (Ret.) 2426 Chestnut St., Falls Church,VA 22043-3052 E: hapday@cox.net
We started our spring social season with a luncheon on 8 May at the new Army/Navy Country Club. That brought out Jack Crawford, Hap with son Kurt. Rene Griffith, Ann Haffey, Rita & JT Hill, Jerry Miller, Kieran & Jack Mitchel, Pat & Swabbo Rawson, Barbara & Dale Reed with daughter Robyn. Finding our room on the 3rd deck puzzled some who arrived late. Jerry and Jack talked about the present status our atomic weapons, and the luncheon broke up about 1345.Attendance for our luncheons is dwindling because of transportation problems, but we will carry on. Dick noted that he had celebrated his 94th birthday the week before and felt he was indeed blessed as he was! Since the last submission we have lost Charley Smith who passed away peacefully on 23 February 2013. He is survived by his wife, Martha Jane, and two daughters and two granddaughter. July-August 2013
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42•45 CLASS NEWS He was predeceased by this first wife Helen. He served 30 years in both the Atlantic and Pacific during WWII and thereafter. He was buried at Arlington. We also lost John Rowan on 6 October, Buck Shaw on 7 October and Bill Crawford on 23 October 2012. When Ken resigned as Class president, I checked with our Washington classmates to name a new president including Dick Curtis. He was grateful, but felt he did not have enough energy to take on the added responsibility and would think it over. When I called back four days later to tell him that Mac had accepted the position, I was shocked to learn that he had just passed away.When he moved to Maryland from California at the end of WWII, he left behind a piece of real estate, he had purchased with his flight pay.When he settled in his Maryland farm house, he sold the land for a reasonable return and invested it in farmland in suburban Maryland and eventually in northern Virginia.Then, he and the family became hay farmers selling hay to local property owners.This led to a complete overhaul of the old farmhouse and the development of the surrounding land in new homes. Submitted by Max Duncan and ’42 class members: Our classmate Richard Curtis passed away on 27 March 2013 at his home in Colesville, Maryland. He went the way many of us would prefer. He was sitting at the breakfast table, drinking his coffee and reading the paper when his heart stopped. He had been experiencing vascular problems. The memorial service celebrating his life was unique. It was held in the Colesville United Methodist Church. Dick had his own version of an obituary which was printed in the program for the ceremony. In it, he made special reference to his extensive family and USNA ’42 classmates. The ceremony opened with the customary ritual followed by soft guitar music and the words “Don’t worry. Be Happy.” Those words expressed Dick’s approach to life. A former shipmate delivered a eulogy. At Richard’s request, he led the assemblage in a rousing “Go Navy. Beat Army” cheer. Dick loved the Naval Academy. Also included in the ceremony was a Navy captain reciting “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” one of Dick’s favorite poems. The ceremony closed with a rendering of all three choruses of Navy Blue and Gold, ending with a resounding
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“Beat Army.” Dick would have been pleased. During his training to become a naval aviator, Dick had attended the Navy Photographic School. USNA ‘42 benefited greatly from that training. Dick always had a camera with him and took hundreds of pictures of Class activities. At our latest Reunion, he had a viewing screen mounted with a rotating carousel of Class pictures covering our years together. He always emphasized the family side of our lives. Interment followed the Memorial Ceremony in the Colesville Cemetery across the street from the church. That seemed most appropriate since Dick had been a strong supporter of the church and the Colesville community where he had developed quite a bit of commercial and residential real estate. In addition to being a loyal Navy member and supporter of USNA ‘42, he had been a leader in his civilian community. He was another of those good men who make great contributions to society through their families and service in our military.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 6% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 64%
ACTING PRES & SEC’Y: CAPT Robert E. Stark, USN (Ret.) 3211 River Crescent Dr. Annapolis, MD 21401 P: 410-224-1168; E: RES5464@aol.com
This month we report the following losses: Billips Phinizy Percy, Commander USNR (Ret.) died in New Orleans, LA on January18, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jaye Dobbs Percy, in 2004. Samuel Elijah Watson, Captain USN (Ret.) died in Merritt Island, FL on May 24, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Iris, in 2006. Arthur McDowell Carter, Jr. Commander USN (Ret.) died at Ginger Cove Annapolis, MD on May 26, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, in 2012. By the time you read these notes, you will have received a letter report from your secretary regarding the status of President Ed Robie and the report of the special committee appointed to recommend action to be taken as a result of his serious illness.
USNA.COM Bringing the Alumni Association to you
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 64%
TEMP SEC’Y: CAPT Ernest Reynolds, USN (Ret.) 17598 Bocage Pt., San Diego, CA 92128-2080 E: ernest.reynolds@att.net P: 858-673-8122 TREAS: RADM Randolph W. King, ED, USN (Ret.) E: rkingnavy@aol.com P: 410-266-1142
The Brittinghams celebrating their 70th
Hello all you young ’44s, At last you are starting to respond to my request fot some information. The first one came from S.H. BRITTINGHAM from Hongkong with a happy picture of him and wife, Alice, during their 115 day round the world trip on the ms AMSTERDAM for their 70th anniversary. What a great idea!! I hope the picture comes out OK and that the rest of their trip keeps them as happy as the picture indicates. Next came the note from Maylon Scott. Randy King and DorothyKaltwasser, Maylon and Marilyn Scott, and Don and Marquita Miller are having a mini 70th reunion on 9 June to celebrate the 70th Graduation and 70th Wedding Anniversaries. The events have been scheduled for 11 AM service at the USNA’s Chapel followed by a luncheon at the USNA’s Officers Club. Pictures will be in the next Shipmate. Bill Burlin advises me that he is a participant in the Baltimare Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) and will make his eighteenth three day trip to Baltimare for the examination. He has arthritis in his right ankle and and planter fiscitis in his right heel so cannot drive the five hundred miles to Baltimore. The hospital flies him down now for his examination. At our age things begin falling apart Hope they find the Fountain of Youth in their study. We had only two casualties this month: George Adam Keller,III, 90, of Huntsville, AL passed away May 1, 2013. Robert Awrtey No details except that the USNA Foundation received a memorial donation. Mrs.Sue Higgins Mallick, wife of Ed Mallick, will have a Protestant Service with committal in the USNA Columbarium on 13 June 2013. I anxiously await the response we get to our query regarding interest in attend-
ing a seventieth reunion on 24 October. I hope we get sufficient positive responses to make it worthwhile. Have a Happy Fourth of July. —Jack
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 67%
PRES: RADM George F. Ellis, USN (Ret.) 1824 Milvale Rd., Annapolis,MD 21409-5923 P: 410-757-4423; E: ellisnav45@aol.com CORR. SEC’Y: CAPT Emil Saroch, Jr., USN (Ret.) 237 Anchorage Ct., Annapolis, MD 21401-6301 P: 410-757-8758 E: emilsarem@verizon.net WEBSITE: www.usna.com/classes/1945
In Memoriam (Please note that, at the suggestion of Classmates, henceforth, we will just list deaths in this section. Extensive approved obituaries appear in the Last Call section of Shipmate. Since widows obituaries are not published elsewhere, they will appear here. ) Miles B. LARSON died in Newport Beach, California on 20 March 2013. Following graduation, Miles went to submarine school, then to duty in PLUNGER and CHIVO. He resigned his Navy commission as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade, in October 1946. Miles is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joann, four children, Carol Ann, Brian, Randall and Cathy, and seven grandchildren. Memorial services were held on 26 April in the American Legion Hall in Newport Beach, California. His ashes will be cast into the Pacific from the 44th Street pier near his Newport Beach home. Dr. James A. “Jim” O’Brien, 90, died 29 April 2013 in Dubuque Iowa. After graduation, Jim was in the submarine force until he resigned in 1947. He became an oral surgeon. He is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Pat; children, Tim, Tom, Leslie, Ellen, Ann; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren .A memorial service was held at St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church Dubuque, Iowa. Homer Bohn “Bones” THOMAS, Jr. died peacefully at his home in Plano, Texas, on 15 May 2013. After 21 years’ service, primarily in the submarine force, “Bones” retired as a Commander, USN in 1966. Bones is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Mary, four children, Ken, Steve, John and Patty, and five grandchildren. Robert R. “Bob” Polk, PHD, 91, died 19 May 2013 at Brandon Wilde Life Care Community in Evans, Georgia. He resigned his commission in 1949 after having served on board Missouri during
World War II and in aviation squadrons. Bob is survived by his beloved wife Mary whom he married in 1944, two sons, Robert and Don, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Muriel (Constantine) Bates age 90, loving and devoted wife of Classmate Ray Bates died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on 19 April 2013. Born in Salem, Muriel attended Salem schools. Summers were spent in Marblehead in the 20’s and 30’s at Naugus Head and on Bakers Island with her late Aunt Bess. Following her graduation from Salem High School in 1940, Muriel received her teaching degree from Salem Teacher’s College in 1944 and began her teaching career at the John Brown Elementary School in Manchester-bythe-Sea. A few years later she was swept off her feet by her husband, and they married in 1946. They have celebrated 67 years of marriage. During her husband’s naval career, they traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and lived as a Navy family in England, France, and East Coast. Muriel was proud of her ancestry, and cherished her father and mother-in-law, the late Congressman, George J. Bates and Nora (Jennings) Bates. She was a member of the General Israel Putnam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Cameo Society (DAR), the Delta Kappa Gamma (Epsilon Chapter), the Red Hats, and a past member of the Essex County Women’s Republican Party. She is survived by Ray, her children, Cyndy Morrissette, Marilyn Gustavson, Raymond H. Jr., four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her funeral was held on 25 April 2013 at St James Church in Salem, Mass with interment at Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Ruth Aldridge Hansen, wife of Classmate Hap Hansen, died at home in Matthews, NC on 9 April 2013, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth is survived by her husband of 67 years, Wilmer “Hap” Hansen; her daughter, Karen H. Schulze; her son, Kent; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ruth was born in Baltimore, MD and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In 1952, Ruth and her family moved to Wilmington, DE, where they would reside for the next 48 years. While living in Wilmington, Ruth enjoyed volunteering with the following organizations: Junior Board of the
Memorial Division, Wilmington Medical Center; Delaware Alumni Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma; Wilmington City PanHellenic Association; St. John’s Episcopal Church; American Association of University Women; Alfred I. DuPont Children’s’ Hospital. One of the highlights of her life was her 25 year involvement with the Winterthur Museum. Additionally she enjoyed several artsoriented trips abroad organized by the Museum guides. Her service is remembered with an honorary bench that sits near the main entrance to the Museum. In 2000 Ruth and Hap moved to North Carolina. While they continued to pursue their hobby of traveling, Ruth also participated in the following activities: Plantation Estates Journal; Selection Committee for the Weekly Movie; Bridge Night. A Memorial Service was held on 27 April. Inurnment will be at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, MD at a later date. As We Are On 20 May 2013 Admiral Richard W. Mies, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Naval Submarine League awarded Classmate VADM George P. Steele, USN (Ret.) the Submarine League Certificate of Merit in recognition and appreciation for his superior service to the Submarine Force. Nancy Taylor and their daughter Margaret threw a big 90th Birthday Party for Thad on Sunday, 21 April. Most of the attendees were neighbors, but the Class of ‘45 was represented by Bill Geiger, Kay and Dick Wilson and Rosemary and Don Brooks. Thanks to Rosemary and Don for sending along the photos.
Nancy and Thad Taylor on the occasion of his 90th birthday
Classmates Bill Geiger, Thad Taylor, Don Brooks and Dick WilsonJuly-August 2013 61
45•47 CLASS NEWS And We Reminisce Sometimes we get nice email surprises and the following excerpt from CDR David Moore USN (Ret.) ’63 was one of those. He writes to share his memories of his time spent under the command of deceased Classmate Bob Stanton. n “I have read the ‘45 column for almost 50 years now so I am well aware of the high caliber of your class and I wanted to make some effort to ensure your classmates know that Bob Stanton was among your very best. After graduation in 1963, I checked aboard HOLLISTER (DD-788) which was just finishing up an overhaul in Hunters Point. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Stanton returned from liberty and entered the wardroom with a soft-shoe shuffle as he sang/hummed the song Alley Cat. My fears and trepidation about this new career melted right away. Within 72 hours, he had taught me Liar’s Dice and Ship Captain & Crew and how to operate the wardroom movie projector. I cannot prove that HOLLISTER was the best destroyer in the Pacific Fleet but I am certain we had the best wardroom thanks to Captain Stanton and officers who were not only better than average but contained some real characters. Back in our homeport of Long Beach, other officers in the DesDiv would skip their own wardroom parties and come to ours instead. The lovely Inge Stanton, who came from Austria, was the perfect “den-mother” for the group. The Captain made sure all the JO’s had ample opportunity to learn ship handling under his calm but watchful eye. He seemed to be unflappable. When you called his sea cabin in the middle of the night to report a skunk CBDR or a screen reorientation by Method Rum, he always responded, “OK, Don’t hit anything”. We were in Yokosuka when the Tonkin Gulf attacks happened and departed early that morning “to go to war” and not sure what that entailed. We had GQ every dawn and dusk and Condition 3 watches in between for over 30 days. But Captain Stanton had seen action and we knew that he knew everything we needed to know. When he departed the ship in Sasebo in October 64, the wardroom remained strong thanks to the outstanding department heads but there was a drop in that special magic we shared… …I had the honor and pleasure of working for some truly outstanding officers but Captain Bob Stanton was
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the naval officer that had the greatest impact on me. He was a great leader of men.” n Class Business On Friday 17 May 2013, our Class was a proud participant in the Naval Academy’s Department of Seamanship and Navigation’s Award Ceremony held at the Crown Sailing Center on the Academy grounds. Eight midshipmen received awards including the four winners of the Class of 45’s Commander William Earl Fannin Capstone Essay contest. Winners of the contest wrote the best essay’s on their selected warfare assignments: Surface, Air, Air Subs and Marine Corps and received $1000 checks. The program is endowed in perpetuity by the Class using funds from the Earl Fannin Estate and is managed by the Naval Institute. George Ellis and Dick Wilson represented the Class. As president of the Class, George spoke to the assembled group of midshipmen, parents, families, USNA faculty, and Naval Institute representatives. He then presented award certificates and checks to the four winning midshipmen. The award winning essays appear in the June 2013 issue of the US Naval Institute Proceedings and we recommend them to you. The Silent Service Success in the Pacific ENS William Harris, USN ’13 Averting the Navy’s Tactical Aircraft Crisis ENS Anthony Robinson, USN ’13 The Tuned-In Leader ENS Robert Van Winter, USN ’13 A Cultural Rebalancing 2nd Lt. Katie Whitcombe, USMC ’13
friends at our monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of the month. Looking forward to our 70th Reunion in less than one year, 11-14 June 2014, with Headquarters at O’Callaghan’s Hotel on West Street in Annapolis and to hearing from you before then. Look Alive with ’45!
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PRES.: CAPT A. E. White, USN (Ret.) 4108 Wynwood Dr., Annandale,VA 22003 P: 703-256-7327; E: whizzer0923@aol.com VICE PRES.: CAPT Lee Zeni, USN (Ret.) 100 Severn Ave., Apt. 208 Annapolis, MD, 21403 P: 410-280-0532; E: leezeni@aol.com SEC’Y/WEBMASTER: CDR A.C. Hansmann, USNR (Ret.) 14009 Oakvale St., Rockville, MD 20853 P: 301-871-3496; E:vze2x7vb@verizon.net CORR SEC’Y: VACANT WEBSITE: 1946.usnaclasses.com
DEFEND! RESPUBLICAM ADOLESCENS, NON DESERAM SENEX It is with deep sadness that I must report to the class that our Corresponding Secretary, Bob Horner, has passed away. Bob unselfishly took the job when it was apparent that no one else was willing to take on the responsibility of keeping the class informed on our comings and goings. He performed the job with skill and enthusiasm, collecting, cataloging, and processing the information that the class supplied. He was always on time, never missing a deadline. He will be greatly missed. Until a replacement can be indentified, please forward items for SHIPMATE to: Butch Hansmann:vze2x7vb@verizon.net or Al White: whizzer0923@aol.com. We will do our best to follow Bob’s example.
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George Ellis and Dick Wilson with Capstone Essay winners on a beautiful Sunny day at the start of June week celebrations. (With thanks to parent Bob Van Winter for the photo.)
Plan to join classmates, shipmates and friends at the annual Homecoming dinner at Ginger Cove here in Annapolis on Friday 26 October 2013. The Washington/Annapolis Chapter was unable to postpone the sweethearts’ luncheon as previously reported, but welcomes all sweethearts, family and
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 63%
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 77%
PRES: CAPT James L. Anderson, USN (Ret.) SEC’Y: Chester H. “Chet” Shaddeau Jr. 1972 Scott’s Crossing Way, Apt. #002 Annapolis, MD 21401 P: 410-224-5890; F: 410-224-7613 E: stadir2@gmail
THE MOMENT THAT MIGHT HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE Was there a moment along your way to Canoe U. that made the difference? Make it? Go or Stay ? We have a couple of such stories, one of which, below, is from Don Murray. Send us yours to share with the others! n “I reported in March, 1943 as a 17-year-old Senior to take the exam for
posssible entrance to USNA. To my surprise, the only other person in the huge U.S. Post Office room was the examiner. I was pleased to note that the English exam consisted of True or False questions — it was my weak subject. Math consisted of 10 problems — and I knew how to do six of them — that’s 2.4 on the 4.0 scale. One of the others was probably the volume of a sphere — I didn’t have a clue, but wrote down a couple of weak attempts to show I was trying. I was not optimistic. When the results came through, the grader ”gave” me a 2.8 in English and a 2.5 in Math. To this day I thank the Lord that that man (or woman) was so very generous” n FINAL HONORS Our hearts are heavy as we report the loss of Classmates Richard Samuel Hollyer, Robert Newell Barker and Ray Elliott Davis, and we join in offering our sympathy to their families and friends. Full obituaries will appear in Last Call as time and schedules permit. WHAT JOHN PAUL JONES SAID As so often is the case, I was headed home in the car, weighted down with the knowledge that practically nothing had come into the mailbox from you out there to pass along in this column — and I had no brilliant ideas to fill out the space.Yes, I can repeat a couple of old photos I think everyone will enjoy — but I have to ration these, so that they don’t become “old hat”. And thank heaven, the “loss list” is not so lengthy this time as has been the case for some recent months! Then I realized , as I drove through Gate One of the Yard (Located at the foot of King George Street, if you remember the geography of Crabtown) that that very trip might be of interest to those of you who don’t see the Yard or the town regularly, as I do — and you might enjoy some personal observations! I have been in the Yard several times this week, as the Academy braces for what they now call Commissioning Week, but still looks a great deal like our June Week, though it now occurs in May! What strikes me as greatly different nowadays is the appearance and attitudes of the Mids, their families and their girls (no longer called “drags”, I am advised! The term has disappeared almost entirely,) A considerable change in the dress habits of both Mids and the visitors is notable. Shorts and a tank top apparently consti-
tute “dress-up” for the ladies, including a lot of the mothers — and you almost never see a First Classman (a Firsty!) or Second Classman in uniform outside the Yard — “uncool” , apparently.. The Plebes and Youngsters strolling about town with their dates seem never to have been taught how to tie a necktie, if it’s the season for blues. I recently queried a LCDR (male), a LT (female) and three Mids, and none of them had any idea what the term “two-blocked” signified — whether relating to a flag hoist or to the knot in a necktie. Hands in pockets, arms linked with those of their dates, and eating, drinking, and smoking while strolling the street are fairly common and uncriticized by more senior Mids or by officers whom they may encounter — and in order to render a salute, they must first juggle the packages, backpacks, sandwiches, and soda cans being carried in both hands! You are unlikely to see Mids marching punishment tours as extra duty — it still happens, but apparently with much less frequency than in our time. And if you DO see it, you won’t recognize it — I’ve seen it done unsupervised, one or two Mids joining up and casually discussing the day as they “march” — out of step with each other, pieces shouldered, carried, or dangled as may strike the individual’s fancy, in a totally unmilitary performance. This performance of course takes its place alongside the unutterably miserable appearance of the Brigade “marching” at the three or four parades in which they participate annually — and then appear at the Army game before millions, still out of step and still out of line. It stands to reason that if they are going to march, they need a great deal more practice — with direction by someone who knows and cares. They don’t get it. If they can’t do it RIGHT, it shouldn’t be done at all, methinks. The training seems to end with Plebe Summer — and that is administered by those who never learned it properly themselves! And as long as we’re on this line of criticism — I for one am not a believer in women attending the Academy or serving aboard ship. But as long as that is the law, I’d like to see it done well. One thing the Navy did VERY well years ago was entrust the design of the female officer’s combination cap (NOT “cover”!) to the French/American designer Mainbocher during World War II, for the WAVES. That cap has been modified only slightly over
the years, and is a truly handsome and appropriate piece of uniform. So now they are trying out the standard male combination cap on the female Mids! — who hate it— but the story is that the Navy plans to make that the standard for women officers in the near future. Wait until you hear the squawk for THAT one! And with good reason! So far, almost everything you’ve heard from me has been a complaint about externals and changed personal habits of the Mids. I think we are smart enough to recognize that these differences are the result of what’s going on in the Nation (and the World?) as a whole — but focused and made highly visible by our scrutiny and criticism in a microcosm that deserves a stronger effort to preserve what’s good and useful about the past and the Academy’s customs, while accepting the good things that the passing of time has achieved. The Academy should stand out as an EXCEPTION to the lackadaisical, sloppy, uncaring world around them — and do their jobs all the better for it! Probably most happily obvious to the returnee are the physical changes — the magnificent Alumni Hall, where we held our 50th , is still a shining architectural jewel. Would that modern technology could figure out some way to provide adequate visitor parking for it on the few acres inside the walls, in spite of the approximately 1000 automobiles each First Class now parks inside. And the old auditorium at Mahan Hall is now a modern, well-equipped theater, intimate and effective. The Wesley Brown Field House, if you haven’t really examined it yet, means a covered space for lots of things in the winter, but I suspect it is most appreciated by the varsity football squad! The clocks in Mahan Hall’s tower and in the Chapel now both keep excellent time, and both sound the hours loud and clear— separated by a two-minute space to avoid confusion! Electronic chimes, of course, but who needs bells? And the Chapel interior truly glows now, since the recent rehabilitation, and continues to be a source of spiritual strength for many. The Cemetery and Columbarium — resting place now for a large number of our own Classmates and their spouses — has benefited from the generosity of recent Classes’ gifts, and offers a place of tranquillity for us all. And those physical features which speak directly to ‘47 are all in good and well-kept condition: The huge Academy July-August 2013
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47•48 CLASS NEWS crests (see the photo) over the entrances to Alumni Hall, which we donated; the newly-rehabbed Museum, which we helped finance; the statue of Jim Stockdale, outside Luce Hall, which was a gift from Ross Perot; the cherry tree plantings and the dedicatory plaque, resulting from the visits here by our “opposite numbers” — the 75th Class of Japan’s Imperial Naval Academy, both at Maury Hall (see photo) and at the Dorsey Creek seawall next to Alumni Hall. It should be pointed out here that the parking lot at Rickover, and the whole seawall area, is and will be a construction area for the next few years during building of the new Cyber Warfare/IT Building, soon to begin. Meanwhile, it’s June, the grass in the yard is a beautiful emerald green, and the trees are carefully and expertly trimmed. If they could just take as good care of the external manners and habits of the inmates as they do of the Institution, this old man would be happier; the kids themselves would find life more pleasant; and in the long run, I think the present vaunted technical and professional capability of the graduates would be the better for having absorbed a few of the things we, too, thought at one time should have been left off after John Paul Jones. Most of us found out for ourselves that they were dead right to agree with old Jonesy — even if he never actually wrote down the words —”It is by no means enough that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner . He must be that, of course, but also a great deal more .” I don’t think we are teaching enough of that to our Midshipmen today. QUICK TAKES A final note: If you missed it in the last issue of SHIPMATE (Stewardship Issue), there was an excellent article on page 27 about John Prehn lll,’72, son of our late Classmate and creator of the magnificent Academy Crests on Alumni Hall, as well as much of the other signage and art work in the Yard. It’s worth your time to go back and read it!
One of the three Academy Crests on Alumni Hall, designed and built by John Prehn III, and donated
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’47: You’re on your own! Aged eyesight and lack of records makes complete ID impossible, so you get the chance to pick out Classmates and wives in this group photo taken with their Japanese hosts when the Class of ‘47 visited Japan’s Naval Academy at Etajima in October of 1987 by the Class of 1947. Each contains metal from objects donated by the Class
Remember this? A high-powered shovel squad at Maury Hall plants one of the cherry trees donated by the Japanese Naval Academy 75th Class during their April, 1985 visit with the Class of 1947 . L to R: USNA Superintendent RADM Charles R. Larson (who returned for another tour later as ADM); our own Class President, ADM Wes MacDonald, at the time triple-hatted as CinCLant, CinCLantFlt, and NATO SACLant; and Mr. Takamasu Ryasaki, President of the 75th Class. The trees still flourish!
So long until the next one. Write to me! — CHS
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 60%
SEC’Y: CAPT David C. Carruth, USN (Ret.) 7206 Danford Ln., Springfield,Va. 22152 P: 703-569-1354; E: slipstk@aol.com TREASURER: CDR Charles Mertz 7200 Matthew Mills Rd. McClean,VA 22101-2642 E: CM7200@aol.com WEBMASTER: John Tsiknas 15644 Caldas De Reyes, San Diego, CA 92128-4414 E: johntsiknas@att.net WEBSITE: http://1948.usnaclasses.com
Yesterday, Friday May 24th, the Class of 2013 shoved off for the Fleet. That’s 65 Classes since we left USNA. Those of us who stayed in for 30 years have now been retired for more years than
we served. Our children who followed us into the Academy have now retired. Many of us like Marguerite and Charlie HEID 17th Co. and Carol Manganaro have grandchildren who are active duty USNA grads. There! That should make you feel old enough to sit back and relax as you read what is or has gone on in the Class since the last Shipmate. As part of graduation week John Fry 21st Co. presented our award to the top grad in Information Technology. John writes— n At the Prizes and Awards Ceremony at the Academy this year, among 149 total awards, I was pleased to present the Class of 1948 Information Technology Award, a check for $1,000, to David Nygren, for having achieved the highest grade-pointaverage among IT majors. With a combined GPA of 3.92, he graduated 38th in his class of 1069. Commander Kevin Blenkhorn, Associate Chair of the Computer Science Department, remembers teaching David Nygren his Plebe year. Three years later, the former teacher became the taught. Midshipman Nygren was a leader in USNA’s 2013 Cyber Defense Exercise, involving all the service academies trying to defend their teams’ computer networks against National Security Agency attackers. He will enter the fleet as a Surface Warfare Officer for two to three years and then transition to the Information Warfare community, to defend Navy’s computer networks. In the 1930s the Navy was known for being our nation’s first line of defense. Gaining urgent momentum recently, cyber operations may well become our first line of defense years ahead. On behalf of the Computer Science Department, Commander Blenkhorn has expressed thanks “for all the support your class has given us.’ The endowment, among other thing, provides for a Distinguished Visiting Professor of
Information Technology, development and teaching a valued Plebe course on cyber security, initiating a new, academic major in Cyber Operations, as well as recognizing the outstanding graduate in Information Technology each year since 2005. n John’s email prompted me to go back and see how that gift/endowment evolved. We were at the time preparing for our 55th and Phil Rogers, in assigning tasks to the committee suggested we should consider giving a monetary gift. Burt Edelson and Warren Graham put together a gift committee consisting of: Jim Beggs 10th Co. Eddy Welch 4th Co. (deceased) Charlie HEID 17th Co. Ed Sutter 15th Co. Pete Goldman 8th Co. (deceased) Don Buhrer 5th Co. (deceased) Burt Edelson 20th Co.(deceased) Warren Graham 2nd Co. The committee contacted the Academic Dean, Bill Miller, who said he needed a fund to, among other things, hire a visiting professor for a new course in Information Technology. Many of us donated to that gift.The principal is managed by the Foundation and expenditures are at the direction of the Academic Dean. I believe IT will now be folded into the Cyber Security Department along with Computer Science. My understanding of the $1000 award is that it is funded by return on investment from our gift/endowment. For the first several years of the award we gave $300 but noting that you can’t buy much today for that amount of money, and comparing our gift to other monetary awards, we raised it to the current level. If you feel motivated to add to the ’48 gift, mark your check Endowment #824800. New subject—Publication of obituaries as in Last Call and my emails to all for whom I have an address usually results in some comments. The following notes are examples. From Rhona Gorder, n Chuck 12th Co. and I attended Pete Jefferson’s 20th Co. memorial on Saturday afternoon at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church with reception following. We estimate about 200 people were in attendance, with Chuck being the only US Naval Academy representative. We didn’t know anyone there. It was a lovely service and the four speakers concentrated on Pete’s life after the Navy, which revolved around yachts, sailing and
competition. Seems like he was a hero i n this area winning all the local championships for years, numerous national championships and two international sailing competitions. We understand also that he and his teams won a lot of sailing competitions while at the Naval Academy. In 1984 he was head of the USA Olympic Teams boats and in charge of supervising repairs and whatever was needed. He was a craftsman that could build anything and whatever he built always looked professional. After he could no longer sail he turned to model boat competition. We were told that these were not little bathtub model boats but big sixfoot long models with masts six foot tall. Again, he excelled and won all the competitions in model boats. We paid our respects to Barbara, his widow and Chuck talked briefly about the Naval Academy and that he didn’t really know Pete afterwards because he never attended any alumni luncheons or other alumni events. She commented that Pete “wasn’t a joiner”, but she was obviously pleased that Chuck had come to the service to represent the class. n And the following from Bob Shultz ’50. n “It was my extreme good fortune to have Captain Harry Peter (Pete) Jefferson as my Division Commodore (COMDESDIV 52) when I had command of AGERHOLM (DD-826) based in San Diego, 1968-1969. He was strictly hands off unless you needed help, then his support was total. He went to bat for his Skippers 100%. He was not big on providing unneeded guidance and issuing laborious directives. We went to Viet Nam from San Diego in January 1969 with little more than a verbal “I’ll see you in Subic” for the transit. If you got in trouble he would say, “I see you stubbed your big toe”, and that was it. When things went wrong, one of his favorite expressions was “Same Old Bananas”. I hadn’t heard that expression before, but I have used it many times since, and when I do, I always think of him with great nostalgia. Throughout my naval career, which included command of four ships, Pete Jefferson was one of the finest superiors I had the pleasure of working for. n As always we must report the loss of good friends/Classmates. This time around only one but that one was real contributor to the Class. 5th Co. Buhrer, Donald P. 5/20/13 Scribe’s Note: Read Don’s autobiography in the 50 year book if you have it. Don served on many committees
for homecomings, reunions, the Gate etc. He also was personally present for every Army/Navy game from 1944 until 2012 when health did not permit. He watched that last game on TV with Ginger Cove residents. As of this writing the 65th reunion is just over a week away. I will give you a complete rundown in the next column; however, in doing some research on another project the following may interest you. At our 40th reunion we had just about 400 people. I have pictures but no numbers for the 45th. We had a 48th reunion in Monterey with 120 attendees from all over the country. Three hundred thirty two of us came to the 50th reunion in Annapolis and 335 came to the 55th. We had a 58th reunion in San Diego in 2006 hosted by the Gorders and their committee and there are many pictures on our web site of about 105 people. Our last gathering, our 60th, hosted 197 Classmates, wives, children and friends. Our signups for the 65th lead us to anticipate 118 at the most. The drop off over the last 10 years is attributed to health and its concomitant restriction on travel. We’ve had a number of cancellations and in almost every case sudden or unexpected change in health was the reason. We’re not getting any younger folks. If you read the Shipmate Class News of classes ahead of ours you will see a definite trend of children getting involved in the planning of the 65th and 70th. I expect to see that at our 70th if we have one, but Roger Carlquist 19th Co. and his committee have managed this one. The signup sheet I have for the 65th shows only one “child” with a parent and that is CAPT Bob Baughman, USN with Nan. She lives in New Bern, NC and is traveling by herself. He lives in San Diego and is using this as an opportunity to be with his mother. Our treasurer, Charlie Mertz, tells me that our memorial/flower fund was, on 3/31/13 at $8,973.20. Presuming you all take care of yourselves that might last us through the year. Today is Memorial Day. I hope each of you had your flags displayed proudly on the front of whatever dwelling you are now calling home. Ours is on the front of our home for the last 44 years. We find that hard to believe but hope we can extend it, living independently for at least four more so that we may see our grandchildren graduate from college. If we are really blessed perhaps we will be able to attend the 70th reunion of the Great Class of ’48. July-August 2013
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49•50 CLASS NEWS
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 64%
PRES: CAPT Ewing “Mick” McDonald, USN (Ret.) 2569 Golfer’s Ridge Road Annapolis MD 21401 E: USNA1949@VERIZON.NET TREAS: CAPT Peter S. Swanson, USN (Ret.) WEBMASTER: CAPT Robert Tolbert, USN (Ret.) WEBSITE: www.usna-class49.org
From the President Paul Laric sent me a short item from the 9 April 2013 New York Post, which refers to Sybil Stockdale, widow of ADM James Stockdale, USN (Ret.), as a woman whose conviction made a difference during the Vietnam War. This was referring to her actions in founding The National League of Families of Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. Mrs. Stockdale was awarded the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award for her endeavor, the only wife of an active duty officer ever to be so honored. The mention of Admiral Stockdale in this article led me to some reflection on our first classmen, which further led me to reading two books listed at the end of this column. I remember well when we joined the brigade as the Class of ‘47 returned to Bancroft Hall following their 1/c summer cruise, in September 1945. When I joined the 19th company, I was taken aback to learn that nineteen of its first classmen were on Class A restriction! Vernon Weaver ‘47 recalls, “CDR Ebert told our company that he believed we were the worst company in the history of the Naval Academy.” Perhaps so, but Bill Crowe, Jack Stephens, Jim Stockdale, and Vernon Weaver are a few of the 19th company who went on to make the USNA Class of 1947 famous. The April 2013 Washington Lawyer (a District of Columbia Bar publication) recalled that Fred Grabowsky (now deceased) was the D.C. Bar’s first full-time bar counsel. Many of you will remember that Fred earned his juris doctor before retiring from the USMC as a LCOL and later earned a master’s of law from George Washington University. Some years ago, Fred told me that lawyers coming before the D. C. Bar for discipline always hired top-notch lawyers as their advocates, which made his job extremely challenging. Nevertheless, Fred stayed in the job for ten years and remains as the longest-serving bar counsel to date. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, many 49ers became a part of our Navy’s nuclear power program and spent much of their career under the auspices of Admiral Rickover, Father of the United States Nuclear
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Navy.** Rickover was “idolized” by Jimmy Carter ‘47 but “considered by many to be a mean man, very hard driving, and narrow minded.” (Pg 73 in Class of ‘47, this month’s recommended reading). USS NAUTILUS (SSN571), the first nuclear powered ship in our Navy, had two of our classmates in the commissioning crew: Ken Carr and Ned Deitrich. Shep Jenks and Joe Synhorst joined them in time to make the never-to-beforgotten voyage under the North Pole. There were other classmates who spent most of their careers building, operating, and commanding the Navy’s nuclearpowered ships. All had successful careers with many achieving high rank and office: notably Jim Watkins, who served as CNO and, after retiring from the Navy, as Secretary of Energy under President George H. W. Bush. **Probably no one serving in the U. S. Navy—past or present—has had as many stories told about him as Admiral Rickover. With this issue we begin a new series: Rickover Recollections in our Memories section. Anyone who has a Rickover story, please send to us ASAP. From the Mailbag The French Roast, a Greenwich Village bistro, was the scene of a recent NYC ’49 luncheon. In attendance were Jan and Ted Annenberg, Clare and Charlie DiBenedetto, Isabel Conover, Carolyn and Jack English, Barbara Glickman; Carolyn Kahn and friend; Liz King; Dodo and Paul Laric, Don Lister, Betty and Dave Sprague; Mickey and Bill Wynne with son Michael. Unfortunately, the picture below does not include all of the attendees.
Attending the monthly DC area lunch on 14 May were Bart Bartholomew, Jack Benoit, Rick Claytor, Dave Larish, Mick McDonald, Pat O’Keefe, Mort Neely, Bob Smith, and Pete Swanson. DC area lunches, which are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Army Navy Country Club, will resume in September. Cal and Eileen Roberts, having moved from Annapolis to Kerrville TX in 2012, report that they are now settled to the point that overnight guests will no
longer have to sleep on the garage floor. They are conveniently located about ten minutes from Interstate Ten and live no more than ten minutes from most points of interest in the town. This includes the high school stadium where last year’s Heisman Trophy, winner Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, started his football career. Eileen joins Cal in an invitation to all classmates, wives, and widows: “Y’all come, heah?”
Seems that it didn’t take long for Cal to appropriate the local garb.
Memories Mort Neely tells us a tale of tails: n “In the mid-fifties, while stationed at the Pentagon, I was assigned additional duty as a White House aide. My first assignment was a state dinner given by the Eisenhowers in honor of Soviet dictator Nikita Khrushchev and his wife. As you can imagine, the tension was palpable and all of us were primed to make sure all went well. The uniform for the Americans was white tie and tails, miniature medals, and dress aiguillettes. Khrushchev, in a business suit as were all the Soviets, wore one small medal on his lapel, something like Hero First Class, I guess. As guests arrived, an usher would take their wraps. Another aide would escort them to the ballroom where a third aide would announce their arrival. The president, his wife, and his guests of honor would stand at the entrance to the ballroom to receive their guests before proceeding to the state dining room. On this particular evening, as a young couple reached the bottom of the grand staircase, I offered my arm to the lady. I needed only to get her name to give to the ballroom aide to complete my responsibility. I said, ‘May I have your name please?’ To my astonishment, she replied, ‘The White House is very beautiful.’ I was dumbfounded at her response and at a total loss as what to do next. The closer I got to the ballroom, the deeper my panic became. I was sure this would be not only my first White House appearance but also my last. I hadn’t, however, counted on the skill and savoir-faire of the
ballroom aide, who recognized the couple as the Khrushchevs’ daughter and her husband Alexei Adzubei and smoothly announced their arrival. My relief was total. It was an evening that I’ll never forget!” n Mick McDonald recalls an incident from Plebe summer. n “Most of the guys in my cutter crew were from the deep south except for Maguire, who was from Brooklyn. One day, as several of us were engaged in a conversation, one of the guys from Alabama said he needed some ‘ALL.’ When asked to repeat what he needed, he again said ‘ALL.’ After Maguire looked at him quizzically, the guy repeated, ‘I said ALL, O-I-L,’ to which Maguire responded in his best Brooklyn accent, ‘Get a load of the way this guy says, ERL’.” n Rickover Recollections - The following is from Rick Claytor: n “After a few years experimenting with sea duty, I went ashore for good to work for a guy we all called ‘the kindly old gentleman,’ Admiral Hyman Rickover, the scars from whom I bear to this very day. His immortal words to me: ‘Do you realize the harm you have done?’ still ring in my ears and scarcely a week goes by that he does not appear—menacingly—in my dreams.” n To Rick Claytor, I say, “You are not alone.” In Memoriam (Obituaries can be found on the class website.) • Christel Fisher, wife of G. Donald Fisher, died on Thursday, 9 May 2013 in Ponte Vedra FL. • Mary Alice McGee Fenno, widow of CAPT Neil Fenno, USN (Ret.), died on 14 April 2013 in Lacey WA. • Robert Barksdale Ooghe MD died at home on 30 April 2013. • Marty Waller, wife of VADM Ed Waller, USN (Ret.), died on 15 May 2013. Recommended Reading: Double Header In Love and War by Jim and Sybil Stockdale, Harper and Row, NY 1984 Class of ’47: Annapolis America’s Best by Jack Sheehan, Stephens Press, LLC 2007 Author Sheehan writes, n “Among their ranks are a U. S. president and Nobel Peace Prize winner; two Medal of Honor winners; a United States senator; a self-made billionaire businessman and renowned philanthropist; a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff; a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency; a former U. S. ambassador to the European Union; five four-star admirals, and no less than thirty-four men who achieved the rank of admiral.” n
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 70%
PRES: VADM Robert R. Monroe USN (Ret.) 2313 Sawdust Rd.,Vienna,VA 22181-3044 P: 703-242-8756; E: rrmonroe@cox.net VICE PRES: CAPT Thomas H. Ross, USN (Ret.) 948 Shadewater Way,Annapolis, MD 21401-6848 P: 410-757-3745; E: thasross@hotmail.com EXEC. SEC’Y: CAPT Donald K. “Deke” Forbes, USN (Ret.) 15791 Edgewood Dr., Dumfries,VA 22025 P: 703-670-6153; E: dekus@earthlink.net TREAS: CAPT John J. McNally, USN (Ret.) 7512 Milway Drive, Alexandria,VA 22306-2525 P: 703-765-8808; E: jmcnallyj@gmail.com CORR. SEC’Y: CAPT Charles L. Mull, USN (Ret.) 10 Meadowbrook Road, Brunswick, ME 04011-3434 P: 207-729-0073; E: csmull@comcast.net WEBMASTER: Col John C. Akin, USAF (Ret.) E: bojack@tds.net WEBSITE: http://usna50.8k.com
President’s Corner. When you receive this Shipmate issue, the class of 1950 will be only a couple months from signing our 65th Reunion contract with the Double Tree Hotel in Annapolis. About a month ago you should have received my initial letter on the reunion (April 26-29, 2015). If you haven’t done so already, please provide your tentative intentions about joining us. It is not binding in any way. Our hotel contract will commit much of our class treasury, so help us manage it responsibly. Please let Deke Forbes, our Executive Secretary, know as soon as possible (see top of this column for contact info). All the best, — Bob Class News. The 50th Anniversary of the Sinking of the USS Thresher was held in Portsmouth N.H. and Kittery, Maine 5-7 April.Three of our classmates were aboard the nuclear submarine as she was conducting sea trials and a test dive 220 Miles off Cape Cod in 1400+ fathoms (8500ft.) of water on 10 April 1963.Wes Harvey was the Commanding Officer, and Bob Krag and John Billings were engineers representing the shipyard and NAVSHIPS. All 129 crew and shipyard personnel on board were lost when the submarine imploded. Built by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, the tragedy caused the Navy to develop a SUBSAFE program. Design modifications, other improvements, and greater emphasis on quality control during construction would ensure similar catastrophic flooding in future submarines could be controlled.
The memorial services held at Portsmouth High School were attended by over 1,000 people, including 300 widows and direct descendants, former crew members and guests. During the memorial service a ship’s bell tolled for each of the 129 men who died on board. Vice Admiral Michael Connor, Commander Submarine Forces and keynote speaker, said, “The sinking occurred at the height of the Cold War.The men aboard the Thresher were pioneers, helping the Navy build a safer fleet of advanced submarines the Soviet Union could not match. This ship helped save the world!” John Billings left five children. Speaking during the service, his oldest child, Vicki Billings, recounted how her mother, Delores, and other Thresher widows, had to cope with a new life. “Our moms are the ones who held our lives together—-some maybe just for the sake of us children, at a time of their own devastating personal loss,” she said. Her brother, Blake, performed a song he composed, “In Memory of You,” to honor his dad. The morning after the emotional memorial service, the town of Kittery dedicated a 129ft. flagpole in memory of the men lost. A Thresher Memorial Park is in an advanced municipal planning stage that will include a “Circle of Honor” adjacent to the Town Hall which will recognize the 129 men who perished aboard the submarine. While much of the foregoing is taken from news media coverage, I recall that Irene Harvey was extremely active in organizing the surviving families of the Thresher. She developed a highly successful national fundraising campaign that provided support for their needs and established scholarships for all their children’s education. She was commended publicly, and we do so again.Thanks, Irene, wherever you are, for the many years you devoted to the benefit of your husband’s crew!!! Bob Monroe reports, n “On 8 May representatives from Spain presented the U. S. Naval Academy with a copy of a world map, “Mapa Mundi” of very significant historical note. It was created by Juan de la Cosa, a cartographer who sailed with Columbus on his first two voyages, and it is the first map in history to show the New World. It had been displayed in Spain’s Naval Museum in Madrid as one of their most valued pieces. The class of 1950 played a role in bringing it to the Naval Academy Museum. Molly Long de Fernandez, the daughter of classmate Don Long (who passed away last July-August 2013
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50•51 CLASS NEWS summer) and his wife Mary Ann, now lives in Madrid. Molly is prominent with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Navy League in Spain, as well as being quite active with Spanish historical groups. On being contacted by the Asociacion de La Carta Juan de la Casa about the possibility of presenting this map to the U.S. Naval Academy, Molly contacted the Superintendent and the details were arranged.The Museum created a handsome display for “Mapa Mundi”, and the presentation ceremony was quite impressive. Superintendent VADM Miller’s acceptance speech showed great knowledge of the historical value of the map, as well as the appropriateness of its display in Preble Hall.” n The class was represented by Bob, Ann and Roy Snyder, Caral and Ed Grunwald and Milt Schultz. Roy indicates he was in flight training with Don Long in early 1952 when Don and Mary Ann were married. Roy and Ann participated in much of the activity of their wedding. Molly married a Spanish naval officer in 1982 who was going through flight training when she was living in Pensacola. She is “currently researching Spain’s forgotten role in the American Revolution War for Independence as Spanish Task Force Chairman of the DAR,” she states in her November 17th, 2012 letter to the Superintendent.We greatly appreciate the effort and diligence Molly has contributed to our class’ longstanding support of the Naval Academy Museum! And thanks to Bob for his report and to classmates who attended the presentation. And thanks, Roy, for your input here also!
is a hint, fellas!) Pete and Barbara have been travelling a lot. As a matter of fact, they have been “exploring the rest of the world!”Their 2012 “globetrotting” included: a return to their favorite Hawaiian Island, Kauai, Fiji – the playground for Australians and other western Pacific residents, cruised on the Rhine and Mosel Rivers from Switzerland to Holland and Belgium, Moscow for a northern Russian cruise to St. Petersburg and while in Moscow visited with Russian space colleagues, a Maine coastal cruise visiting charming historic seaside towns, Beijing as a hub for adventures to Mongolia and Siberia, Cuba, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts and Puerto Rico.Wow!!! Thanks, Pete! You didn’t miss many places. Pete adds that he still works part time with the International Space University in Strasbourg, France, which he helped start 25 years ago. He and Barbara volunteer in the library of the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, and he serves on the Board of the First Flight Society. Busy people! Stan Neander travelled from his home in Salem, OR to southern California and prompted a spontaneous classmate luncheon at the Maderas Golf and Country Club in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego. Mark Frudden, John Malloy, Stan, Dick Martin, Bill Grimm and Birch DeWitt made up the sextet. Judy Browder, Stan’s travel companion and widow of Capt. Ed Browder, ’55, took the accompanying photo. Ed and Stan were shipmates on a submarine in 1959. Thanks, Stan.
Golfers at leisure. Spanish Gift to the U. S. Naval Academy
The principals in the accompanying photograph taken by a Naval Academy photographer and provided by Roy are: VADM Miller; Marques de Castell Florite, Juan Lago Novas (president of the Asociacion group); the son of the Marques; and RADM Romero, Spanish Defense Attaché in Washington. Pete Wood checks-in from Edenton, N.C., having recognized that he “has failed to provide any news for the column.” (This
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We regret the passing of George Bowen (8th Co.) on 17 May in Atlanta, GA. George served aboard ship in Korea as a supply corps officer. After earning a master’s in economics, he began a career in teaching as an associate professor of economics at colleges in the Atlanta metropolitan area. A very devoted person, he also worked his way through the steps of Masonry to be awarded a 33rd degree of The Shrine. This is the highest Masonic degree that can be achieved, and very few Masons receive that honor. We send our sincere sympathy to his wife Frances and
their two sons and extended family. George’s obituary will appear in the Last Call section of Shipmate. We are also saddened by the passing of Myron “Mike” Leslie (4th Co.) on 19 May in Roswell, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. Mike was the roommate of Daryle Tripp. Grandson Morgan Chalk describes his grandfather as “a great man and we will all miss him”. We send our most sincere condolences to his wife Jeanne of 62 years, their four daughters and their extended family and to Daryle as well. Mike’s obituary will appear in the Last Call section of Shipmate. And a late notification of the passing of Ken Burns (18th Co.) on 18 May in Silver City, NM was reported by his neighbor Robert Tomecek. Robert describes Ken as “his dear friend and best neighbor!” Our sincere sympathies are extended to his wife Loretta and their family. An obituary was not available by our press deadline. Memorial services were held on May 6th for Roz Forbes, devoted wife of Deke Forbes at the Naval Academy Chapel. Roz died on March 6th after a prolonged battle courageously fought with COPD as noted in last month’s Shipmate class column. About 100 family members, classmates and wives, and friends attended a beautiful funeral service, highlighted by a moving eulogy by son, Donald (the other “Deke” in the family). Inurnment followed at the USNA Columbarium and a reception in Alumni Hall. Our heartfelt sympathies are with Deke and his extended family. Merle Shannon Leech passed away on 23 March 2013 in Coshocton, Ohio. She was the wife of classmate Rickard Shannon, her first husband who died in 1973. Merle loved to play bridge, was an avid flower gardener, superb cook and homemaker, and an excellent calligrapher. She was active in church committees, served on the County Drug and Alcohol Council, and was involved with the Adult Literacy program working with inmates in the Coshocton Court Justice Center. We extend our sincere sympathy to her second husband, Thomas Leech of 38 years, and to their extended family. During Commissioning Week festivities on May 23rd, the 2013 “Class of 1950 Honors Program Leadership Award” (binoculars and plaque) was presented to Midshipman First Class Matthew Paul Christian who headed the Honors Committee for the past year. The presentation was made by the Commandant of
Midshipmen and Class President Bob Monroe. Midshipman Christian’s parents and other family members were present.
Proud Grandparents with Casey Mull.
Sally and I attended the graduation of our granddaughter Casey Mull at the University of Maine, Farmington on 17 May when she received a Bachelor’s Degree of Education. About 3,000 family and guests of the 456 graduates witnessed the outside festivities with music by Scottish Bagpipes. Among the speeches was a senior class speaker whose topic was “WE”. WE do not do things alone! Teachers, coaches, teammates all helped! And as this column marks the end of my first year as your scribe, it must be said that WE made it possible. WE will continue to make it interesting and informative. WE will make it successful. Thank you for your complements and encouragement! Enjoy your summer!!! …With warmest regards, Chuck
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 1% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 72%
PRES: CAPT Arthur P. Ismay, USN (Ret.) 1169 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean,VA 22101-2215 P: 703-790-0682; E: artismay@verizon.net VICE PRES: CAPT Thomas A. Boyce, USN (Ret.) 3717 Carrige House Ct., Alexandria,VA 22309-2709; P: 703-780-7525 SEC’Y: CDR Bill Foster, USN (Ret.) 501 Glyndon St., NE,Vienna,VA 22180 P: 703-938-7812; E: feeny1@mac.com TREAS: CAPT John L. “Jay” Woodbury Jr., USN (Ret.) 7515 Cornith Dr., Alexandria,VA 22306-2503 P: 703-768-3848; E: jaywood1@cox.net CLASS FUND RAISER: RADM Guy Shaffer, USN (Ret.) 7101 Bay Front Dr. #125 Annapolis, MD 21403 H: 401-269-6609 E: ghbs51usna@comcast.net WEBSITE: www.usna51.com
“Annual Class Meeting”: On 16 May, the annual class meeting was held at the Fort McNair Officers Club in Arlington,VA. Twenty one classmates attended along with five members of the class of ’01 Their visit was arranged by Bob Dunn. Interesting that only one of them had remained in service.We reelected the existing Officers and Board members by acclamation as proposed by Tom Boyce: Art Ismay, President;Tom Boyce,Vice
President; Bill Foster, Secretary; Jay Woodbury,Treasurer; Board members are Harry Gamber, Pete Hilgartner, Roy Malone, Herb Zoehrer, and Paul Tuzo. Non voting members are Guy Shaffer (fund raiser), Bob Small (museum liason), and Bob Dunn. All of us thank each of you for continuing to serve.We thanks the ‘O1 members for joining us and also advised them on how to organize a Class chapter. Also invited them to join us at the Fall football tailgates. “Spring Fling”: As reported elsewhere, the Washington area Spring Fling was held this year at the USNA Officers and Faculty Club. It was preceded by a guided tour of the War of 1812 exhibit in Mahan Hall. It is a superb depiction of the major naval events of the war, which not only established our country as a global power but it confirmed the establishment of our Navy. Of interest: at the beginning of the war the Royal Navy had over 1,000 ships but only a handful of them were in the vicinity of the US. After our first significant victories the British deployed more capable ships off our coast and had their first victory. At the beginning of the war, we only six to ten warships, but they were very capable fighters who won.The major portion of the exhibit was provided by Bob Koch, a prominent national businessman, who is a great supporter of the Academy.The exhibit will be available through October, and I encourage you to come to Annapolis to see it.The luncheon at the Club was well attended by 45 classmates and wives/significant others. And thanks to Sam and CJ, along with Guy Shaffer, for organizing the event. Midn 1/C Rentz, Frank Rentz grandson, was one of four mids who entertained with a string quartet during lunch. “Ring Dance West”: From Andy Kremm: n Who says we alumni rate only one Ring dance at the end of our second class year? In April of this year, the San Diego Alumni Chapter organized their key social event of the year and called it Ring Dance West. In addition to cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and dancing, we had our walk-thru ring and waters of the seven seas for ring rebirth. The photo shows six of our classmates, all carrying about 85 years, along with medals and insignia. They are Lee Bolt, Rich Fontaine, Paul Tuzo, Andy Kremm, Herb Zoehrer, and Jack Cromwell. Before the night was over, the band played “Sleepy Time Gal” and “Navy Blue and Gold”, as
we heard them 63 years ago. (Pretty impressive looking group!) n
“And from Dave Soracco.” n I sent in a picture with the proper captions underneath.The published version mentioned that the MI group met periodically.The people in the Rota picture were my wife, Sara, and me and my daughter Susan’s family, Steve Hassell, USNA 88, and their son,William, and daughter, Sara.We were on an Oceanic cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon with many ports in between. One stop was Cadiff, Spain. Rota is located on the north shore of the bay and that was where Susan was born. I promised to take her back there and show her where she was born.When I brought the notice of birth to the city registrar in 1965, he took out a ledger and opened iit to the next blank page. He put the notice there and said to come back in two weeks. I did and he showed me the hand written entry of birth that took up the entire page. I wanted to let Susan see that for herself.When the ship docked in Cadiff,we were metr vy a van with an English speaking guide who led us into Rota.We found the birth certificate office in the Court House,but the ledger was in the archives.We got a copy of the page.We then continued our tour of the area, but Sara didn’t recognize any of the 1965 sights.The area had really changed. (Dave was the Repair Officer on USS Holland when he was stationed in Rota.) n “And finally from Chuck Rushing.” He had a rough go from a gall bladder operation and was in rehab for two weeks. He sounded great and expected to go to France on a Viking cruise to Provence. Enjoy the rest of the summer, Al and Becky July-August 2013
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 1% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 68%
PRES: Col Richard E. Denfeld, USAF (Ret.) 11717 Tuxworth Trail, Bumpass,VA 23024-8867 P: 540-895-9050; E: denf52@aol.com SEC’Y: CDR William J. Laux Jr., USN (Ret.) 3638 Elderberry Place, Fairfax,VA 22033-1214 P: 703-787-0712; E: wjlaux@verizon.net WEBMASTER: CAPT T.W. Lyons Jr., USN (Ret.) E: tomlyons52@cox.net WEBSITE: www.toughshoes52.org
The USNA Class of 1952 Annual Meeting and Dinner was held on Friday, April 19, 2013, in the Campaign Room at the Fort Myer Officers’ Club. We began with a social period of greeting and updating, then were seated and served a salad, followed by a combined plate of salmon and filet mignon and then a dessert of carrot cake. In spite of the threatening weather, all that indicated they would attend did so. President Dick Denfeld was unable to attend because of a health problem and since the Pete Starks ride with the Denfelds, this kept the Treasurer from coming also. During the meeting the local one year term Officers were elected, the need to start planning for the 65th Reunion was discussed, the financial state of the Class was declared to be good with details to follow and it was decided to have subsequent Annual Meetings in conjunction with luncheons. Gene and Nancy Avallone, Garnett and Rita Bailey, Jake and June Brown, Charlie and Joyce Darrell, Bob and Joan Denbigh, Bill and Pat Laux, George and Virginia Lester, Frieda Meltzer, Jack O’Connell and his daughter, Eileen, Bill Ott and Doris Lindsay, Doug and Eloise Payne, Jerry and Jan Rapkin, Bill Rowden and Pat Hebert, Wendell and Jane Stockdale and Jack and Jane Young were present. The delicious repast accompanied by the congenial turnout led to a delightful evening. Even the not-so-good weather couldn’t dampen the event! Secretary’s note: The tables were beautifully decorated by Virginia Lester. She used spring flowers and tree blossoms, each table different, and it really set off the room. It has become a tradition, and at each Class event, we can count on something distinctive to come from Virginia’s creativity. Thank you,Virginia! For spouses of Alumni Life Members. For information go to usna.com
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
Doug and Eloise Payne, Gene Avallone
Frieda Meltzer, Jack and Jane Young
the postmaster general.While not intended as a history lesson this was an easy way to learn/relearn some interesting highlights about one of our founding fathers. The Treasurer’s report for 2012 (delayed from the Annual Meeting) was distributed and discussed. The bottom line is that the Class financial condition is sound and stable. The annual President’s Letter, also handed out, is mainly focused on our Personal Affairs Planning (PAP) initiative and the upcoming 65th Class Reunion. A copy of the PAP can be found on the Class web site (http://www.toughshoes52 .org) and everyone is urged to use it as a guide when preparing and reviewing instructions to the executor of your estate. As for the 65th, we need a reunion chairman and committee (home addresses not limited to the Annapolis area) to start that process. Gene and Nancy Avallone, Garnett and Rita Bailey, Jake and June Brown, Phil Case, Bob Denbigh, Dick and Bobbie Denfeld, Hork Dimon, George and Virginia Lester and son Bill, Tom Lyons and Mary Eshman, Jerry Rapkin, Bob and Mimi Schulze, Pete and Barbara Stark and Jack Young were in attendance.
Jake and June Brown, Bob Denbigh
Ben Franklin Reenactor Nancy and Gene Avallone, Jerry and Jan Rapkin
The May luncheon for the Washington and Annapolis area was held on Tuesday the 21st. It was held in the Campaign Room of the Fort Myer Officers’ Club starting at 11:00am. Our speaker was a “Ben Franklin” re-enactor wearing the appropriate dress of his day. He explained that he had little formal education and that he was apprenticed to his brother, James, as a printer when he was twelve. He and James did not work well together so Ben soon departed for London to continue to work as a printer. By age twenty three he had returned to the colonies and purchased the Pennsylvania Gazette. Ben commented in detail on his experiments with electricity and lightning and he also mentioned the advantages of being named
The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation have a “smart phone” application which contains a number of interesting sections. One of these is “Campus News” which contains short news items about alumni that they apparently extract from newspapers all over the country. I found a couple of items about ‘52ers: The first item: “5Mar13- (Horseshoe Bay, TX) The Men of Faith Breakfast last week was attended by over 300 fellows who were spellbound listening to James Lovell tell them about his experiences at NASA in the space program. n “Lovell is a graduate of the Naval Academy, holds the Presidential Medal of Freedom, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and two Navy Distinguished Flying Crosses and was selected as an
astronaut in 1962 which included the first rendezvous of two manned spaceships. He and Frank Borman were launched into space on the history making Gemini 7 mission and others followed with the beginning of the Apollo series of missions with Lovell as commander in 1966. “The almost disastrous trip to the moon on Apollo 13 was cut short by equipment failure and what followed is history. His story was spellbinding and the tape of his speech is available to members at the church. He later wrote a book about the experience and it was then made into a movie starring Tom Hanks and produced by Ron Howard.” n The second item: “5Mar13- Oklahoma State University issued the following news release: n “The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents voted today to award an honorary doctor of science degree to legendary astronaut and native Oklahoman General Thomas P. Stafford during commencement ceremonies in May. “The request now goes to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for final approval. “Stafford, a native of Weatherford, Okla., is an aviation pioneer who flew two Gemini space flights and commanded Apollo 10, which was the first mission to fly a lunar module to within ten miles of the Moon’s surface. He also became the first general to fly in space when he commanded a joint U.S.-Soviet space mission in 1975, which connected the Apollo and Soyuz space vehicles. He met a cosmonaut in the connecting open hatch for a handshake that signaled a new beginning for the two countries. “General Stafford went from football captain at Weatherford High School to finish near the top of his class in the Naval Academy and first in his class after transitioning to test pilot school in the U.S. Air Force, and he was just getting warmed up,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Eventually, his accomplishments as an astronaut gave NASA the confidence to put a man on the Moon.We are pleased to recognize a true pioneer of space flight with an honorary doctorate of science as a sign of our deep and abiding appreciation for his many contributions.” “As soon as he graduated as a test pilot, Stafford was offered a teaching slot, where he co-wrote two text books for trainees. Soon after, he was selected as an astronaut for NASA, piloting the Gemini 6 space flight and commanding Gemini 9.
His Apollo 10 flight proved that all the components were in place and ready for the Moon landing that would be accomplished by Apollo 11. Before he retired in 1979, Stafford commanded the Air Force Flight Test Center and helped lead research and development for the Air Force. Stafford’s career included six rendezvous in space and more than 507 hours of actual space flight. He flew over 120 types of fixed wing and rotary aircraft and three types of spacecraft. “Following his career with NASA, Stafford chaired a committee to independently advise the space agency on how to carry out President George H.W. Bush’s vision of a return to the Moon and exploration of Mars, resulting in a study called “America at the Threshold.” Stafford cofounded a technical consulting firm in Alexandria,Virginia, and serves on the board of directors of nine corporations. He has served in an advisory capacity for several governmental agencies. “Stafford, who lives in Florida, enjoys hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and swimming. “Copyright Targeted News Services” n And as I close, I make my monthly plea: Please send in stories, tales (— as true as conscience or memory permit!), photos – anything you have. Otherwise I will start telling you about my medical problems— and, yes, I have a few. But so do many of us. So let’s hear what’s going on!
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 67%
PRES: CAPT Chris Zirps, USN (Ret.) 1902 Toll Bridge Ct., Alexandria,VA 22308 P: 703-780-6124 E: CZirps53@aol.com CORR SEC’Y: CAPT Arthur C. Bivens, USN (Ret.) 3724 Acosta Rd., Fairfax,VA 22031 P: 703-273-1392; E: acbivens@aol.com WEBMASTER: CAPT Paul Dudley, USN (Ret.) E: pauldudley53@earthlink.net WEBSITE: www.usna53.org
Jim, Bob, Tom, Dick, Al, & Joe
Charleston Group Enjoying the Day
Jerry Weinstein reported on his and Alice’s latest cruise; this time in the MS Oosterdam, which took them from Sydney [Australia] to Seattle, via New Caledonia, Fiji, American Samoa, Hawaii, and Vancouver, BC. Jerry said, n “On their way from Albuquerque to Sydney we stopped for a few days in Honolulu, staying at the military Hale Koa beautiful on-the-beach hotel. While in Honolulu we spent a beautiful afternoon and evening with classmates Tak and Elva Yoshihara, and Goldie Goldsmith. Then we flew to Sydney where we spent another few days before boarding our ship. While in Sydney we enjoyed very much having dinner with classmate Bob Kassel and wife Ellen.” n See photos:
News from Around the World Jim Rodgers (East Coast Rodgers) sent the following: n “With the beautiful Charleston, SC weather in the 80’s six 1953 USNA classmates got together for a luncheon on the patio of a nearby restaurant. The group shown in the pictures are; Jim Rodgers, Bob Hatcher, Tom Mayberry, Dick Wright, Al Baciocco, and Joe Thomas. Dick Wright arranged the luncheon and we hope to do it again in a couple of months.” n
Tak, Jerry & Goldie
HOMECOMING 2013 Thursday, 24 October through Saturday, 26 October July-August 2013
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53•54 CLASS NEWS
Alice, Ellen, Bob, & Jerry
LCOL Cele Eifert USAF (Ret), daughter of Bob and Anne Hoffman reported on her parent’s trip from San Diego to n “the prestigious Mt San Antonio College Relays to watch their grandson Carl Eifert compete for the Air Force Academy in the 3000m steeplechase. Carl is a Cadet 2nd Class at the USAFA and – emulating his grandfather Bob – a member of both the Cross Country and Track teams. Carl is majoring in Civil Engineering and hopes to be a pilot upon graduation. Cele flew in from Georgia to watch [her son] Carl place 10th in his section of 30 entrants.” n L –R in the photo are Anne, Cele, Carl (with the top of his head cut off), and Bob.
Anne, Cele, Carl, & Bob
More on the Stadium Jack Davison sent his thoughts about the stadium enlargement issue as follows: n “The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is surely a far cry from Thompson Stadium. I am content with it as it is and professed to be from its inception, a memorial stadium for outdoor events. I can muster no enthusiasm for building a commercial venue for an NCAA farm club for its role as a subsidiary of professional football. I wonder whether we could continue and expand playing major games at FedEx Field or in Baltimore as in our day. Those places are already built, with the space for grand events, and plenty of concessions. It is not significant in my case because of my
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[physical] condition, but I would still be little motivated to attend home games at a stadium that lacks the family environment I experienced among classmates in the present facility.The tailgate gatherings, the Pavilion, and the Memorial Plaza are what I go for; otherwise, I am just as happy to watch the game on TV.That is just the opinion of one geezer who needs real motivation to make a round trip of over 200 miles to watch a game that he can see just as well in the comfort of his home.” n [I agree somewhat with Jack, but it may not happen and those of us who enjoy the home games and the Class tailgating parties should be able to do this for another few years, God willing. Hope to see some of you at the games this coming fall.] Final Tributes Katherine “Kitty” Somers (84), wife of LCOL Allen Somers USMC (Ret) for 41 years, died December 22, 2012 in Germantown,TN. In addition to husband Al, she is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. [See Al’s note and photo of his great-grandchild in the Shipmate Stewardship 2013 issue] CDR Donald J. Rothenberger USN (Ret) died April 16, 2013 in Marietta, GA. Don served in the Supply Corps for 23 years. His Supply and Disbursing billets at sea included USS Merapi (AF-38), USS H.E. Hubbard (DD-748), and USS Intrepid (CV-11). His assignments overseas included Naval Station Sangley Point in the Philippines, and Naval Base Guantanamo, Cuba. Ashore, Don served at NSD Mechanicsburg, PA, NAS Quonset Point, RI, and several Defense Supply Agency activities. Upon retiring from the Navy in 1976 Don earned a teaching certificate and taught in private and public schools in the Philadelphia area. In 1983 he left teaching to operate a small business. Don’s wife of 49 years, Cleo, died June 2, 2002. Survivors include three children and seven grandchildren. * Barbara Steward Bentley (84), wife of CAPT Bill Bentley USN (Ret), died April 16, 2013. “Bobbie” graduated from the U. of Maine in 1950, moved to New York City and worked in local theatre, later became a Capital Airlines stewardess. She married Bill in 1956. In 1979 they settled in Virginia Beach. She was an accomplished artist, was active in real estate, and taught school for several years. Survivors include Bill, three children and eight grandchildren. William V. “Tony” Miller died April 18, 2013 in Pensacola, FL from complications following a heart attack.
Tony resigned in 1958 as a LT, USN. He lived in Crofton, MD for many years and was well known in the Washington/ Annapolis area. No further info available. Luree Fowler Sharrah, wife of the late LCDR R. Logan Sharrah USN (Ret) for 55 years, died April 19, 2013 in Katy, TX. She graduated from Southern Seminary with a degree in Secretarial Sciences. Luree made a home for her Navy family while stationed abroad and in the USA. Among her Navy Wife services she was President of the Officer’s Wives Club in Monterey, CA. Survivors include two sons and five grandchildren. COL Donald D. Smith USAF (Ret) (83) died May 5, 2013 in Nashville,TN. Don entered USNA via NAPS as an ET3. He was an exceptional guy, graduated 46 in our Class, and continued this in the USAF with his exceptional flying earning distinguished and meritorious awards including the DSM, LM, DFC, NCM, and MSM. Lew Sykes was a good friend going back to NAPS and reported that “Don lost his first wife several years ago…After a bad fall while embarking on a visiting merchant ship as a chaplain, he entered a nursing home and remarried. She (second wife) predeceased him and he eventually moved to Nashville, presumably to live with family.” Checking with the funeral home, survivors include five children and several grandchildren (unknown number). News for Navy Nukes Theodore Rockwell (90) is not a Classmate, but all of our Nuclear Power trained submariners of our era will remember him as one of Adm Rickover’s top nuclear engineers. He was a major player in Rickover’s empire and one of the more pleasant and admired member of the staff who tutored us during our three-month pre-command “Charm School” stint in Rickover’s office. Ted’s obituary was in the April 28, 2013 Washington Post. Some excerpts are as follows: “During World War II, he worked on the atomic bomb project at Oak Ridge, TN. After the war, he worked with Adm Hyman Rickover on the development of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program. He received medals for distinguished service from the Navy and the Atomic Energy Commission. He also received the American Nuclear Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award...[He] was the author or co-author of books on the history of nuclear technology.” Ted Rockwell played a significant role in developing our nuclear powered navy
ships, and later the civilian nuclear power industry. The deadline for this issue is nine days before our 60th Anniversary Reunion, so you will have to wait for the Membership & Services Fall issue for news about the Reunion in Shipmate. However, you can go to our Class website to see the news and photos a month or so early….ACB
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 56%
PRES: CAPT George V. Zeberlein, USN (Ret.) P: 410-267-7470; E: gvzeb1@verizon.net SEC’Y: CAPT George M. Henson, USN (Ret.) 701 Creek View Circle, Phoenixville, PA 19460 P: 610-933-6955; E: g140250h@verizon.net WEBMASTER: Will Croom E: willyaye@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.54net.org
Cruising with Ted: Here is Ted Walker’s reply to my request for a report on his latest excursion. n Dear George, Got your note asking for some input on my latest long cruise. This time we were aboard the Queen Elizabeth which departed Fort Lauderdale on 20 January 2013 for the Pacific and New Zealand. I cruised again with Jack Berner, my long time NAVSEA, NavArc buddy. On the way out we hit Jamaica, Bonaire, and Aruba as we sailed for the Panama Canal. The “ditch” was of great interest to me because of my three year tour there at Rodman from 1959 – 62. George Zeberlein and Joan were there with us for the whole time. During our tours, the President (Eisenhower) made strong efforts to move toward giving up the Canal to Panama: we didn’t think it was such a good idea but, as we all know, it came to pass and so I was very anxious to see the result of the changeover. To my great relief, and surprise, the whole operation was A one, smooth as silk, and the canal, locks, and equipment looked smart and obviously well maintained. Panama has done a super job, and with the new locks opening in 2015, it will double the through put capacity and allow our big CVs to transit. Did not stop to go ashore in Panama, but Panama City looks like a gleaming white, big, Miami from the water. Amazing! We then went up the Pacific Coast with several stops along the way, and ended up in L.A. There we dropped 1500 passengers and took on 1500 more, all in six hours including all the customs and TSA hassle. It is quite an operation. We then had some nice steaming times at sea (5 days) and arrived in Honolulu. Since we both had been there
before, we didn’t tour but took a cab to go out and look for the two houses I lived in 1936 – 1938 and 1940 – 1942. We found them right on the mark and both were just as I remembered them. The 1940 – 1942 house was the one I wanted to see most because it was the one we were living in on 7 Dec 1941. When the attack started, I climbed on the roof using a Banyan Tree, and stayed there until early afternoon. I had a pretty good seat and could see the major explosions, a lot of smoke, and felt some of the concussions. The planes of the second wave came over low enough so that I got a real good look. The house is virtually unchanged in the 70 years since, but sadly, the Banyan Tree has been cut down, so no one can climb up on the roof and defy their mother to come get them down. As an aside, our cab driver was an ex-captain in the South Vietnamese Navy and was one of the last ones out! As is so often the case, he’s making his American dream for his children, a CPA son and a daughter in Med school, while he and his wife are working two or three jobs. After Hawaii, we went on the long wonderful days at sea to the islands Samoa, etc. and got to New Zealand where we made four stops, Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga, and Napier. In Wellington, we found our favorite pub from a previous visit and hunkered down, enjoyed the food, the local beers and our fellow customers – Aussies as well as Kiwis. In Auckland we took a wine tour in the nearby countryside since we had seen the major sights the last time. Tauranga is in the middle of a wellknown wine region so there was little choice but another tasting tour. Napier was our favorite discovery and we had a great time. It’s a city on the water and about the size of Annapolis when we were Mids. In the 1928/29 time frame, it was mostly leveled by a major earthquake. After things settled down and the people got their act together, they went to work and rebuilt it in max art-deco – the style of the times. And so it stayed that way through the war and into the 50’s when they, as so many others said, “let’s get rid of the old and go modern” – that ugly 50’s and 60’s whatever. They barely got started when they realized they really had something of value and so they stopped the rebuild to ensure they would save what they had and build in the Art-Deco style in the future. As a result, what you’ve got is a whole city in a time warp of the 1930’s. They play it to the hilt, with
people even dressed in that style in the shops and on the streets. They also much have two dozen or more cars (Cads, Lincolns, Rolls, Fords, etc.) from the 20’s and 30’s, which they rotate around on display and which you could rent for tours. The whole thing is a real hoot and we had a super time ashore. After leaving New Zealand, we made our way back to Hawaii, stopping in several islands, including Bora Bora on the way. This time we hit Hilo instead of Honolulu and then went on to Kahului on Maui. After an enjoyable time in the islands, we had another 5 good day’s sea time and hit L.A. again. Another flushing out and in of 1500 or so passengers, but Jack and I did not see it because we went ashore and spent the day visiting the original Queen Mary, now a hotel. She is certainly impressive, and after some years in the doldrums, new owners have made great strides over the past several years in bringing her back to her old glory. If you are in the L.A. area, you can do no better than allow yourself time for a visit, a meal, and a super cocktail (mine was a martini). We departed L.A. and visited Puerto Vallarta in Mexico and Punta Arenas in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica we took a tour of an active volcano at 9000 ft. and had to drive across the Continental Divide to get to it. However, when we got there, we were in sunshine but crater below us was in the clouds – no view, c’est la vie. Then back through the “ditch” which confirmed all our previous good impressions and on to Grand Cayman, Fort Lauderdale, and finally on 30 March the sad end to a great cruise in NYC, 69 days later. As a side note we berthed directly next to the Intrepid and her whole very special array of great memorabilia. As always, looking back, the visits are fun and interesting, the time at sea is what we really go for, but it is the people you meet who leave the lasting impressions. As usual, there were many, several Scottish and English couples, a Texas businessman (Marine – Korea), an East Coast Tug company owner and his wife, but there is always one who is special. This time it was an English couple about our age with whom we sat with for the longest part of the trip. He was from a family of old Raj in India from the teens, 20’s and 30’s, where his father was the senior official in the Royal Mail Service. He, his brother Tom, and his mother had been home to England and were returning to India aboard the liner SS President Garfield, when it docked in Manila on 10 July-August 2013
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54•55 CLASS NEWS December 1941. Almost four years later they were liberated from a Japanese concentration camp. Needless to say, his formative years were greatly different from mine although, like so many of us, he later did his four or five years at sea in the Navy (RN) as a Lt. His wife was also fascinating, as she had spent 18 years in Bombay before they met.They were, and are, an interesting and delightful couple, and now great friends who we are looking forward to seeing in the U.K. in 2014, when we will be cruising in that direction. So that’s it – a great cruise, wonderful experiences and memories but, most of all, interesting and cherished new friends. n
Academy get a top-notch education at Government expense. Most of them seem to come out of the four-year grind none the worse for wear, despite rigid discipline. Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy, new superintendent of the Academy….”n When Two or Three Shall Meet: From Jo Ann and Arnold Heiting (May 7th):
The class has learned of the death of James W. Ellstrom (24) on July 6, 2009 at his home near Toronto, Canada. Mal MacKinnon (14) and Roz spent some late winter time in Hawaii. While there Mal got together with two classmates who were fellow swimmers on the Navy team. He, Paul Slack (1) and Chuck Gray (5) re-formed the medley relay team from the ‘51-‘55 era. This time, however, on dry land. Roz and Mal also got together with George Mead (13) and Karen Mead and their granddaughter, Elyse, at the Hale Koa on Waikiki. This marked an early 35th anniversary of Mal and George’s running (and completing) the 1978 Honolulu Marathon.
Heitings and Hatheways
n “Hi there, it has been a while since we submitted anything to Shipmate. Pictured are Jo Ann and Arnold Heiting and Beverly and Darwin Hatheway. The Hatheways visited us last week as part of a long road trip from Maine. Both of the guys are planning to attend the 60th reunion. Go Navy! Beat Army!” n First leg of our Pacific/New Zealand Cruise – Jack Berner (NAVSEA cruising buddy), Captain Peter Wills (Queen’s Skipper) and me, in our regular 3 or 4 nights a week dinner attire.
Spoiled, Pampered, and Poor: David Smith, from his latest archival search, sends this article from the Wall Street Journal of 24 April 1953! n “Pity the Navy’s Plebes: Can’t make Ends Meet On Their Pay Checks Monthly Allowance is $81.73 But They Seldom See More Than $2 or $3 in Cash Annapolis, Md. - If you’re harassed by those deductions from your pay check, pity the Navy plebes here. They’re allotted $81.73 a month by Uncle Sam, but seldom see more than $2 or $3 of it in cash. Every cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy, from the plebe. or freshman, up to the top dog first classman, gets an annual “wage” of $973.44. But so much of this is allotted for required expenses (like $700 annually for uniforms), or for other expenses, the typical midshipman ends his four-year term $201.49 in the red. The graduates are expected to pay off this debt before they are graduated and get their commissions. Of course the middies’ fiscal picture isn’t quite black as it appears.The select group of 3,500 youths who attend the
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
Readers, are you also one of those who have not submitted anything to Shipmate in a while? Probably so – Remember, the column is only as good as you make it. — Scribe
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Paul, Chuck and Mal at the medley relay team reunion
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 61%
PRES: VADM Henry C. Mustin, USN (Ret.) V.PRES: RADM Malcolm MacKinnon, III, USN (Ret.) TREAS: CDR Robert P. Pirie, Jr., USN (Ret.) CORR SECY: CAPT Thomas F. Stallman, USN (Ret.) E: staltom@aol.com WEBSITE: http://1955.usnaclasses.com
John R. Perkins (8) passed away after a long bout with Alzheimer’s Disease, in Clermont, Florida on March 25, 2013. James W. Sweeney (6) passed away peacefully at his home in Sarasota, Florida on April 2, 2013. Edward A. Wardwell (1) passed away in his sleep at home in St.Thomas,Virgin Islands on April 24, 2013. Thomas N. Tate (17) passed away from complications associated with esophageal cancer in the Memorial Medical Center, Las Cruces , New Mexico on April 28, 2013.
SHIPMATE 75 years - Now available online to all Alumni Association members
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Mal, Roz, Elyse, Karen and George
Denny Sullivan (13) hosted the Washington area Dark Ages party on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Forty nine classmates and drags attended at the brand new clubhouse of the Arlington Army/Navy Club. A grand time was had by all.
Our gathering in one of the new party rooms
Fred McLaren (13) has been busy with professional matters lately. As President of The American Polar Society, he hosted the Society’s 75th Anniversary Symposium on “The Polar Regions in the 21st Century; Globalization, Climate Change, and Geopolitics”, held at the Woods Hole Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, during 15-18 April 2013. Later, he was an invited speaker at a very interesting Molecular Frontiers Symposium and Youth Forum conducted in Stockholm, Sweden on the 28th and 29th of May 2013. The symposium was sponsored by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Molecular Frontiers. The purpose was to navigate different extreme environments on Earth, explore the life that not only survives but thrives in these conditions, and discuss possibilities for human exploration and conquest of extreme environments on this, and other planets. Fred’s topic for this gathering was “Explorations of Extreme Ocean Environments of Planet Earth”. He then traveled on to Oslo, Norway, to speak, on May 31st, to the Norwegian Chapter of The Explorers Club. Bob Smith (16) sent in the following news: n I, along with many others, was saddened by the loss of Dan Shields, my Academy roommate, last September. But, I was pleased when Dan’s wife Lyn asked me to be part of a service in Duck, NC celebrating Dan’s life and to relate a few humorous moments of our time at USNA. My wife, Maralynn, and I were also able to attend Dan’s inurnment service at Arlington in February and proud of the turnout of Washington area classmates on a bitterly cold day. I also had an opportunity to spend a couple of days with our other roommate, Bart Fordham, in Columbia, SC last summer. Bart suffered a stroke several years ago and his recovery process has been slow and difficult. But, we had a good time and a good visit with Bart and his wife, Eugenia. And, for more up-to-date news – four of us from the 16th company met for lunch at TGIF Friday’s outside of Lake Buena Vista, FL on Tuesday, 9 April, 2013. Carl Strang got the ball rolling and we were joined by Jim Carr and Ed Eassa accompanied by his wife Shirley. We had a good time sharing stories and catching up. I thought our waiter was going to act as our photographer but Shirley took over.
Ed and I are planning to attend the mini-reunion in May. Hope to see many classmates there. n
Jim Carr(left), Bob Smith, Carl Strang, Ed Eassa
Eleventh Company Reports (Conclusion) Edward W. Lull (ewlull@verizon.net) reports: n After living in Fairfax,Virginia for over 25 years, we retired and moved to Williamsburg,Virginia 16 years ago. Our home, that we designed with our architect son-in-law, is located in Ford’s Colony, a nice community with three 18-hole golf courses. I took up writing, mostly poetry, and have published four books; a fifth is at the publisher now. When someone asks where we vacation, I simply say, I’ve been on vacation for 16 years! We don’t travel much other than trips related to my poetry work or to keep up with grandchildren - of which there are 8: 3 graduated from college, 2 in college, 2 entering college in September, and 1 a H.S. Junior. Our whole family gathers at our home for Thanksgiving every year. For this last Thanksgiving we had 23 for dinner and celebration - including 2 great granddaughters. Every member of the family lives in Virginia, so no one has to travel too far. Our closest classmate friends over the years were Mac and Joyce Hughes, with whom we traveled across country after graduation together in a 2-door, ‘49 Chevy. Our first duty stations were destroyers in the same division, then we were shipmates on our first submarine. We stayed in fairly close touch during our careers, and, in retirement, they moved into a home just blocks from ours in Annandale. We remained good friends until Mac’s death. Unfortunately, we shall not be making the trek to San Diego, a place we grew to love in our years of living there. Our first child, James Patrick Lull, is buried there at Fort Rosecrans. However, in recent years, long trips have become far more challenging than fun. Well, that just skims the surface, but Evelyn and I are well and thoroughly enjoying our retired years. n
Twelfth Company Reports John A. Adams (johnaadams1@ verizon.net) reports he lives in the Mount Vernon area of Northern Virginia. He is keeping active as a Trustee of the Naval Academy Foundation Athletic and Scholarship (ASP)Programs, a member of the Foundation Executive Committee and of the Awards Committee. He is also a member of the Class of ‘55 Executive Committee and participates in most Class activities in the Washington area. Most of his vacations are at Hilton Head, South Carolina. John is not planning to attend the 60th Reunion in San Diego. He further notes that Debbie, his wife of 50 years, passed away in 2006 of ovarian cancer. John sends regards to all and SEMPER FI. Henry C. Mustin (hmustin@ comcast.net) reports he lives in Arlington, Virginia. His hobbies are golf, gardening, Navy sports and music. Hank is President of the Class of 1955 Association and leader of the class Executive Committee. He keeps in contact with classmates Hugh Webster, John Weaver, Phil Monahan and Paul Slack. He is planning to attend the 60th Reunion in San Diego. He says he is still one jump ahead of the sheriff. E. George Riedel (bigredfarm@ aol.com) reports he lives in Bluemont, Virginia where he shares 39 acres with 2 of his 6 children. They are buying the adjoining house and 33 acres for another daughter and her family. He spends his time gardening, with horses and with his 21 grandchildren. He has taken 3 family cruises in the last 3 years to the Eastern Mediterranean and to the Caribbean. Two of his children live in Massachusetts and they visit there several times a year. George’s wife died in 2003, and through a son who is Pastor of the Arcola Methodist Church in Arcola,Virginia they have built the Elinore Jean Riedel elementary school in Rio Bravo, Mexico. They are now working on the Christopher (son) Riedel high school. He further reports he retired from the Air Force in 1975 and then spent 6 years on the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he handled the R&D accounts and the Hearings on the Salt II treaty. He then spent 15 years with ITT Defense as V/P for Business Development and Government Relations. Donal C. Shelton (donaldcshelton@ gmail.com) reports only that he plans to attend the 60th Reunion in San Diego.
July-August 2013
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55•57 CLASS NEWS Hugh L. Webster (webaye@ sbcglobal.net) reports he lives in San Diego, California. His hobbies are gardening and golf.Vacations are taken to the East Coast. He keeps in touch with classmates John Adams, Hank Mustin, Jack Renard and John Nyquist. He is planning to attend the 60th Reunion in San Diego. He further reports that his wife, Peggy, is in a home with Alzheimer’s and that a granddaughter, Samantha Casey, is a 4/C Midshipman at USNA and is on the Dean’s list. Eric H. Wieler (ripwieler@ earthlink.net) reports he lives in Vero Beach, Florida. His hobbies are tennis, collecting “Highwaymen” paintings, politics, veterans affairs and emails. For vacations the occasionally take short trips to visit children and grandchildren up north and every five years to attend USNA Reunions. Rip stays in touch with classmates Charlie Plumly, Fred Tolleson, Mitch Matthews, Bill Farnsworth, Greg Neubeck and Joe Armstrong. Health permitting, he will probably attend the 60th Reunion in San Diego.
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Spain in the Rioja wine country and toured several bodegas (wineries) there. They sampled both reds and whites of the region but the red tabernas of the Barrio Humedeo seemed to be the most popular. One of the highlights of the trip was a walk to the “stone lager” in the middle of the vineyard where family members and servants once stomped on grapes during the harvest before cart loads of pulp was delivered to the landowners’ vintner. See photos of the presentation to the Mayor by Rotarians including Pete.
L to R: Wayne New, Mayor Santiago, Walter Boss and Pete Peterson present plaque to the mayor
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 68%
CLASS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Col George Mushalko, USAF (Ret.) (15) 8214 Treebrooke Lane, Alexandria,VA 22308 E: gmushalko@cox.net; P: 703-768-4543; 8214 SEC’Y: Dan Garges, USAF (Ret.) (24) 1846 Greenplace Terrace Rockville, MD 20850 P: 301-340-8197; W: 443-259-0156 E: magdan_56@yahoo.com WEBMASTER: WEBSITE: www.usna.com/classes/1956
Pete and friend, Robyn Fisher, enjoy the fruit of the vine in La Rioja, Spain
“Deo Fidelis et Patria Pete Peterson (20) at Historical Presentation in Spain: In a celebration of the founding of Florida 500 years ago by Ponce de Leon, Pete Peterson joined several friends visiting Spain and presented a plaque to Mayor Santiago of Santeras, Spain where Ponce de Leon was born. Several historians have proven that, as Governor of Puerto Rico, he landed near Melbourne Beach, FL instead of at St. Augustine. The visitors appeared on Spanish TV and explained the purpose of the trip. The interview was in both English and Spanish, including Pete making comments in Spanish as well (originally learned in high school and at the Academy). Many of the 65 citizens of Santeras witnessed the presentation and later took part in a wonderful luncheon put on by the mayor and townspeople. Following the presentation the group departed for the small town of Abalo,
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
Class of 56 “Hang Out,” Abalo, Spain courtesy of Pete Peterson
Merrill F. Collier Award: Merrill II presented the Lieutenant Merrill F. Collier Award to a graduating midshipman recognized by the Brigade for outstanding leadership abilities, in memory of his Father, Lt. Merrill F. Collier (15) who rose from enlisted service to serve as Class President all four years and Brigade Commander while at the Academy. Merrill Francis Collier, Class of 1956, gave his life in the line of duty as an officer on
the USS Thresher. Worth Hobbs, USNA ‘56 and Elizabeth Hobbs are Merrill II’s Godparents and best friends of Merrill and his mother, Helen. Merrill II flew from California with his girlfriend Esther Penn to represent his Mother and siblings at the Awards Ceremony, which also marks the 50th year after the loss of the USS Thresher. See the family photo below.
Merrill F. Collier II, his Godmother Elizabeth Hobbs, and Esther Penn
Hal Dolenga (14) Honored: Hal was recently honored by DeSales University in the Allentown, PA area, where he was employed after retiring from the Navy with 26 years of active duty under his belt. He was hired when the school was just a small college. His charge was to create a forward- looking graduate program. Hal also began “distance learning” which focused on an MBA program with concentrations on health-care professionals in eastern Pennsylvania. The program was very successful and expanded not only throughout the state, but also went national. Furthermore, the program just became international with the planned opening of a new site in France in 2014. The University credits Hal’s vision, dedication and professionalism as the impetus for the growth of the small college into a competitive university. The University just opened up a new state-of the-art Center for Business and Health Care Studies. To honor Hal for all his contributions to DeSales, the president set up a new endowment fund entitled, the “Dr. Hal Dolenga Endowment for Excellence in Graduate Business Education.” Hal and his wife Nancy were flown up to Pennsylvania from their home in Orange Park, FL to attend the ribbon cutting of the new Center and to see his name etched on the wall! Each year, the “Dr. Hal Dolenga Emerging Leader Award” is presented to the outstanding MBA student in the Healthcare Systems Management concentration and there is
much competition amongst the students to receive the award. The leadership lessons Hal learned at the Academy served him well as he faced new challenges in academia. Moreover, these lessons will be ingrained in all DeSales MBA students year after year. Reunion of Military Brats: On May 5th Dan Garges (24) met with three other couples in Las Vegas, NV for yet another high school reunion! All were stationed in Tokyo, Japan from 1948 through 1951 as military dependents of their fathers who were then active duty officers in the Army, Air Force or Government. Dan’s dad was a Colonel in the U.S. Army Engineer Corps (USMA 1924), Al Carr’s dad was a Colonel in the U.S. Army Infantry, Bill Wardell’s dad was a State Department diplomat and Carl Fischer’s dad was a Lt. Colonel as a Chaplin in the U.S. Air Force. All four of them attended the Tokyo American High School then located in the Meguro section of Tokyo. The expanded school has moved to a new campus location and remains a thriving educational institution today. After all these years the sons still get together for reunions with wives approximately every two to three years in some location in the U.S. Al Carr (USMA 1956), a former Airborne Army Ranger and Bill Wardell, a former Naval Aviator, both had combat tours in Vietnam. The Revered Carl Fisher became a Bishop in the Lutheran Church with 18 years of service in Malaysia. So as you might imagine there were lots of “old dude” exaggerated war stories to share after 62 years since graduation from high school in far-away Japan. Jack Martyn Wilbern (19) passed away peacefully on May 17, 2013 in Palm Coast, Florida. Jack proudly served his country as a Naval Aviator, retiring a Captain in 1980, while raising a family of two sons and a daughter. After the end of his naval career, and until his passing, Jack pursued his passion and joy for acting and the theater, supporting and appearing in scores of stage productions in San Diego, Northern Virginia and the Palm Coast area. In 1977 he met and later married Georgia Workman. For 33 years, Jack & Georgia cherished each other as soulmates, enjoying the fruits of life and love. Jack’s greatest joy was sharing life with Georgia, their family and friends. Jack was always there, as the voice at the end of the table, as counselor, as team-mate, as golf partner and friend; taking great joy in having others feel appreciated and valued. A full obituary will be presented in the Last Call Section of a later issue of Shipmate.
Widows Corner: Roberta Eylar,Wife of Fred Eylar (24): Fred was in his Second Class Year at Annapolis while Roberta was a freshman attending Mary Washington College in Virginia. Their mothers were cousins and had a family practice of decorating grave sites in cemeteries on Memorial Day. It occurred to them that it might be a fun thing for their respective off-springs to meet on a blind date. So at his mother’s urging, Fred called and arranged to meet Roberta at “the old” Annapolis bus stop, to look for a young lady in a “specific type dress” as she first stepped off the bus and into Fred’s life. Many dates followed over a four year courtship with marriage occurring soon after Fred’s first assignments on carriers, but before destroyer duty on the USS New out of Norfolk, VA. Roberta loved life as a Navy wife! She actually enjoyed moving from place to place meeting different people and seeing new sites. She made homes for Fred in Norfolk,VA; Charleston, S.C.; Annapolis, MD; and in the California cities of Monterrey, Long Beach & San Diego. Upon retirement, she and Fred bought a home in San Diego where she currently resides. One of her very favorite place in the world was the time spent on the beautiful Island of Guam, and being based there, the additional vacations taken at exotic places like Hong Kong and Bangkok. Roberta has always been interested in history, especially history of the Ohio River Valley as well as World War II. Like most of us now days, she has a few aches and pains to contend with, but is managing well in her very nice San Diego home. She enjoys reading on various topics, playing bridge with friends and checking up on her two daughters and a son and four grandchildren.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 65%
PRES: CAPT William H. Peerenboom, USN (Ret.) SEC’Y: LCDR P. O. Behrends, USN (Ret.) 143-A East Lake Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403 E: pobehrends@aol.com CORR SEC’Y: CAPT F.N. Howe Jr., USN (Ret.) 1 Walter Cir., Fredericksburg,VA 22405-2363 E: fnhusna57@cox.net WEBMIESTER: CDR C. R. Hall, III, USN (Ret.) E: crhall@comcast.net WEBSITE: http//1957.usnaclasses.com/
Colonel Robert Pearsall Rogers, USMC (Ret.) (12), passed away on 22 April after a long fight with the effects of Agent Orange. Buck is survived by Marge, children Amy and Brendan and five grandchildren.
Bud Lehman lost Marilyn on 28 March. Deciding on the location of the GREAT 57th (reunion) has been a topical issue over the last several months but it now appears that the bouncing ball has come to rest in southern California, again. Recollections of the masterly job done back in ought-five by the 47.5W squad assembled by Vic Prushan doubtless had some considerable influence on the decision. The ability to look at a broad range of possible dates without fear of taking too much of a chance on the weather was also likely a large part of the decision. Anyway, whatever drove the final decision, we are now looking forward to yet another dandy west coast assembly at a specific date to be announced later, and have the following assurances from one of the principal organizers, Harry Gimber:
The Curry Library
n Reunion 57 will take place in San Diego in the September-October 2014 time frame. Initial response to an E-mail request from Bill Peerenboom for interest in the reunion has been positive. Dick Madouse has agreed to chair the event and has lined up some Classmates who will assist in identifying and coordinating the many factors needed to make this reunion another memorable one. If you haven’t replied regarding your interest in attending, please do so as soon as possible. Contact Dick either by phone (619-3195844) or by E-mail. (dickmadouse@ msn.com) with your response. Some initial numbers are required to start the budget and venue location planning process. Specific details as to dates, location, events and cost will be forthcoming. Those of you who pay close attention to these things will likely remember that Dick is now back to reprise his role as Mid’n-in-Charge of the great 40th reunion. If there was ever a job that cried out for a returning letterman, managing a Class reunion would be it. Thank you, Dick. See you next year. n Speaking of jetting about the country, Jeanie and Ray Fazzio are way out in July-August 2013
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57•58 CLASS NEWS front of the pack for this year with news of yet another major excursion, this time having come east a bit: n Jeanie and I spent 11 wonderful days with Annette and Bill Curry. We stayed at their estate over looking Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, AR. I’m attaching a photo of Bill in his main (!) library in his house. The principal event while we were enjoying the Curry’s southern hospitality was the Arkansas Derby. We had a lot of fun and did not lose too much money. After the derby, we all drove to Branson, MO for a week. We went to four shows and took a tour of the Dogwood Canyon Park. Attached is a photo of yours truly, Jeanie, Annette and Bill at the park. And, of course, many old tales about 14th Company times were exchanged. n
The guys in the Fightin’ SIXTH are the first, as far as we know, to have put together a company newsletter. For a lot of the same reasons that the Class has elected to schedule reunions at about the two-and-a-half-year points for the last decade, the guys in SIX decided that instead of waiting around for the news to fall from the sky, they would go to their members, solicit a HOWGOESIT from each (including widows) and wrap it all up as a most handsome, professional-looking piece of work, complete with photos. Led in this effort by the Company Coordinator, Pete Boyne and expert photo manipulator, graphics mechanic and all-round facilitator, Bart Campbell, they were off and running in what turned out to be about a two-month assembly and distribution effort - all much to the delight of their mates. n Among the items included on Vol. 1, No. 1 were the following provided by Pete Boyne: DICK HARTMAN, HONORING THE RESCUERS
(l. to r.) Fazzios and Currys
And the fun has just kept on for the Fazzios; witness the most recent report from Ray: n I celebrated my 80th (3 May) watching the Giants beat the Dodgers at AT&T Park with a brat and a bud. At least that was the plan but - to my surprise - our son, Mike Fazzio, ’85, managed to assemble all six off-spring and their families at a San Francisco ristorante. Three families were from out of state (Utah, Nevada and Colorado), and I had no idea they were in the area. Companymate John Holt was there too. Wow, what a gift!
Dick Hartman
n When Dick was shot down near Phy Ly,Vietnam in July 1967, he survived the crash, but several attempts to rescue him failed. In the course of the last attempt a SAR chopper from HS-2 was shot down
by enemy AA batteries. Because of the heavy AA fire in the area, further attempts to rescue Dick were called off. He was subsequently captured and died in captivity. He was buried in Arlington Cemetery in 1974. Among the chopper crew lost were LT Dennis Peterson, ENS Donald Frye, AX2 William Jackson, and AX2 Donald McCrane. In 1982 the remains of three crew members (Frye, Jackson, McCrane) were found and turned over to the POW/MIA commission. LT Peterson’s remains were located in 1990. Fast forward to 2 May 2013 when funeral services with full military honors were held at Arlington Cemetery for the helo crew, who were buried together in one casket. I had the opportunity to speak to relatives of the crew, Dick’s wingman, his CO, and the POW/MIA gentleman who told me the history of finding the crash sites. AX2 McCrane’s brother and his widow Karen wanted to know about Dick and if he survived the POW prison. Karen was pleased to know that Dick was also buried in Arlington. Dick’s wingman LTJG Duthie witnessed his plane hit by AA fire and break into two flaming pieces, but Dick was able to parachute out. Duthie was then hit and had to eject. Fortunately he was rescued later that day by a SAR chopper. There was a large turnout including family members, POW/MIA officials, members of Dick’s squadron,VA-164 (Ghost Riders), and members of Helicopter Squadron HSC-2 from NORVA - the successor squadron to HS-2. A fly-over of four F/A-18s in the missing man formation occurred as the casket was loaded on the caisson. A very fitting ceremony to honor these heroes. n The newsletter goes on for 18 pages and includes current and choice contributions from everybody in the company - including, predictably, a few items like this one from Phil Pappacio: THE ISLAND BEER CLUB
Club Pillars Lanman and Pappacio
’57: The Fazzios: What a gift!
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
The photo shows George Lanman and Phil Papaccio at the Coronado Island
Beer Club, known in Coronado as the IBC. The Club was founded in 2004 with five charter members and presently has a membership of 180 (of which about 15 are USNA graduates). The Club meets every Wednesday at 4:30 to 6:30 PM in a local alleyway. Usually there are three kegs flowing. The only purpose of this renowned Coronado organization is drinking beer with fellow Islanders. More details are shown on the website www.islandbeerclub.com. After each meeting, the Lanmans and Papaccios generally go to a local restaurant for Happy Hour.Very often other Classmates join us. Those include the Dennises, Gimbers, and Beattys. By the way, this newsletter item was written in a hurry as I have to pick up George to get to a Club meeting. And just one more piece of hot dope which appeared in the newsletter: Tom Marnane was honored with a Distinguished Graduate Award by the University of Rhode Island in October for achievements with respect to Environmental, Transportation and Resource Conservation Efforts and Coastal Zone Management. Tom advises that he “pent a heady three days in Newport and Kingston, Rhode Island for the award events, including opportunities to deliver graduate student and faculty lectures.” Well Done all around, Fightin’ SIXTH, with a special Hats Off! to Pete and Bart for this instructive effort in celebrating one of the associations that makes us unique. Well, by the time this edition is in your hands we will have coasted our way through half of the summer which, at least for those folks living north of the MasonDixon line, gives pause for thoughts of firewood and getting the beard started. When you pause for a moment in your preparations take a quick photo of your summer and send it along to all your old shipmates. Go ahead, Carpe Diem. — FNH
58
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 61%
PRES: Lt Col Gordon M. Gerson, USAF (Ret.) E: gordon.gerson@1958.usna.com CORR SEC’Y: CDR George J. Jenkins, USN (Ret.) 713 S. Overlook Dr., Alexandria,VA 22305 P: 703-683-4357; E: georgejj@aol.com WEBSITE: www.usna.com/Classes/1958/ WEBMASTER: CAPT Fred Victor, USN (Ret.) E: avictor@erols.com
Class of ’58 Reunion 55 With apologies to Mr. Dickens, THIS was the best of days! Meticulous planning, dedicated execution, careful and continuing plinths USNA staff, all combines with magnificent mid-Atlantic spring weather to make this the most memorable and a reunion in this scribe’s memory. It all began for most of us on Wednesday 24 April when many of our “weary, war-worn warriors” arrived and discovered the bountiful Hospitality Center tended by Tom and Kay Powell. They provided more good wine, beer, coffee, cakes, Navy DVDs and late night laughter than we really needed, but that didn’t slow anybody down. Thursday, the reunion took off in earnest, with the last of the registrants pouring in, Battalion and Company parties starting, and the first of two dinner cruises on the Severn and the Chesapeake to occupy one’s time. Friday was the high point for activities, with cruises on the yp’s or lunch with the Mids. And Bancroft Hall available followed by shopping at the Mids’ store available in the morning.
it, but - still a tour de force of gastronomic organization!, feeding 4,500 hungy mouths in one hour ! In the afternoon we started In Mahan Hall with a splendid “State of the Academy” presentation address by Vice Admiral Mike Miller, our “Supe”. Admiral Mike Miller is a riveting speaker moves quickly about the stage while giving you the impression that he is looking directly at YOU. I could have listened to him all afternoon you.
Byron Marchant ’78, CEO of the Alumni Association, also an excellent speach, gave us an excellent update on USNA AA. After these super’s presentations we crossed the parade field, where Gordon Gerson reviewed the P-Rade on behalf of our class, together and the Supe and other dignitaries
Class President Goron Gerson amd VADM Mike Miller (foregrounds) after Reviewing Parade
There were several more Battalion and Company parties that evening, but the big draw was a second Dinner Cruise on the Severn another beautiful close to another spectacular Spring day.
Sec’y Column Deadlines (send columns to classnews@usna.com)
ISSUE
DATE DUE:
Sept.-Oct.’13
30 July 2013
Nov.-Dec. ’13
30 September 2013
2013 Shipmate Deadlines to note...
One of our new YPs facing forward from the fantail. Note the ’58 flag “closed up to starboard!”
Those not underway in the YPs had the opportunity to join the Brigade for noon meal. Not quite the event as we remember
Our cruise ship “underway with way on” for a beautiful dinner!
July-August 2013
79
58•59 CLASS NEWS Saturday was Wrap-up day where most of us caught up on things like the War of 1812 exhibit at Mahan Hal and the freshly refurbished Naval Museum. The evening was the Reunion Dinner hosted by toastmaster Bruce Wilcox, at which all the classmates who labored so hard to make this our best reunion yet were formally thanked. They are listed at the end of this article but if I tried to detail all their contributions, it would blow our Shipmate word budget. A special guest at this event was Stash Wilkins, Who was Frank Gambia’s Plebe year roommate. Although he do not graduate with us, Stash remains and proud member of the Great Class of ’58 as refracted in his address, quoted below: n “How long is a piece of string? What time is it? What size shoe do you wear? Fidelity is up and obedience is down on my bayonet belt buckle, Sir! Fin out! Have you ever swum to Baltimore? Twoblock your tie, mister. Did you ask permission to ask a question? What are the movies in town? Wild man, Sir! Hit a brace against the bulkhead, and let’s hear it! “These are the laws of the Navy, unwritten and varied they be, And he who is wise will observe them, Going down with his ship to the sea. As naught can outrun the destroyer, Even so, with the law and its grip, For the strength of the ship is the service, and the strength of the service the ship. On the strength of one link in the cable, Dependeth the might of the chain, Who knows when thou mayest be tested, So live, that thou bearest the strain.” So, on we went from one red sunrise to another red sun rising; and yet another, and Shorty teaching us knot-tying, and Professor Gillie straining to perfect the Glee Club. It was Skinny and Bull, foreign language and Steam. It was Service Dress Blue Alpha, or Bravo, or Charlie - carry rain gear, or no rain gear. It was posting “Dear John” letters on your door, for all to read. It was an evening formation, and marching to final exams in signal light and flag hoist. It was the Reina Mercedes, along with a portion of the pier to which it was secured, adrift in the Severn River, torn away by the fury of Hurricane Hazel. It was a musical voice over the wall and outside the yard, intoning in prolonged repetition, “Bread man comes…Bread man comes.” It was boxing, wrestling, track, broad-jump, crew, weekly dress “P-rades” on Worden Field; it was straining at an oar in pulling whale-boat races; it was the shimmering green and orange flowers on the
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tulip-poplar trees lining Stribling Walk, it was the stirring sounds of the band, as we passed the bandstand on our way from class to lunch; it was shining shoes until they glistened, and brushing uniforms until the tiniest speck disappeared. It was “yes sir! No sir! Aye-aye sir;! No excuse, sir,! I’ll find out, sir!” It was a time of striving, of endurance, of continual testing. It was - our time. It was our time of awakening. Ah, the fair young maidens! The poet William Wordsworth’s dream-like sentiment became our reality. “She was a phantom of delight, when first she gleamed upon my sight; a lovely apparition, sent to be a moment’s ornament.” And fair they were; whether in crinoline dance attire, dresses, skirts, lovely blouses, cashmere sweaters, alluring hair-dos, or enchanting smiles.The immortal bard,William Shakespeare, four hundred years earlier, penned an idea with which we would hardly have disagreed. Feste, the Jester in Twelfth Night, sang and played on his lyre, “What is love; tis not hereafter. Present mirth hath present laughter.What’s to come is still unsure. In delay there lies no plenty; then, come kiss me sweet and twenty.Youth’s a stuff will not endure. ” And one by one, we found our sweet and twenty, and one by one each of them found us. Slowly, timorously for many, perhaps, with trust, hope, and courage we turned to each other, and said, “yes.” Music, I believe, is a reflection of our society, and songs reflect our attitudes; tell us much about who we are. A few words from two songs of our time, the time of our awakening, reflect our attitude toward love, its sensitivity, its meaning: “In the morning mist two lovers kissed, and the world stood still,” and “whether skies are gray or blue, any place on earth will do, just as long as I’m with you.” n Stash closed with a Fight Song he wrote for the occasion, which I am not printing here. Like all good songs, it is better sung than read, and I am sure that we will get loots of practice in games to come! Sunday was “Wrap-up Day”, given over to re-packing, paying hotel bills and saying goodbyes. As usual, those who could, took part in our annual Memorial Service in the academe Chapel. In keeping with our traditional, the Rev John (Father Jack) Chrisman presided, Polly Mitchel provided the music ,and Jack Addams, Paul Polski, and Gordon Gerson acted as readers. Members of the Brigade of e of Midshipmen, under the leadership of Brigade Commander Midn 1/C Jennifer Jones, acted as ushers.
Paul, Jack, Fr Jack and Jennifer. Gordo is behind the camera and Polly is tending the bells
NOW, The folks who put it all together – the Reunion Committee Members! Registrar
Gordon Gerson
Schedule
Frank Gamboa
Treasurer
Harry Hurst
Web Site
Fred Ictor
CheckIn Ctr
Frank & Linda Gamboa
Memorabilia
Clive & Nancy Goodwin
Hospitality
Tom & Kay Powell
Lodging
Mike Giglio
Transportation
Rupe MJacLane, Bob Caldwell, Jim Corder, Charlie Bowne
Golf
Whitey Edwards
Brigade Lunch
Chuck Larson
Dinner Cruises
Paul & Barbara Polski and Tom & Kay Powell. Steve & Faye Barrett, Eric & Barbara Mansfield
Bat/Co parties Company Reps
Terry Cooper,
YP Cruises
Chuck Larson, Rupe MacLane
Class Mtg
Gordon Gerson Frank Gamboa
Dinner
Chuck Larson, Bruce & Terry Wilcox Terry Cooper, George & Anne Ojalehto
Sports Events
Bob Caldwell
Memorial
Jack Adams, Jack Chrisman, Paul Polski, Gordon Gerson & Polly Mitchell
WHENEVER TWO OR THREE SHALL MEET - SECTION: Ron Eyttchison sends: n New friends are really special when they happen to be classmates. The accompanying photo doesn’t show the ’58 flag at yet another exotic locale but, in the what-took –you-so-long category, it did mark a very important class mini reunion at the home of Rod and Mazia Gorton near Florence where they’ve resided for the past 40 years, or so. Pat and I have visited Italy many times during those four decades. Also, we lived in Naples for two years in the mid 80’s and for the past 14 years we’ve owned a farmhouse in Marche we occupy at least two months each year. Well, it finally dawned on me, “Hey, Rod Gorton lives over here.” I gave Rod a call, thanks to the class directory, and the next thing I know Pat and I are in the Gorton’s lovely home for lunch. And then Rod and Mazia visited us for a couple days at our place in Ascoli Piceno. Talk about when old tales be retold. I had totally forgotten that Rod and I suffered together in the same plebe year Portuguese class. What a delight to be linked up after all these years. We look forward to our next trip to Italy right after Reunion 55 and picking up with the Gortons where we left off at the end of November. I wouldn’t want to preempt anything Rod might want to share with the class but he described how he administered the Gonzaga University Junior Year Abroad Program in Florence for 30 years and then about their deep involvement since 1972 in an international community at Lopiano in a program of Christian renewal for families. The only thing I’d like to add is that his Italian is a lot better than mine. n
RON, PAT, Mazia and ROD
Death Notice We are deeply saddened to report the loss Wilbur “Buzz”” Brandenburg (14). His obituary is under preparation and will appear in the Last Call column of Shipmate in this or a subsequent issue.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 61%
PRES: VADM Francis R. Donovan, USN (Ret.) CHAIRMAN EXEC. COMMITTEE: Gerald G. Garbacz E: gggarbacz@aol.com SEC’Y: CAPT Charles C. Pease, USN (Ret.) 3604 Oval Drive, Alexandria,VA 22305-1148 P: 703-549-4285; E: classsec1959@gmail.com WEBSITE: http://www.1959.usnaclasses.com WEBMASTER: Dave Sullivan E: dsulliva9@cox.net
Note: The direct address to the Class website is: 1959.usnaclasses.com. Use of Facebook, LinkedIn, or other new social media As your Class Secretary, I have decided to forswear use of Facebook, LinkedIn, texting, or any other new social media. By using classsec1959@gmail.com you increase the probability that I will receive your message. I check that email account first thing every day. Reporting Illness or Death of a Classmate If you become aware of a death or serious illness of a Classmate or his spouse, please send your email directly to both Dave Sullivan and to me, and to your Company Representative. Dave has DIRLAUTH from me to broadcast these messages without waiting for my OK. I have implemented this policy to increase the probability that all Classmates receive timely notice. If you do not have a current Email address for your Company Representative, please send us a message so we can keep you in contact. classsec1959@gmail.com Change of Email Address For Class Correspondence If you have not provided your current Email address to Dave Sullivan, please send your address to him at: dsulliva9@ cox.net 55th Reunion Planning Dave Sullivan (2) reports that 55th reunion data is pouring in. This is in response to his promulgation of our online survey, using the class website to determine your preferences for hotels and reunion events. So far we have responses from about half the class as this Shipmate column is submitted for publication. From those responses we have indications that over 300 classmates, spouses and widows plan to attend. But half of our classmates have yet to respond. Please take the time to let us know your intentions by visiting the website and answering the survey questions so our committee can complete plans for the 55th. The direct address to the Class website is 1959.usnaclasses.com.
Good Times Ironman Founders Ed Veasey (8) reports that’ after a year of effort. he talked for an hour with classmate John Collins (18) and his equally athletic wife Judy. Together they had initiated the first Ironman concept in Hawaii after a Marathon and a few Primo beers. Judy still does the race, but John’s knees won’t allow him to participate. Vantage Cruise Frank Young (12) relates that he and Walt Wynn (11), by coincidence, took the same cruise on the Rhone River in France. They sailed on the River Discovery II of Vantage Travel. One of the things that made this trip special was that Vantage had a group of about 10 “wounded warriors” and their spouses on board as guests. Vantage didn’t know how the rest of the passengers would accept vets (a few are still serving) but I can say they were warmly greeted by all on board.Vantage didn’t choose, but contacted uniform and veteran organizations, who selected those on board. A Well Done for Vantage! Baseball with Doug Tom Lukish (2) reports: n Hi guys: It is April 27, 2013 — Washington Nationals ballpark, Washington, D.C., end of the fourth inning, on the main scoreboard is displayed a message: “Admiral Doug Volgenau, We Love you, USNA’59” That day at 1:00pm Ted Alexander (18), Lois & Joe Flynn (6), Art Emmerson and his wife Niki Pickett (6), Tom Lukish & his grandson Pete Lukish, Wayne Messner (3 ) ,Dale Minard (4), Donna & Si Nunn(5) , Ragan Phillips(8) and his wife Phyliss, Theroux , David and Lucas Pienkowski (Ragan’s son-in-law and grandson), Sally & George Simmons(15) were there with Doug Volgenau(8) enjoying each others company and spending a beautiful Spring afternoon with Doug. Doug had a great time, as did we all. We send our deepest thanks to Ragan for organizing this and setting it up. We all shared some laughs and old stories with Doug. He is doing a great job fighting ALS; he is now in a wheel chair; but that hasn’t affected his sense of humor. Spending time with him is why we were there. I would like to add a very special note about Dale Minard. Dale flew in from Kansas City to be with Doug and us. The friendship and brotherhood between Dale and Doug goes back over 60 years from when they wrestled against each other in high school. They still debate, with much love, which one beat each other more times. I could feel July-August 2013
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59•60 CLASS NEWS
’59: Powell Library Dedication
the deep love they have for each other, and it is something to be cherished and admired. Their brotherhood is without boundaries. In conclusion, on the way home I told my 11 year old grandson, Pete, all about Doug and how he has lived his life, and the friends that hold him in a special place in their hearts. My grandson, said. “Granddad, it was an honor meeting him”. I saw Pete high five Doug several times during the game. We can’t thank Ragan enough for bringing us together, it is a memory none of us will ever lose. Keep the faith, warm regards, Luke n Thank you Luke for all you do to keep our Class informed. Honors for Bill Powell RADM William E. Powell Library Dedication Ray Art (5) and Frank Donovan (13) report: n On 18 April 2013, Bill Powell (20) was presented a well deserved honor.The Navy Supply School in Newport, RI, dedicated its new library in his honor. Bill was unable to attend, but his lovely wife, Loretta, fourteen Powell family members, and friends were present. Also attending were classmates Bob Armour (16), Ray and Eileen Art (5), Norm Bednarek (22),Tom Billings (6), Mal Bruce (4), Bob Ceres (2), Ron Denney (19), Frank and Martha Donovan (13), Toby Field (2), plus Paul Franchi (24). Jim McCusker (1960), a NAPS classmate, and his wife, Barbara. Hosts for this memorable event were RADM Mark F. Heinrich, SC, USN, ’79, Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and Chief of the Supply Corps, and CAPT Mark R. Pimpo, SC, USN, ’89, Commanding Officer, Navy Supply School.Tom Billings (6), and the Navy Supply Corps Foundation, played a major role in support of Bill’s recognition. Television personality and motivational speaker Montel Williams, USNA’80, was the principal speaker.The resident Supply
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School class attended, as did local dignitaries and active and retired members of the Supply Corps community.This recognition of Bill’s career contributions as midshipman, trailblazer, professional naval officer, and now outstanding role model for young officers cannot be overstated. RADM Heinrich spoke of his association with Bill when as a young lieutenant he served with him in the 1980s at the Naval Supply Center, Subic Bay when Bill was CO. Montel Williams (1980) did a superb job describing Bill’s legacy from young enlisted man to flag rank during the difficult years in between. Frank Donovan offered remarks about his relationship with Bill over the course of their careers.The final speaker of the day was Bill and Loretta’s handsome 15 year old grandson, Cameron, who spoke eloquently about his grandparent’s experiences in their early years together in the Navy.The day was an amazing success and a fitting tribute to a very special classmate and friend. All the speakers reflected on Bill’s naval career, starting as an enlisted radioman, graduating from NAPS, and the Naval Academy with the Class of 1959. In the Supply Corps, his first assignment was USS Nichols (DDE 449). His career included Naval Air Station Point Mugu; Naval Supply Depot Subic Bay; Ship design and Fleet Support Coordinator for Supply System Command; Financial Management and Planning for Commander Cruiser Destroyer Atlantic; Supply Officer in USS Intrepid (CV 11); Aviation Supply Office Industrial Support Officer, and Stock Control Branch Head for Power Plants. After Industrial College of the Armed Forces, he was Naval Supply Center Oakland Director of the Planning Department, then Assistant for Supply Policy to Director Aviation Program Division, OPNAV. After Command of the Naval Supply Depot, Subic Bay, he reported to Naval Supply Systems Command as Director of Supply Corps Personnel.
As a frocked Rear Admiral, Bill was Commanding Officer, Naval Supply Center Norfolk. Under his leadership, an automated procurement process and other innovative programs were developed at NSC Norfolk. RADM Powell participated in a study of joint service capability for senior executives at the Institute of Higher Defense Studies, National Defense University in 1986. He completed his tour at NSC Norfolk and retired from the Navy in 1988. Bill set new historical milestones. He was the first African American Supply Corps flag officer and the eighth African American flag officer in the United States Navy. His accomplishments will serve to inspire current and future officers throughout the Navy! Bill is currently at the Assisted Living Facility,The Fairfax, 9140 Belvoir Woods Parkway, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-2703. n In Remembrance: Everett Franklin Overman Everett Franklin Overman (20) of West Harwich passed away suddenly on May 7th. He leaves his beloved wife, Becky Overman, his daughters, Helen Baker and Ashby Baker-Crafts, and his precious granddaughter, Charlotte Berry. Everett was born in Baltimore, Maryland, graduated from Baltimore Polytechnical Institute and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. While serving in the Navy, he traveled to over eighty-five countries. Everett moved to Cape Cod in 1970 and worked with his wife in the textile business. He served on the Board of Directors of the Cape Cod YMCA. He was a member of The Orleans Coffee Club. A memorial service celebrating his life was held at Christ Church Episcopal, Harwichport on May 11. Burial was to be private. In Remembrance: Edmund B.R. Burns Major Edmund B.R. Burns, USMC (Ret.),(18) died of the complications of jaw cancer on April 16, 2013. He was 76 years of age. He was born in Chicago, IL, and grew up in Joliet. He graduated from Joliet Catholic High School and attended Joliet Junior College after graduation. He entered the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1959. After graduation, he attended The Basic School, Quantico,VA, before entering flight training in Pensacola, Fl. He was designated a naval aviator in July, 1961, and assigned to Second Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, NC. He was promoted to Major in September, 1967. While
stationed in Viet Nam, he served with Marine Air Group 12 as an assistant operations officer and with squadrons VMA-223 and VMA-121, flying 390 missions in the A4C, A4E, and TA-4f for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (28). He is survived by six brothers and sisters, Barbara (Mrs. James) Bertino of Plainfield, IL, Rita (Mrs. Irvin) Hahn of Ruskin, FL, Terry (Marge) Burns, Susan (Mrs. Thomas) Slingsby, John (Mary) Burns and William (Linda) Burns, and 24 nieces or nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward A. and Rita C. Burns, two infant brothers, Jerome and Robert, and one sister, Mary (Mrs. Robert) Olson. A Mass of Resurrection was held on Saturday, April 20, 2013, at St. Ambrose Church, Crest Hill, IL. Inurnment will be in the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium at Annapolis, MD, at a later date. Rise and Shine! — Charlie
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David and Patrick, their wives and four grandchildren. Jim was a true southern gentleman and will be missed by all who knew him. Services were held at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church on May 19, 2013, with internment planned at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. The family has established the Jim McLean Memorial Fund and those wishing to donate may do so by contacting the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax,Virginia 22032. His more complete obituary will appear in Shipmate at a later date. John Chenard (14) and Bob Krese (14)” n From Warren Hahn (5):
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 67%
PRES: John J. Michalski 2039 Homewood Rd., Annapolis, MD 20409 P: 410-757-6429; E: navygoat@comcast.net SEC’Y: Bill Lewis 14312 Cove Ridge Pl., Midlothian,VA 23112-4337 P: 804-744-8808; E: bilewis@comcast.net WEBSITE: http://www.usna60.com/
From Gene Tucker (9): n The April DC Area Class ‘60 lunch was held in the new ANCC building on April 9th. Drinks and socialization commenced at 1130, with lunch being served at 1200. If you haven’t seen it, the new ANCC building is VERY NICE, and the food has been much upgraded by the new chef and his staff. We also had 12 of us at the March lunch at Mylo’s in McLean. Unfortunately, due to the rain (I am told) there were 2 other large groups which decided to have lunch in the restaurant at the last minute. The result was that the room was more crowded than normal, and the kitchen was a bit ‘behind the 8 Ball’ in service. However, Mylo’s is a great little bar/restaurant, and we may try it again in the future. The 12 classmates in attendance in March was a reasonable number, rather than the 4 - 8 classmates we’ve had over the past 6 lunches or so.
n “Bill, Attached is a photo of Duane Beck (3), Bob Osmon (17) and myself taken at the Chapters’ Officers Meeting at Alumni Hall on May 2, 2013. Bob Stevenson (2) was also present with me for the Board of Trustees meetings the following day. —Warren n From Bob Osmon (17): n Bill, there were 99 Chapter Presidents present for the meeting. When someone did the research, it was discovered that Duane and I were the two oldest Chapter presidents in the country. This was not good! I jumped up and said, “No! No! This isn’t supposed to happen for at least 10 more years.” Got a good laugh, but not much sympathy. When the youngest President, The Class of 1998, was announced, someone in the crowd yelled out that we should arm wrestle. I said only if Duane and I both took him on.
(Warren is a trustee, or he would have been in on it too.) Actually I believe there are several more Chapter presidents from 60 that could not attend, so you might say we are certainly doing our share to support our Old Boat School. God bless. Oz n From Rod Friedmann (5): n “Bill, while you and Linda have been traversing the State of FL, the Hampton Roads/Williamsburg/OBX groups have been busy with our second “Double Header” during the month of Apr. We began with a regular class luncheon at a favorite watering hole called Frankie’s Place for Ribs located in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach. We had a good turnout (15-see picture below), good exchanges and plenty of good smoky ribs plus other favorites. Bob Osmon (17), Ed McCaskill (8), Jack Greenhalgh (9) and Al Whitaker (16) made the trip down from Williamsburg joining classmates Bob Ianucci (16), Ed Clexton (10), Henry von Kolnitz (22), Frank Kay (8), Bill Kee (9), Joel Febel (5), Nick Stasko (1), Tom Inderlied (21), Mike McCullough (14), Jim Eilertsen (21) and Rod Friedmann (5). Discussed were the Annual Christmas Party at the Le Yaca Restaurant in Williamsburg (Dec 10th), next month’s luncheon (May 14th) at an old Norfolk church converted to a restaurant called The Freemason Abbey, and the upcoming USNAA Spring Golf Tournament on May 9th @ the Sewell’s Point Golf Course. With the good weather, we had a chance to take an outside group photo. Read left-to-right: Stasko, Inderlied, Eilertsen, von Kolnitz, Osmon, Kee, Ianucci, Whitaker, Febel, Friedmann, Cooper, McCaskill & Kay. n Several Classmates from Tidewater passed the following article from the local paper concerning one of our own, Ray Taylor (14):
From Bob Krese (14): n “Jim McLean (14), our classmate, Academy roommate and friend of almost 57 years passed away on May 14, 2013. He leaves behind his wife Sigga, sons
’60: Tidewater group July-August 2013
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60•61 CLASS NEWS n “WHERE CREDIT IS DUE - In ‘Transportation work isn’t done’ (Sunday Forum, May 5) Aubrey Lane, in handing out accolades for the recent effectiveness of our Metropolitan Planning Organization (now called the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization), left out one very important name in that transformation. About a decade ago, retired Rear Adm. Ray Taylor, concerned that our region was not getting its fair share of public transportation money, began examining how the system worked. He tirelessly plowed through the reams of legislative and regulatory fine print to make sense of the federal scheme for spending highway dollars. He talked to those in other regions who had been effective. Taylor learned that Hampton Roads had simply failed to understand how we were required to plan for our transportation needs in order to qualify for federal and state money. He began a crusade to educate the region’s leaders about how to bring transportation planning into compliance. His efforts led directly to the restructuring of the organization, resulting in our being more effective in getting our share of public dollars. For this we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. Harry Light” n From Tony Dunne (4): n “Gents, The attached Word document is an update on Bill Fannemel, (4) and a trip I made to Vietnam to see if he was ever coming home. Bill also escorted me on a tour of Vietnam. Tony n
Tony Dunne (4) left center and Bill Fannemel (4) right center in front of the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino at Ho Tram Beach, Vung Tau Province, Vietnam. Two traveling friends are on far left and far right.
n “I have recently returned from a trip through Vietnam hosted by Bill Fannemel (4). Bill has lived and worked in Vietnam for the better part of the last 19 years. He flew Air Force F-4s in Vietnam and returned to Vietnam in 1994, one year ahead of the US normalization of relations with Vietnam.
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He worked in Vietnam on managing foreign investment projects, consulting, and as an entrepreneur. The projects were varied but mostly involved luxury hotels, resorts, villas, and golf courses aimed at increasing tourism. Bill was excited to show us two championship golf courses for which he had development responsibility—a Greg Norman designed course on Ho Tram Beach as part of a MGM Grand Hotel and Casino and a Colin Montgomery designed course on China Beach. Bill has also been a consultant to the Government on a long-range development project attempting to create a planned, self-contained community that includes residential and commercial properties. This project is called ECO-Park and is located outside Hanoi. Bill Fannemel’s time spent in Vietnam over the last two decades is all the more interesting given he was shot down over Vietnam in December 1966. Bill was piloting an F-4 between Dien Bien Phu and Hanoi when he was shot down. His rescue was one of the more extraordinary Jolly Green Combat Search and Rescue stories of the Vietnam War. Following a high speed low level ejection, Bill made a hard landing through a tree crushing 3 vertebra in his lower back, leaving him paralyzed and unable to move. He was rescued 6 hours later by a CH-53 Jolly Green taking ground fire in a narrow escape. After several years of medical rehabilitation, Bill received a 100% medical disability retirement from the Air Force and began a business career spanning the Pacific. It appears Bill Fannemel (4) was years ahead of his time doing his own “Pivot” to Asia. The “Pivot to Asia” is a recent foreign policy direction change by the current Administration. It’s characterized as the U.S. stepping up activity to provide a balance to China’s rising influence and assertiveness in territorial disputes with its neighbors. Two retired Boeing cohorts accompanied me on this trip, one who flew off Vietnam with VA 165 from 1968 to 70. Bill Fannemel’s assistance and participation on our trip provided us with unique insights into the culture, history, and post-war development of Vietnam that is generally not available to tourists. Our trip took us from Vung Tau Province (just north of Mekong Delta) on the South to Hanoi on the North. Bill used his car and driver to show us several Provinces by road. We also spent many hours touring on Cyclos (a tricycle
version of the rickshaw), walking, and bus tours; we visited most of the Museums, War Museums, and Historical sites of Ho Chi Minh City, DaNang, Hoi An, and Hanoi. The best Vietnamese food was on Bill’s agenda for us every night. Our two exaviators told stories that night of what a bad day could be like flying over North Vietnam over four decades ago. These stories were followed by long discussions on the meaning of what we were seeing in today’s Vietnam. The irony of Vietnam is driven home by its significant recovery, economic progress, and merging of an authoritarian government with a free market economy version of capitalism. I departed Vietnam with check off of a bucket list trip for me which exceeded expectations. “Mr. Bill” as Bill Fannemel is called by many Vietnamese declared; he and his wife Nobleen (married after Graduation 1960) are coming home for good after completion of his last project this year. n
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 68%
PRES: RADM Jerome F. Smith Jr., USN (Ret.) CORR SEC’Y: CAPT Bob Denis, USN (Ret.) 3124 Windy Branch Dr.,Toano,VA 23168 P: 757-250-3115 E: bob.denis@1961.usna.com or rdenis@cox.net WEBMASTER: Howard Winfree E: winfree@1961.usna.com WEBSITE: www.USNA61.org
Greetings once again classmates. This midsummer column finds the Class of 2013 scattered across the globe to their 1st duty stations and the Class of 2017 relaxing in their air conditioned Bancroft Hall rooms enjoying plebe summer. Of course it’s a mere 56 years since the last real plebe year began (or so we’d all like to believe). Just think, only 3 more years until our 55th. As Roger Onorati always put it, we have some interesting nooze, so let’s get right to it. Once again, our super class Cruise Coordinator Al Dessayer (15) and the hard charging group of ’61 Cruisers in conjunction with McCabe World Travel have put together the ultimate cruise package for the 9th class cruise. It’s 18 days from October 8-26, 2014 roundtrip from Athens, Greece to ports in Turkey, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece. Cruising will be on the 680 passenger Ocean Princess, one of two Princess Cruise Line’s small ships. As this writing we have 43 classmates plus wives, significant
others, and friends signed up. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Bemis at (703) 762-5049 or (800) 747-8041, Ext: 5049 or e-mail her at michelle@ mccabeworld.com. Al Dessayer can also be contacted for details at: dessayer@ pacbell.net. Now to: People Stuff: Ron Carlberg (20) reports in with several different items.You may all recall the theft of “Fearless,” the unofficial ’61 football tailgate stuffed goat that was stolen last year during the Indiana-Navy game in Annapolis.While the thief remains at large although pictures have been posted of him throughout various Maryland jurisdictions, Ron has moved on and is acquiring “Fearless II.” He will arrive in time for the 1st Navy home game on September 15th proudly wearing the Navy blanket that Ron retained. See the picture below for our newest mascot.
Fearless II
Next, Ron passed along this story from company mate Fred Wilson (20): n PRESS RELEASE: 24 APRIL 2013 The Second Annual, “Ride your age against Cystic Fibrosis” - Las Vegas Bike Ride is over for the year. It took place on the bike path alongside the Saint Rose Parkway, south of Las Vegas.There was only one participant, who rode 77 miles in 8:31 (8 hours and 31 minutes). His age of 76 plus “one to grow on.” Celebrities watching included his wife and the dog. Why? Our daughter died of CF 12+ years ago at age 34. Actually I woke up at 3:15 am this morning, intending to start riding at 5 am. By 3:45 I gave up trying to go back to sleep, got up and was on the bike by 4 am. Splits for those who are interested in such things: First 10 miles (10 miles) - 1:03 Next 10 miles (20 miles) - 1:04 Next 10 - 1:05 Etc. (each ten miles taking one minute longer).
Ending at 77 miles in 8:31 riding time I took a 36 minute breakfast break around 8:00 and had 36 other minutes of “off bike time.” (eating snacks, drinking, removing jacket, etc.) Something I noted near the end of the ride: The first 20 miles I’d look at the mileage every 2-3 miles. By mile 4555, I was looking every mile. By mile 70, it was every 0.1 miles (as in: 70.0 miles. “Come on 70.1.” LOL I would encourage everybody who reads this to donate 76 cents to CF. No checks to write to me or CF. Just an “on your honor” thing. Put 76 cents into the first CF canister you see sitting on a counter. Thank you. p.s. Obviously I can’t ride 100 miles when I’m 100 years old. It’ll be interesting to see what year I have to quit. (interesting at least to me) pps 77 miles is a long freaking way. Horses aren’t the only ones to get “saddle sores.” — Fred n Ron also reported on the 2013 Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC) at which the opening address is dedicated to the memory of classmate “JJ” James Connell (20) who died in captivity on or about 14 January 1971. For his heroic action as a POW, JJ was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Ron adds: This year’s Conference theme was “A Time of Transition,” and the Opening Address speaker was William J.A. Miller, Director, Strategy Plans and Policy, US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). I had the honor of giving a few introductory remarks actually written by RADM Jerry Smith (8), our ’61 President, again this year to introduce JJ. We noted the profound impression JJ made on our Band of Brothers in 1961 and our 20th Company, and JJ’s heroism and ultimate sacrifice of his life for our country as a POW in North Vietnam, after being shot down in his A-4E Skyhawk light attack aircraft. JJ was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, and the Navy Cross Citation and JJ’s picture is on an entire page in the NAFAC Program opposite the Opening Address. To my knowledge, we have only two classmates to receive the Navy Cross, which is the highest Navy Award for valor short of the Congressional Medal of Honor: JJ and Ron “Mugs” McKeown (14), who was also awarded the Navy Cross for shooting down two MIgs after he and his F-4 Fighter wingman were jumped by six Migs over the North. This year two of our 20th Company classmates and their wives, Carol & Tom White, and Gail & Ed Ettinger, drove
all the way to Annapolis from New Jersey and Connecticut that Monday, just to be at the Opening Address Tuesday morning to honor JJ. (See pictures attached we took after Tuesday’s NAFAC Opening Address in front of “The O-Club”…now called the USNA Club). BRAVO ZULU Tom, Carol, Ed and Gail!!!!
Ettinger’s, Carlberg, White’s
A classmate, who wishes to remain anonymous, submitted the following photo of Don Coullahan (5) masquerading as “Legoman” with his two grandchildren, Jonah & Megan at LEGOLAND in California. How would you like to get a “wild man” from this guy?
Legoman Strikes Again
Eagle eyed classmate Bill Hartman (2) spotted a newspaper article on company mate Jim Connell (2) that led to Jim’s reporting: n On April 25th, 2013, Defense Prisoner of War Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) Principal Deputy Alisa Stack laid a wreath marking the 68th anniversary of the Meeting on the Elbe of U.S. and Soviet soldiers at Torgau, Germany, in 1945. The ceremony was held in Arlington National Cemetery at the Spirit of the Elbe Marker, which was dedicated in 1995 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Each year the Russian Ambassador organizes a ceremony to recognize the U.S.-Russian Alliance in the War. The ambassador or other senior July-August 2013
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61•62 CLASS NEWS representative of most of the former Soviet republics, and senior representatives of Veterans Service Organizations, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Department of Defense lay floral wreathes to honor Soviet/Russian and U.S. veterans of WWII. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Russian Embassy hosted by Ambassador Kislyak honoring the veterans. Other DPMO representatives at the ceremony were Lt Col Michael Allison and Svetlana Shevchenko of DPMO’s Joint Commission Support Division and Dr. James G. Connell Jr., Acting Executive Secretary of the U.S.Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. Here’s a photo of Jim flanked by two friends at the ceremony. n
year. The photo below shows maybe a unique feature of our grandson’s graduation from NC State School of engineering shown with both his grandfathers. Daniel Duncan Dewar is the one in the red gown; on his left, Dan Schroeder, USNA ‘ 61; on his right, Jack Dewar, USMA ‘61. Ahhh yes a few years of friendly conflict involved in that.....n
Dan Schroeder & Grandson
He reports the following: We first attended the Color Parade. Although forecast, the rain never came. The parade was spectacular from our front row VIP seats. The Brigade Commander was a rather petite woman who barked the orders impressively. We were escorted by a Lieutenant who teaches navigation. (What’s to teach these days?) The sword recipient was Ensign (almost) Jackson Woodard Hummeldorf. This is a fine young man determined to become a SEAL! His fiancé was commissioned last week and is “surface” bound. His Father is a Navy Dental Surgeon (CAPT Medical Corp) in San Diego CA. He has two younger brothers both of whom are Navy bound. Kathy and I enjoyed the entire day and felt honored to represent the Class.
Tim de Gavre (11) checks in with: Caroline and I just returned from Parker, Colorado where we attended our Grandson’s high school graduation. Big deal, you say, so what is newsworthy about that? Meeting on the Elbe Ceremony
Another classmate, Dan Schroeder (3) who is living the high life in Key West sent along the following: Life on a boat in Key West is ok! The last Sunday of January, February, March and April there is a sail boat race from Key West harbor to Sand Key. There are classes of schooners, over thirty, under thirty and multi hulls and there are no rules. Karen and I crew on a Dockmates Beneteau 46 and we do pretty well except for when a Swan 52 joins the fun. The picture below is from April’s race when the winds were ‘brisk’ and the seas were lumpy. Karen is the main sheet grinder, I am the genoa sheet grinder and the helmsman/captain is Rick Brown, class of ‘66. Great fun!!
n Our grandson, Chet Shutack, was President of his class (520 students), Captain of his undefeated football team, lettered in lacrosse, President of the National Honor Society (4.2 average), voted by his classmates “Most likely to be President”…Though he was offered full scholarships to universities and colleges, he applied to all three Academies, and received appointments to all of them! And in spite of the fact that his dad and his dad (the other grandfather) both graduated from the Air Force Academy, Chet will become a Midshipman, Class of 2017, in June! n
Tim de Gavre & Grandson
Dan also noted:
Class Administrative VP, Jerry Rosenberger (6) presented the Class of ’61 Sword at the recent Prizes & Awards Ceremony for the Class of 2013.
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Until next time, “GET IT DONE WITH ’61”
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 71%
PRES: CDR Walter F. Welham Jr., USN (Ret.) P: 703-323-6604; E: wwelham@aol.com SEC’Y: CDR Howard S. Pinskey, USNR (Ret.) P.O. Box 3380, Annapolis, MD 21403-3326 P: 410-974-1962; E: PINSK62@aol.com WEBSITE: www.nampows.org/62.html
GREETINGS FROM ANNAPOLIS Ah yes, summer in the Annapolis /Chesapeake Bay area – just like you remembered it!! We are now in our 56th year of our fantastic journey. Stay healthy and positive. And, Navy football starts in about a month. Let’s make it 12 straight over Army. Now for our class news, CLASS NEWS Our class president from days gone by – DICK HAYES, sends us this story of his travels with his good friend and our classmate JOHN KELLY.
Sailing, sailing, over the Bounding Main
n Graduations of grandchildren among us senior citizens are plentiful this time of
Jerry & Kathy Rosenberger w/ ’61 Sword Awardee
n Thought I’d drop you a line and let you know about the latest travels of our class flag. In early April, Ann & I and JOHN & Judy KELLY, spent two weeks in Hawaii soaking up the sun after a rather lousy and cold spring. We were fortunate to be able
to get a beautiful beach cottage at Barber’s Point. Although the old Barber’s Point NAS was turned over to the Hawaiian Air National Guard a few years ago under the BRAC process, the Coast Guard still has a small portion of the base for air search and rescue missions and the Navy retained control over the 16 or so beach cottages. Our cottage was spectacular – well furnished and just a great place to stay. We managed several trips around the island including the commissary and PX drills for food and beverages. Speaking of beverages, we always spend the first and last days of our Hawaii trips at the Hale Koa Hotel run by the Army. The best thing about the Hale Koa is the Barefoot Bar located by the pools and the ocean. They advertise that the Barefoot Bar has the best Mai Tai’s in Hawaii. I watched the bartender make ours – it had four shots of “stuff ” in it topped by a piece of pineapple and the usual “parasol”. If you have one Mai Tai, it’s great. If you have two Mai Tai’s, you feel really great. If you have three Mai Tai’s, it’s time to call 911 to get you back to your room. All in all it was a great time and we hope to do it again next year. n
BROOKS MANCINI describes his recent journey to a part of the world that played a major roll in the lives of many Academy graduates and especially the Class of 1962. n In January this year Diane and I took a riverboat cruise on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. We went with several friends from Reno, one of whom is retired BGen Frank Partlow, who was class of ’60 from USMA. Frank was a pitcher on Army’s baseball team and those on our team might remember batting against him.
Our trip began in Saigon with several days of touring the city. We had a chance to have a drink at the Rex Hotel and see the Presidential Palace. We went to Cu Chi and saw the tunnels and the traps used in the war before we boarded our river boat. The boat itself was new, having been put in service the previous November and most delightful with only 30 staterooms. Another nice feature was that it could pull into the bank so we could get off and see some prearranged sights. We did see a school and received a Buddhist water blessing at a monastery. We spent several days in Phnom Penh where Frank found his quarters when he was stationed there in 1973. We saw the Kings Palace, Prince Sininook’s crematorium, which was being built and the killing fields under Pol Pol (man’s inhumanity to man). Next we went to Siam Reap where Angkor Wat is located and spent a fascinating 3 days exploring the temples. Angkor Wat was built around 900 AD but deserted 200 years later and rediscovered by the French around 1860. Some of the temples were overgrown with trees growing up over and through them. A fascinating place and we highly recommend going there. The last stop on the trip was Hanoi. We visited the Hanoi Hilton, most of which was torn down but it was still awful knowing that some of our classmates and others were imprisoned there. God bless you who were there during the war; I doubt that I would have survived. It is a terrible place.We also saw the War Remembrance Museum which had quite a collage of aircraft parts displayed as a monument of sorts.The museum was actually very interesting and displayed, of course, from the Vietnamese point of view. We flew home from Hanoi after spending 2 weeks in that part of the world. Several things impressed me; first how friendly the people were even in the North; second how many motor scooters there were, which to me indicates an emerging wealth and third the people of South Vietnam seemed happier than the people of the North. It was a wonderful trip and I recommend it highly. n BOB CRAWFORD reports on a luncheon get together of local members of the 14th company at the Severn Inn on 12 April 2013. n There were six of us (BILL SLOWIKOWSKI had to opt out at the last minute because of family issues) and
five wives. The guys are clockwise from the left, RON BOSS, NICK FERRITER, DICK WESTBROOK, BOB CRAWFORD, TOM PRATT, CHARLIE CREIGHTON. The ladies are clockwise from the left, Linda Pratt, Jackie Ferriter, Ann Crawford, Diane Westbrook and Mary Creighton. It is noteworthy that NICK and his wife had driven up from the Northern Neck, TOM and his wife from Williamsburg, DICK and his wife from Virginia Beach and CHARLIE and I and our wives from northern VA. Just this small group is “scattered far and wide”.
We had a leisurely 3 hour lunch. The guys, of course, caught up on what we had been doing the last 50 years work wise and what is going on now. The ladies got to know each other and, naturally, talked about family. Obviously, three hours went by very quickly. One cannot cover 50 years in three hours. It was good after so much time and at our age to reconnect although we need to do more of it. We talked about “bucket list’s” and one observed that he was trying to “stay out of the bucket”. n IN MEMORIAM It is with great sadness that I inform the class of the passing of our classmate and friend ROBERT SONTHEIMER. BOB of Sunapee, New Hampshire, formerly of Belmont, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at his home on May 11, 2013 at the age of 72. Born in New York City, he was the son of Frederick and Lucille Sontheimer and was the oldest of four children. He attended James Monroe High School in the Bronx, July-August 2013
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62•63 CLASS NEWS where he was fast tracked to graduate at age 16. A skilled athlete, he played baseball and was invited by the Brooklyn Dodgers to tryout as a pitcher in 1957. After high school, he completed post graduate studies at the Dwight School before attending the Naval Academy from 1958 – 1962. While at the Academy, he continued to pitch for Navy. He was an accomplished musician and member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as percussionist for the Navy Dance Band. In his senior year he was named one of 24 outstanding midshipman commended for leadership. Post graduation, he entered Admiral Rickovers nuclear submarine program and remained in the Navy from 1962 – 1968. During his naval career, he served on the USS Stonewall Jackson and the USS von Steuben as both a nuclear power officer and a nuclear weapons officer based out of Charleston, SC and Honolulu, HI. He received his MBA in 1971 and was named a Baker Scholar by the Harvard Business School. He was invited to Washington, DC to work for the Wage and Price Commission for one year in 1972. He founded Resource Planning Associates, an environmental and natural resource management consulting firm. For the next 13 years he grew the business from a small consultancy in Cambridge, MA to an international presence. For the remainder of his career he continued to consult independently in business redesign and health care management and sat on the boards of several companies. BOB lived in Belmont, MA for 33 years where he was an active member of The First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist. Throughout his life, he continued his love of jazz and classical music, playing percussion for 25 years for the church. He was also an avid runner. He completed the Boston Marathon twice, including the Bicentennial and the Marine Corps Marathon in 1980. He continued to run daily throughout most of his life. BOB was most proud of his family and he will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Francis Harris, his children Anne King, Jane Sullivan and David Sontheimer; his grandchildren Clara and Caitlin King, 3 sisters and 13 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s name to the US Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps at Alumni Hall 675 Decatur Road, Annapolis, MD 21402-5066 — the US Naval Academy
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Friends of the Jewish Chapel at 326 First Street, Suite 22 Annapolis, MD 21403 or the First Baptist Church in Belmont at P.O. Box 113, Belmont, MA 02478. One of our classmates attending Bob’s memorial service was his good friend ED BARKER who delivered the eulogy. One excerpt from that speech follows: n Woody Allen is famously quoted as saying “80% of life is just showing up”. Bob showed up for life. He embraced life with focus, intelligence and drive. His record speaks for itself. About 1150 of us showed up in Memorial Hall, in Bancroft Hall on the shores of the Severn River, on June 30, 1958 to raise our right hands and swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. A little less than 800 of us graduated on June 6, 1962, four years later. Our man from the Bronx was selected by the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to be one of only twenty four Midshipmen who most exemplified the mission of the Naval Academy. Bob carried his Naval Academy experiences with him to inform the rest of his life. One only has to read the mission statement from the Naval Academy to see what he valued, “develop Midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty”. In the final analysis we are what we do and we get what we expect in general. Bob certainly spoke volumes about who he was in what he was able to accomplish with his life, at the Naval Academy, in the Navy and in business after his service to the country. n
ED CLARK sent us this information concerning the funeral service of DICK LAWS. n May 10, 2013 was a very special day. The funeral service for DICK was conducted at the USNA Chapel, after which his remains were laid to blessed rest in the Columbarium. The service was well attended with approximately 100 people there to pay last respects. USNA
Band, Honor Guard and fly over by four jets from NAS Oceana, who broke into the Missing Man Formation as they passed over the Columbarium. A most fitting tribute to a true American hero. n The Class extends its sincere sympathies to the family and friends of our departed classmates DICK LAWS and BOB SONTHEIMER. That’s our class news and photos for this July/August issue of SHIPMATE. I’m still printing stories sent to me a few months ago after my request for input. More responses are needed each month so please send me your stories, pictures and anything you think your classmates would appreciate. Any and all transmission means accepted. Keep in touch. Until next time…
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 59%
PRES: CAPT W. Spencer Johnson IV, USN (Ret.) SEC’Y: Michael H. Shelley 164 Sweetwater Ln., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 P: 828-862-4245; E: nstar@citcom.net WEBSITE: www.USNA63.org
“I propose three cheers for those we leave behind us and for the Class of 1963.” With these words by the president of the Class of 2013, the Naval Academy graduation ceremony on 24 May concluded under gray skies at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The occasional showers did not reduce the excitement and pride felt by the members of the great Class of 2013 and their families. As the mentor class for the Class of 2013, we share their pride, understand their sense of accomplishment, and join them in looking toward their bright future of service and continued growth. The President of the United States began his speech at the ceremony by acknowledging the support and patriotism of Naval Academy faculty and staff, the parents of the graduates, and “the members of the Class of 1963 — veterans who’ve guided these midshipmen along the way…”The full text of his speech can be seen in the ALINC section of our web site. Twelve of our classmates took part in the ceremony by distributing new Ensign and Second Lieutenant bars engraved with our class numerals and theirs along with a coin featuring the ’63 and ’13 class crests to each new graduate as they came down the ramp from the stage. (Link in the Chain coins were also presented to the CNO and POTUS.) Wearing identical attire, including hats and embroidered crests coordinated (and in some cases
procured) by our Class President Spencer Johnson, these dozen men represented us very well indeed.
Presenters Mario Fiori, David Puckett, Dan Koczur, Jim Lloyd, Jim Ring, Spencer Johnson and 2013 President John Rex Spivey ’63: Skip Wright flanked by sword recipients. Pero, Davidson, Johnson, Puckett, Jones, and Webb in the rear
Presenters Doug Davidson, Ron Klemick, Bruce Webb, Peter Quinton, Jeff Miles, and Eli Dabich
Members of the Class of 1963 participated in several events and activities in the days leading up to graduation. A tradition begun only a few years ago is the unveiling of the crest of the graduating class in Alumni Hall. Spencer Johnson was invited to speak at that event. Here is the text of his remarks: n Distinguished members of the Class of 2013—soon to be distinguished graduates of the Class of 2013:Today is a red letter day in the history of the Class of 2013. Today your distinctive class crest takes its place with those of the classes that have preceded you from the United States Naval Academy and have taken their places as officers and leaders in the service of our country. You are ready. The Class of 1963 has taken great pride in watching you meet every challenge, leap every hurdle, weather every storm in your four years by the Severn—from I-day, through plebe year and sea trials, summer cruises, academic rigors, and triumphs on “the fields of friendly strife”.You have set the bar high for all who follow you. You have been fired, forged, shaped, annealed, and tempered.The words honor, commitment, courage, and quality are who you now are.They are integral to everything you will do in the future.You are ready to bear the strain of a link in the chain.The unveiling of your crest today
bears testimony to that achievement.You have demonstrated and earned the “special trust and confidence” that is now being placed in each and every one of you by your fellow countrymen. The Class of 1963 is proud and honored to be your link in the chain class. This relationship does not end with your graduation. It continues as we follow you to sea and beyond until we become but a memory. From the Class of 1963 to the Class of 2013, bravo zulu — well done! We wish you fair winds and following seas in every course that you set, and pray that yours is truly a happy voyage home. Midshipman Spivey, break the crest of the Class of 2013 and God bless all those who sail under this banner. n Two days later, on 17 May, Spencer was afforded the honor of delivering the baccalaureate address in the Jewish Chapel in the Levy Center. His address was in essence the telling of a true sea story appropriate to the occasion.The text is posted in the ALITC section of our web site. The ongoing transfer of swords from Class of 1963 owners to Class of 2013 recipients reached a peak of activity as graduation approached. Roger Mehle sent this report about the transfer of his sword: n On May 15, just a few days before our Link-in-the-Chain class was to graduate, I presented my sword to Midshipman Joseph Rizzo, Class of 2013. I had solicited the 24th Company firsties (my company on graduation) to see whether any prospective Naval officer would like to have the sword, and Joe stepped forward. Joe, whose dad is a graduate of the Class of 1974 (but no longer has his sword), will soon be the newest Ensign on board a DDG homeported in Norfolk. He says he’s planning to give the sword—when the time comes— to someone in the 24th Company of the Class of 2063, and that he’ll invite me to
attend! In this photo, Joe is pictured on my right, and Joe’s roommate, now 2LT Conn Wiseman, USMC, is on my left.Were we ever that young and good-looking? n
Roger Mehle transfers his sword
The following Wednesday, two days before graduation, eight 1963 swords went to new owners during a ceremony at Alumni House. The donors of these blades were Al Griggs, Daryl Rabert, Satch Baumgart, Bo Kearns, Chuck Adams, Mike Pero, Donn McCrory, and Skip Wright. Not all of them could attend, so Doug Davidson, Dick Jones, David Puckett, Bruce Webb, and Spencer Johnson filled in for them. I believe that our classmate Pat Waugh holds the distinction of being our first classmate with both a child and a grandchild who are USNA graduates.I received this brief note from Pat in mid-May: n I am not attending graduation this year, as I am my wife’s primary personal caregiver. I really wanted a graduation day picture with Steve ’86 and Nick ’13, but it was not meant to be. My old roommate, Peter Browne, did present his sword to Nick a few days ago. He and Jackie will attend graduation and raise a cheer for me. Nick will follow his father as an aviator, but in the Navy, not the Marine Corps. n July-August 2013
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63•64 CLASS NEWS The transfer of swords has not been a part of the Another Link in the Chain program in past years.We can hope that our precedent will be followed by all of the ALITC senior classes in years to come. I believe that I know which of us originated the idea. I plan to confirm that and present a complete recap of ’63 to ’13 sword transfers in an upcoming Shipmate report. Now I turn to unfortunate news that we have lost another classmate. Gil Barbe has written to inform us that Henri Berckenbosch passed away in Waremme, Belgium, on 26 March 2013. No other information is yet available. Both Henri and Gil came to the Naval Academy as foreign nationals from Belgium. George Emery shared with me the good news that his book “In Their Own Words: A New Look at the Naval War of 1812” was published by the Naval Historical Foundation on 1 May. Presenting a stirring collection of contemporary letters, newspapers and broadsides of the War of 1812, the book brings to life the challenges, successes, and disappointments of the war at sea. For more information, and to purchase this timely book, visit the Foundation’s web site at www.museumstore.navyhistory.org and click on ”War of 1812.” Jim DeFrancia received a high and uncommon honor when the Secretary of the Navy presented him with the Department of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award on 31 December. Here is the text of the citation: n For exemplary service while serving as Member of the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel from February 2010 to December 2012. Mr. DeFrancia’s acute strategic acumen and experience enabled him to provide expert analysis and recommendations to the Secretary of the Navy in the areas of energy, shipbuilding and defense industrial base, Asia-Pacific engagement, intelligence organization, and related maritime issues. Devoting countless hours to ensure our continued national security, he synthesized information from over 80 subject matter experts and provided superb advice on a number of complex, high-visibility issues facing the Department of the Navy. His foresight and proactive leadership highlighted emerging technologies and policy suggestions that will help shape the Navy of the future. Mr. DeFrancia’s exceptional initiative, professionalism, and total dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Department of the Navy. n
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Vern Von Sydow sent this account
Our 50th Reunion is now less than three months away. If you haven’t yet submitted (or updated) your current biography for our web site, procrastinate no longer! Just send your text, with a photo or two if you wish, to Webmaster Steve Coester at scoester@cfl.rr.com. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Annapolis! QUALITY—’63
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 61%
PRES: Bill Natter E: bnatter@verizon.net; P: 410-562-4786 CORR SEC’Y: Roland Marquis 26439 N. Ridge Ct., Mundelein IL 60060 P: 847-970-7562; E: bigroland1@comcast.net WEBSITE: www.usna64.org
After a two month absence, class president Bill Natter submits the following message to the class: Classmates, Make sure you get the gouge on many subjects of interest to our Class and classmates in the spring Newsletter produced by Grant Fulkerson. Thanks Grant! Mark your calendar now to attend our 50th class reunion, scheduled for 18-21 September 2014 - just over a year from now! Joe Stewart’s committee is working
hard to ensure classmates, wives and guests enjoy an outstanding time in Annapolis. Look for the latest reunion news release through our company rep email system, of the committee’s August planning session. Make your travel reservations now to attend this benchmark reunion without delay! If all classmates show up, this will indeed be the special occasion we hope it to be! On the subject of our 50th Class Gift projects, their current status is always posted on our award-winning class website: www.usna64.org , compliments of Scott Bushnell and Steve Claassen. This summer, Tom Lynch’s A&SP is scheduled to award a third annual prep school scholarship in the name of the Class of 1964 to a worthy midshipman applicant. The VADM Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership is gearing up to roll-out initial spots of the Integritas project to the Brigade this fall along with initiating and maintaining a website to support the roll- out process. We look forward to all classmates being able to view the spots on a secure website at the time they become available. The Foundation’s spring 2013 Gift and Participation report ranks the Great Class of 1964 #5 in participation and #4 in total gift amount out of 73 graduating classes during the calendar year of 2012. Although the Foundation defines “participating classmates” differently than “all classmates”, we have a lot to be proud of regarding our 2012 performance. Bravo Zulu classmates! Best to all, Bill Moving on, the following comprises an interesting historical perspective input from Jim Carlson: “As we approach our 50th reunion I thought that it was interesting to note that the Congressman who
’64: Jim’s cutting edge 1960 technology acceptance notification
CLASS
OF 1963 Fiftieth Reunion 24-27 October 2013 Thursday, October 24 0930-1630 0900-1500 1630-1800 1830-??
Check in at Loews Hotel, 120 West St. Annapolis Golf at Renditions Golf Course, Davidsonville, MD No Host Cocktails and Join-up at Loews Company Events
Friday, October 25 1000-1130 1200-1215 1350-1500 1600-1700 1845-2300 1930
Class Meeting, Mitscher Auditorium, Levy Center (followed by tour of Center for Academic Excellence) Noon Meal Formation Tecumseh Court Superintendent’s Breifing for all classes Alumni Hall Dress P-rade on Worden Field Reunion Banquet Alumni Hall Cocktails at 1845, Dinner at 2000 Jewish Service Levy Center
Saturday, October 26 0900 Virtual tour of the Yard by Jim Minderlein ’65 Loews 1115-1700 (Approx.) Tailgate Party Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 1330 Football vs. Pittsburgh 1900 Company Events as desired
Sunday, October 27 0830-1100 0900-1000 1100-1215 1300-1400
Brunch at Loews Catholic Mass Main Chapel Protestant Service Main Chapel Memorial Service Main Chapel
Revised Registration deadline – 31 August 2013. DON’T WAIT! Notes: Midn. Store opens 0730-1600 Thursday and Friday, Saturday morning of Homecoming Weekend Museum and Visitor Center opens 0900-1700 Thursday and Friday, weekend hours vary
July-August 2013
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64•65 CLASS NEWS appointed me to the Academy was still alive! The Honorable Robert Michel recently had a reception in Peoria, Illinois to celebrate his 90th birthday. He served in the House for 38 years and was the GOP leader in the House for 14 years. I took the occasion to again thank him for changing my life and to show him the actual Western Union telegram that he sent me confirming my selection. (For our Link-in-the-Chain Class of 2014, a telegram was the cutting edge technology that wiped out the Pony Express.)”
Len, Tom, Alexandra and Kathy at the Kona restaurant
John Schaefer graciously hosted a mini-18th Company reunion at his seaside home in Laguna Beach, CA in early April. In attendance were Jim McWalters, Ed Schoenberger and Tom Elsasser.
Way to go Chuck
Fair Winds and a Following Sea, classmates. Jim reminiscing with the Honorable Robert Michel (R-IL) his USNA nominator
Last winter Kathy and Len Wass were warming up in Maui when they ran into Marilyn and Tom Swartz. Len reports the foursome had a great lunch together, catching up on each other’s lives, dating back to when Tom and Len served in opposite crews of the USS Kamehameha.
Jim, John, Tom and Ed getting together for dinner in Dana Point, CA
After two days soaking up the southern California sunshine, John, Ed and Tom headed up to Sonoma County for four days of cycling, wine tasting and unending sea stories. Patrons at the Dry Creek Kitchen bar in Healdsburg were entertained for hours as the tales got taller and taller. Another fall visit back to Healdsburg is already in the planning stages.
Tom, Len, Kathy and Marilyn swapping sea stories while lunching in an industrial area far above Lahaina
Len and Kathy’s next stop on their Hawaiian odyssey brought them to Kona on the Big Island. While there they shared dinner at a vintage 1800’s hotel with Tom Stick and his delightful lady, Alexandra. Tom - who can legitimately claim a very diverse post-submarine service career ranging from Alaskan big game hunting guide to dentistry - has a great ocean front beach house in the Kohala District of the Big Island.
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John, Tom and Ed proudly display their Navy jerseys while biking through the vineyards of Sonoma County
We close this month with a note from Robbie Robertson who discovered yet another tribute for one of our most renowned classmates: “As many classmates know, Chuck Krulak has followed up his multi-starred USMC career by serving as the President of Birmingham Southern College in Alabama. Obviously his leadership skills have struck true there as well, as indicated by this poster I spotted in the dorm room of a student who shall remain nameless.”
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 61%
PRES: CAPT Jim Minderlein, USN (Ret.) 1080 Carriage Hill Pkwy., Annapolis, MD 21401 P: 410-841-6644; E: jimm65@verizon.net F: 410-841-6644 CORR SEC’Y: CDR Dave Anderson, USN (Ret.) 1600 Ala Moana Blvd. #2208 Honolulu, HI 96815 E: daveand65@me.com daveand65@earthlink.net C: 816-813-3671 CLASS OF 1965 HOME PAGE: http://www.daveand65.com/USNA65/Welcome.html
Our classmate, Richard Charles “Dick” Emerson, alias “Ralph Waldo,” passed away on April 22, 2013, after a year-long battle with cancer. Dick was a Navy junior and graduated from the 4th Company. Our Lucky Bag says he had a special knack for unsettling upperclassmen and had a very eventful Plebe year. It states that he also waged war with the academic departments for all four years. We received the news in May so, unfortunately, we missed any opportunity to have someone represent the Class at his service. Please keep Dick and his family in your prayers, though. Dick’s family has sent in an obituary for the Last Call section. Please look for it in this issue (or possibly the next).” There’s an active “Binnacle List” (those who are dealing with health issues) on our website. Check there frequently and send out cheery hellos to those on the list – PLEASE! They include: Skip MacMichael, who wrote on 07 May –
n I will be admitted to NMMC on 08 May for removal of a cancerous tumor from my left leg. Prognosis good but I’ll have to learn to walk again, apparently. This growing older is clearly not for sissies. n Also, our classmate, Harry Shackleford, is currently in NMMC Bethesda undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. I don’t have any more details except that he does have e-mail and might like to hear from his classmates. Tom Murphy, who wrote on 09 May – n My health is very fragile. I have been hospitalized off and on since Dec 12.In late April my heart failed and my defibrillator shocked me over 30 times within 3 hours. I was put in a medically induced coma to keep me alive. I was in the coma for weeks before being revived and lost over 80 lb. I have undergone more weeks of treatment. I was released to home last week but I am still very weak and wheelchair bound. Prognosis is unknown but I’m struggling on with pain and weakness. Any and all prayers or other help gratefully accepted as I don’t have military retirement or Tricare. Try to stay well. n John Kohler, who wrote on 11 May – n I have been diagnosed with Stage IIA esophageal cancer. No lymph nodes affected as of this week.We will travel to the MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston this Tuesday and hopefully attack the tumor before it can spread. Please add me to the Binnacle List. n Best wishes to all these guys as they deal with what age and Mother Nature have bestowed upon them. On to some cheerier news. From Phil, Ferrara 26 Apr n Last night’s ALITC BONDS of GOLD reception and the ceremony in Memorial Hall with the Class of 2015 was a wonderful event and a great success due to the volunteers’ participation. We all owe a great deal of thanks to the members of the Class of 1965 family who contributed their rings to this solemn and heartwarming event and spoke from their heart to the assembled audience of Midshipmen. Our gratitude is extended again to the ring donors, Anne Hale (widow of Jerry Robinson), Dolly Lewis (widow of Jeff Lewis), Ann Molishus (widow of Joe Molishus), Rebecca Piatt Gonzalez and Kevin Piatt (sister and brother of Dick Piatt), Denny McComb (for his
mother Mrs Maxine McComb), Craig Etka, John Odom, and Larry Swenson. Thank you to all of the participants in the “Bonds of Gold”.We made a difference and will continue to make a difference in the ‘Another Link In The Chain.’ Other participants at this event included Pat and Carrie Fitch, John Bishop, Hugh Thompson and Sharon Cleary, John Szubski and guest, Mike Epprecht, Phil and Linda Ferrara, John and Leahray Wroten, Skip and Merry Orr, David and Valerie Adams, Jim and Rosi Stark, Brian and Pat Kinney, Hal and Carla Amerau, Jim and Diann Minderlein, Hank Keese, Craig Allen, Craig and Fran Etka, Doug Norton, Doug and Sharon Katz, Frank and Kate Peterson, and Bill and Mary Matton. (Lotsa photos on this event on our website.) n
From Rick Rickard, 27 Apr n Got the “official” photos today from son Laird’s wedding. This photo is the wedding party leaving the “guerrilla” wedding at the Bay Area waterfront with Laird carrying Augi on his home-built side-car bike. Just behind are Allyson, Rick, and Lydia (Augi’s mom). n
From Phil, 26 Apr n On 23 April 23 in Chauvenet Hall, USNA, Mrs Barbara Pilling donated the mathematics private library, doctoral thesis, Trident Scholar project, and other papers of Don Pilling to the Math Department at the Naval Academy. There’sa photo below of this event, organized by Jim Minderlein, to feature the presentation by Barbara. The event was attended by numerous ‘65ers and their spouses. Attending were Pat and Brian Kinney, Dan Flanagan, Laurie and Larry Swenson, Mike Epprecht, Linda and Phil Ferrara, Denny Neutze, John Odom, Jim Minderlein, Barbara Pilling, Hugh Thompson and Sharon Cleary, Carrie and Pat Fitch, Valerie and David Adams, Merry and Skip Orr, Karen and Denny McComb, and Rosi and Jim Stark. (More on website) n
Connecting the USNA alumni family through the years...
From Jack DeVine, 07 May n Quick summary of life since we all scattered in June 1965: nuke submariner for five-plus years, civilian line since then, nearly all in the nuclear business; 22 years with GPU, the company that owned The Three Mile Island plant – the TMI accident in 1979 was a life changer for all of us, and for me it turned out to be an uninvited opportunity to take a significant role in a big deal, experience that has been helpful in many ways since then. Left GPU as an executive in ’92, started a nuclear consulting firm with classmate Ed Rumble and our mutual friend and colleague Dave Leaver (UW ’65, Naval Reactors).That was a good run too, 15 years; the firm was acquired in 2007 by an Australian-based international energy company,WorleyParsons. I stayed on with WP, heading up their US Nuclear business until 2011, when I retired – sort of. On the personal front, Peggy Wenz and I married in 1968 – we’re on year 45 now, with two sons, JCD III (USNA ’91) and Thom, two daughters-in-law, and four grands. My retirement lasted two years to the day. This past January I stumbled on the opportunity to lead the decommissioning and radiation cleanup work at Sellafield in the UK, where the residues of half a century of weapons and power generation have been piling up. It’s a big job, fascinating, stimulating, energizing, too July-August 2013
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65•66 CLASS NEWS good to pass up - but quite a load. No more afternoon naps for a while. So it’s just another life chapter. Plenty of blessings to count, Peggy and I are keeping our places in SC and NJ, and one day I’ll be back to the good life, joining Phil and the gang for first Wednesday lunches in Annapolis. Best regards to all, Jack (More on website) n
Siemens AG which is in the massive pinch roller machine business, and our daughter is married to a Class of ‘97 graduate who just became the XO of VP-8 in Jax. My interests are in Agriculture (farming), Community Service, Ancestry and most assuredly, our grandkids. Attached is a pic of the Colyer family. Tom (More on website) n From Denny Neutze, 10 May
n I brought a group from Texas, for the7th time, to the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder event in DC. Tex Wittig and Rich Harden met us in Staunton,VA on Thursday, we rode Skyline drive with a total of 19 motorcycles (in freeing temps and high winds) on Friday, hooked up with Mike Artherholt on Saturday in DC and we did the POW/MIA Weekend, the Iwo Memorial, Changing of the Guard, the Harley sponsoring dealership, a couple of hours on the Mall, and a great, informal cookout and rode RT with about 300,000 of our closest friends on Sunday. We need more 65ers to join in. Mike n Carrying over some reports from Ed Hlopak, Phil, Bill Bower and Larry Swenson to next Shipmate edition.Y ou can check them out on the website – Jul-Aug Column there under Latest Shipmate Articles. Thazzit …or that’s all that’ll fit. CU next time. Dave
From Tom Colyer, 09 May n I have spent years enjoying the website but have not contributed much if anything along the way. My wife Andrea and I live in Massachusetts in an historic farmhouse that we have refurbished through the years. I retired in 1989 from the NAVPRO job at the Lynn, MA General Electric Jet Engine Facility. Our classmate, Neil Henderson, hired me for a job in the Worcester area, which transitioned into a position with a French company and another retirement. We had been on the farm for several years at that point and decided to stay. Andrea developed a line of Merino wool knitting yarns and I became a shepherd. We have continued that pursuit through the present and along the way I became active in the American Sheep Industry Association as a co-chair of the American Wool Council for the last 10 years and a member of the ASI Executive Board from which I just retired. Andrea and I have three kids and six grandkids. Our oldest son is a Colonel in the Army Special Forces, the second son works for a Massachusetts affiliate of
From Mike Goodwin, 10 May
n The Dolphins Cheerleaders attended a Breast-Cancer Fundraiser at our Home Owners Association Resident Club/Spa in Florida this morning. Shown here with Sunny and me is the actual Vince Lombardy Trophy from the 1973 Super Bowl which capped the Dolphins 17-0 season, the only Perfect Season in NFL History. n
USNA AA TAILGATES Bring the whole family down to cheer on Navy at our home game tailgates in the Stadium, right next to the field!
We start 2 hours before game-time and party right through half-time! For more information, see www.usna.com/tailgates or contact us at events@usna.com.
2013 Navy Football Schedule Follow Navy Football online at NAVYSPORTS.COM
Date
Opponent
7 Sept 2013 14 Sept 2013 28 Sept 2013 5 Oct 2013 12 Oct 2013 19 Oct 2013 26 Oct 2013 2 Nov 2013 9 Nov 2013 16 Nov 2013 22 Nov 2013 14 Dec 2013
@ Indiana -Bloomington, IN vs Delaware @ Western Kentucky-Bowling Green, KY vs Air Force @ Duke -Durham, NC @ Toledo -Toledo, OH vs Pittsburgh (Homecoming) @ Notre Dame -South Bend, IN vs Hawaii vs South Alabama @ San Jose State -San Jose, CA vs ARMY -Philadelphia, PA
1-800-US4-NAVY ’65: The Coylers
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66
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 63%
PRES: VADM Michael D. Haskins, USN (Ret.) SEC’Y: CDR Mike Baird, USN (Ret.) 63 Franklin St., Annapolis, MD 21401 E: pmbaird@verizon.net WEST COAST SEC’Y: Robert G. Johnson Jr., Esq. 27136-B Paseo Espada #1121 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 WEBSITE: www.usna66.org
It has been a busy spring and entry into summer. I have much to report regarding Another Link in the Chain and Classmate accomplishments, so let’s get going. On 14 May 2013, the Class of 2016 participated in sea trials as one of the closing competitions to their Plebe Year. Late that afternoon the Class of 2016 assembled in Dahlgren Hall to receive the results of their competition and to hear the Superintendant and Commandant congratulate them on their accomplishments. Also attending were members of our Class under the Another Link in the Chain (ALITC) program.The contingent was led by RADM Tom Marfiak, USN (Ret.), ALITC Coordinator for our Class. Classmates and spouses attending were Chris and Tom Marfiak, Desi and John Posoli, Susan and Guinn Clark, Pat, and Mike Baird, Linda and Kevin McCook, Dervilla and Scott Gordon, Denise and Dave Lovelady, Rodger Carter, Mike Chandler, Carl Fulford, and Bill DiFilippo. After remarks by the Superintendant and Commandant,Tom Marfiak spoke.The text of his speech, which contains comments from Class President VADM Mike Haskins, USN (Ret.), can be found on our Class web site along with several more pictures.
Tom Marfiak Addresses 2016
On 20 May, 12 Classmates and 17 spouses and guests watched 2016 scale Herndon. It was a great afternoon, and as you can see from the photos well attended by parents
2016 – No More Plebes
’66ers at 2016 Sea Trials Conclusion
of 2016. They took 1 hour, 32 minutes and 43 seconds. The hat was put on top by MID’N Patrick Lien of Orlando, FL, 24th Company. Not bad, though our time was 42 minutes and Tom (Hoot) Gibson, 17th Company (old 12th Company) put the cap on top for us. Congratulations to 2016.
’66ers at Herndon
Mike Haskins informed me of a memorial to John (Jack) Consolvo at the base of the Auburn High flag pole; Arlington National Cemetery; National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Jack served in Vietnam and was declared Missing In Action, Body Not Recovered (MIA BNR) on 7 May 1972 (41 years ago). LTC Jon Segars, USA (Ret.), commander of the Auburn High School ROTC program at Auburn High School in Auburn, AL, coordinated “Auburn High, Captain Consolvo Day, 7 May. The students wore red and posted on Facebook. “Why Auburn High School?” you might ask. It seems that Jack’s father was also a past commander of the ROTC unit at that high school. A link to pictures about the memorial is https://www. facebook.com/CaptJohnWadsworthCons olvoJrMay71972KiaBnr?ref=hl John Beakes and Dr. Jim Piecuch have co-authored “Light Horse Harry Lee in the War for Independence,” which became available from The Nautical and
Aviation Publishing Company of America (nauticalandaviation.com) in late May. “Light Horse Harry” was the father of Robert E. Lee, and was himself an exceptional young cavalry officer during the Revolutionary War. He was the only officer below the rank of General to be awarded a Gold Medal by the Continental Congress, receiving this honor for his daring attack on Paulus Hook, New Jersey in 1779. Lee was the consummate partisan warrior, and was trusted completely by George Washington and Nathanael Greene for reconnaissance, keeping the British off-balance with frequent raids, and screening the army. The book tells the story of this bold young cavalryman’s service during the Revolution and of his many contributions to our nation winning its independence from Great Britain. Beakes and Piecuch previously wrote “Cool Deliberate Courage, John Eager Howard in the American Revolution,” which was published in 2009. The Lee book is the second in a series on George Washington’s officers during the Revolution, and we can expect additional books on this subject from John in the future, as he continues to pursue his hobby of Revolutionary War history and his goal of bringing to light the service of some of the officers whose stories have been forgotten. Congratulation to John! Another Classmate, Andy Finlayson, has published Killer Kane, A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968. It’s a recount of Andy’s experience in Vietnam. More about this book can be found on our Class web site, and may be provided in a Shipmate article. Tom Martin checked in to report that he and wife Fay had the great privilege of hosting the USNA Club Softball team from 19-21 April for the 2013 MidAtlantic Regional Tournament. In his words: July-August 2013
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66•67 CLASS NEWS n “We had three of the ladies stay with us. We were very impressed with the character of these ladies. The first picture is of the three who stayed with us: Brittany Medina (’15) of Conroe, TX; Jordan Armstrong (’13) of Southaven, MS; and Riley Miller (’16) of Warrenton,VA. The second picture is of me with the 2016 members of the team which included, in no particular order Victoria Spies, Alexis Clark, Riley Miller, and Heather Trafford. Unfortunately, the team did not capture the two positions that would send them to nationals. We had a great time with our guests. We will very happily do it again!” n
I can announce that some changes in Battalion Rep and Company Reps have been effected. Tom Petillo has become the new 1st Batt Rep, replacing Tommy Payne, who passed away last year. Replacing Tom Petillo as 1st Company Rep is Hank Giedzinksi. Replacing Bob Martin as 3rd Company Rep is Russ Puppe. Thanks to all three for serving the Class. Finally, I commend the Company Reps for stepping up to the challenge of reaching out to Classmates on behalf of our Class Legacy Gift Projects. An example of one message sent by them is the following by Russ Puppe –
Many thanks to Tom for the great write-up and pictures.
n “I was in San Diego last week for a Swift Boat reunion. Brian Sibold, one of my roommates, got other Classmates together and we had a great Sunday afternoon mini-reunion. Great war stories about the Academy and service life were told. There were some 450 plus sailors and wives for the Swift boat reunion. We have built a memorial to the brown water sailors that served in Vietnam on the Amphibious Naval Base in Coronado, CA. We have recovered three boats from the different units and mounted them at this memorial. Now we also have a operating boat at the San Diego Maritime Museum which will give rides to visitors and will keep the history of Swift Boats alive. Swift Boat sailors served one year together and through that combat experience developed a great bonding. We have worked to keep that bond alive through reunions and monuments. During the Vietnam war there were about 2,500 sailors and officers involved in Swift Boat operations. We lost 50 of them due to combat operations. Unfortunately three of them were serving on my boat. This is one day in our life as a Swift Boat officer. I lost a crewman that day, Quartermaster Tom Holloway. Our Class also lost a Shipmate, Don Droz during this ambush. Scroll down through the story. They show a boat being towed by two other boats. That is my boat, PCF 51, being pulled out of the river the next day as we had lost both engines during the ambush due to a rocket into the side of the boat. I highlight this as a corollary to our Naval Academy experience. We spent four years together. We have great memories and stories to tell. Many of you have similar career experiences that are significant to you. We have lost other Classmates during this time. We now have a class project underway to perpetuate our class
Women’s Softball Team Members
Tom with 2016 Softball Team Members
Through the offices of Clay Spikes and Bill Geib I learned that Chris Tracey, wife of Mike Tracey, passed away on 7 December 2012. Mike states that she was at peace with her family and friends. She requested a quiet ceremony with family. I know you join me in offering Mike and his family our condolences and prayers.
CHRIS TRACEY
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history. At our 45th Reunion, our Class agreed to a Class Project that would raise $1.966 million for the Academy as our 50th reunion gift. The Project has three elements: $1.277 million for the Cyber Security Program at the Academy, $393,000 to support athletic programs (varsity and intramural), and $295,000 for the Naval Academy Annual Fund. Our Class Website has more information on each of these projects. To date we have gifts/pledges from 201 classmates totaling about $1 million. Based on the last Shipmate update, we are at 50% of our goal but only 26% of our Classmates have contributed. I think we would want 100% participation for our legacy. If you have not contributed, please consider doing so. Whatever the amount, just stand up and be counted with the Class of 1966. Our memories and history are so important to all of us.” n Russ, I couldn’t have said it better. The updated numbers as of 24 May 2013 are 245 Classmates and $1.25 million. Progress is posted on our Cass web site. Until September, All the best, Mike!!!
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 71%
PRES: CDR David E. Church, USN (Ret.) SEC’Y: LtCol Jim McNeece, USMC (Ret.) 1603 John Worthington Way, Crownsville, MD 21032 P: 410-849-3423; E: scribe67@gmail.com
If you recall from a couple of columns back, John Cline passed away on 1 December 2012 after a long fight with cancer. His inurnment in the Naval Academy Columbarium was held on 12 April 2013. There was a reception at the Naval Academy Club following the service. The photo shows Bill Belden, “Bull” Halsey, Ed Finney, John Sheldon, Julie ‘98 (pilot protégé of John’s), Pam Cline, John Craighill and Dave Church. Pat Beamer had to leave early and missed the photo. Thanks to Pat for being Pam’s strength through John’s last days.
Remembering John Cline
There’s still some 45th Reunion stuff out there. Got this from Ed Kerins:
n The 31st Company had a fine turnout at the 45th. In this photo, in the back left to right are Norb Ryan, Mike Bolier, Dave Fletcher, Buddy Walker, Tim Anderson, Tim Sullivan, Dave Spisso, Tom Blair, Bob Cutter (standing), Jim Knox, and John Pepper (also standing). In the front, kneeling, are Ed Kerins (me), Ken Belisle, Jack Feehan, John Hickok and Wally Leonard. The photo was taken at a party after the game hosted by John Hickok at his home in Annapolis. Missing from the photo was Dave Barre. n I keep getting cruise box tidbits...it’s fun to see how long all those simple plywood boxes have lasted and where they wound up. Mike Apple tells me he still has both his cruise box and lock box, and still uses both. From Fred Hebdon: n Mine had survived several moves and flooding by Hurricane Isabel. Several months ago my daughter and her husband saw it in our garage along with a cruise box that had belonged to my father. He spent 26 years on active duty as an Aviation Ordinanceman, so his box was stenciled “Gunner Hebdon.” Now both cruise boxes are in her basement taking up places of honor in her husband’s man-cave. n And from Pete Young: n To add my 2 to the Cruise Box thread....after three deployments (Ranger and Midway) to SEA and a stint as a toy box, mine languished in storage for nearly 40 years with my flight gear. It is now a part of the exhibits on board the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. (You know you’re getting old when your last ship is not only decommissioned, but also has been converted to a museum.) I still have my strong box, though... emblazoned with my plebe year Laundry Number (3262). n
Then there’s Tim Hoffmann: n First off, I still have my original cruise box AND my lockbox! In fact, I’ve used both for all these years to keep valuable stuff, and I’m just now in the process of refurbishing the cruise box by re-stenciling it with my name, rank (Ensign) and number. Then I plan to stain it and lay on multiple layers of polyurethane or varnish and put brass fittings on all the edges. I’ll send a picture of the finished product when I’m done.Ya gotta treat historical relics with appropriate esteem! As an addendum to Pete Young’s story about replacing Lynn McGlothlin’s class ring: if memory serves we resolved to do that at our 40th reunion and passed the hat to muster up the money to buy it. Janie and John Richman had arranged for our company to stay at an historic bed and breakfast not far from the Academy. We all (Cliff Bream, John Clevenger, George Dash, George Garrett, Norm Hapke, Joel Heaton, Steve Long, Bob Pothier, Dante Marzetta, Norm Hapke, Pete Misiaszek, John Richman, Bill Sorenson, Walt Wilkening, Pete Young, Vern McIntosh) conducted a memorial service for fallen classmates Ken Norton, Gary Holtzclaw and Lynn on a little knoll overlooking the Severn and even had a ship’s bell to ring after each of us recalled experiences them. I spoke about Ken, recalling some antics we’d pulled in Newport, R.I. in 1968-69, most of which would be politically incorrect today. It was at The Tavern (an infamous Newport watering hole), that Ken told me that he was going to put in for Swift Boat duty in ‘Nam. The rest is history. Last note: I’m looking for gainful employment and would appreciate ideas from classmates who have an idea of what I can do when I grow up. In addition, I’d welcome the opportunity to talk with and
share cocktails with anyone passing through Southern California. My cell is (949) 836-5487 and email thoffmann2@ gmail.com. n On May 7, 2012, Lin Wells was inducted into the “Wall of Excellence” for USNA Oceanography graduates on the Michelson-Chauvenet lab deck. Lin majored in Oceanography and Physics at Navy. He was a Trident Scholar, a Burke Scholar at Johns Hopkins, and the first U.S. naval officer to attend the Japanese National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo. He’s had continuous service with the Department of Defense since 1963 (yep...that’s 50 years!) including 26 years as surface warfare officer with command of JOSEPH STRAUSS (DDG-16) and Destroyer Squadron 1, and 14 years as a senior civilian in Office of Secretary of Defense. He has written widely in English and Japanese on national security issues and naval history. Currently he is Director of the Center for Technology and National Security Policy and Distinguished Research Professor at the National Defense University. My IQ has gone up 10 points just writing all that! Several of us, including Dave Church, Rick Davis, Burlie Brunson, Dave Vetter, and Gene Zaiser, were honored to attend the induction.
With Lin Wells at the Wall of Excellence
Paul McConnell sent this happy news: n My youngest son Sean and his wife Jessica recently told us they are expecting their third child and our fourteenth grandbaby! When I first met my bride of almost 46 years, Sally and I would have never guessed we would be so blessed. Our family has been the most satisfying part of our lives and the story continues! No matter one or one hundred, grandkids are a lot of fun! n Congratulations to the whole crowd! I had an entertaining exchange with Adam Llewellyn.To set the stage, he’d just gotten a his first iPhone and was still something less than proficient.What
’67: 31st at 45th Reunion July-August 2013
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67•68 CLASS NEWS follows are successive notes, but notice how quickly he ascends the learning curve! n • Typing this on a smart phone with my thumb. I prefer paper and pencil but since I took typing in high school my thumb still remembers where my fingers used to go. • It’s no longer the age of Aquarius. It’s the age of Alzheimer’s so I’ve been reading old Shipmates to refresh my memory. • The last two paragraphs were the beginning my letter to you. A couple of sentences I guess just followed. More to come. I have a story to tell. It will come together. • In the October 1980 issue, Pete Long wrote that Jim Gilbert was the XO of the USS Thomaston LSD-28. Meant nothing to me at the time but I now summer in Thomaston. Thomaston, Maine that is. More sailing ships were built in Thomaston in the 1800s than all other shipbuilding ports combined. Thomaston is up the road from Bath, the home of Bath Iron Works, where the Thomaston was built. Bath is also the boyhood home of Pete White. So the significance of my geezing? Jim, Pete and I were all in the 16th Company before it became a small world. n
Got a good note from Bill Hall after I pointed out his chronological seniority within the Class. n At the risk of being identified as a serial non-participant in the news department here are some items I am proud to relate: Karen’s and my oldest son William IV, also known as Bowie, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the New York Air National Guard on December 7, 2012. I was privileged to administer his oath of office. He starts flight training in June to be a C-130 pilot in an air rescue wing. We also are extremely pleased to announce Bowie’s engagement to Miss Jessica Hess of Piqua, OH. Our younger son Christopher and his lovely wife Lori will celebrate their first wedding anniversary in May. He is a newly promoted business analyst for Blue Cross, a position that for the long run should immunize him from the effects of the new national health care scheme. Lastly, the entire family is elated that Karen’s flirt with death—bungie jumping—went off without a hitch! Hers is a strange bucket list! n
Turned out to be a neat drawing together of several different pieces. I didn’t see it coming! Thanks for persevering, Adam! That must have been one of Don Fraser’s columns all the way back to 1980. Wow! Now, the really BIG news, this from John Morton: n It is with great pleasure that I announce to the entire Golf Nation, including the PGA, and all 67’rs.. That one of our own, the esteemed Mr. Don Geismar, had a hole in one on NAVY’s #7 on April 26, 2013 at 4:13 PM! Hip Hip Hooray to a former surface warfare Captain! n Sandy Prouty was another witness: n And witnessing the event I can say that I’ve never seen anything quite like it. His low key modesty, restrained demeanor and reluctance to brag or tell anyone about it was something to behold! n I note bit of, shall we say, “admiration” in the tone of former submariner Morton there. I had intended to do an exclusive interview with Don, but ESPN got to him first. I hear there’s a prime time special in the works.
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Bill administering oath to Bowie
I’m sorry I’m out of space! Tune in again next time when we’ll catch up with Roy Capshaw, Rick Lambert, and Bill Cray…That’s it...Goodnight!... Jim
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 57%
PRES: CAPT Gary A. Storm, USN (Ret.) 1770 Meadow Valley Drive, Annapolis, MD 21409 P: 410-757-7156; C:443-924-1130 E: gastorms@verizon.net CORR. SEC’Y: CAPT Gordon I. Peterson, USN (Ret.) 7994 Hidden Bridge Dr. Springfield,VA 22153 P: 703-913-5404; F: 202-267-4020; E: gpeters621@aol.com WEBSITE: www.usna68.com
Momentum continues to build for October’s 45th Reunion. During recent months, committee members have finalized plans for all activities. See our advertisement in this issue of Shipmate for
the final schedule of events. A 5K fun run/walk has been added to Saturday morning’s activities, October 26; interested runners and walkers should gather in the lobby of the Westin Annapolis Hotel at 6:30 a.m. Go to our Class website (www.usna68.com) to access links to register for the Reunion, order football tickets, and purchase ’68 merchandise from our on-line store. Class President Gary Storm noted recently some folks have asked if our regular tailgate tent will be set up during our reunion weekend’s football game. The answer is, “No.” All tailgating for the reunion weekend will take place in the N-Room on the Navy side of the stadium.You will need a ticket to the football game to attend the tailgate. The tent will be up for all other scheduled Navy home games. As he did for our last reunion, Greg Horne will again prepare a ’68 slide show that will run during Friday’s reception and social at the Westin Hotel. He offered these guidelines: n “Hey… remember that collection of embarrassing pictures that kept rolling on during our last reunion? Bad news … it’s back! The statute of limitations has not expired, and all those embarrassing shots of you aviators and Marines misbehaving will be up for the jury’s consideration. If any of you offenders have additional pictures you wish to offer as mitigating evidence since the last reunion, please send them to me at usna68.crestofthewave@verizon.net. JPEG files are the best, so just attach them to an e-mail and send them to me. And for those who requested copies of the last show, I haven’t forgotten you. Ok, maybe I did. Sorry about that. But you get what you pay for. Shoot me another e-mail to remind me. It’s a big file and likely to get bigger this time around, so be patient. Warmest regards to all, Greg Horne.” n Looking ahead to the weekend after our Reunion, Tom Teach (tteach@ centuryfoam.com) will again sponsor and help to organize the Navy tailgate for the Notre Dame game in South Bend Nov. 2. Anyone interested in attending should e-mail Tom to be added to his distribution list for information on the event. He reports that the tailgate normally attracts around 1,200 attendees, including feeding the 700-or-so midshipmen who attend the game, NAAA and USNA Foundation staff, alumni, parents, etc. “It is open to all, and I think we are charging $45 for good food, beer, wine, and soft drinks,” Tom
said. “The last two tailgates have included the bagpipers, Irish dancers, cheerleaders, and any others that come to perform.” As Tom, the owner of Century Foam and other companies, reported: n “The local USNA Alumni chapter assists in getting the word out. Sandie and I live in LaPorte, a little west of South Bend, about 50 miles each way to Elkhart where my businesses are. I have Century Foam that does open-cell polyurethane for furniture and other cushioning applications, promotional products, pet beds, and about anything else for which urethanes are used. I also have Exemplary Foam that fabricates closed-cell products primarily for packaging and parts protection (e.g., reusable shipping, primarily automotive and heavy equipment), and Incredicoat (a new venture) to spray coat and dip both open- and closed-cell products for furniture and medical applications. Here in Elkhart I have about 175 employees. I also have a small operation in Ontario, Canada, called Great Western Eagle Packaging that fabricates both open- and closed-cell materials for packaging and case inserts (military, camera, musical instruments, etc.). “I recently purchased the equipment from a company in Cleveland, TN, that closed its doors last September, so there is a good chance we will open an operation in that area in the near future. It would be a good location for us with all the automotive plants opening in the south. Exemplary Foam is strong in the automotive dunnage, and it helps to be closer to the end users. We do not sell to the original equipment manufacturers, but to the companies that supply racks and totes. “On the personal side, Sandie and I will celebrate our 45th anniversary on Oct 26. Our oldest son, Tom Jr., lives in South Bend and has designed a less lethal launcher that we are producing. It is a pistol that uses a reduced powder 12 gauge shotgun shell to provide a lesslethal munitions option for law enforcement, the military, and civilians. Our number two son, Todd, lives in Orange County, CA, with his wife Liz and two boys. Our daughter, Megan, lives just north of South Bend with her husband Matt and two kids.” n Paul Gaffney, president of Monmouth University, reported that his school hosted and won the Men’s and Women’s Northeast Conference Track and Field Championship in May. Jim Dare, our All-American Steeplechaser, and Tom
Connelly ‘72, official photographer for Navy and Monmouth Track and Field, joined Paul for the competition.
Paul Gaffney, Jim Dare, and Tom Connelly ’72 gathered in May for the Men’s and Women’s Northeast Conference Track and Field Championship, held at Monmouth University, NJ.
John Sinclair (John.Sinclair@LPL.com) made my day in May when he described how his Boy Scouts of Troop 81, Wexford, PA, would mark the Memorial Day observance by honoring the men and women who died in the service of our nation in the armed forces. He graciously responded to my request for additional details—his first submission to our Class column in 45 years! (I encourage everyone to follow his example for future columns, please!) Take it away, John— your report was worth the 45-year wait: n “Eight years ago a local Catholic War Veterans Post was about to hold its last Memorial Day ceremony and break an annual tradition that had begun in 1944. It was not for a lack of patriotism or interest, but the natural attrition of ‘The Greatest Generation’ and other factors such as general public apathy, all leading to asymptotic attendance (I threw that word in to impress my roomie Jay Cohen and the other top 5 per cent of the Class who came by our room in Bancroft not to study with me). “Coincidentally, as an assistant scout master I was casually asking our scouts of Troop 81 what Memorial Day meant to them. The answers ranged from ‘it is the first summer holiday,’ to ‘a long weekend, to ‘a great barbecue.’ The Troop Leadership then realized the legacy of our country’s bravest was not being handed down within the family unit, in school, nor in our troop. So we decided to become involved to prevent the continued fading of this observance from public awareness. “The culmination of the past eight years’ of our efforts is the annual placing of 2,000-plus U.S. flags at veterans headstones at our local cemetery the Saturday before Memorial Day. For the first time,
we also edged 238 overgrown headstones. During this ‘front-end’ activity one can hear Scouts remarking ‘hey look, this veteran and I have the same birthday,’ and “this fellow was only 19 years old,’ and ‘wow—how sad, he died on the Fourth of July.’ “Our formal ceremony on Memorial Day was attended by 300-plus individuals, 70-plus boys and girls in Cub and Brownie Scouts, Echo Taps played by scouts, and a scout reading President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. We gave a special salute to the seven remaining WW II veterans who attended and, above all, memorialized those who perished by reading the approximately 50 names, ranks, ages, and western Pennsylvania hometowns of young men and women who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan. “That brings me to a patriotic organization called ‘Carry the Load.’ This non-profit organization helps people celebrate a meaningful Memorial Day by hosting events that honor veterans and active-duty service members, lawenforcement officers, firefighters, and their families. For the first time, our troop participated in this program by hiking the eight miles to our Memorial Day ceremony north of Pittsburg. I ask my classmates ‘for whom do you ‘carry’ on Memorial Day? I ‘carry’ for many, especially three classmates whose names and images are etched in my mind: Dick Buzzell, Spence Dry, and Scott Pattee. “We printed placards for our three classmates and another 10 deceased service members (including adult leaders). The Scouts and leaders taped them on to their packs, started marching early Monday Carrying The Load, participated in a nearby community parade, and arrived ‘on station’ to commence the ceremony. “I encourage our classmates to pass on this legacy to our future generations in their communities for it is our duty and responsibility to those who have gone before us. Additionally I invite all to visit http://carrytheload.org /splash/ to learn about this 501c3 organization and become involved with something that will not only memorialize our fallen but most importantly help service members and families who have suffered the ravages of war as well as first responders who have suffered injury domestically in the line of duty. “To date this year, CTL has raised more than $1.2 million and will, in turn, send all funds to the following bona fide July-August 2013
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68•70 CLASS NEWS organizations: Heroes on the Water’s, Tip of the Spear, The Assist the Officer Foundation, Sons of the Flag Burn Foundation, and Friends of Dallas FireRescue. I look forward to catching up with everyone at the 45th Reunion. BEAT ARMY!” n
Starting Spring out with a win, Todd Creekman writes: n With no prior planning, and no knowledge that the other guy was attending the game, Tom Church and I ended up seated one row apart at the Washington Nationals home opener on 1 April. We each brought our daughter’s named Caroline, plus I had a bonus of two other daughters attending, Amanda and Jennifer. We watched a great game, a win for the Nats. n
Assisted by John Sinclair, the Boy Scouts of Troop 81 in Wexford, PA, commemorated the loss of Spence Dry, Dick Buzzell, Scott Pattee, and other veterans during their eight-mile hike to participate in their local Memorial Day ceremony.
North Carolina. The service was well attended with over 100 people present and provided a great cross section of the many people that Howie had touched during his lifetime. His wife Jackie and 3 daughters, Christy, Allison, and Ashley were joined by classmates Cindi and Bob Moeller, Debbie and Jim Kimmel, Dee and Bill Coleman, Carol and Don Scott, and Glenn Whaley. It was a moving service and Howie will be remembered by all of his 33rd Company classmates, the rest of the Class of ’69, and many neighbors, co-workers, and friends. As well as hundreds of Supply Corps Officers from all over the Fleet. Thank you Bob for sending this in for us! n
Karen & Tom Fahey ’69, at Graceland
Tom Fahey writes:
John Sinclair and his daughter Rachel on Memorial Day.
Thank you very much, John, for your inspiring contribution and for all your work with your Scouts and local community to instill a sense of patriotism, public service, and recognition for those who gave their “last full measure of devotion” for our nation.Your actions give voice to what Lawrence Binyon wrote in 1915, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember.” All the best, — Gordo
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 54%
PRES: Maj Steve Comiskey, USMCR (Ret.) E: stephen.comiskey@morganstanley.com VICE PRES: Pat Stroop SEC’Y: Dr. Steve Hudock 6006 Woodlake Ln., Alexandria,VA 22315-2637 P: 703-989-4606; E: shudock@1969.USNA.com TREAS: Ron Gumbert E: RJSINC@COX.NET
A big congrats to ’13 (can you believe it !?), and welcome aboard to ’17, which means that we are only 2 classes away from beginning our Link-in-the-Chain activities with ’19 under the watchful eye of Chairman Mike Michaelis!!
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n Karen and I just completed our annual loop drive to see State Capitols. Last year, we flew to Omaha, and drove through Lincoln, Pierre, Bismarck (we were there on 9/11 and watched a memorial service from the observation deck of the Capitol), and Helena; with stops in the Badlands, Black Hills (Mount Rushmore), Wall Drug (of course), Theodore Roosevelt National Park (astounding), the source of the Missouri River,Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Devil’s Tower. The Omaha Zoo is outstanding.This year’s 4,000 mile effort included Charleston, Jefferson City, Topeka, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Baton Rouge, Jackson, and Nashville. Food stops included Hillbilly Hotdogs in Lesage, WV; Zia’s on the Hill in St. Louis, MO (best Italian food ever); Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque in Kansas City, MO; and Dyer’s Hamburgers in Memphis, TN. The St. Louis Zoo is also outstanding, but nothing can match San Diego. The prairies of Kansas are stunningly quiet; Beale Street is stunningly loud (like Bourbon Street, but smaller and doesn’t smell as bad). The picture is of us at Graceland. Elvis certainly was a piece of work. n
Laura and Doc Docton ’69 after his induction to Hall of Fame
Finally, Rusty Jones attended a ceremony for Classmate Maury “Doc” Docton who was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame at the Ohio State House, Columbus, OH on 3 May for his distinguished service and participation in the Navy Seals. Attending the ceremony were Doc’s wife Vicki, mother Elizabeth Docton and daughters, Rachel McKinney and Megan Faulkner-Viles, grandsons Braden, Ben, Ethan and Nico Viles. Class of ‘69 support was represented by Norma and JimTodd, Carol and Rusty Jones; also attending was Rusty and Carol Jones’ son, Jeff, who is Doc’s godson. That’s the bottom of the mail bag for this short month. Keep those notes coming and enjoy the Summer Vacations! Beat Army – often!! Doc
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 56%
Bob Moeller send us a nice note about Howie Gorman’s service:
PRES: CDR Michael J. Novak, USNR (Ret.) 4701 Hopkins Dr., Dumfries,VA 22025 E: mike706160@aol.com SEC’Y: CDR Royal Connell, USN (Ret.) 10080 Rookery Rd., Pensacola FL 32507 E: royal70@1970.usna.com WEBSITE: http://usna70.org
n The Memorial Service was held on 20 April in the Catholic Student’s Center, on the Campus of the University of
Greetings all, I’m so excited! With the graduation of my son David, I think we’ve gotten just about all of our progeny
CLASS
OF
1968
45th Reunion Homecoming OCTOBER 24 – 27, 2013
Westin Annapolis Hotel – Headquarters THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 Mid Store – all day Reunion Registration – 1200 – 1700 – Westin Hotel Class informal No-Host gathering – 1700 – 1900 – Alumni House FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Class Reunion/Homecoming Registration – 0800 – Westin Hotel Alumni Homecoming Golf Tournament* 0900 Mid Store – all day Class Meeting – Rickover Hall Rm 102 – 1230 – 1330 Superintendent’s Reunion/Homecoming Address – Mahan Hall – 1350 Formal Parade – Worden Field – 1600 Class Reception/Social – Westin Annapolis Hotel – 1900 – 2300 SATURDAY OCTOBER 26 5K Fun Run — 0630 — Lobby Westin Annapolis Hotel Mid Store – all day Reunion Tailgate – 1030 – N Room, Navy Side, Gate C Navy vs. Pittsburgh – 1300 Tailgate continues after “Navy Blue and Gold” Company Parties in town as arranged by Company Reps SUNDAY OCTOBER 27 Memorial Service at Westin Annapolis Hotel – 0900 – 1000 Brunch – Westin Annapolis Hotel – 1000 – 1200 Reunion concludes 1300 * Separate sign-up – www.usna.com Register on-line now and see full and updated reunion details at www.usna68.com
July-August 2013
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70•72 CLASS NEWS through the Academy that are going to make it. So I am announcing a NEW contest! Mike Malone is claiming to be the first (of many) to have a Granddaughter enter USNA with the class of 2017. He claims that now in addition to feeling old, he is. Do we have any other Class of 70 grandparents of Midshipmen? He and Janet are still enjoying their Eastern Shore of Virginia farm living, and are back on the season ticket list for this year’s football schedule.They plan to learn the secrets of tailgating and keeping Plebes well fed. Speaking of tailgating, much news has been circulating between our illustrious president and the reunion committee over the upcoming changes to the football schedule. Mike Novak started it all with his wrap up from the council of class presidents.There the Athletic Director, Chet Gladchuck, provided an update on Navy athletics. Chet talked about Navy’s forthcoming (2015) joining the Big East Conference. In particular, he told us how changing from being independent to being part of a conference was going to affect scheduling of football games starting in 2015. It will force us (and, presumably, all Classes) to change how we plan our reunions. As an independent, Navy (Chet) negotiated Navy’s schedules with the ADs of other schools we wanted to play football with. As a member of the Big East, the Conference will do that – and a lot of the schedule negotiations involve the TV networks.This results in football schedules not being finalized until eight months prior to the start of the football season. Navy will always have at least three nonconference games – Army, Air Force, and Notre Dame. It is still unclear who schedules those games (Navy? The Big East?), but it appears those games are “locked in” for 2015 – Army is in Philly; ND is away; AF is home on October 3.There will also be two weekends that are “protected home games” (opponents TBD): One of those will always be the first game of the season; the other is a moveable feast – October 24 is the second protected home game weekend for 2015.We will not know whether the other games are home or away until sometime in late 2014 or early 2015. So that means that we won’t know until then whether there will be a home game for our 45th Reunion. From there, Dan Bowler, the chairman of our reunion committee picked up the narrative.The vast majority of the committee favored moving the 45th Reunion to 22-25 October
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2015.He has informed the USNA Alumni Association’s Reunion Coordinator of the shift in our reunion dates. He will also be posting a note on the class website and Mike will be sending out a class president’s message before too long as well and will also send something to the Company Reps, as they are in touch with a lot of non-graduates who are neither on the Alumni Association list nor on Nick Visco’s list.We have already talked with Loew’s Hotel and are finalizing those plans. Going back a couple of issues, there was some confusion about an E- version of SHIPMATE. I think we can clear that up here. According to our man in Havana, Skid Heyworth (aka the Vice President for Communications at Alumni house), Shipmate is available in its entirety on line – even the ads! And it’s downloadable. Members can also access all issues going back to 1938. Now Dave McCampbell, skipper of SV Soggy Paws in Fiji, wanted to know if USNA blocked overseas browsers, since he’s been unable to get the link to work. Skid sent him the link, hopefully, that’s all fixed now. Another recent thread concerned Gary Knight’s budding career as a book reviewer. Mike Novak asked him to send me a summary of some of the books he’s reviewed, and so, for the Literary corner of the class, here it is: n “Complementing Cornelius Ryan’s A Bridge Too Far, a 1974 study of the British take on World War II’s “Operation Market Garden,” made into a feature film in 1977, John C. McManus gives us the U.S. perspective in September Hope:The American Side of a Bridge Too Far. Market Garden amounted to British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery’s germ of an idea to strike a penetrating shot through the German lines in Holland, control the bridges across the Rhine and attack Berlin, causing a termination of the European war before Britain collapsed from exhaustion. Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower acceded to the plan, unwisely in the author’s view. Taken from letters and diaries of the US grunts involved in the debacle, this scintillating read puts the reader in the midst of the action. “If you asked most Americans to name the first battle of the American Revolutionary War, they would most likely say, “Lexington and Concord.” While those responses would be close, they wouldn’t be quite accurate. The Lexington/Concord skirmishes did much
to inflame the patriots of Massachusetts and indeed the rest of colonial America, but they were not the battle that would push the teetering china off the table. Bunker Hill was.New Englander Nathaniel Philbrick’s Bunker Hill:A City, A Seige, a Revolution lays out the political and commercial rubric which brought about this seminal event and describes the machinations behind the scenes of both sides. “The Renegades is a modern day thriller about a US operative in Afghanistan and his side-kick, a female ninja-type who’s really a paramedic. Despite being wounded, our hero brings down a rival tribe (which thinks the Taliban are too forgiving) who is massacring Afghans who are friendly to the coalition forces. “In Gallipoli, renowned British military historian Peter Hart not only describes this WWI Allied disaster from the front trenches but serves to rectify much ill-formed conclusions and distortion that have emerged in various Allied thought centers (notably Australia and New Zealand) about what happened and who was responsible.Most Americans know Gallipoli as a 1915 Winston Churchill-inspired debacle but little else.While that poor thinking is explored, the poorly supplied and led Allied troops (of whom there were over a half million casualties) modernized Western military thinking and tactics for application to the Western Front in 1918.” n And so, there you are, older, wiser and… Ring-A-Ding-Ding!
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 59%
PRES: CAPT Perry Martini, USN (Ret.) E: pjmartini@comcast.net SEC’Y: CAPT Mike Longworth, USN (Ret.) 1145 Birks Ln.,Virginia Beach,VA 23464-5826 E: duke.longworth@1971.usna.com WEBSITE: http//1971.usnaclasses.com/
Summer is here full blast! The heat and humidity are pervasive throughout the mid-Atlantic, especially so in the Yard. Can anyone ever forget how the plebes long for the “black flag” declaration so we didn’t have to “chop” from place to place while we got drenched in perspiration! Memories of summer on the Severn are mixed: plebe summer was pure misery; however, running plebe detail wasn’t so bad as upper classmen could go to town anytime. I remember water skiing on the Severn as pleasant and something I would enjoy doing again. But, as a plebe my
’71: left to right – Tom Ledvina, Doug Cho, Mike Duncan, Steve Pelstring
Thank you, Jerry! I haven’t toured Charleston, so I need to put that city on the “to do” list! Sounds like a good time was had by all! Too soon it’s time to close. Please keep our classmates and their families in your prayers for good health and safety in their travels. Pray, too, that our mission in Afghanistan will achieve success and our work in Iraq does produce an ally in the Middle East. We have several classmates in business and government leadership who can use our thoughts and prayers, too. Life is fragile. Love, give and share with others your bounty. Now is a good time for us to be actively shaping the future of our great nation. There is plenty of work remaining for us as we increase our wisdom! Time, tide and column due dates wait for no man! Duces Virum, — Duke
72 ’71: Back Row, on couch (Left to Right): Denny Bruwelheide, Rick Blake, Pat Byrnes, Sallie Nold, Audrey Burman, Susan Blake, Cecily Kelly, Ellen Bruwelheide, Ed Kelly. Front Row, on Floor (Left to Right): Jerry Byrnes, Rich Burman, Bill Nold.
memories are more of the heat and humidity and how it affected everything. I remember, too, the window air conditioning in Professor Saslow’s calculus class and how it was a relief from the heat; however, I fell asleep in the class, too! I’m confident there’s a plebe falling asleep in some summer study class this summer! Sailing was the best relief from the heat. That was fun! I hope your summer plans include family and fun! My first note is from Tom Ledvina: n “Duke – I’ve attached a photo of Mike Duncan and Steve Pelstring on the occasion of a lunch that we had for Doug Cho to send him off to Afghanistan in January. We’re all still working in the Pentagon and try to get together for lunch every couple of months. Doug volunteered to participate in the Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA) Program. The MoDA Program uses experienced civilian DOD employees as advisors to senior Afghan officials, including the Minister of Defense and the Minister of the Interior. The tour usually lasts a year, on top of several months of training. By the time this appears in print, Doug should be well into his tour. Doug said that after plebe year, he wasn’t all that worried about it. Tom Ledvina.” n Nice photo! Surely hope all is well for Doug – he’s certainly courageous!
Here’s a note from Jerry Byrnes: n “Hi Duke! Recently we had a great local mini-reunion of the 7th Company in the Charleston area. A fine time was had by all. Attending were: Susan and Rick Blake, Audrey and Rich Burman, Ellen and Denny Bruwelheide, Cecily and Ed Kelly, Sallie and Bill Nold, Pat and Jerry Byrnes. “After a welcome lasagna dinner at Jerry and Pat’s on Friday (as promised, there was cold beer and cheap wine), the weekend included forays to Fort Sumter; the barbeque buffet at Moose’s; a Low Country Boil at Bill and Sallie’s; breakfast at the Byrnes’; and a trip to the local pistol range. Ed and Cecily continued their ancestory investigation in the Charleston area. Several couples toured local real estate offerings. Hopefully, they found the Charleston area as attractive as we did a couple of years ago. Feel free to ask Bill and Denny about their fishing trip. I will not bilge a classmate! “The attached picture is of the entire group. We are testing a libation called EVOL bottled and marketed by Torrey James Ward, Jim’s son. (evolspirits.com) “And as I have mentioned, the welcome lamp is always lit. Feel free to stay with us while you tour the city that Conde Nast lists as the number one tourist city in the world, Charleston. — Jerry Byrnes.” n
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 54%
PRES: CAPT Jim Grover, USN (Ret.) E: jcgrover@comcast.net SEC’Y: CDR Rich Robison, USN (Ret.) 3126 North Greystone Dr., Morgantown,WV 26508 E: Scribe72@comcast.net WEBSITE: http://1972.usnaclasses.com/index.html CLASS LISTSERV: TheGouge@usna72.com
On May 15th, I had the pleasure of participating in an event at the Academy that I had wanted to be involved with ever since Tal Manvel came up with the idea over 10 years ago. A number of our classmates mustered in Dahlgren Hall and marched…well, sauntered…over to Alumni Hall and handed out copies of the U. S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to the graduating Class of 2013. (It’s good to have a copy of the document that you’re putting your life on the line to uphold.) Besides Tal, Mike Stocks, Rick Rubel, Rich Goldsby, Don Carlson and Bill Moffatt were also in attendance. Mike (as the sole remaining classmate still in uniform) passed along some words of wisdom to the graduating firsties—an impressive event and one that Tal deservedly takes great pride in coordinating every year. Thanks, Tal! On Friday, April 26, Amy and Skip Kohler, Dallas Johnson and Jim Grover attended the 20th Company Dining Out, hosted by LT Jason and Mrs. Copare (LT Copare is the 20th Company Officer and 4th Battalion Executive Officer). Skip, ever the silver-tongued devil, reportedly did a great job as guest speaker for the event and, on behalf of the Class of 1972, presented a ship’s clock to the 20th Company’s top peer-ranked July-August 2013
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72•74 CLASS NEWS firstie.This year’s recipient was MIDN 1/C Joseph Crawford ’13, who was the 4th Battalion Commander and was ranked #1 in five of the past six semesters. Joe is from Indiana and has chosen to enter the Marine Corps upon graduation; he has a TBS class date in July 2013. Jim reports that the whole event was quite entertaining, and that he was impressed not only by the number of female midshipman in the 20th Company, but by the level of decorum they maintained throughout.
Returning to Staten Island to stay with my brother I was onboard the Spirit of America, one of the three newest boats. Her keel was made from steel from the World Trade Center. “All in all, a great weekend. And here are some photos to prove that I was there. The first … in Brooklyn Bridge Park about 25 miles into the ride, and the last… (taken by a West Pointer Class of 2006 I met at the end, something about my jersey)…at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island after crossing the Verrazano. If you’re interested in seeing the route map, visit http://www.bikenewyork.org/ wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BNY_ 2013_BikeTour-map.jpg” n
Glennon and the NYC Skyline Joseph Crawford ‘13.
I received the following from Ray Glennon: n “On Sunday (May 5th), I took the bike ride of my lifetime - the Bike New York Five Boro Bike Tour. It’s a 40 mile tour (not a race at all) that starts in lower Manhattan and ends on Staten Island after crossing the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Since I grew up on Staten Island, rode the ferry to Manhattan to take the subway to Brooklyn for high school, and rooted for the Yankees in the Bronx, it was something of a homecoming. It was a joy and an unforgettable experience to ride through the city streets closed to traffic (e.g., 6th Avenue past Radio City Music Hall), to cross four bridges (including the Queensboro or 59th St. Bridge of Simon and Garfunkel fame and the Verrazano Narrows featured in Saturday Night Fever) and to cruise on highways (the FDR Drive and I-278 the Gowanus Expressway) without cars on a cool spring day in brilliant sunshine with 32,000 of my closest friends. “When I rode the ferry to Manhattan on Saturday to pick up my ride registration it was onboard the SI Ferry John F. Kennedy, the only ferry boat still in operation from when I was in H.S. I had dinner on Saturday with my son that lives in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn.
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On Staten Island
Thanks, Ray! Hey out there—we could use some mail in the mailbag! Throw me a bone! More to come. D. O. Tried and True with ’72.
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Joseph E. Schmitz, Class of 1978 and Ken Berger, being enshrined into the Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Ken, Congratulations! As a permanent member of the wrestling sub squad I envy you! I wrote Ken and asked what he was doing. He still lives in Virginia Beach. Just a couple of miles from us. He does a lot of work announcing both as a DJ and at sporting events including the Beijing Olympics, Marine Corp Marathon and the Nike Marathon in Los Angeles. I received the following news and photos from Ed Cotter on a recent trip he and Susan took to Russia. n “Jim, I was perusing Shipmate and realized I had some good photos from a cruise Susan and I were on last year. We traveled to the Baltic Sea and made landfall behind the old Iron Curtain in St. Petersburg, Russia. I’m not sure all the Russians got the memo that the cold war is over. Access to Russia was tightly controlled. No unsupervised shore leave. At least they did not try to confiscate my Navy hat. The next photo shows Susan and me at the church of the Spilled Blood, a famous St. Petersburg landmark. At a rather creepy antique store in Tallin, Estonia I was able to buy an authentic Soviet era sailor hat from the Baltic Sea Fleet. The store was creepy because you could buy Nazi memorabilia and gas masks from WWII if desired. n
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 4% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 54%
PRES: Kevin Callahan SEC’Y: CAPT James H. Chapman, USN (Ret.) 769 Largo Dr.,Virginia Beach,VA 23464-2417 P: 757-869-6889; E: chap769@yahoo.com
Hello all, I hope your summer is going good. Not long to the 40th so I hope you have made your plans. As a reminder you can get all the gouge at the class website usna1973.com. I have a fair amount of news so let’s get to it. The first is Congratulations to Ken Berger who was elected into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his contributions to wrestling.
Ed and Susan Cotter in St Petersburg, Russia
Ed posing for a Navy recruiting poster!
I asked Ed what he was doing and received the following news; n “We live in Scottsdale, Arizona. I recently sold our family business of which I was president since last June. It was a franchising business in the senior in-home non-medical care market. Before that I was the general counsel for a start up that provided specialized healthcare insurance services. I was with the company 21/2 years and we sold out to a private equity firm. Before that I spent 16 years in the health care area providing legal and compliance services to the industry. Before that I spent 20 on active duty retiring as a Commander in the JAG Corps in 1993. I am currently pondering what I will do next and am taking my time with the decision.” n Ed, Thanks for the news and photos. I hope you and Susan send more articles. As for not having unsupervised liberty I’m sure it wasn’t that the Russians did not trust you it’s just their version of the Liberty Risk program! I have several pieces of sad news to pass on about the death of classmates; Tom Sliva passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2013. After graduation he completed nuclear power training and served aboard USS Seadragon (SSN 584) and as an instructor at the nuclear training prototypes in West Milton, New York. After leaving the Navy he earned a masters in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia. During his civilian career he served as President and CEO of AEA Technologies, Business Development Manager and Senior Product Manager for Bechtel Power Corporation, President and CEO of Staveley Services North America, and Vice President of AREVA NP Inc. His most recent employment was as the Westinghouse Electric Corporation Vice President in charge of constructing the first nuclear power plant in the United States in 30 years. Tom was an avid history buff with a particular devotion to Colonial Williamsburg. Tom and his wife,
Barbara, lived in Vero Beach, Florida. Donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: http://www.history.org/ foundation/development/. James T. “Tom” Hindman, Jr., MD, died on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in Spartanburg SC. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Science and Mathematics. Earning his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1984. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine and his residency in Anesthesiology from the Medical University of South Carolina Teaching Hospitals. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Margaret Everhart Hindman. Donations may be made to St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic, P O Box 3466, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Maxwell (Max) Lee Jones, 62, died on May 11, 2013, from complications due to renal cell cancer. Max was a Naval Aviator and retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1985. After the Navy, Max pursued a career as an airline pilot. He flew for Pan Am until they ceased operations in 1991, and was flying for Fed Ex, as a MD-11 Captain, at the time of his death. Max is survived by his wife, Judi A. Sands, of Virginia Beach,VA. Donations may be made to: www.KindneyCancer.org If you are looking for a way to help our seriously injured service men and woman please consider Operation Mend. UCLA Operation Mend provides returning military personnel with severe facial and other medical injuries sustained while on active duty access to the nation’s top plastic and reconstructive surgeons, as well as comprehensive medical and mentalhealth support for the wounded and their families. I hope to see you all at the 40th. As always Beat Air Force and Semper Fi! General
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 54%
PRES: John Yaeger CORR. SEC’Y: CAPT John Branchflower, USNR (Ret.) 9 Valley View Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 P: 908-277-2362; E: jbranch74@hotmail.com
Greetings ClassmatesI begin this month with the sad news of Dan Burn’s passing. Dan had struggled for the past year or so with lung cancer and ultimately lost that battle in May. Dan leaves behind wife Vickie and 2 daughters. Please keep them in your thoughts. Details of Dan’s life will be available in an upcoming Last Call.
Next, Neil Rondorf checks in with an interesting story: n “Some time ago Cheryl and I had the experience of a lifetime. Our son-in-law, Steve Hoover, previewed his documentary film titled “Blood Brothers” at the Byram Theater in Pittsburgh, PA. Steve married our daughter, Kira, in April 2009. The movie is about their Best Man, Rocky Braat, who traveled to India to “find himself ” and ended up helping orphans in an AIDS clinic outside of Chennai, India. Rocky shared his struggles, hopes and disappointments with Steve who used that as the basis for his movie. It was a proud moment in my tenure as a father and father-in-law as we watched what our loved ones had accomplished and recorded in a story. And we now have news that Blood Brothers has been selected to premier at the Sundance film festival.You can see the trailer at www.bloodbrothersfilm.com” n Thanks Neil. Next up, Dan Marusa. If you’re approaching retirement Dan might be a good guy to check in with. He seems to have cracked the code. n “I just applied for Social Security Benefits! Arrrrghhhh ! Retirement is wonderful and thank you Uncle Sam for 2 checks each month. After retiring in August 1995 I went to work for FedEx and re-retired in July of 2010. I moved (for the 15th time) to Cary, NC and life is good. I struggle to golf 4-5 times a week. I know it sounds difficult to those Classmates who are still enjoying the daily joys of corporate life but I can handle it. In the “small world” category my son, Zach, is with the 75th Rangers preparing for his 5th deployment to Afghanistan and his CO is Charlie Miletich’s son. It’s comforting to know he has good leadership. Steve Middleton’s son is also at Ft. Lewis, not sure what unit. Appreciate keeping those soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. Just not on the day of the Army-Navy game !” n Thanks Dan. And thanks to your son for his service. Remember or Honor a loved one in Alumni Hall. Call 410-295-4100 for more information.
Honor Chairs
July-August 2013
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Marusa and O’Brien, roommates back together again.
And finally, Flea Smith, checks in with some words of wisdom for all those in Tidewater and elsewhere: n “Hey all you ’74 Gray Goats ! Got a strong endorsement, well more like a whining demand from Branch to send Flea’s artistic side. something to help him fill in space (secretary’s note: It was NOT a whine, it was a high pitched request). So I thought I would send in our newly acquired Gray Goat Logo. We have a pretty good representation in the Hampton Roads (VA) and somewhat extended area and have several events a year to gather together and tell sea stories. Rather than make up various heroic F-14 and award winning stories of my Navy career or my current employment at FedEx I thought I would send out a few words about our gatherings. I am struck by the changes that have occurred- not just in the color of our hair or the measurements of our waistlines, but in the defined camaraderie and cordial fellowship that still exists, how a simple gathering transports each of us back to the hallowed halls of Bancroft. Where common phrases and Reef Point required readings come rushing back if only for a split second. We are Classmates- now and forever. We have shared hardships and challenges that have steeled us to the upstanding men we have all become (with all but a few exceptions- and you all know who you are !) So as time (tide and formation) waits for no man, now is the time to reach out to those with whom you have shined shoes and stood the watch- as face time has modernized to Face Book. We are indeed Gray Goats now and our numbers have been reduced in recent years if you haven’t noticed. So reach out and say hello, reconnect with Classmates you may not have seen nor heard from in many years.You will be glad you did. Flea sends” n
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Thanks Flea. Good advice. OK, I know what you’ve been waiting for and you’re in luck ! The results of the Great Shipmate Caption Contest are in. The participation rate was…disappointing. I suspect this is because most guys saw a Classmate in an awkward position and did the honorable thing- they chose not to exploit that vulnerability for a few cheap laughs. This is understandable, even commendable. Fortunately…there were a few of us who weren’t burdened by that same sense of compassion and fair play:
10. “Ken dreams of the day this is made in a fire retardant chiffon so he can wear it in the cockpit of his MD88.” 9. “It’s not that I dislike Service Dress Blue. It’s just that this seems so much more……expressive.” 8. “Damn ! It’s so hard to give myself a decent tuck in this thing !” 7. “This is NOT what I had in mind when I put “Ferry Pilot” on my dream sheet.” 6. “By wearing black in the summer months Ken unwittingly violated one of the ‘Fashion Laws of the Navy’.” 5. “Ken goes the extra mile to try to win free tickets to the Village People Concert.” 4. “Yes ! I WAS in 3rd Company ! Why do you ask ?” And now the winners: Second runner up, Tony Racette: 3. “Sure, it’s stylish and it feels comfortable but…do you think it makes my butt look big?” 2. First runner up, Tom Lozier: “Hmm…Perhaps if accessorize with a swagger stick I’ll have the perfect look.” And the Grand Prize Winner, John Bramer: 1. “Really bad timing for a Plebe Ho.” — Branch, ’74
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 56%
PRES: LCDR Stephen Hubbard, USN (Ret.) E: hubbs99@verizon.net SEC’Y: CAPT Larry Warrenfeltz, USN (Ret.) 5732 Tamarack Dr., Pace, FL 32571 P: 850-995-0051; E: usna75scribe@hotmail.com WEBSITE: http//1975.usnaclasses.com/
Dear ’mates, And then there were two … George Flynn retired from the U. S. Marine Corps in a 9 May ceremony at Eighth and I. Our USMC reporter JJ Cuff filed this report: n“The Class of ’75 (and especially da’ boys of 36th Company) came out to see our classmate, Lt. Gen. George “Bear” Flynn, retire after 38+ years of active duty. At his side that evening—as she has been for 38+ years—was his bride Sally. This occasion was an opportunity for them to say thank you and goodbye to the many family and friends in attendance. General James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, officiated. With the vast number of General and Flag officers attending, it caused General Amos to ask, “Just who is working at the Pentagon today? There are so many Generals and Flag officers here, you cannot swing a cat without hitting one….” The evening event did not begin in a promising way. Late in the afternoon, ominous dark clouds began to cover the parade field of the historic Marine Barracks, as well as much of Washington, D.C. Then, about 20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, the rains began. Quickly the stands turned into a sea of umbrellas … but wait, this is a member of the great class of ’75, and it will not rain on this day! So just a few minutes before the ceremony started, the sun came out and it did not rain on George’s Parade. A few highlights from General Amos’ remarks allowed the audience to learn some of George’s military beginning … that of the young man from New Jersey who, as his 1975 Lucky Bag noted, “… came to USNA after four years as top stud in Rutherford, NJ.” His extracurricular activities included “studying the sexual activities of Fruit Flies,” and finally, that “George hopes to attend Med School in the near future.” Well, other than going to Med School, his company and classmates attest the other facts as true statements. With the great help from Scott Perkins, I am able to put a name to most of the ’75 attendees. Classmates at the day’s celebration included the 36th Company gang of Jim Gibson (George’s
’75: Classmates at George Flynn’s retirement
roomie), Dennis Sullivan, John Ennis, Steve Hall, Brian Balko, Craig Rankin, Bill Daley, Bruce Beemer, Bob Conrad, Steve “VC” Von Christierson, and Scott Perkins. Other Classmates in attendance included Terry Blake (1st Co.), Chris Cikanovich (3rd Co.), Rick Tryon (7th Co.), Brian Squires (22nd Co.), Dave Driegert (26th Co.), Jamie Durnam (30th Co.), Steve Hubbard (35th Co.), and me (12th Co.). Near the end of the evening, George came up to Rick Tryon, now the last Marine of our class on Active Duty, and told him “ … and now there are two ...” As we all know, only Rick and Jon Greenert are still serving. In the end we all had a great time and we wish George and Sally the best as they begin their next career … but we all know that George will remain a MARINE! As a side note, Rick Tryon is slated to take over MARFORCOM in Norfolk during the June timeframe (unless something changes … again.” n I do believe George gets the last word, however. After all, it was his retirement. n “Classmates, Shipmates and Friends, I appreciate all the notes and emails and special thanks to all of you who traveled to be there with Sally and me as we ended our active duty time and started the next chapter. Please note that the ceremony was special because so many of you came. It wasn’t because there was free beer and food? I also learned a valuable lesson about what is written in a yearbook … it is always a good idea at the time. I think the award for farthest travel goes to Scott Perkins (only because Steve Hall says that Scott had the longer ride to the airport). Both Steve and Scott came in from California. I hope we all will have the time to get together from time to time in the future because I do believe all our sea stories get better with age.
PS: I did survive my first day of terminal leave today!” n
Just before the operation, Dad asked the Doctor, “Doc, can I keep the pump after all of this is over?” “Why, Tim?” “I’d like to put in on my bar.” Finally, two years ago during Dad’s ordeal (and before yet another operation) he beckoned for his children (Dan, Katie and me) to come close. We thought this was going to be a special moment—they could have been his last words. Dad gestured down towards the lower section of his bed and said, “Guys, they had to get an extra large catheter for me.You’re very lucky to have me as your father.” n Classic Tim. Thanks to Conor and his wife Erin for keeping us in the loop, and best of luck to Tim, Cherie, and family for a long and happy life together. Speaking of family, Nancy and I officially added another granddaughter on 29 May. Our son Jim and his wife Liz—and big sister Madeline—adopted Chloe Catherine Warrenfeltz exactly one year to the day after she came to live with them as her foster family.
Sally and George take a final stroll down center walk at the Marine Barracks
Around the time of George’s retirement, Tim Heely was in the process of getting a new heart. (Well, it was a new one to Tim, anyway.) A few years ago Tim was feeling unusually fatigued after his daily five-mile run. The doctors told him that his heart was worn out. He had been living on the “Cheney” heart pump for over a year—carried it in a bag like a camera bag. He was #1 on the transplant list for quite a while but was “too healthy” to get the next heart because someone else was in worse shape. After the transplant, Tim’s son Conor filled us in—as soon as he returned from sea with USS RONALD REAGAN. The operation went well and the new heart was beating without the assistance of a pacemaker soon after surgery. Tim was soon up and walking. Here are a couple of Heely quotes, courtesy of Conor: n When they told Dad it would be at least ten days of recovery, he said, “I’ll make it out in eight.”
Scribe’s newest granddaughter
Keep on keeping on Classmates! And keep those cards and letters (well … emails and Facebook posts …) coming in. ’75 Sir! Larry
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 3% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 55%
PRES: Kevin Stone 928 Lynch Dr., Arnold, MD 21012 P: 410-974-4313; E: kevin.stone@1976.usna.com SEC’Y: Mark Hubbard 5632 Tessie Court, New Market, MD 21774-2918 P: 301-865-4472; E: Mark.Hubbard@1976.usna.com WEBSITE: http//1976.usnaclasses.com/
Another Classmate of ours has ended a stellar career in service to this great nation. In a combined change of command ceremonies and retirement ceremony, ADM Jim Stavridis relinquished command of US European Command (USEUCOM) in Stuttgart, July-August 2013
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76 CLASS NEWS Germany, on 10 May and Supreme Allied Commander for NATO (SACEUR) in Mons, Belgium on 13 May. That finished up seven years as a Combatant Commander, three in Miami at Southern Command and four in Europe. He has since moved back to the USA and took a month at the family beach home in north Florida. Next gig for Jim is Dean of The Fletcher School of international relations at Tufts University in Boston, where he’ll settle later this summer. He will also be Chair of the Board of the US Naval Institute, with a HQ in the yard at USNA where he’ll spend a day or so each month. This makes Jim the last person in command in the class, although VADM Mike LeFever will be the last classmate on active duty. The long voyage finally comes to an end 37 years out of Annapolis. Jim can’t wait to catch up with Classmates, so drop him a line at james.stavridis@gmail.com, which is up and running.
Jim Stavridis gives his parting speech
I received an update from Buddy Hingle:
Anders Fogh Rasmussen (center), NATO secretary general, addresses the audience at the SACEUR change of command ceremony held at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe May 13, 2013 in Mons, Belgium.
Nick Karangelen was an eyewitness at one of the C of C ceremonies and provides his perspective: n I was fortunate to be in Stuttgart on 10 May for the U.S. European Command a change of command ceremony on Patch Barracks where Air Force GEN Philip Breedlove assumed command of EUCOM from the last standing active duty member of our class, Admiral Jim Stavridis. Following an impressive 17 gun salute, Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter gave a very warm and personal address touching on many facets of Stav’s 37 year journey which culminated in becoming the first naval officer (and the first Greek-American) to serve as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. European Command, and as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Stav and Laura looked great as they were piped off the podium and off to a well earned break before heading to Boston where Stav will serve as the Dean at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. n
n All is well here in sunny Colorado. I don’t have anything new to pass on about life here so I thought I’d pass on some news about my son and older daughter. Alden was selected for Major and has orders to AFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany, next month. He enjoyed his tour as the S-2, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines but he is ready for another joint assignment and the chance to enjoy Europe as a bachelor Maria (a CommO) has orders to Combat Logistics Regiment 3 in Okinawa; she and her family are headed there next month. I’ll miss them since I got to see them each time I traveled to DC. My grandson will be starting school by the time they get back… n Here’s a last minute update from Steve Nimitz: n Today (1 June) I went with my son to watch an acrobatic air show along the Virginia Beach oceanfront where we live. After two hours watching high performance prop aircraft, we were just beginning to depart when I heard the show announcer introduce the next event - a former Soviet block jet aircraft piloted by Art Nalls. That caught my attention and we returned to the boardwalk to see Art pilot his L-39 Albatross through some nifty maneuvers. If you want to see what Art is up to with this aircraft and his personal Sea Harrier, a quick check of the Internet will turn up some nice video clips. Apparently, civil aviation authorities in the UK are not keen on Art flying his Harrier in shows there — that brought back memories of watching one fly into the center of Navy Marine Corps Stadium and land at mid-field (which I
GEN Phillip Breedlove USAF assuming command of USEUCOM
Jim Stavridis receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, which is signed by the Commander In Chief ’76: Jim and Laura Stavridis set sail for new adventures as they are piped off the podium in Stuttgart, Germany
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think was halftime of a football game). I wonder who did the risk assessment on that demo? n
we all had at the academy. I took Bev and my two youngest daughters to the academy to show them around back in 2006. That was only the second time I had been back since graduation. n
John Sarao was in Annapolis recently: n Here is a photo taken last week at the Spring P-rade held during NAFAC with Larry Jones, his wife, Barbara, their daughter, Jennifer Jones, USNA Class of 2013 & Brigade Commander and me. ADM William McRaven (Commander, SOCOM) was the Reviewing Officer. My wife, Betsy, and I were in Annapolis for the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC). I was attending the conference as a Senior Advisor from the University of South Florida with two student delegates. We were walking past the reviewing stand and someone yells out to me, “Hey, John” and I turn around and see Larry. We last crossed paths about 20 years ago staying at the BOQ in Dam Neck,VA for a training class. Larry and Barbara were in attendance to see their daughter lead the Brigade in her first P-rade of the spring set. She did a great job! Larry is now working at NAVSEA 08 (Naval Reactors) as the Assistant PM for Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion. He is now one of those engineers Mids will have to face when they go to DC for their nuclear power interviews. The second photo was taken a few days prior. In the photo with me are my nephew, Jack, Midshipman Star Steele (Class of 2016), and my brother-in-law, John Andrews (West Point ‘69). My brother-in-law and nephew came down from the Philadelphia area to visit the Naval Academy and talk to the Navy Golf Coach. Jack is a junior in HS and will be applying for the Class of 2018 – he seems to favor the golf course at Navy over Army! I met Midshipman Star Steele last year at a Navy League dinner as she is one of our Tampa, Florida USNA appointees and she graciously volunteered to show my nephew around and give him the gouge. n
The Jones Family and John Sarao meet at the P-rade reviewing stand
John Sarao is joined by John Andrews, his nephew, Jack, and Star Steele.
Lisa and Pat Tracy will become grandparents in July. Their son, Brett and his wife are expecting a little girl! 26th Company mate Mark Metcalf forwarded an email from another 26th Co. Classmate we haven’t heard from in ages, Roger Wendt: n It was great hearing from you all these years later. I still remember with a smile your visit with us in Washington (state) back in the 90’s! Bev and I are now living in Tacoma, at the home she grew up in. Our kids are all grown. Michael is married and is a software engineer with Boeing presently working on the replacement for the P-3 patrol aircraft. Kathleen and her husband (a pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship) are living in the Easter Democratic Republic of Congo and have two super little girls. Lord willing Bev and I will be visiting with them in August. Rochelle is working in Chicago (and I think of Craig Weber every time I go there) at Moody Church in the Children’s Ministry Office. Deanna graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago last year and is currently living at home with us and working at the Tacoma Zoo and a church. My last daughter is married and currently with her husband in Japan teaching English. After retiring I have done a number of things from accounting to running a year round youth camp and retreat center. In 2005 the VA paid for me to go back to school and I got my Masters in Teaching and teaching certificate and I have been teaching ever since. I have been teaching military youth on Joint Base Lewis McChord for the last 3 years. I love kids. I am currently adding on to the house and feeling my age as a result. I hope to finish it this summer. My dream is to get the house finished and then to move on to an old fixer-upper sailboat I have sitting in the yard. So far it hasn’t been in the water for many years. Life is just too busy. I did purchase the USNA Alumni DVD directory and have spent some time looking at it and remembering the times
Here is Kevin Stone with the last word: n John Allen retirement: 34th company had a great turnout for the retirement ceremony of fellow Club 34 alum, John Allen. In attendance (besides John and Kathy) were Jim and Michelle Francis, Scott and Sandy Goodson, Steve and Diane Holiday (formerly known as Holibonich), Larry and Barbara Jones (along with daughter, and now Ensign, Jenny Jones, John and Mary Lou McEwan, Mark and Martha Nesselrode, Bruce and Esther Smith, and Kevin and Barbara Stone. Overall we had north of 60 Classmates with another 50 or so spouses/guests. It was a great day. n “Mini-reunion” update: We’re going to hold our someteenth mostly-annual “Mini-Reunion” the weekend of October 5th over the NavyAir Force game weekend. We’ll start with a Friday evening reception at the Yellowfin restaurant on the South River. We won’t be smashing crabs this year (you just don’t want to know about the price of a bushel of crabs) but the food will be outstanding, including crab cakes. Saturday we’ll have another first class tailgate. The game is early (11:30) so we’ll have a quick coffee and snack before the game with the tailgate to follow the game. I plan on being the last tailgate left in the parking lot... OK, you’ve seen the emails to buy your game tickets by June 15th. Well, that deadline has come and gone so if you want to go please contact me (kevin.stone@ 1976.usna.com) and I’ll get the word out. We’ll scrounge something up.You might want to check with the NAAA about standing room only tickets and then squatting in your old firstie’s seats. Watch your email for the signups for the reception and the tailgate. Fry the Falcons! Fall tailgates: Watch your email inboxes for the signups for the tailgates. I send them out about two weeks in advance of the game and then start a ‘chow call’ as the game approaches. We need a couple of volunteers for each game, one to setup the tailgate (tables and such) and then another classmate to take it down. The shutdown person then sets up the next game. Here’s the bonus: you get parking right next to July-August 2013
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76•78 CLASS NEWS the tailgate! Watch for my emails later in August.
their many destinations were the Golan Heights… …and the aforementioned therapeutic shores of the Dead Sea (see photos on next page): Although Jerry enjoyed the trip as a whole, he said the flight over was roughest he’d ever experienced.
Reps with 12th Co.
Ernie Halton’s son, EJ Halton ‘13, ignored the edict “Don’t grab the President” during graduation...
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 2% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 72%
PRES: Lee Geanuleas 1819 S. Arlington Ridge Rd., Arlington,VA 22202 SEC’Y: Thom McKee 1202 Shady Creek Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104 P: 410-489-5080; F: 410-489-5071 C: 202-438-1541; E: magoo1310@verizon.net
“I once knew a writer who, after saying beautiful things about the sea, passed through a Pacific hurricane, and he became a changed man”. - Joshua Slocum Avast, me hearties; it’s with great pleasure we open this column by offering congratulations to Mark Kozicz (18th Co.) on the occasion of his son Mike passing the Bar in Massachusetts…something few Irishmen, a late Bay State senator or a number of Midshipmen we knew were ever able to do!
Mark and Mike Kozicz
So to Michael Steven Kozicz, Esq., BZ counselor; here’s wishing you all the best. Speaking of the best, representatives of our class recently participated in the official opening of the renovated 12th Company wardroom. Pictured nearby from left to right are: Chris Feeney (11th Co.), Lee Geanuleas (11th Co.), Terry Cook (33rd Co.), Mid’n/LT Dean Zetter (12th Co. Commander), Mid’n 1/C Eric Hinz (Wardroom Supervisor), Jim Kelly (11th Co.), Owen Thorp (22nd Co.) and LT Ryan Kelly (12th Co. Officer).
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’77 has sponsored 12th Company for a number of years, and provided some $2,600 towards the long-overdue overhaul and updating of the company’s wardroom. After enjoying an indoor picnic featuring sliders, dogs and a short ceremony in the company area on 7-1, our guys were treated to a tour of the renovated wardroom. The upgrades included fresh paint, new electronics, some Navy sports memorabilia and an impressive wolf pelt celebrating 12th Company’s namesake Wolfpack; all in all, the perfect environment for Mids to enjoy a break from the grind. ‘77’s contribution to the project will be permanently recognized by a plaque affixed to the wardroom bulkhead featuring our class crest.
’77 Plaque in 12th Co
Next up, Jerry Miller (19th Co.) and his wife Laura (pictured below enjoying a relaxing mud treatment)…
…just returned from yet another trip to Israel shepherding a lucky flock of Mids around the Holy Land. Included among
Imagine that! And since we mentioned travel, we were flying to Florida some weeks back, and who should we notice behind us in the security line but the pride of Greer, SC, Sam Locklear (7th Co.). We had time to enjoy a cup of java, some good conversation and have his aide snap this photo…
…before Sam headed home for a visit with his folks in South Carolina. Then there’s this picture of a very proud grandfather, Mike Trueblood (36th Co.), with his first grandchild, little Emelia, courtesy of daughter Heather and son-in-law Jordan:
Too bad Shipmate photos are B&W, ‘cuz those are the bluest baby-blues we ever did see! (Shipmate editor note: No longer true. Shipmate has been printing photos in color since January 2012)
’77: Golan Heights
’77: Dead Sea
Finally, we close on two exceedingly sad notes; first, our heartfelt condolences go out to Sean Carroll (7th Co.) on the passing of his wife Vicky, who will be laid to rest later this year in the Academy Columbarium. Second, we just received word Chris Ryan (19th Co.) passed away today, Sunday, June 2nd following a brief but brave battle with pancreatic cancer. For those of you lucky enough to know Chris, he maintained an even strain, along with his stellar sense of humor, right up to the end. Gone but never forgotten, he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families. — Magoo
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 1% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 78%
PRES: Glen Woods SEC’Y: Vince Balderrama 1320 Homewood Ln., Annapolis, MD 21401 E: vince.balderrama@lmco.com WEBSITE: usna1978.org
This is the last column before we gather next month for our 35th Reunion. For the procrastinators among us –you can still go to our class website and follow the links to register for all the events (not to mention order any ’78 Reunion clothing and paraphernalia you’ll want to wear and put in your “I love me room.”). Class Officer Elections are also ongoing so
follow the link also located on the website. Not much news happening but I am sure there’ll be a lot of stories to tell after the Reunion. Here’s what I’ve got. Mike Shumaker wrote that while on a business trip to San Diego in midMay for the US Coast Guard allowed him to have lunch with his former 13th Co. roommate, Ernie Sanchez. Ernie sings in the choir at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Coronado. He was kind enough to drop off Mike at the airport for his flight back to Washington, DC. A couple of days in late May saw Mike and his wife, Donna Lynn, get together with Jenny and Dr. Sean Donovan, MD (27th Co.). (Sean and Mike had met shortly before I-Day in 1974 when Sean lived in Palo Alto, CA, and Mike lived in San Jose.) First there was a Donovan-Shumaker supper in beautiful Fairfax,VA followed the next day with a little “get together” after the 9am Tridentine Mass at St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church. This was Sean’s and Jenny’s parish when Sean was a Navy radiologist at Bethesda 11 years ago. Later that day Sean and Jenny drove 14 hours back home to Wisconsin where Sean has a radiology practice in Milwaukee. Sean’s son, Jack, is in the ROTC Marine option at Notre Dame. (Which is where I would’ve been had I not gotten my appointment.) Their daughter Eileen is
studying Russian while her sister Marie is studying Farsi. As for the Shumaker progeny, Mike’s oldest son, Michael, earned his master’s degree in education from George Mason University (Fairfax,VA) on May 18, while his middle son, Greg, graduated magnum cum laude the next day with a business degree from Marymount University in Arlington,VA 19. Greg will spend the summer working at the accounting firm of Dixon-HughesGoodman LLC. Mike’s youngest son, Paul, completed his sophomore year at George Mason University where he majors in biology. Like his older brother he is active in Phi Kappa Theta. Mike confessed that in a fit of generosity, he bought Paul a Ford 150 pickup but then again it’s the only thing that comfortably accommodates a 6’ 7” guy like Paul. Paul does repay the favor by driving his dad to the gym and being his personal trainer. Marty Drake sent a recent picture of him and my lightweight crew teammate and #7 man, VADM Bob Harward (’79), standing in front of a Vietnam-era OV-10 Bronco. Marty is the Science Advisor for US Central Command, where VADM Harward is the Deputy Commander. Marty is using a recently updated version of the OV-10 to conduct experimentation on new and innovative ways to provide air support to ground combat elements. The experiment is called COMBAT DRAGON II, and takes the name from a similar experiment conducted in 1967 with the A-37. The aircraft stopped by Tampa on their way to Fallon, NV, and Marty’s about to put VADM Harward into the back seat for a familiarization ride. Marty also reports of a recent ‘intervention’ he and Prentiss Hall conducted on Rusty Cone. Rusty underwent successful prostate removal surgery. He and Prentiss RDVU’d in Dallas to make Rusty the butt (pun intended) of a few jokes, and see him through his surgery. Marty reports Rusty came through with flying colors and taught him two things – stay in shape and get checked early. Rusty was up and walking within hours of his surgery, and was discharged 24 hours later.” Marty is still living the dream in Tampa, roaming the globe looking for the next best technology, and occasionally blowing stuff up legally. He was just up in China Lake, CA conducting a military utility assessment of a new type of 2.75in guided rocket. He shot against fixed and moving targets with good success. As Marty put it- “[He] Couldn’t ask for better.” July-August 2013
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78•79 CLASS NEWS
Algeos and Brownleys
Fox, Cellon and Hanckel
Marty and Bob Harwood
Mary and Bill Burke’s retirement was a large affair. Held at the Navy Yard it was attended by numerous flags, dignitaries and of course the “special guests” from ’78. It was speculated that were probably something like 50 or so classmates and family in attendance. As best as I can recall- and with apologies to those I have forgotten or didn’t see - among the ’78 contingent to bid Mary and Bill “Fair Winds and Following Seas were: Jack Christensen, Rob Hanckel, Ron Brownley, Ray Kwong, Jock Maloney, Bill Landay, Mark Ferguson, Tim Hanifen, Mark Fox, Brett Ayotte, George Wadzita, Rich Cellon, Dan Holloway, Bill Hession, Glen Flanagan, Byron Marchant, Dennis Reilly, Eddie Reid, Bob Zalaskus, Terry O’Brien, Jock Maloney, Mark James, Craig Diffie, Roy Cranford, Dave Eyler, Ron McNeal, Jay DeLoach. Mary and Bill’s son, Will (’08), was there as one of the sideboys. Will reports to the Academy this summer as the 25th Company Officer. The first time I met Will and Mary was at a dinner in Connecticut for high school seniors accepted into the Academy. Wow, time sure flies! As to what are the Burkes’ future plans – no one knows. For now it a long awaited vacation touring- the Canadian Rockies, Eastern Europe and, I think, Russia. Regardless, Mary and Bill are hitting the road! Enjoy, relax and we’ll see you when you return to CONUS and our reunion.
’78 at Bill's retirement
John Wissler
As Reunion time is also a time for remembrance, fittingly- but sadly so – we take time to remember another Classmate. At the end of May, Glen Woods reported the sad passing of another of our ’78 brothers and his 13th Company-mate, Mark Mooney. The burial services were held at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery on Point Loma in San Diego, on Friday, June 7th. I am sure Mark’s wife, Carolyn, would appreciate hearing from classmates (markdana@ juno.com). Our condolences, prayers and sympathies go out to her and their family. We’ll see you next month at the Reunion… Launchin’ Spot Four.
Ives, Diffie, O'Brien, Reilly
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Bill Burke’s retirement
PRES: LCDR Sean Cate, USN (Ret.) E: Sean.Cate@1979.usna.com SEC’Y: LCDR John “Wiz” Withers, USN (Ret.) 22445 Bluebird Ct., Leonardtown, MD 20650 P: 301-997-1980;W: 240-556-0637 E: JDWithers@1979.usna.com SOCIAL NETWORK LINKS: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wizwithers http://www.facebook.com/wizwithers WEBSITE: www.usna79.com
Zalaskus
Sec’y Column Deadlines (send columns to classnews@usna.com)
ISSUE Maloneys and Burkes
DATE DUE:
Sept.-Oct.’13
30 July 2013
Nov.-Dec. ’13
30 September 2013
2013 Shipmate Deadlines to note...
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 90%
Greetings, 79ers! Last month I mentioned that Steve Walsh (Steve.Walsh@traxys.com) had attended a dinner at the Explorers Club in New York City. Also at the dinner was our own Dave Olsen, who he was being honored for a trek with combat wounded veterans to the summit of Kilimanjaro. I forgot to include the photo that Steve sent – which is now printed in this column. Steve is the Chief Restructuring Officer / CEO of Traxys Power Group, a metals and mining company. Steve – please pardon my oversight!
Explorer’s Club Dinner: Steve Walsh, Dave Olsen
Tom Hicks (hickste@earthlink.net) checked in this month, ending a 34-year hiatus in writing for Shipmate. Tom says: n My son Tyler and I just returned from a challenging adventure, hiking to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft) in Africa. For those familiar with the mountain we did the Machame six-day route. It was a very difficult trek but truly satisfying. I highly recommend it to those Dads looking for a great bonding experience with a son or daughter.Take care, fellow classmates. n
Tom Hicks (right) and son Tyler at the summit of Kilimanjaro
Thanks, Tom. Sounds like a great trip. Congrats on summiting Mt. K. RADM Rob Wray sent in a great photo of 11 ’79ers at the recent Navy Flag Officer and Senior Executive summit. All told there were a total of 26 stars between them. The group included RADM Dan Cloyd, Commander Naval Forces Japan; RADM Mark Heinrich, Chief of Supply Corps; VADM Phil Cullom, Deputy CNO for Logistics (OPNAV N4); VADM John Miller, Commander Fifth Fleet Bahrain; RADM John Jolliffe, Deputy Commander Third Fleet San Diego; VADM Scott Van Buskirk, Deputy CNO for Manpower (OPNAV N1); RADM Rob Wray, President Navy Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV); RADM Ted Branch, Commander Air Forces Atlantic; RADM Don Quinn, Commander Naval Education and Training; RADM Joe Mulloy, Director of the Navy Budget; and VADM Tim Giardina, Deputy Commander, US Strategic Command.
’79ers at Navy Flag Officer and Senior Executive summit: Dan Cloyd, Mark Heinrich, Phil Cullom, John Miller, John Jolliffe, Scott Van Buskirk, Rob Wray, Ted Branch, Don Quinn. Missing from photo: Joe Mulloy, Tim Giardina.
In case you were wondering, “Traps” Cloyd did the math – as of this writing, ’79 has a total of 15 Navy flag officers on active duty (five 3-stars, ten 2-stars), one USMC Major General, plus Sean Stackley, who is the ASD for Research & Development. What a great group! The Navy is in good hands with leaders like these. And speaking of flags – RADM Don Quinn had the unique honor of being the luncheon speaker at this year’s reunion of the Doolittle Raiders. The Raiders were meeting in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, where they learned the techniques necessary to get their Army B-25 bombers launched from a Navy aircraft carrier 71 years earlier. Over 600 people attended to honor them. More flag news: VADM Ted “Twig” Branch has selected to receive his third star. He will be taking over as deputy chief of naval operations for Information Dominance, N2/N6, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations/Director of Naval Intelligence. Congrats, Twig! A recent edition of GovCon Daily featured Joe Ciano in its Executive Focus column. Joe serves as vice president for business development & strategy in Lockheed Martin’s information systems & global solutions civil organization. Prior to this position, Joe served as deputy to the VP of Business Development for IS&GS National, a $2.3B business unit. It’s a nice article – you can find it here: http://goo.gl/JnQcY. Bill Williamson (bill.g.williamson@ lmco.com) checked in from the Great State of Texas, with the following update: n I thought I would give you a situation report after all these years. I am currently living in Garland, Texas, where I have been since getting out of the Corps in 1986. I am working for Lockheed Martin in Grand Prairie, Texas, as a cost and affordability specialist. Still married to Ruth Ann (Schuler) after nearly 33 years.
Our oldest son, Captain Greg Williamson, USMC, is currently the commanding officer of F Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, at Parris Island, South Carolina. He has done quite well in his career so far. The Marine Corps selected him for the funded law program and he will be attending SMU (Southern Methodist University) Law School in August. My second son, Jaymes, is a Marine Corps veteran. He has more Marine Corps tattoos than Pete Aagard ever thought of having! He was a machine gunner (0331) in 3rd Bn, 6th Marines for three years. He saw extensive combat in Iraq and Afghanistan while serving. He is now a junior at the University of Texas, Dallas where he is earning his degree in criminology. He has plans to become a federal agent or policeman. My daughter Erin is in her first year of Dental School at Baylor Dental School in Dallas. All is well in Garland. Drop me a line or stop on by any time! Regards, Bill n Thanks, Bill, for the update! Glad to hear everything is going so well for you. In the “It’s a Small World” department: Gary Rossi and his son AJ were hanging out on a lacrosse field in San Diego, where they started talking with a young officer just back from an 8-month deployment. After swapping Navy and lacrosse stories for about an hour, Gary discovered he was talking with Sean Cate’s son Stephen. A small world indeed! I received a couple of updates from Sean Cate. Sean attended the May meeting of the Quantico Alumni chapter. Sean Stackley was the guest speaker for the meeting, which was also attended by Tim Hewitt and Roger VanDerWerken. Sean (Cate) also participated in the annual DC-area Joint Service Academy ‘79er golf tournament. In addition to Sean, Navy was represented by Fred Gerheiser, Dave Jackson, July-August 2013
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00•00 CLASS NEWS Chuck Dixon, Bob Huddleston, Tom Phelan, Raymond Aguilar, Chris Cable, and Bob Graham. All told over 40 total ‘79ers from Canoe U., Woopdom and Zoomie-ville participated. No word who won the tournament, but we all know who won the after-party! Finally, I must unfortunately report that Ken Kropkowski passed away in early May 2013. A naval aviator and helicopter pilot, Ken flew both in the Grenada invasion and in the first Gulf War, before retiring as an O6 in 2010. Ken was buried near his father in northern New Jersey. A local newspaper article said it best: “Ken was a larger than life man with a personality that touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.” Ken is survived by his mother and his three children. If you’re so inclined, the family is requesting that donations be made in Ken’s memory to his favorite charity – St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. That’s all I have for now. Thanks to everyone who contributed – and please keep those emails and photos coming! See you next month. Omnes Viri, Wiz…
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 96%
PRES: Tim Kobosko SEC’Y: CAPT Joseph A. Grace Jr., USNR 15 Allard Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 P: 504-915-6711; E: joe.grace@1980.usna.com WEBSITE: www.USNA1980.org
Thirty Three years ago today – we threw our caps in the air to begin this wild journey as Academy Graduates from the great class of 1980. Amazing how fast the time goes by. As you read this it will be summer, the boat will be out on the water and we’ll be bringing in a new class of Plebes. Time tide and formation wait for no man… After the snafu of the missing column (which I still don’t understand what happened) I received a great burst of input from the Class. Thank you for many kind notes of concern and thanks. On the parts that I can control – it won’t happen again. On to the mailbag – which is overflowing for a change. If you sent me an input and it isn’t in this column it’s lined up for the next one or I may send out an e-mail burst. Speaking of e-mail… Please go to the Alumni Associations website, www.usna.com and update your profile and contact information. If you don’t receive a monthly email from me and regular updates, you are not on the e-mail
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distribution list. We may have your old information and that’s why you’re not receiving my “incredibly interesting and somewhat desperately pathetic” requests for input! Please update your information! Try Class e-mail too – it’s a fantastic service that will forward e-mail to any address you desire and gives you a permanent e-mail with your Class and the Academy. Look forward to all participating. I received a first time write in from Bill Brodhag bill13576@yahoo.com, who indicated that he has lost touch with many Classmates – (as just described…) so his e-mail is listed above – time to connect… n Joe, About a year ago, I reached back to the Alumni Association; to update their records and to start receiving my Shipmate again… I have to applaud you for your perseverance (as well as your many years of unselfish service to this almost thankless task!) In your “regular” plea, you always suggest that we reach out to our classmates, and I will add that you never know the support that we can provide to those of us that endured the many challenges that we collectively faced as a class at school, let alone in the “fleet”! I have begun to reach back to my company mates that I had not completely lost, and it is always to my great pleasure, when I see a return note in my Inbox. My story for you is about the unfettered success of one of our classmates... I was having trouble falling asleep one weekend, and was listening to ESPN radio, and heard Jeremy Schapp interview an NFL executive named Eric Grubman, I thought that is a remarkable coincidence, because I lived with an Eric Grubman (12th Co.), during my training at nuclear power prototype… (I was one of those infamous “non-vols”) So, just to prove myself wrong, I did a Google search, and found the said NFL executive, which to my surprise, bore a striking similarity to the Eric that I had once known, but I had lost touch with over the years.... With some further digging around on the Internet, I was convinced that this was indeed my classmate.... So, I gleaned an address to the NFL headquarters and penned a note. Eric was kind enough to send back a note, which as I said earlier, brought me many good feelings, as well as a ton of memories.... One moral of the story is you never know how we as a class are changing our world. And another is, as you implore, reach out to a classmate! n
Also answering my plea for gouge was Dave MacEslin maceslin@hotmail.com who also gave me an update on a few his Classmates from 10th Company. n I work at Navy Warfare Development Command as one of the two Navy reps to Joint doctrine development, Spend a lot of time in Crystal City “making the sausage” of Joint doctrine. Never enjoyed reading doctrine when I was in the fleet and never thought I would be writing it!! When I come home from work Deb does not ask me about my day until she is ready to go to bed, it puts her out instantly. I just finished writing JP 3-02, Amphibious Operations. Deb and I recently made a trip to Hawaii to visit our grandson (oh yea— our daughter and son-in-law also). While out there we had a chance to meet Jane and Pete Hayase for dinner. It was great catching up and reliving old times. Pete is the facilities manager for the Bank of Hawaii with a daughter in college on Oahu and one at Carnegie Melon. I really enjoyed ArmyNavy game this year as my supervisor is USMA ‘78, will hopefully be getting lots of lunches form him in the years to come. n
George Galyo lives around the corner. He is enjoying his retirement working on his model trains and his Blue Corvette and Gold Charger. After a plea to 10th Company I heard from Bill Personius: n “I am retired after 30 years in the Navy and working for Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) supporting aviation related issues for the new LCS Class Ships at the LCSRON headquarters in San Diego. Our oldest daughter Laura is married and working at NFCU (no children yet). Our son Ned is currently single and has graduated from the San Diego Police Academy and is a patrol officer here in town. Our youngest daughter Kelly is also single and working at a microbrewery and living in an apartment out on her own. Molly continues to be a homemaker and keeps busy with any number of things primarily looking after our 3 year old Labrador
retriever. Life is good.We’re looking forward to retirement/retirement and whatever that might bring. I am the President of the Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society (NHAHS) and Molly and I enjoy being members of our local car club where I am the Events Coordinator. I own a small fleet of vehicles to maintain so I look forward to working on them when I retire. I have (4) antique cars: 1951 Chevy Car and Pickup Truck, 1974 Corvette, and a 1967 Mustang Convertible (which is Molly’s car). n Eric Forde checked in with the following: n “We live in the SW suburbs of Chicago in Lemont and we work out of Midway Airport, about 30 min drive from home. We plan to move to Florida Gulf Coast area in 4 years and retire down in the warm sun. A small house, townhome, or condo on a canal is the requirement.We may buy sooner than that since prices are starting to creep up, even in hard-hit Florida For several years Karen and I have traveled to Vail in July, where I play club lacrosse with the Navy “Old Goats” in the annual Vail Lacrosse Shoot-Out (huge club lacrosse tourney), in both the Super masters (over-40) and Grandmasters (over-50) age divisions. Other ‘80 grads playing have been Ken “Butts” McIlhenny, Don Benzing, and Kris Elliott. The Goats also had a team entered in the “Annapolis 2012 Laxtober Fest” at Anne Arundel County Community College which was played the same week as Navy-San Jose State. We stopped by the tailgater after the Goat’s 3rd game on Saturday (we got eliminated Sunday). Karen and I Had a few beers with Mike Sonnefeld, JT Taylor, Hodad, and others. They said Don Senerius and Steve Southard had been on hand at the previous home game. Herb Wilson came by to say hello to Tenth Co.....I had not seen him since 1979, and he has not changed much at all!!! Other than that, I am pretty spoiled with: awesome wife; her 2 wonderful boys 14 &16; 4 dogs (a conglomeration of rescues, pit, rat terrier, Chihuahua & mutt); good health; and a great job. Flying at Southwest Airlines is hardly a real job, I love going to work. Karen is a flight attendant with Southwest and we often get to fly together, which makes it very much like a vacation... and getting paid to do it. Some other ‘80 grads at Southwest: Keith Shultis, Dave D’Ambra, JD McMasters, Bobby Cottrell.
I have visited with Jeff Stenzoski down in Indy twice on long layovers. He is now “Professor” Ski teaching at UIPUI (University Indiana-Perdue University of Indianapolis). He has taken up blues guitar and is very good at it, playing gigs at local establishments, with his girlfriend accompanying on violin. He has a very nice house which he has painstakingly restored to its original craftsman-style bungalow beauty.” n George Martinez reports: n I am an IT manager for Amazon.com. Dina is working for the state of AZ in the Dept of ASETS. Sabrina is a senior in high school and Brandon is a freshman. Our oldest son Mike lives in Las Vegas with his wife Kate and our granddaughter Bridgett. Kevin Deurmit and I haven’t been able to hook-up. He lives on the far end of the valley. I also heard from John O’Connor JOConnor11@woh.rr.com who is doing well in the SW Ohio area where he moved three years ago when he took a job teaching for DoD. He indicates that they get to travel a good bit both internationally and the U.S. which has been great. They are hoping to get to a couple of Navy football games this season both in Annapolis and away. Also heard from JR Haley jrhaley80@yahoo.com who reported recently as the J3 up at Stratcom and reports that it’s just now “Finally warming up – snow in may was not popular!” He’s trying to figure out how to speak “Spacelish” and “Cybernese”. And he thought Naval Aviation had a lot of jargon…. Marty Hahn, martyh398@ gmail.com is also out at USSTRATCOM, and reports that there are about six of our Class out there. Jamie and Jim Jamison jamison5usmc@aol.com reported that they recently traveled from Virginia Beach to Charleston SC in May to proudly watch their daughter, Joy Barnett Jamison, graduate from The Citadel with the class of 2013. Picture attached. n
Received a nice short note from Mark Whittle, markqwhittle@verizon.net who now lives in Stafford Virginia, just south of Quantico. He works for the F-35 Lighting II Program office Integrated Test Force in CG-4 in Crystal City and reports that Nubes has worked there since he retired at 30. Mark and his wife lived in New Orleans for years in the mid 1990’s just before I moved back. He was a “TAR” Dept Hd and OIC for the VFA204 River Rattlers, the Reserve FA-18A Hornet squadron based at NAS New Orleans in Bell Chase at the time. He also reported that 3rd Company is in constant e-mail contact (How about putting me on the string Shipmates….) and that with two RDMLs retiring in the fall (Mark Guadagnini and Scotty Sanders), they have much going on. He also had a chance to get together with both of his second (Dan Law) and first class (Charlie Kanewski) roommates in the same week recently in the DC area. All are thriving. That’s all I am allowed to put in print – and in this case I have almost 5 pages of input that I can’t include. Thank you so much for sending in your notes. I will either put them in the update e-mail or save them for the next column (summer doldrums). In closing, I hope that this finds each of you healthy, happy and wiser today than yesterday. Please take a few minutes to renew a friendship, call a Classmate, take care of each other – you never know what a difference you can make. As Always, BEAT ARMY —Joe
HOMECOMING 2013 Thursday, 24 October through Saturday, 26 October
USNA AA TAILGATES Bring the whole family down to cheer on Navy at our home game tailgates in the Stadium, right next to the field!
We start 2 hours before game-time and party right through half-time! For more information, see www.usna.com/tailgates or contact us at events@usna.com. July-August 2013
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81•82 CLASS NEWS
81
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 95%
PRES: CDR Otto Stutz, USN (Ret.) 1529 Odman Dr., Chesapeake,VA 23321-1852 C: 757-348-2171; E:otto@1981.usna.com VICE PRES: CDR Tim Disher, USN (Ret.) 314 Locust Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401 C: 410-507-9040 E: timothy.disher@1981.usna.com CORR. SEC’Y: CAPT Steve Colon, USNR (Ret.) 115 Kaapuni Dr., Kailua, HI 96734-2728 E: scolon@hawaii.rr.com P: 808-265-4253 WEBMASTER: Patty Crandlemire Whitney WEBSITE: www.usna1981.org CLASSWIDE MESSAGES: usna1981@yahoogroups.com
Greetings Classmates. By the time you receive this we should be in full summer swing. I am hoping with the onset of this new season that we will see an increase in the flow of gouge coming my way. The recent drought is starting to really hamper my ability to put out a full column so please help! This time Mike Van Brocklin (9) bailed me out. Mike took the time to give us a pretty comprehensive update on his activities. His note follows: n “On December 1, 2012, I retired after a combined 30 years of service in the Active and Reserve Component. I served 7 years on active duty including a sea tour on SNOOK (SSN 592) and ashore on the CNO Staff in the Navy Command Center at the Pentagon. I left Active Duty in 1987, started a career with AT&T and then affiliated with the Navy Reserve in 1989. In the Reserve Component I had 9 different assignments, including Command of a Naval Forces Central Command Unit and a Submarine Force Atlantic Strike Group Operations Unit. My last assignment was as a Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (NEPLO) assigned to Naval District Washington (NDW). At NDW, I had the pleasure of working for one our own Flag Officers, Pat Lorge (31). While assigned to NDW I served on active duty during the 2009 Inauguration, annual Presidential State of the Union Address, 2010 Nuclear Security Summit, Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy response and recovery operations. My retirement ceremony was officiated by RDML Mike Yurina ’78 and CAPT Bill Daitch ’83 served as the MC. Other USNA alumni in attendance were Stu Forsyth, CAPT Russ Duke (’69), CAPT Jim Huck (’80), CAPT Scott Riggin (’79), CAPT Marc Dapas (’82), CAPT Don Bouchard (’86) and CAPT Tom Beck (’84). In my civilian career I
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have been employed by AT&T for the last 25 years and have served in multiple positions in sales, sales management, sales operations and business development. My wife, Fran, and I have been married for 25 years and have 2 daughters. Carolyn is a 2011 graduate of Elon University and is employed by the public relations firm Edelman in DC and Cristina is finishing her Sophomore Year and Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD. Enclosed is a photo from the retirement ceremony with (L-R) Cristina, Carolyn, Fran and Me. n
one I am not so sure I would want to be doing. It comes from Ed Gerhke who I went to high school with many years ago. His note: n “Since retiring in 2003, I’ve been doing the contractor thing in Africa - mostly working with Army / SF guys. The work is exciting, and right now that is about the only detail I can provide. Never grow old!” n Ed then followed up with a cryptic note in which he explained that he could not get into details, but was working in some very interesting areas. He sent me a photo of him chowing down under a tent somewhere in Africa. The delicacy he is eating is called Posho which he describes as “good eating, best with beans (in the pot) and pili pili (hot sauce)”. His parting remark was that he is “still in the game”, is “more at home here than CONUS”, and is loving every minute of it. Ed, great to hear from you. Thanks for the photos and please be safe!
Mike VanBrocklin and family at his Navy Reserve retirement ceremony
Mike then followed up the above note with another one after running into another Classmate at an Air Force graduation: n “You just never know where or when you will run into a Classmate. On May 21st I had the honor of participating in the USAF Commissioning Ceremony for the son of a neighbor of mine at the US Air Force Memorial. At the ceremony I ran into Tom Jacob (who was there with his family for the Commissioning of his son-in-law). Tom and I had crossed paths at various times during our careers in the Reserve Component and it was a pleasure to see him again and meet his wife, Megan, and daughter. Attached is a picture of Tom and me at the ceremony”. Mike, thanks for the note, and congratulations on your retirement. n
Ed Gerhke in the field
A while back I got a few photos from Kevin “Tex” Taylor (27) from a fishing expedition he went on with Chuck “Greeno” Greene (35). Greeno lives up near Seattle on Lake Washington, and has quite a yacht to go cruise the lakes and Pugent Sound on. He is still flying for the airlines, now with Delta (747 Captain) as a result of the merger with Northwest. Greeno come look me up next time you come through HNL.
Tom Jacob and Mike VanBrocklin Chuck Greene at the helm of his yacht
We always seem to have a few Classmates who are doing super exciting stuff that I get jealous because I cannot do. This next
Kevin Taylor with his catch
Greeno with his catch
My old roommate Dave Jackson (26) and his wife Tricia stayed at the house we were renting while building our new home over the Christmas holidays. Carrie and I were visiting her family in SoCal. We overlapped with Dave and Tricia one day and took a sunset photo right before heading to dinner.
Two old roommates and wives in Hawaii
Finally, some more remnant photos from the Navy – Notre Dame game in Dublin. First one is of Jaime Navarro (3) and Tim Burke (34). Second is of Tim and his wife Vicki. Clearly that was a fun group to be with!
Jaime Navarro and Tim Burke in Dublin
Vicky and Tim Burke in Dublin
Flag Moves: In our last column we reported on Ted “Slapshot” Carter (1) relieving John Christenson (36) as president of the Naval War College, Newport, RI. I finally got word of John’s next assignment. He is going to Brussels, Belgium where he will be the deputy U.S. military representative to NATO Military Committee. Sounds like a perfect Political – Military job for a consummate diplomat. John, congratulations on your tour in Newport. ’81, second to NONE
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 97%
PRES: CAPT Bill Dawson, SC, USN (Ret.) P: 443-949-8023;W: 443-758-5114 E: wdawson82@verizon.nett VICE PRES: Matt Moury P: 410-263-7640; E: vicepresident@usna82.org TREAS: CDR Terry Benedict, USN P: 703-913-7183;W: 703-607-1036 E: treasurer@usna82.org BUSINESS SEC’Y: David Balk 1722 Gemini Dr. Sykesville, MD 21784-6230 P: 410-795-7621;W: 410-345-4774 E: dbalk@acm.org CORR SEC’Y: Rett Rasmussen 1710 Dana Place, Fullerton, CA 92831 P: 714-871-1860;W: 562-696-8718 C: 562-822-0755; E: rett@rasmussen.biz WEBSITE: http://1982.usnaclasses.com
Good Morning, ‘82! Let’s get started with a bucket full of Bravo Zulus: Elliott Kugel (9) was named in the 18 February 2013 issue of Barron’s Magazine for the 4th year in a row as one of the “Top 1000 Financial Advisor’s in America” (#15 in the State of New Jersey). Elliott is a Managing Director – Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch in Bridgewater, NJ. Terry Benedict (1) was appointed to the rank of Vice Admiral and assigned as director for Strategic Systems Progams, Washington, D.C. Tom McGraw (26) joined Noridian Administrative Services, a wholly-owned susidiary of Noridian Mutual Insurance Company, as the
second president and chief executive officer. His extensive federal, state and healty industry experience will support Noridian’s expansion throughout the country. RADM Troy Shoemaker (35) was assigned as commnader, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk VA, leaving command of Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, WA. Rett Rasmussen (21) was elected to the national board of directors for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. ’82 relieved ’82 at COMSUBGRU Two. RADM Ken Perry (2) relieved RADM Rick Breckenridge (1) on April 15 in Groton, CT. Ken came from being vice commander, Naval Mine and ASW Command and Commander Task Force 522, Fifth Fleet. Rick went on to the Director, Undersea Warfare Division (N97) in Washington, D.C. Please write your scribe if you know of any other class-on-class reliefs in or out of the fleet (keep it clean!). Ted Stank (9) is the Henry J. and Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence in the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the University of Tennessee’s College of Business Administration. Check out this article on Ted at http:// bit.ly/TedStank VADM Michelle Howard (23) was assigned as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Michelle was previously deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk,VA. A Coast Guard team led by Dr. Joe DiRenzo (10), partnering with researchers from the University of Southern California, was presented with the Daniel H. Wagner Prize award for their research paper at the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences Spring Analytincs Conference in San Antonio, TX. Titled “A Deployed Quantal Response Based Patrol Planning System for the US Coast Guard,” the paper discusses Port Resilience for Oprational/Tactical Enforcement to Combat Terrorism, a game theoryu application for port security. Per Joe, “The prize underscores the power of partnerships between academia and the Coast Guard. Winning is humbling in that we have competed agains the most brilliant and innovative minds in the world.”
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82•83 CLASS NEWS Looking good, ’82, leading the Navy, academia and business worlds. Class President Bill Dawson (25) reports: n “As a wrap up to our very successful 30th reunion, I wanted to update everyone on our Class Legacy Project. We have a very proud history of supporting philanthropic efforts as a class, most notably our annual support of leadership awards aboard USS LASSEN (DDG-82) which is given out every year in April at the ship’s birthday ceremony. That award costs the class about $2200 a year.You make that leadership award happen! “For our Legacy Project this year, we committed as a class to raising $400,000 for the Laura Stegman Crew Award, STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Program, and Annual Fund support as well. We are almost to the $400K mark, and need $89,000 to close the gap. “If you have completed your pledge to the Class Legacy Project, I appreciate the support. It isn’t too late to either add to your pledge, or rethink your commitment to the project.You can do so by going to the USNA.COM website, and clicking on the “Support the Academy” tab. – Looking good ’82, Bill” n
anyone is in the area, please stop in and say hello!” n
The Fry Family: John, Jessica, Melissa and Joanne, in May 2012 after Jessica’s graduation from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.
Don Parrott (26) submitted the below photo of the 26th Company contingent at our 30th Reunion. Don also relates: n “Dave Dittmer (26) recently retired and held his ceremony aboard the HMS Victory in England. John Richardson (26) officially sent him off. Dave is working for Bechtel, managing the Naval Reactors Training Program up in Saratoga Springs, NY. Oh, and if anyone is wondering about the right draught to have with seafood or steaks, Joe McClain (26) is out of the Navy and president of The Beer Institute now.” Reactors and beer – isn’t that a Simpson’s episode? n Wayne Gluf (13) realized that thirty-one years was long enough to hold out from submitting to Shipmate:
Dan Lynch (23) with daughter Alex at her NAPS graduation. On to USNA, Class of 2017!
Joanne (Cerasuolo) Fry (11) checked in: n “I have been living in St Marys, Georgia for the past eleven years. My husband, John, is Chief of Resources Management at Cumberland Island National Seashore. My daughter Jessica is a graduate student at Florida State University. My daughter, Melissa, is a high school senior. I am the Title I Instructional Specialist at Camden County High School. I had been teaching mathematics, but for the last seven years I have been out of the classroom, working with the teachers in the mathematics department on curriculum and instruction. I love what I do! I missed seeing everyone at the 30th, but hope to make it to the next one. If
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n “I served first as a SWO, then an EDO officer until 1993. During this time I was honored to lead some remarkable men and women who by their actions emphatically answer each day President Kennedy’s call to, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.” While at the academy, I focused far more on athletics (cross country and track) than academics. Despite this, I was accepted to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of
Medicine, graduating with my M.D. in 1997. I next completed my 7seven year Neurosurgery residency at the University of Utah and served as Chairman of Neurosurgery at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego until my retirement in December 2010. America’s WW II veterans have been called our greatest generation. I would submit that the young men and women serving in uniform today have answered our nation’s call with equal honor, courage, and commitment. I was humbled treating many combat wounded troops, some horrifically, by their fortitude, resilience, and patriotism. My passion for fighting cancer led to my starting a multi-disciplinary brain tumor/Neuro Oncology clinic at Balboa that remains very active today, treating cancer patients with tumors of the brain, spine, and spinal cord. After my retirement I began my current position as Chairman of Neurosurgery and Director of the Neuroscience Institute in Tyler, TX. Here I continue to fight cancer, operating on brain and spine tumors, and I also perform complex cranial and spine surgery, frequently the result of trauma. “In October 1986 I married an amazing woman, Amy, at the Pearl Harbor Navy Chapel, a now retired naval officer and school teacher. She remains the love of my life, and I am incredibly fortunate to have someone like her in my life. My faith has been the guide that led me down the challenging, fun, and very humbling path my life has taken over the past 31 years. I pray each day that I am worthy of the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me, and hope I serve my fellow man as a physician in a deserving and honorable manner. “Like most I suspect, it is hard to believe that 31 years has come and gone so quickly. My being a graduate of the Naval Academy has become more meaningful to me as the years have passed, much more than I might have realized
’82: 26th Company at the 30th (l to r): John Richardson, Joe McClain, Jim Coatney, Jay Gallo, Chris Whalley, Dan Kowalski, Dave Dittmer, and Don Parrott.
while a midshipman. It is a source of great satisfaction that I remain in touch with many of my teammates and classmates from the Class of 1982. For the 30th reunion my wife, Amy, and I shared a large house with several teammates (Chris Paul (30) & Shannon; Bill and Trish Kovach (2); Bob and Jaimie Centeno (2); Bill and Kim McCormack (1); and Pete Gamble (27)) and it was an amazing weekend of fellowship and fun. I hope to write again sometime, maybe before another 31 years passes. In the meantime, I will live vicariously through the many remarkable classmates who continue to wear the uniform as leaders of our great Navy and Marine Corps.” n
Dr. Wayne Gluf in the operating room performing an awake brain tumor resection with cortical mapping. Don’t try this at home, sports fans!
There you go, classmates. There are still many of you in the “silent for thirty-one years” camp. Time to tap your keyboard and hit “send” on a recap of your last three decades. Don’t forget to add a photo or two. Looking good, ’82! – Razz
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: Mark “Turk” Powell 474 Fairoak Drive, Severna Park, MD 21146 P: 410-544-8842; E: mpowell@sidusgroup.com SEC’Y: CAPT Chris Pietras, USN (Ret.) 9404 Jackson St., Burke,VA 22015 C: 860-885-9009 E: 83shipmate@gmail.com FACEBOOK: USNA 1983 WEBSITE: www.usna83.com
Good evening ’83. While 34 years ago we heard good morning ’83, repeatedly, as we were following the man in the red corvette, I say good evening today, because you are likely reading Shipmate in the evening. It might be because we don’t get up in the morning to say good morning (o wait, that’s the life of a teenager), or because the evening is the only time you have a chance to sit down, put your feet up, relax and while away the time with memories of days gone by, reminiscing along with whoever wrote in to Shipmate
’83: West Coast Gathering
this month (o wait, folks need to send in some newz for that). Although you won’t read this issue until late July, it is actually 30 years to the day since we graduated, so Happy 30th anniversary of graduation day! Speaking of 30 years, who is the oldest married couple – no not the oldest people, but the longest married (to the same spouse) – who was married on the 25th? And now da Newz! Dennis Yeatman sends: n I wanted to share the west coast dinner photo from 21 April. Thought you’d see some familiar faces, including ADM Bud Edney. He was quite the gentleman and even made fun of putting us in hack (what the *@! is “hack”?) at 0200 1/c year. Note honorary classmate and Pearl Harbor survivor, Stu Headley in the middle. n Terrific evening at the quarters of Sandra & Jon Yuen on Pt Loma. Jon was recently nominated as Chief of the Supply Corps! Congrats to Jon! Among the other attendees were the following classmates, spouses, significant others, children (apologies to anyone I missed): Jerry Anderson, Roger Bingham, Shelley Bingham, G Cerezo, Don Clause, Kitty Crosby, Mike Crosby, Veronica EliasHinderliter, Steve Frick, Pam Frick (Allinger), Peter Gamerdinger, Vicki Gamerdinger, James Garrova, Kathleen Garrova, John (Will) Guthrie, Susan Guthrie, Bob Harris, Billy Hart, Maureen Hart, Don Hinderliter, Cristina Hinds Mueller, Peter Hunt, Steve Johnson, Kurt Kammerer, Luke McColllum, RuthAnne Mitchell, Troy Mitchell, Craig Mueller, Chris Murch, Deidre Nordel, Steve Nordel, Brian Ostrom, Anthony Rodgers, Karen Rodgers, Dixon Smith, Kiki Smith, Susan Smola, Larry Vonier, Scott Watson, Lisa Wirsching, Steve Wirsching, Bonnie Yeatman, Dennis Yeatman, Stuart Hedley, Wanda Hedley, John
Reich, Ben Espe, Greg Hall, Marc Manzelli, and Kari Elliot Tom Katz McKavitt writes: n Had a great conversation with Bud Edney after Steve Trainor’s retirement today with Rich Davidson, Duane Nestor and Frank Morneau. In his remarks, he made specific mention of putting the entire Brigade in hack at 0200 on the recon raid of the Jimmy Legs carjacking. Frank Morneau vehemently denied any knowledge of the incident at the reception (Steve – need some photos for Shipmate). No newz from Don Drehoff, ’cept to say... no updates here/nose to the grindstone :-) ... glad you are well! Best, Don Senior Manager, Strategic Alliances Consumer Business Unit Norton by Symantec n I’ve been trying to get Dirk Ellsworth to send in some newz, but he hasn’t cooperated. So, I trolled and found a half-decent picture of Dirk shirking his duty while hiking at Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon.
Dirk shirking
Jim Nail posted his plate on Facebook
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83•84 CLASS NEWS professorial manner. I spoke with several of his students during the reception and all agreed he was one of the best professors ever (I guess grades weren’t turned in yet). That said, when I check ratemyprofessors.com, the comments from students were really good: “Pure Genius. This is by far the most brilliant teacher I have had at the Naval Academy.”; “CAPT Hagerott truly broadened my perspective on not only naval history”; “The best teacher at the Academy. He makes Naval History interesting and relevant.”; “he ninja’s the knowledge into your brain and does it in a fun way”. n
The Plate
All I can say is wow, Mark – where were you when I was taking history. Also on the website: 5.0 for overall quality, helpfulness, and clarity, and a 4.2 for easiness. But unfortunately – no chili peppers for “hotness”.
17th Company- Two of the participants in our ceremony were then Midshipman and now Ensigns and fellow alums: Claire Fletcher (Jeff) and Scott Walker (Craig)
On the Saturday following the retirement ceremony I had the privilege of having mast griller Brent Flaskerud (lavapigs@ hotmail.com) smoke a pig at our house for a neighborhood, family and friends bbq. Thanks Brent!
The Byman Family
n Hello from Mike Byman (mikebyman@ hotmail.com)! I just finished three years as Program Manager of Submarine Acoustic Systems Programs in PEO Submarine at NAVSEA (basically I procured and maintained sonar systems for the submarine force). I had a combined Retirement and Change of Command Ceremony in April. Attached is a photo of me, Michelle, John (age 10) and Phoebe (age 8) standing in front of the USS Balao conning tower at NAVSEA after the retirement ceremony. I am taking some time off over the summer to catch up on projects and do some travel. I’ll be looking for a job in September. I expect to stay in program management. n Mark Hagerott and I retired in a joint ceremony in Memorial Hall on Friday 17 May. I have to say it was a pretty good event, 2 roommates retiring together 34 years after we started together. My daughter Katie sang the National Anthem to start us off in a solemn ceremony. Retired Vice Admiral Jeff Fowler (60th Superintendent) was the guest speaker. One highlight was while I was faltering while speaking about my family, I turned to Mark and tag teamed him. Mark stepped right up and read from my remarks (and he even blinked back a few tears), allowing me some time to recompose myself – thanks Mark!. Former Superintendent Admiral Ed Waller was there also, as a special guest of Mark’s. Mark’s closing comments were spot on and he delivered them in a very
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Flask at the grill The Hagerott Family
The Pietras Family
Several classmates managed to attend the ceremony, including several from 17th company (from left: Sean O’Connor, Jeff Fletcher, Chris, Mark, and Jeff Clark). Other in attendance included: Carlos Del Toro, Mike Smith, Joe Johnson, Mark Gorenflo, Steve Fischer, and Steve Zotti.
Read Sea Stories on the web at usna.com
That’s all da newz that’s fit to print this month (or all I have in the proverbial mailbag). I’m looking forward to more info from other recent retirees, from proud parents of recent graduates, and even a few proud grandparents! A reminder that the reunion is coming up fast – get your football tickets and make your hotel reservations – see you there! Pick up the phone, send an email or knock on a door. Make a commitment to reconnect with your friends, whether they are from the old neighborhood or just around the corner. Do it today. Once a classmate, always a classmate. — Chris Captain, United States Navy – Retired! New Shipmate email address to send newz to: 83shipmate@gmail.com ’83- A Class Act!
Visit usna.com’s History and Tradition page. Have a story to share?
Email anne.sharpe@usna.com to contribute a Sea Story.
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Longitude: 76.49 West) as you can get and still be on dry land! I think he deserves some sort of recognition for that at our 30th. Donna and I enjoyed seeing other parts of Australia as well. Our only disappointment was that our dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef was canceled due to a late season typhoon. We’ll just have to go back and try again. n
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 100%
PRES: Warren A. Mazanec E: warren.mazanec@1984.usna.com VICE PRES: James W. Wilhelm E: jmjaziwilhelm@hotmail.com TREAS: Melanie V. Doherty E: lambchop_nh3@yahoo.com SEC’Y: CAPT Toni Kasprzak, SC, USN (Ret.) 1219 Kings Circle, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 P: 717 525-9622; E:T3mchase@cox.net WEBSITE: www.usna84.org
Dear Classmates, As I write this article, we get to welcome the Class of 2013 to our long blue line. They were lucky enough to have President Obama as their guest speaker. Things have changed quite a bit as we enter our twenty-ninth year since graduating from Canoe U! It is interesting to hear of some of our classmates movements being tracked by Navy News Releases. Here is one that I ran across: Captain Bret J. Muilenburg, who has been selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Muilenburg is currently serving as senior engineer assistant to commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Engineer, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Deonna Newman, wife of Mark Newman, wrote to update us about Mark’s athletic accomplishments. He competed in IM (Iron Man) St. Croix and won his age group (50-54). This BIG win qualified him for 70.3 World Championship in Vegas in September and Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 12. This was a big win because the race conditions were the worst they had seen in the 25 years of IM St Croix. Heavy rains had washed gravel and large rocks onto the roads hours before the start time. Mark (along with nearly 60% of field) “flatted” with 8 miles remaining and managed to overcome a near 6-minute deficit going into the 13.1 mile run to win his age group. Deonna captured Mark’s big race in the attached photo. As you can tell from the picture - he was VERY happy!
Sec’y Column Deadlines (send columns to classnews@usna.com)
ISSUE
DATE DUE:
Sept.-Oct.’13
30 July 2013
Nov.-Dec. ’13
30 September 2013
2013 Shipmate Deadlines to note...
Mark’s BIG race!
Next I received an email from Jim Hamm who can’t believe that he is writing again to me within six months. (Well I thank him because I have very little to go with for this column, plus, he is having a great time, too!) He writes: n Hello Classmates, Well, here I am with a second letter to the class column in six months. Not that I’m trying to make this a habit, but wanted to share my experience in visiting my Fun One classmate, Scott Norieka. When one of our daughters, Anna, a junior at University of Miami, was able to secure an opportunity to study for a semester at the University of Sydney, my wife Donna and I decided it was as good an excuse as any to vacation in Australia. Oh, yeah, and check up on the kid! Scott has lived in Perth since shortly after leaving active duty. Although he’s been back a few times for alumni events, it has been a few years since I had seen him. Scott and his wife, Sharon, generously opened their house to us for a visit of several days. Sharon even went as far as to secure us all a vacation home in the nearby Western Australia wine region for a few days. We had a great time conducting tastings at the wineries, breweries and even olive oil producers. In fact, Scott was worried that, with all our stops to sample, we weren’t making enough progress on touring through the gorgeous coastal countryside. Not my fault, he was driving. Here’s a picture of Scott, Sharon, Donna and me. I was doing my best to try to catch up with Scott’s beard growth. I think Scott must hold the distinction of being the classmate who lives the absolute farthest from Annapolis. Perth, at Latitude: 31.95 South, Longitude: 115.86 East, is just about as far away from Annapolis (Latitude: 38.98 North,
Scott, Sharon, Donna and Jim
Donna and Jim “Down Under!
Finally, I received an interesting email from CAPT Gerral David AND a bonus photograph! Gerral writes: n On 18 April 2013, CAPT Cliff Maurer and I met with RDML Jan (Chin) Tighe in her office at the Naval Postgraduate School. Cliff is in command of Naval Facilities Command Southwest – for those of you that don’t know him, Cliff is the tall one in the picture. He is responsible for the Public Works and Environmental function of all the Navy and Marine bases in the Southwest US. RDML Jan Tighe is the Interim President of NPS (until the Navy pulls her back to DC to run Cyber Warfare). She was brought here TAD, on no notice, subsequent to a Navy Inspector General investigation. She has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and has done a remarkable job getting control of a large multitude of challenges. I am in command of Naval Support Activity Monterey. I had the pleasure of commanding NAS Whidbey Island for three years before being asked to establish an installation command in Monterey in September 2010. Anne and I will move to Coronado next April when I turn over command here.
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84•90 CLASS NEWS Having three USNA 84 grads in one room caused me to ask USNA Institutional Research how many of us were still on active duty. The answer effective 1 Jan 2013 is 47 Navy and 3 Marines. Pretty even split for aviation, SWO and Nuc. I attached the file they sent me so that you would have it. n ’85: Thompson, Pete Schnorr, Kenny Dreyfuss, Ben Wright, John Walters & Larry Hennigan
Carolina checkout www.beachview surfside.com. They had a great time and are already planning next years trip.
Cliff, Jan and Gerral in Monterey!
plebe coach, Kenny Dreyfuss who catalyzed the FISH into a band of brothers back in 1981. Linda and Rowan secretly organized the entire event as a tribute to Bruce and a grand time was had by all. Thank you so much Linda for giving us another excuse to come together.
Well, that is all that I have to report this time. Looking forward to reading and writing about your adventures! Warm regards, Toni Kasprzak Chase and “The Staff ”
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 95%
PRES: Bob Smith 4712 Fox Den Court, Louisville, KY 40241 P: 502-432-6185; E: dc8driver@insightbb.com CORR. SEC’Y: Vic Otero E: vic@otero-pearl.com
Another shipmate article. I finish one and I need to get next one out. I have all kinds of cool stories. Lets start with Shawn Bai (29th) and Michelle Dunlop had a baby boy. Shawn is in the running for youngest offspring of a 1985 USNA grad. Anyone else please email me.
29th Co Gang
Red Sox opening day is always a fun day but it’s always more fun when you run into a High School Classmate and USNA Classmate. I happen to run into Greg “Brownie” Brown (12th Co) with his family right before we both walked in.
Bruce & Linda
Larry & Karin
Greg Brown
Shawn Bai and Baby
A bunch of guys from 29th company got together at Pawley’s Plantation, SC for a weekend of golf and fun. They had a blast and got a chance to hang out, play golf and sing. Classmates present were Joe Coen, Ralph Arcaro, Kevin Hollis, Brad Buswell, Geoff Watts, Tracy Scott Johnson, Shawn Bai, and Alvin Dickerson, …Any other companies, decide to do a trip like this to South
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
Final story is from our Heavyweight Oarsmen from the EGFISH. They gathered to surprise Bruce Thompson on his 50th Birthday. Be aware they may show up at many house this year to surprise anyone of us on our 50th. Altogether, nine oarsmen were present including Marty Medve, Larry Hennigan and Karin, Ben Wright and Rebecca, Mike Siewertsen, Doug Vogeneau, Stan Newton, Peter Schnorr, John Walters and Bruce with his lovely wife Linda and two beautiful daughters Rowan and Wendy. Also present was our beloved
Another shipmate filled up next shipmate I will detail Mario Maddox adventures around the world. He is quite the world traveler. Will also provide how our new plebes are doing after I-Day 2013. Please send me material. GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY! VO
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: CAPT W. Scott Gureck, USN (Ret.) 310 Epping Way, Annapolis, MD 21401 P: 808-227-2576; E: scott.gureck@gmail.com CORR SEC’Y: CDR Kevin J. Delamer, USN E: kjd.navy@gmail.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR: CAPT Anne G. Hammond, USN (Ret.) E: annegham@aol.com P: 410-980-6460 WEBSITE: http://www.usna.com/classes/1986/
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 93%
PRES: Jim Matheson E: jmatheson@1987.usna.com SHIPMATE COLUMMNIST: Robert Pinataro 8920 Merion Dr, Duluth, GA 30097-6664 E: rob.pinataro@stny.rr.com; P: 860-331-0763 WEBSITE: www.usna87.org
The dog days of summer have returned and with them memories of being a midshipman in the summer. Stop and think a moment about steamy plebe summer mornings following the “Red Corvette” with Heinz Lenz, dripping at attention in white works after a uniform race, and the crazy contrast of relaxing for an hour on the Chesapeake during sailing training. Remember discovering the bosun’s punch, midrats and bug juice on youngster cruise.Visualize flying, assaulting a small town, and riding a boomer all in one summer – Protramid was like a 3 week adventure vacation. Mother B certainly knew how to make summers extraordinary. With that little trip to the past in mind, I hope you and your families are able to find time to make this summer extraordinary in some way that is special to you. Howard Baca shared a photo of JOOW Matthew Baca putting a Carnival cruise ship through its paces in the Caribbean.
LinkedIn about Gabe’s campaign, which I hope you’ve enjoyed.To learn more about Gabe and his campaign, visit http:// www.gomezforma.com/ Go, Gabe! Please send your news to rob.pinataro@ stny.rr.com.
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PRES: Tucker Hite E: thite@Inc.com SEC’Y: Eric Reinhold 300 South Orange Ave., Suite 750 Orlando, FL 32801-3373 P: 407-241-4294; C: 321-356-8612 E:Eric.reinhold@ampf.com E:Usnagrad1988@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.usna88.com
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John Raymond shared the good news that Logan Jones has taken command of Naval Support Activity Annapolis. Roy Ledesma sends: n Ledesma son #2 (Sam) recently attended Summer Seminar session #1 where Ledesma son #1 (MIDN 3/C Teo Ledesma) had Summer Seminar detail and was “training” little bro. n Gabe Gomez is attracting well deserved classmate and news attention with his campaign for the US Senate special election in Massachusetts. John Rinkacs, Mary Kelly, Skip Wilkens, Dave Odom, Tom Hubbard, and Dave Buckley have shared numerous notes on
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: Ingar Grev 904 Barbury Pl., Annapolis, MD 21401-6485 P: 410-571-0105;W: 703-243-6613 F: 419-818-7319; E: igrev@1989.usna.com CORR. SEC’Y: Scott McFadden E: jscottmc89@yahoo.com LISTSERV: usna89@yahoogroups.org LISTSERV SUBSCRIPTION: send a blank email to usna89-subscribe@yahoogroups.com from the address you wish listserv traffic to be sent TO POST A MESSAGE: write your message and send it to usna89@yahoogroups.com UNSUBSCRIBE: send a blank message to usna89-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com WEBMASTER: CDR Dave Klain, USN E: dave@klain.net
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“JOOW Matthew Baca has the deck!”
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 96%
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: LtCol Dean Ebert, USMC E: dean.ebert@gmail.com VICE: Maj Joe McDonald, USMCR (Ret.) E: mcdonaldva@verizon.net OPS: Maj Carter Honesty, USMC (Ret.) E: carterhonesty@yahoo.com TREAS: Kelly White E: kelly.white@1990.usna.com SEC’Y: CDR Cathy Weiss, SC, USNR E: shipmate1990@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.usna90.com
Hello Classmates, I hope the summer months are treating you well. I had the distinct pleasure of attending the graduation of USNA Class of Ninety plus twenty-three this past May and I tell you, there is something special about singing Blue and Gold in a stadium full of overly amped young adults about ready to taste their freedom. Despite the pouring rain and the twenty or so degree drop in temperature, it was a wonderful morning. I noticed halfway through that the new Ensigns were being ceremoniously handed their diplomas, performing the classic handshakes to POTUS and others, and then handing their diplomas right back again when they arrived at the
bottom of the stage. I found myself wondering: Could they have experienced a clerical error as well? Is it possible their diplomas need to be spellchecked? Are we now no longer the only Class to hold that distinction? Well, my fears were alleviated when I asked my nephew after the ceremony.Turns out, the graduating Mids were handed just the cover folder, their diplomas were kept out of the weather in order to keep them dry. It was raining that hard. For Shipmate input this time, Kelley (Duncan) White sent in the following: n We had the pleasure of a surprise visit from Ron Kramps this week for dinner while he was in D.C. for a conference. He looks exactly the same as he did 23 years ago, and we had a great time catching up! He and Kelley live in Jacksonville with their three kids, and he will be retiring this year. A few months ago we also had dinner with Son Min and Chip Crane. He stays busy as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, as well as teaching within the Department of Homeland Security. Son Min is homeschooling four great kids who help keep them running. Speaking of running, Kyle and I are doing well, still in northern VA outside of DC, doing much of what we’ve been doing, at a faster pace. Like all of you, we’re amazed that our kids are getting so old while we remain so young. At 16, 14, and 11, we keep from getting bored at lacrosse tournaments, soccer games, recitals, and the like. The older two are going on a mission trip with us to Haiti this summer, and we’re beginning to think about the college decisions we need to be making in a year or two. We hope to make it to a Navy lacrosse game this spring and will hopefully see a few Classmates. Fun story: I went to Jiffy Lube to get my oil changed. When they asked for my license plate number (NAVY 9T) and entered it in their computer, they said it wasn’t assigned to me. I stepped up to the screen and saw who was in their records: Kathryn Dailey (she’s since changed hers). Small 9T world! n
Kelly and Kyle White with Ron Kramps July-August 2013
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88•91 CLASS NEWS
CLASS
OF
1988
25 YEAR REUNION September 12 – 15, 2013
• Check out the most recent updates on our Facebook page : “Class of ’88 25th Reunion” • Go to www.usna.com and click on “Events” to register. • Below the registration you will find the schedule and costs.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME OF THE EVENTS: Thursday (12th) — Registration 6-9 pm at the Westin Hotel Informal Meet & Greet at FADO’s (across from Westin - pay as you go) Friday (13th) — Registration 8 – noon at the Westin Hotel Memorial at Main Chapel 10-11 am Sup’/Athletic Assn Brief Alumni Hall 1:50-3 pm Dress Parade Worden Field 4-5:15 pm Registration 5-7 pm at the Westin Hotel Cocktail Reception Westin Hotel - Heavy hors deourves 6:30-9 pm Saturday (14th) — Midstore Hours: 8am – 1 pm Tailgate inside the stadium at ’53 Pavilion & Class Ring NE 2-7:30 pm Navy vs. Delaware 3:30 pm (must buy game ticket to get into tailgate) Sunday (15th) — Chapel Services • Catholic 9-10 am • Protestant 11-Noon Register by August 1 for the discounted registration price and pay ala carte for what you want to attend on Friday and Saturday.
Looking forward to seeing everyone – Go Navy!
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Thanks for the input Kelly. With a license plate like that, you have to hope there are no VA state Troopers from the Class of Ninety plus two with a Plebe year grudge! So, in pulling this column together I resorted to cruising Facebook pages. I pulled the following pictures and info from Classmate updates:
’90: The (O’Neil) Leary Family
The Harold Katz family
Harold lives with his wife, Amanda, and their two daughters in Potomac, MD.
Margaret (O’Neil) Leary recently completed her nursing degree (while simultaneously raising eight kids). Congratulations, Margaret, Plebe year lack of sleep was just practice for the last three years, I’m sure! I saw this photo of CAPT Jim Kirk with Duane Cordrey, plebe year company mates, taken at the Surface Navy Association Symposium. Jim, I’m thinking you’ve heard just about every Star Trek joke in the book, right? Congratulations.
The Jim Palombo family
Jim Palombo, his wife Kathleen, and daughter Olivia currently live in San Diego where he serves as an executive senior partner at Lucas Group and the CO of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion Three in the Reserves. Next a shout out to newlyweds. Steve Yeager and Megan Hildebrand posted this great picture of their expanded family. Can’t help but notice the number of braces on those smiles.There must be an orthodontist in Indiana happy to know you!
CAPT Jim Kirk and Duane Cordrey
Well, that’s all the FB lurking I’ll do for this go around. I know there are many of you who are currently heading a charity or organizing events for good causes, please shoot me a line with the info of your organization and its mission and I’ll include in upcoming columns. Until then, remember that at one time in each of our lives, we did not think it odd if a total stranger asked us “How’s the Cow?” Thus, in some small way, we are always connected. Semper Umbilicus, Cathy PS - She walks, she talks, she’s full of chalk, the lacteal fluid extracted from the female of the bovine species is highly prolific to the 90th degree.
UPDATE YOUR PROFILE The Steve Yeager and Megan Hildebrand family
Log into Online Community at usna.com to update your profile when you visit.
91
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 98%
PRES: CDR Rich Brophy, USN 2801 S. Arlington Ridge Rd, Arlington,VA 22202 P: 571-257-7574; C: 719-534-3696 E: 7brophy@gmail.com SEC’Y: Jack Colletti P: 412-407-7852; E: shipmate91@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.usna91.info
It’s official—our record still stands! The class of 2016 climbed Herndon last week but their time of 92.72 minutes was far from our killer time of 43.73 minutes capped off by 10th company pleber Mel Davis during that fine day in May of ‘88. In fact, no class has done better (going all the way back to 1974). Heinz Lenz and Virgil Hill were right...‘91 is indeed the BEST class!! So I hope you are all having a great summer. Today starts the next phase in the Pens’ quest for the Stanley Cup, so things are buzzing in Pittsburgh and for sure hockey has been a good diversion given recent events (Boston bombing, sequestration, et al). No shock that our Classmates continue to do great things all over the globe. I’m proud to present a healthy list of Bravo Zulus: • LtCol Bobbi Shea, USMC (20) has been selected as Deputy Commandant at USNA. • Ahmed Dawood (12) has retired after 26 years in the Navy. • John Pereira (26) has joined eXperticity as Chief Operating Officer (from Ancestry.com). • John Devine (6) has joined Yahoo! as SVP of Global Operations (from McKinsey). • Zach Kitchen (30) has completed his first novel, “The Unbeliever”. I’m willing to bet that this diligent and super smart MechE has never been called a Yahoo...until now. First off is an update from fellow MechE John Devine (6): July-August 2013
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91•92 CLASS NEWS n It’s been a busy month! I reached the hard and unexpected decision to leave McKinsey. Separating from the firm has been hard, but I am excited to join Yahoo! as part of the senior team. My family and I will be moving from Boca Raton (where my son will continue to train with US Tennis Association Player Development) to Sunnyvale, CA, and will take the role as SVP of Global Operations. It is a big step for me but it should be a great experience with a dynamic company... and hopefully I won’t screw it up! n
The Devine family: John, Laurel, Jake (16), Julia (12), Luke (7), and Daniel (6)
Awesome update, Ian and great to see our classmates continuing the fine Tradition. By the way, I was really happy to get this update from a true renaissance man, Jeff Uphoff (6): n My wife, Adrienne, was just accepted to medical school at the Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine), where she’ll be starting in August, so we (including our daughter, Maia, and our son, Tristan) are relocating from Charlottesville, Virginia to Richmond,Virginia. n Congrats Jeff and good luck with the transition to Richmond. Another great adventure! By the way, a few weeks ago I had a chance to catch up with Neal Cuevas (14). Neal and his wife Vicky and their 3 sons are living in the greater Philly area. Neal has been a sales exec with ABC Television for over 12 years. Funny tidbit: Neal has been speaking only German to his 3 boys since they were born. Needless to say, they are all fluent;Vicky takes care of the English!
Congrats JD and thanks for the great update! We with you and Laurel the best as you start a new chapter out West. Next up in an update from Ian Hadden (15): n On May 1, 2013, Sean Liedman (15) was officially promoted to O-6 in a ceremony at the Pentagon. There was a great crowd supporting Sean including his wife, mother and grandmother.The speaker was Sean’s first active squadron Commanding Officer and he was wonderful. Sean has been serving and the P-8 Acquisition Manager in his current tour. He will be leaving the Pentagon in early July to assume command as Commodore, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 at NAS Jacksonville once he finishes a stint in the P-8 RAG. From 15th company, Mike Callahan and myself were able to attend and celebrate with Sean. n
15th Company bubbas! Mike Callahan, Sean Liedman and Ian Hadden at Sean’s O-6 promotion ceremony (May 2013).
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John Newton and Diego Hernandez at the finish line of the Monticelloman Half Ironman Triathlon.
Great job guys! You are making us all proud by supporting such a worthy cause. Finally, here’s a blast from the past:
Jeff Chatfield, Eric Rixen and yours truly basking in the glow of Herndon Victory (May 1988).
That wraps things up! There’s a lot of activity on our ‘91 Facebook group (523 members) and our LinkedIn group (326 members), so tune in and drop a note from time to time. Email if you need an invite to either Group. Have a great summer! Until next time, I remain your loyal scribe. ~Jack
92
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: Creighton Armstrong CORR. SEC’Y: CDR Doug Barber, JAGC, USN (Ret.) P: 757-341-4576 E: dougbarber@1992.usna.com WEBSITE: www.usna92.com
The Cuevas boys standing watch at the Naval Academy Chapel (Spring 2013).
From Facebook: We saw that in early May, John Newton (1) and Diego Hernandez (21) ran the Monticelloman Half Ironman Triathlon. John posted: “Great event and very grateful to Diego for dragging me into this sport. We raised (with Team in Training) over $86K to help fight childhood leukemia and lymphoma.”
HOMECOMING 2013 Thursday, 24 October through Saturday, 26 October
This month’s class column is dedicated to our classmates from 4th Company! From Dave Cute: n “I’ve been a glaucoma specialist/ ophthalmologist at Walter Reed Bethesda for the last several years. Still on active duty. Let everyone know to please drop by if they’re in the area.” n From Clay Pierse: n “I spent most of my active duty as an E-2C NFO, and did Med deployments with CVW-8 in ’95, ’97 and ’99. I decided to pursue a civilian pilot career, so I got out in the summer of 2000, and started working as a flight instructor in Williamsburg,VA, while drilling with a Reserve E-2 squadron in Norfolk. After
that I flew turboprops for Colgan Air, and then was lucky enough to get hired at Continental Airlines, which has now merged with United. My wife, Brittnee, and I have been married for almost 8 years and we have three little kiddos – Luci (6), Gus (3) and Hugh (1). The whole fam was able to come down to NAS New Orleans this past spring to watch my last flight in the E-2 and take part in my retirement from the Navy Reserve – officially on June 1st of this year. Now that I have only one job, we’re all looking forward to more family fun at our home in Castle Rock, Colorado.” n From Jeff Kitchen: n “After 6 years of active duty, which included my last tour at EODMU 3, I joined the civilian ranks in 1998. My wife, Lisa, and I have been married 21 years and have two wonderful daughters, Taylor-16 and Courtney-12. After leaving the Navy, we moved to West Chester, PA and I started an office for Edward Jones Investments where I have been for 15 years. We have been fortunate over the years to spend time every year or so with fellow classmates, Jared East, Tom Fulton, and John Baron.” n From Gerald McMurray: n “Man that was one hell of a ride! I recently retired after an awesome Navy career. I spent the first half as an S-3 NFO and squeezing two Masters degrees out of PG school which set me up to become an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer for the back 9 of the career. After living in Pensacola, San Diego, Monterey and Hawaii I did a couple of penance tours in Pax River with NAVAIR before I was delivered once again to the sunny West Coast where I closed my career out with a couple of tours at SPAWAR. At press time I have no less than 4 solid job offers on the table in front of me (thank you Canoe U) and I have turned down some already. Career aside, I define myself more as a Dad of two awesome daughters (Keira (6) and Shaelin (4)) and a guy who is still passionate about his hobbies. Consult Facebook for the stream but they include waterman endeavors (surfing, spearfishing, and in the frozen form.. snowboarding) and two-wheeled adventures on all flavors of bikes and motorcycles. I truly believe I have realized our class motto of fortune favoring the bold and I stand in humble gratitude for all the opportunities USNA and the Navy has afforded me but more importantly,
the unconditional lifelong friends I made. Cheers 92!” n From Steve Gaston: n “Things are well here in Tidewater. I am currently XO of a SURFLANT reserve unit (Afloat Culture Workshop Detachment) that conducts workshops for LANTFLT ships, similar in intent to Aviation CWs, but not yet mandatory for the Surface Navy…a fun reserve job with a great amount of relevance in terms of Big Navy objectives for identifying hazards, using ORM in ships, and achieving greater levels of Operational Excellence. By day, I am an Aircraft Resources Coordinator for PEO IWS 1TE (Aegis Program) as a contractor with a company called TASC, Inc. We manage the aircraft services, from planning through execution, needed for Aegis and other types of Navy Test & Evaluation. Yes, the (retired) aviators have allowed a SWO to be in their midst! Overall, no complaints. Family-wise, Lara and I have been married for almost nine years and have two children, Jackson (6) and Rachel (4), two red-heads that keep us on our toes (see attached photo). They are truly a joy- I now believe the old wives tales about red-heads being a bit more ‘spirited’ shall we say. All good and wouldn’t have it any other way! Every-so often I talk to, or see postings from, 4th Co. and other ‘92 shipmates via phone, e-mail, Facebook, or Linked-in. Let me just say that I am amazed it has already been 21 years- where has the time gone!? All the Best, Steve” n From Jonathan Williams: n “I recently retired from active duty and have settled in Leesburg,VA with my wife, Kelli, of 18 years and our four children, Addi (15), Caleb (13), Josi (12), and Lili (10), plus two dogs, a cat, a lizard, two birds, and a fish. I am thoroughly enjoying civilian life, working as a professional engineer (PE) on radar satellites. Nights and weekends are packed full with the children involved in lacrosse, volleyball, dancing, music, scouts, football, track, etc., and he and Kelli love to play competitive tennis whenever they can. Addi has her heart set on USNA, and Caleb wants to be a SEAL. Josi dances and plays volleyball with passion, and Lili probably has the theater stage in her future. Life is good and we are incredibly grateful. Colossians 3:23. Go Navy.” n From Brian Brock:
n “I spent 9 years active duty as a P3 NFO with 3 WestPAC/Gulf deployments. After getting my Computer Engineering Masters at University of Wisconsin, I now work for Intel as the debug lead for a Xeon server microprocessor. I’ve been married 6 years to my wonderful wife Lauren and have two boys: August(4) and Drew (1). We live in Hopkinton, MA, just a half mile from the start line of the Boston Marathon.” n From Chris Elster: n “Having served 12 years as an S-3B pilot, accumulating 2000 hours and 300 carrier landings, I left Naval service to pursue a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of San Diego in 2004. Following, I joined CACI Int’l Inc. as a defense contractor and Naval Aviation Production Analyst with VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar. I and am currently completing my second Masters degree in Supply Chain Management from Penn State University, and scheduled to begin a third in Enterprise Architecture this Fall. I have been married for 10 years to my brilliant bride, Cassie Stiles of Palm Beach. We live in North Pacific Beach, California, have no children, but regularly exercise our tribal skills with our two adoring dogs. Thanks, appreciated, great hearing from everyone.” n From Charlene (Hughes) Mowery: n “After many great tours including 5 years in Hawaii (still can’t believe that), Naval Support Facility Thurmont and Fleet Cyber Command, I retired as a Civil Engineer Corps Officer last year to Hampton Roads,VA. I now work for a cyber security firm, focused to encryption and spectrum management. Scott (91, 32nd company) has been with NOAA for many years, and we have 3 minions: Sydney (10), Morgan (7), and Kyle (5). We’ve been fortunate to make an annual trek to Disney World for the last several years, which basically means that I successfully persuade Scott to go once again and tolerate the heat, crazy crowds, and required uniform of the day (i.e. mostly pink and purple colored tie dyes, which provides free amusement for all!). Years ago we traded our sailboat for a trawler - which now serves as an afloat camper. Our weekends are spent with nearby family and friends, with a considerable amount of time at the soccer field. Hard to believe how fast time flies...” n
July-August 2013
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92•98 CLASS NEWS anything outdoors and touring the country in our RV.” n Thanks 4th Company!! Till next time, Doug
93
4th Company
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 97%
PRES: Maj Joe Moreno, USMCR VICE PRES: LCDR Kevin Klein, USN TREAS: Matt Morse CORR. SEC’Y: Maj Shogo Cottrell, USMCR 20902 W 117th St., Olathe, KS 66061 H: 913-782-8149 E: shipmate@usna93.com WEBSITE: http://www.usna93.com
94
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 98%
PRES: Jim Keck E: JKeck@usna94.com; C: 904-477-2133 VICE PRES: Julie Spencer E: jspencer@1994.usna.com TREAS: Brian Bruggeman E: btbruggeman@hotmail.com SEC’Y & CORR. SEC’Y: Maria J. Pallotta P: 410-440-7552 E: mariapallotta@yahoo.com
From Steve Godinho: n “I spent my initial time in the Marine Corps flying AH-1Ws in California. I left active duty in 2000 to pursue a commercial airline career while continuing to fly in the reserves. After a mobilization and deployment to Iraq in 2005, I became an Active Reserve, and spent six years flying cobras in reserve squadrons in California and Georgia. Since last summer I’ve been in New Orleans where I’m the CO of VMR Belle Chasse, flying the UC-12W and UC-35C. My wife Nicole and I have been married for seven years and we have two beautiful daughters, Ellyson (4) and Mia (1).” n From Steve Hejmanowski: n After designation as a Naval Flight Officer, I spent the first half of my career in F-14 Tomcats with squadrons on the east and west coast, with tours at TOPGUN and the FRS mixed in between. With the “sundown” of the F-14, I transitioned to the F/A-18F in 2005. That was followed by tours in VFA-106 and AIRLANT. In 2009, I had the privilege of joining the Diamondbacks of VFA-102 (Forward Deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan) and commanded the squadron from 20102011. That ultimately lead me back to Fallon and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) as the CO of TOPGUN and now STRIKE. I am truly blessed with an incredible family. My wife
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Denyea and our three amazing daughters: Rachel (8), Abigail (6) and Elizabeth (2) keep me grounded while keeping us on our toes (and Carson too). (See attached). In August of this year we will be headed to DC and the next adventure. It has been an amazing ride so far. As a parting shot ...I did have the honor of attending “Rocky” McMurray’s retirement ceremony last month. As has become his standard, Gerald “departed the pattern” in style and with class ... Now that Big Navy is sending me back east while finally kicking me out of the cockpit, I hope to catch up with y’all soon ...Steve (or Hedge or Sonic) out.” n From Rob Gibbs: n “I spent 7 years as a Marine, deploying twice with 3/5, spending a summer with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, and working for what is now Training and Education Command in Quantico for my final 2 years. Today, I am the Vice President of IT for Reynolds and Reynolds, a software and IT solutions provider for the automotive retail industry (new car dealers). My wife, Wendy, and 2 daughters, Avery (13) and Aubrey (11), and I live in Beavercreek OH. Wendy is highly involved in community outreach programs and the performing arts department at the girls’ school. When not ferrying kids to gymnastics, cheer leading, horse back riding, school plays and music events, our remaining time is spent doing
95
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: Kate Dooley C: 202-320-6776, E: ktdooley@hotmail.com VICE PRES: CDR Debbie Fermo, USN C: 757-353-9493; P: 443-458-5110 E: debbiefermo@hotmail.com TREAS: CDR Andre Coleman CEC, USN C: 571-344-0336 E: andre_coleman@hotmail.com COMMS DIR/WEBMASTER: Ed Galloway E: edward.galloway@1995.usna.com SEC’Y: CDR Matt “Kaz” Kaslik C: 360-333-4440; E: kaz95usna@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.usna95.com
96
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: Bart Phillips 9557 E.Cottage Hill Ct., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 P: 225-448-2606; E: bart.phillips@1996.usna.com SEC’Y: Tonya (Barz) Bush 4820 Cedar Ridge Circle, Billings, MT 59102 P: 406-534-4906; E: tyler_tonya080799@msn.com
Greetings, ‘96!! Summer is upon us. Please keep the photos and new coming! Will leave you with a little Albert Einstein this time, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Gratitude to those in and out of the uniform who continue to serve our country and our communities... Tonya
97
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: Tom Wagner E: twagner1@san.rr.com Send news to: Aaron Shelley 10933 Shy Bird Lane, San Diego, CA 92128 C: 619-980-8297; E: apshelley@hotmail.com
Hey ’97! After a couple month hiatus, I’m back in the fight again. I recently relocated
from San Diego to the San Jose area to begin a new job in Operations Finance with Apple. I’ve been here since mid April and am enjoying the job and life here so far. My family will be joining me at the end of June after the school year ends in San Diego. A special thanks to Justin McAnear who helped to recruit me up here from the comforts of my previous position at Callaway Golf Company in Carlsbad. Justin is serving as Apple’s Logistics Controller. I look forward to linking up with Ryan Roberts and other classmates and alumni in the Bay Area, as well as taking advantage of the surrounding destinations like Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe,Yosemite, Monterrey, and San Francisco. I still have my San Diego address listed above, but will update that once I find a permanent place to call home. With the lead-time required for these columns, I’m writing this July-August installment on Memorial Day Weekend. During this time of remembrance and reflection, I would like to pay homage to our fallen classmates. God bless them and their families, and may we never forget the ultimate sacrifice that they made in faithful, selfless service to our great nation. Thanks to all of you out there who continue to serve and put yourself in harms way. May 23rd marked 16 years since our graduation from USNA. We have several classmates who have already pinned on O-5 and been selected for Command, some who have started their own businesses or taken over family businesses, and many involved in noble endeavors of philanthropy and civic service. Our class is now comprised of CEOs, attorneys, dentists, doctors, alternative healing specialists, airline pilots, helicopter tour pilots, special agents, home builders, realtors, mortgage brokers, culinary professionals, restaurateurs, managers, software engineers, creators of music labels, finance and business professionals, sales and marketing directors, consultants, operations managers, coaches, graduate students, teachers, and parents. The prior enlisted folks are now reaching the age 40 milestone with the rest of us close in trail. Where has the time gone? Weren’t we just back in Annapolis for our 15-year reunion? Yes, almost a year ago already. While it’s difficult to fit into a busy schedule, I’m grateful to be able to write this column and share news about the class. I rely on each and every one of you to help me in this endeavor, so I ask that you please set aside a few minutes now
and then to send me an email or give me a quick call to provide an update on yourself, your family, or other classmates with whom you have been in contact recently. Otherwise, you get to read my sappy, nostalgic diatribes in an attempt to fill up space and maybe inspire one or two of you. That covers everything for now. I will be anxiously awaiting for my inbox to be flooded by emails from many of you in the upcoming weeks and months. All the best to you and your families! Beat Army! -Aaron
98
and white photo makes the cigar hard to see)… Finally, a shot of the Palmisciano clan at Army-Navy this past year in Philly. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!” n
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 100%
PRES: David Forman C: 904-321-6459; E: DSForman@aol.com CORR. SEC’Y: Mark Symmes 529 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD 21211 E: shipmate98@yahoo.com TEMP CORR SEC’Y: Jeannette Gaudry Haynie E: jeannette.haynie@gmail.com
Hey everyone— OK, I am even worse at this job than I initially imagined. I’m two days late sending in this update, so I’m going to give it a try, and if it’s not too late, HOORAY… and if it is, then my sincerest apologies (and it may be time to turn this post back to Dave. Dave? You there? Dave?) I do have one update, from Matt Palmisciano, husband of Melissa (Dunlap) Palmisciano, so here it is: n “Hi Jeannette, So after reading the newest edition of shipmate and your subtle hint to have classmates write in I figured I would do my part. After graduation Melissa (Dunlap) and I married in 2001 at a great wedding in Annapolis. Melissa went on to become a Judge Advocate and I flew Hornets out of Miramar and Beaufort. We both left active duty a few years ago and settled in Columbus, OH. Melissa is an attorney at a large firm and I am working for a nanotechnology company running their operations department. We have three wonderful kids and are enjoying the corporate, family, reserve (Melissa is Marine Reserves, and I am in the Air Guard) lifestyle. Melissa is away on business this week in DC. She happens to be having dinner with you and Jenn Marino tonight and the picture she sent had me dive into our old photos… The first is of Dean Balcirak, Greg Malandrino, Mike Ferns, and me at the Christmas dinner plebe year. I guess we could smoke in King Hall back then. The second is the three of you firstie year, still smoking in King hall (the black
This kind of leaves me wishing I hadn’t been guilt-tripping everyone. My daughters want to know what I was smoking. But regardless, because I can’t have it both ways…thanks for the update, Matt. And for the reunion reminder… if you haven’t gone to the reunion website, or seen any of Dave’s emails on the subject, you need to. I posted everything in the last Shipmate writeup (which you should have gotten in early May. If you missed it, send me an email, or go to the 1998 Facebook site, and the info is there. Hope to see many of you there, all looking exactly the same as you did 15 years ago. By the way, does anyone out there actually remember much from the speech President Clinton gave at our graduation? Informal poll because I’m just curious. Take care all and hope to see you in November, — Jeannette
July-August 2013
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99•00 CLASS NEWS
99
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 93%
PRES: Capt Chris “Buster” O’Brien, USMC E: busterobrien@gmail.com VICE PRES: Ben Adeyemi TREAS: Jason Mendenhall E: GLandJason@aol.com SEC’Y: Minh-tu Nguyen 11710 Old Georgetown Rd., #608 North Bethesda, MD 20852 E: 1999USNA@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.usna99.com
00
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 97%
PRES: J.V. “Murph” McCarthy VICE PRES: Art Terry TREAS: Nick Lalota SEC’Y: Tim O’Connor 317 N. Pleasant Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 E: Shipmate00@yahoo.com
2k, Greetings from Crabtown. I attended graduation this year in its entirety and was prepared to sweat out the festivities and instead almost froze to death in the rain. Our class has taken on the task of making sure the Anchorman of each graduating class is honored properly and this year the guy’s name was “Brickman” and he was a basketball player, I can not make that up. Lots of submissions this month. I am now confident I am going to win the powerball lottery and then hire somebody to do this from here on out. If that happens I will buy a YP for each new Anchorman and paint our crest all over it myself because I will have the time. Lets get to it. Art Terry writes: n I am sorry to report that our friend, Mr. Tom Bentley ‘54 passed away in April, peacefully in his sleep, at his home in Richardson Texas. Mr. Bentley is best remembered for his enormous generosity; namely to the Naval Academy, its Midshipmen, and others too numerous to mention. Several of us have joined him in celebrations at Riordan’s top deck or the Loews hotel during homecoming and commissioning weeks, enjoying the company, camaraderie, and fellowship that his charisma and generosity afforded. He took pride in his knowledge of the successes of each class, kept up with several current and former midshipmen, and devoted himself to the support of the Academy and its people since he left it in 1954. A brilliant example of patriotism, character and academy pride, Mr. Bentley will be sorely missed. n Tommy McAvoy writes:
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USNA Alumni in LA Zachary Guerra, ‘00 2000, Greetings from The Land of Milk and Honey (Cali). We just wrapped production on RuckPack’s first commercial, a spot I was fortunate enough to write and direct for classmate and CEO Rob Dyer. Rob took some time off from Yut Yutting around the yard to not only see the shoot, but made his first non-adult cinema cameo in a commercial. He was joined by actor and classmate John David Whalen, and lead producer Brian O’Hare (’88). Though originally the spot was intended for Under Armour, it worked better for Team RuckPack.When Rob was made aware of it’s availability he and his crack team took a massive leap of faith and jumped on board quickly.With a little chiding he was able to get his marketing team to sign off on a very slim budget and away we went. Coming off the back of a very successful SHARK TANK campaign, we’re looking to blow his competition out of the water, and that’s what we were going to do. I feel safe in admitting that at times this process definitely felt more like a military campaign than a commercial film production. Undermanned and overmatched by the elements, 5 guys faced 40-50 mph helplessly wrangling and erecting three massive tents to build our FOB, in an arid and overheated dry lake bed north of Barstow.We even put one of our actors (USAFA ‘01 Brian Smolensky) in the hospital, with heat exhaustion. Helo wash crippled one of our main tents on top of our production team, who were inside of it at the time, and we had a full on backyard football game of SEALs vs. MARSOC Marines.The only thing missing was live ammo and beer. In true USMC/Navy fashion, with the combined efforts of both film industry and military veterans, we pulled off an amazing spot on what, at times, seemed like nothing more than wishes and good intentions. It was truly inspiring and I hope something we’ll be able to do again soon. None of this could have been possible without the help of our vet brethren in LA and SoCal; Rob Roy with Sot-G, Harry Humphries with GSGI, and Oran Root with RuckPack. As well, Paul Jensen (’95) introduced me to the commercial production company we did the production with, and Abe Bradshaw (’96) will likely provide the music for the spot. USNA alumni are carving out a little slice of LA for future film artists. Hopefully we can get more out here soon. In the picture is Brian, Rob, myself and John David, after a long day in the heat and dry weather.We just wrapped production and couldn’t have had a better backdrop. —Z
Photo taken by Raphye Alexius
n I’m happy to report that the war effort is in good hands in Helmand province. A few of us bumped into each other here at Camp Leatherneck and took the opportunity to catch up. Ryan Hough is finishing up a seven-month tour as the AMO for VMA-231 and he’s looking forward to getting home to his wife and three boys. He’s still mulling over the decision whether or not to keep the very admirable deployment ‘stache. It has been
a few years since most of us have seen each other, so when I remarked that I remembered Ryan being bigger during our younger years, he countered with the fact that I used to have more hair and that I should consider getting a real job (I’m a marginally-employed reservist nowadays). Brian O’Shea is working for RCT-7 for seven months as the Advisor Team OIC for the Afghans’ Mobile Strike Force. Although the photo makes it look like he
and I have grown taller than Ryan, I assure you we’re just standing on the highest step available. O’Sh stated that he’ll have children when the Marine Corps issues some to him. Mike Kansteiner is on a one-year tour with the II MEF(Fwd) staff leading the logistical support for the Security Force Assistance Advisor Teams (SFAATs). His greatest accomplishment on this deployment so far is denying O’Sh the use of a non-tactical vehicle (Thanks, Shipmate!!). Mike and his wife have two sons. Erik Aubel is the OIC of the Marine Wing Support Squadron detachment running the Camp Bastion airfield. Concerned about the limited future opportunities facing him and his fellow Harrier pilots, Erik has requested a lateral move to the logistics officer MOS...either that or he’s been inspired by Mike Kansteiner. Erik and his wife have two girls and a boy. There was also a Steve Mackey sighting here at Leatherneck, and Erik reports that Rob Powell is working in Kabul as a contractor. As for me, I’m finishing up a seven-month deployment working for 3/9 as a civil affairs officer. I left active duty in 2009 and immediately joined the reserves. My wife and I live in her home state of Montana now - we’ve got two girls and a boy. I’ve avoided getting a real job by frequently accepting mobilization orders and working a consulting job training Soldiers and Marines on interagency and foreign government coordination. To all our classmates that may read this, we hope you’re doing well and look forward to future meetings. Tommy n
Seminary in Lincoln, Nebraska.Yes you heard me, Deacon Dan. As some here have put it, the “Recon Deacon”. I was ordained on March 16th of this year, and (God willing) will become Father Dan Nolan next May. Proof that the end times are near. The order to which I now belong is called the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP), and our charism (ie, mission) is to say the old school Latin mass. The kind like in the Godfather, with incense, candles, bells, etc.We’re like the Marine Corps of the Catholic Church - small, dedicated and hard corps. Semper Fi! (Latin!) I would also like to send out a nice, warm, Catholic message to RANDALL PARKER! to let him know that, despite his persistent claims from years ago, he will not spontaneously burst into flames upon entering a Catholic Church! So he is free to visit me at any time. Speaking of fire control, fellow classmate Ben Laxton is currently residing in Kansas City, and ready to take the Professional Engineer’s examination this fall for advancement in his fire protection consultant company. Ben and I recently got together and recounted some of our favorite ‘Piggy’ Parker stories, much to the enjoyment of Ben’s wife and six (6!) kids. The photograph is from the day of my ordination. The priests on either side of me are fellow boat-schoolers, also members of the FSSP - Fr. Jared McCambridge ’91, and Father Terrence Gordon both stationed here of ’94, in Nebraska. I hope eventually to return to the military as a chaplain, so perhaps I will see some of you again in uniform. Deo gratias and Semper Fidelis! Dan Nolan n
Kansteiner, Hough, McAvoy, O’Shea, Aubel
Dan Nolan writes: n Hello ‘00, This is Deacon Dan Nolan, reporting from Our Lady of Guadalupe
AMP Alumni Mentoring Program
Jared McCambridge ‘91, Dan Nolan ‘00, and Father Terrence Gordon ‘94
AMP is a system of connecting Alumni for a greater good. Contact: Stephen Leaman at sjlconsulting@cox.net; Dr. Steve Hudock at shudock@1969.usna.com or RADM (Ret.) Stan Bryant, AMP Director of Communications at stanleywbryant@hotmail.com
Ben and Alicia
Ben’s kids are, from top to bottom: Olivia, Gabriella, Alexander, Elizabeth (holding Michael) and Raphael.
Maura (Duggan) Sanders writes: n Cheers 2000, We are closing in on 3 years in Naples, Italy. It has been an amazing experience for all of us. We have big news to celebrate as my husband Todd (‘99) has applied and was accepted for the USMC 15 year early retirement. Thanks to his year at NAPS he qualified and we jumped on it! We have bought a home in Traverse City, MI and will be moving in mid-July. Our daughters (8 & 9 now) are thrilled to have a permanent home and we are beyond excited to put down some roots and live the laid back good life in northern Michigan. We’ll be taking our time thinking about what we want to do when we grow up and will work on some GI Bill grad schooling before making any serious commitments. The door will be open and cold beer will be on hand for anyone passing through. Hope this finds you all well and safe! Pic from our youngest daughter Kaitlyn’s 1st Communion on Mother’s Day. Semper Fi, Maura Duggan Sanders n
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00•13 CLASS NEWS
The Sanders family
Josh Gillespie writes: n Well, Been a while since I wrote anything to Ye Olde Shipmate, and figured I couldn’t do any worse by saying what a pleasure it is to see how many of our classmates are taking the lead, not only afloat and ashore, but in the private sector as well…gotta get me some of that “Rucksack” and see what all the buzz is about. Ok, so no marriage announcement or anything amazing like that, but it was a bittersweet event “officially” letting go those four letters in front of my name forever a few months back-Lots of memories, only the good ones remain, and now I join the grateful population of “100%” civilians thankful for all that each and every one of you do for the rest of us…thank you! Lots of alums here in power-generation land; although I think I’m still ranking as the youngest dude from Canoe U making the circuit.The industry is working through the ups and downs of the economy, but we keep manufacturing things that go out the door…and that’s the best indicator of all. I’m managing sales for our gas turbine emissions control line and five years into it, think this is it for awhile. I’m frequently in the L.A., San Diego area, so if I run into any of you guys, first round’s on me! Home is still in Gatlinburg,TN. I’ve got a nice little cottage on a creek, and any ’00 are always welcome. Making progress on a scratch built 20’ lake schooner destined to be christened Anastasia Nickolaevna sometime this summer…figured “how hard could it be?”…famous last words. Once afloat, she’ll berth two semi-comfortably for a weekend cruise. Oh yes…doing my best to keep up the ’00 reputation for infamy whenever the opportunity knocks; though I’ll be honest it involves a lot more liniment these days. In what free-time remains, I decided to exercise those “Group III” skills and
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take on a full length novel about the Russian Revolution; in particular, the often speculated circumstances regarding the demise of the last Imperial family. A year into research, and I’m happy to announce that I’ve found every possible way of explaining the mystery outside of the official findings…and picked up a little conversational Russian in the process. Whether it makes it to the racks of stores or “e-readers” is anyone’s guess, but if it ever comes to fruition, I’ll hook up any interested parties with a copy. Again, thanks to all of you still on patrol, in the ready-room, HG&UW or humping it in the sand-box…stay thirsty my Friends! Diz n Jamie Fleischhacker is planning to get a group together to run the Diva Dash 5k in September in Frederick, Marlyand to support foundation in Jen Jean’s (Harris) name, look for details on Facebook. Jen was shot down in February 07, 2007 in Iraq during a casualty evacuation mission. It is a ladies only race. I might go in drag since I technically think I can get away with it now. Keep it coming! Murph
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 96%
PRES: Mr. Aaron Fielder VICE PRES: LCDR Dave Harrington, USN TREAS: LCDR Andy Henwood, SC, USN SEC’Y: Ms. Jen Bohr Tyll E: jenbohrtyll@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.usna01.com
Greetings ’01, While we await election of our new class secretary I’ll be taking over Shipmate duties. We have a lot of info to get through so I’ll get right to it. From Bridget Estes (Kramer) ’01, n Aught One, We finally decided to give in and send a brief family update after the birth of our fourth child. Bridget “Cosmo” (Kramer) Estes ‘01 and Dan “Dr. J” Estes ‘01, as many of you know, got married on the day after graduation/commissioning, then spent the next five years as a geo-bachelorette and -bachelor, respectively. We have at long last settled down in Monroeville, PA, just east of Pittsburgh - just in time for Dan to deploy to Djibouti for about a year. Bridget has transferred from the Corps to full-time homemaker; Dan’s been working as an electrical engineer while part-timing in the Navy Reserves. Semper fi, —COSMO n
Mary Elanor (6), Lucy Carmela (2), Dan, Anna Kathleen (0), Bridget, and Michael Kramer (4).
So as many of you guys may know, I’m currently flying Hercs in VR-53 out of Andrews. Two of our classmates are also out here Clint Brown ’01 and Steve Ryan ’01. I asked both of them to give a quick update of what they are up to. From Clint Brown ’01 n Aught one, So I know I haven’t written into Shipmate in quite a while but I thought I would give you a quick update. Right now I’m flying for VR-53 and loving it, mainly because it affords me enough time to address a serious medical condition, which I call Bieber Fever. I’ve been to 14 concerts so far this year and was recently selected as the Mid-Atlantic, male, over 30, Belieber of the year. Not that I’m bragging. I’ve recently purchased one of our squadron’s white, 15 passenger vans so I can camp out on or near his residence and track his every move. Although I get some strange looks from his security detail, I know he values my dedication. Just last week, I was watching him through these binoculars and am pretty sure he said ‘Is that Clint Brown in those bushes again?’. It’s great that he knows my name. Anyways, if you’re ever in the area and want to catch a show, give me a call. —CMFB Out n
J Bieber ’13 and Clint Brown ‘01
So I saw Steve Ryan ’01 perform at one of my son’s birthday parties. He told me that he’s decided to rededicate his life to the ‘dark art’. He is now actively performing illusions with a Roy look-alike. He’s
playing up the fact that he looks like a 90s Scott Bakula by doing this trick called ‘Quantum Leap’, where he locks himself in the kid’s bathroom and then sobs uncontrollably. At least that’s how it went down when I was there. I think that trick needs some work.
Steve Ryan ’01 and Roy
Til next time Aught one. Sorry Brian Evick 01’, we ran out of space, we’ll get you next time.Your VP.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 98%
PRES: LT Josh Welle, USN E: welle@2002.usna.com VICE PRES: Patrick McConnell E: patrick.mcconnell@2002.usna.com SECY: Kate Kranz E: katherine.kranz@2002.usna.com TREAS: Cari Murtagh E: murtagh@2002.usna.com SEND SUBMISSIONS TO: katherine.kranz@2002.usna.com WEBSITE: http://shadowofgreatness.com
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 96%
PRES: LT Daniel Bailey VICE PRES: LT Dan Emmert TREAS: Noelle Navas SEC’Y: LT Rick Mui E: navyclass2003@hotmail.com
FaceBook,Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, tumblr...Whether you are a poster, liker or stalker, social media allows us to all remain within a few degrees of separation. As much as I love real time updates and pictures of what Jonathan Long (’03) ate for dinner, it’s always nice to open Shipmate every few months and read something in print! Planning for our ten year reunion continues and we are still going to great efforts to ensure every member of our class is aware of the events and activities that are happening throughout the weekend of September 13th-15th. Reunion events include: Thursday, 12 September 2013 1800: Informal Happy Hour (Pusser’s Caribbean Grille)
Friday, 13 September 2013 0800: Golf Tournament (TBD) 1245-1315: Memorial Service (TBD) 1345-1445: Superintendent’s Call 1600-1700: Parade (Worden Field) 1900-2200: Luau (Bembe Beach) Saturday, 14 September 2013 1300-2100: Tailgate (Stadium) 1530: Game (Navy vs. Delaware) Sunday, 15 September 2013 1000: Brunch (TBD) To register for any or all of the family friendly reunion events, visit http://www.usna.com and log into your account. Once logged-in, click the “Stay Connected” tab (upper left corner, under the USNA seal), then select “find my class,” then select “2003” from the drop down “Select Class Year” menu. Once on the 2003 class page, click on the “Events” tab, and you will see the link to the registration. Now register for the weekend! If you have any issues, please contact onlinecommunity@usna.com– the Alumni Association is standing by to help! We are still looking for memories of our fallen classmates to fill the memorial picture boards. Please send any photos or short stories to usna2003reunion@ gmail.com. Look forward to seeing everyone in September! Maili, John & Heath n Happy 10 Years ’03! Four years together by the Bay Where Severn joins the tide, Then by the Service called away, We’ve scattered far and wide; But still when two or three shall meet, And old tales be retold, From low to highest in the Fleet Will pledge the Blue and Gold. —CDR Roy DeS. Horn, USN (Ret) n
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PRES: Lincoln Lukich E: Lincoln.Lukich@gmail.com VICE PRES: James Brobyn E: Brobs@2004.usna.com TREAS: LT Joseph Zukowsky E: JMZukowsj@gmail.com SEC’Y: Andrew Froistad E: froistad@hotmail.com
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PRES: LT John M. Burger E: JohnMBurger@hotmail.com VICE PRES: Mr. Jonathan Miller E: jonathan.byrd.miller@gmail.com TREAS: LT Colleen Vote SEC’Y: Capt. John McLaughlin
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PRES: LT Andrew Lukich E: andrew.m.lukich@gmail.com VICE PRES: LT Joshua Campbell TREAS: LT Jeffrey Foulds SEC’Y: LT Jamison Lupo E: jamisonlynn@gmail.com
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHI.P: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: LT Brady Beauchamp VICE PRES: Capt Benjamin Tuck E: Benjamin.Tuck07@gmail.com TREAS: Capt Jennifer Rounds Tucker SEC’Y: Capt Julie Jordan Naughton Send Articles to: classofficersUSNA2007@gmail.com
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 96%
PRES: LT Erik Westland VICE PRES: LT Gerald Brooks TREAS: LT Jason Perocho SEC’Y: LT Dianna Dietrich E: dietrich@usna.edu
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 98%
PRES: LTJG Andrew Poulin E: andrew.poulin09@gmail.com VICE PRES: LTJG Arthur Eugene Griffin TREAS: LTJG Cody Robert Forsythe SEC’Y: LTJG Michael Albert Matus E: mickymatus@2009.usna.com
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: 0% LIFE MEMBERSHIP: 99%
PRES: ENS Robert Battle VICE PRES: ENS Garth Thomas TREAS: ENS Paul Mallory SEC’Y: ENS Margaret Boyle E: mcboyle@2010.usna.com
11 PRES: 2ndLt Michael E. Orzetti VICE PRES: ENS Ricky Dobbs TREAS: ENS Matthew Pierson SEC’Y: ENS Natalie Woodward E: NNWoodward@2011.usna.com
12 PRES: 2nd Lt Ian Cameron VICE PRES: ENS Nicholas DeMasters TREAS: ENS Nicolas Woods SEC’Y: 2nd Lt Austin Madden Send Articles to: shipmate2012@gmail.com
13 PRES: ENS John-Rex Spivey E: johnrexspivey@gmail.com VICE PRES: ENS Daniel Murphy TREAS: 2nd Lt Ted Baumgardner SEC’Y: ENS Hannah Yun Send Articles to: shipmate2013@gmail.com
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CHAPTER NN EWS CHAPTER EWS
Alabama BGO Area Coordinator:William Cook ’88 P: 256-726-0418; E: mitwcook@bellsouth.net
Alabama Chapter Pres: Ed Berko ’79 P: 205-837-2572 E: BerkoE@yahoo.com
Vice Pres: Larry Daugherty ’86 E: navydaug@gmail.com
Treas: Jeanne Rudzki (Stephen ’06) 901 Skyview Lane, Birmingham, AL 35235 P: 205-836-6410; E: ikzdur@aol.com
Exec. Assist: Laurie S. Swenson (Larry ’65) 466 Golson Road, Prattville, AL 36067 P: 334-365-3146; E: usna.ala@charter.net
SPRING DINNER The Chapter’s Spring Dinner at the Vestavia Country Club on May 4 continues to be one of the highlights of our annual events. Eleven Candidate Midshipmen were present and a twelfth was represented by his parents as each was welcomed and encouraged as they begin their exceptional journeys as MIDN at the Academy. Each was presented with a Commemorative Coin as a symbol of the support of the Chapter, its alumni and friends.
This year’s Leadership Award Recipient was William Herston Dorriety II ’13 of Fairhope. This award is presented to the graduating 1/c MIDN from Alabama with the Highest Order of Merit. Will’s parents, Greg and Donna Dorriety, and his grandmother, Gwen Dorriety, were present to share in the very special moment. In a note to the Chapter, Will expressed his gratitude “for honoring me with your Chapter’s Leadership Award … I am humbled by your generosity.Thank you again, God bless, and Beat Army!”
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Alabama Chapter - USNA’s Women’s Softball Team
Honorees, Laurie and Larry Swenson ’65, presented Will with a Service Dress Sword on behalf of the Chapter in recognition of his achievement. Laurie and Larry were this year’s honorees, so chosen because of their strong support of and involvement with the Academy, as well as their active participation in its programs. Larry continues to serve as Award’s Chairman and Laurie as the Chapter’s Executive Assistant. The names of the Leadership Award recipient and honorees are added to the Leadership plaque that displays the names of all previous recipients. Alumni present at the dinner were CAPT Kristin Bakkegard ’88, CDR Chuck Bailey ’60, Ed Berko ’79, CDR Brian Campbell ’94 (South Alabama Chapter President), T. Morris Hackney ’53, Jerome Hodge ’66, CAPT Jim McVoy ’49, LTCOL Bob Muhlig ’53, RADM Jack Natter `62, CAPT Dennis Read ’59, Steven Seda ’12, CDR Roy Smith III ’73, Bob Turnage ’52, Scott Watson ’83. Parents of those preparing to or currently serving in the Fleet included Doug Adair (James ’11), John & Barb Kent (Beth Kent Follodar ’10), Ree and David Elsberry (Allan ’08), Scott Watson ’83 (Bryan ’09), Marilyn Pagan-Seda and Felix Seda, son, Steven Seda ’12, who was present. Parents of current MIDN were Les and Sallie Chalkley (Shepard ’16), Cathy Franklin (Travis ’14), Scott and Polly Gaskins (Hunter ’14), Marilyn PaganSeda and Felix Seda (Anthony ’14), Mary Beth Pugh (Graham ’15), Ben and Katy Tamburello (Ben ’16).
Spring Dinner 2014 will be held in April. We hope you will consider joining us. 2013 FALL BRUNCH is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, to which we invite any Alabama student who is pursuing an appointment to the Academy. It is a casual gathering, offering time to meet these students and enjoy the company of fellow alumni and parents of MIDN. The USNA WOMEN’S SOFTBALL team participated in the NCSA World Series in Columbus, Georgia, May 17-19. Laurie and Larry Swenson ’65, representing the Chapter, drove over from Prattville, AL, to support the team, Coach Jim Hanley and Officer Rep. LT Bob Magnotta. South Alabama Chapter Pres: Brian Campbell ’94 E: Brian.Campbell@1994.usna.com
Sec’y: Ruth Lichtenfeld P: 251-343-6264; E: ruth29@bellsouth.net
Arizona Arizona Chapter Pres: Capt David M. English ’86 USMCR E: David.English@1986.usna.com www.usna.com/Chapter/us/arizona
Sec’y: Steven W. Ranes ’02 E: StevenWRanes@gmail.com
Website: http://arizona.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: Col Joseph Maguire ’88, USMCR P: 480-634-1772; E: jrmaguire@cox.net
The Phoenix chapter had the chance to welcome and share lunch on April 26th with Captain Dave Price ’85 currently
serving as the Commanding Officer of the Arizona State University ROTC detachment. Capt. Price is the second commanding officer of this newly formed detachment and took over responsibilities in July 2012. His insightful comments included a discussion of how life in a ROTC detachment differs from the service academy experience. He also highlighted items relevant to midshipman training including Naval Science classes and labs, physical training standards, the friendly rivalry that exists with the other service branches ROTC detachments, partnership with the Pat Tillman Veterans Center located on the ASU campus. In addition to our guest speaker, the chapter discussed potential philanthropic activities in the valley and how we can continue to be involved. Those in attendance were Ed Howard ’63, Paul Johnson ’76, Mike Hoppe ’82, Ben Tucker ’70, Arne Soderman ’65, Pete Lumianski ’65, Denny McComb ’65, Rudy Hacker ’84, Jonathan Harber ’84, Mark Edwards ’70, Dave English ’86 and Steve Ranes ’02.
Those graduates, new to the Southern Arizona area, wishing information on the Chapter’s activities should contact President Frank Hayes (520-297-8092, bearthatwalks1@msn.com) or Secretary Norman Mims (520-325-6529, norman wmimsjr@q.com) Leonard Eaton ’63 Acting Chapter Secretary
Arkansas Chapter Pres: CAPT Scott Pursley ’79, USN 7 Hillsborough Ct., Little Rock, AR 72212 P: 501-954-9612; E: spursley@aol.com
Vice Pres: Elisabeth Bramall ’03 E: Elisabeth.Bramall@pw.utc.com
Sec’y-Treas: Paul Siedsma ’75 E: paul.siedsma@gmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Scott Pursley ’79, USN (Ret.) P: 501-954-9612; E: spursley@aol.com
Dennis Nemura ’65 and Margery Nemura.
Corr Sec’y:Tom Lavino ’03 E: trlavino@hotmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: (LA County) CAPT Richard Estrada, USNR (Ret.)
Sec’y: Norman Mims ’60
The Southern Arizona Chapter held its May 2013 Social on the patio of the Skyline Country Club on Saturday, May 18. The weather was perfect at around 85 degrees and at the elevated setting, the thirty graduates, spouses, significant others and special guests watched the lights of Tucson shining brightly below us.
Karen and Art Weidner ’63
Sec’y Column Deadlines (send columns to chapternews@usna.com)
ISSUE
DATE DUE:
Sept.-Oct.’13
5 August 2013
Nov.-Dec. ’13
7 October 2013
2013 Shipmate Deadlines to note...
California 2311 S Mira Ct. Unit 129 P: 714-583-8309; E: brettpotts@yahoo.com
651 W Sendero Claro, Oro Valley, AZ 85737-6992 E: bearthatwalks1@msn.com
Website: http://southernarizona.usnachapters.com
T
Los Angeles Chapter Pres: Brett Potts ’95
Southern Arizona Chapter Pres: Frank Hayes ’60
PO Box 5396,Tucson, AZ 85740-5396 E: normanwmimmsjr@g.com
Arkansas
Jack Binns ’56, Martha Binns and George Nolan ’57.
Dianne Kish, wife of Andy Kish ’65, Ensign Stephanie Johnson and Midshipman Brian Moriarty
In attendance were Dick and Marylyn Augur, ’63, Ed Biggers, ’57, Jack and Martha Binns, ’56, Ron Bishop, ’57, Ed and Peggy Casey, ’75, George and Nancy Dolan, ’57, Len and Jana Eaton, ’63, Herb and Sue Fauth, ’67, Joe and Venetia Hayden, ’80, Frank and Sue Hayes, ’60, Andy and Dianne Kish, ’65, George Monthan and Eloise Perry, ’46, Dennis and Margery Nemura, ’65, John and Linda Truesdell, ’63 and Art and Karen Weidner, ’63. Also in attendance were Midshipman Brian Moriarty and his date, Ensign Stephanie Johnson. Midshipman Moriarty was the recipient of the Marine Sword presented by the Chapter to a distinguished graduate of the NROTC unit at the University of Arizona. Midshipman Moriarty will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in July. The Southern Arizona Chapter will hold its next meeting on Thursday, September 26 at the Viscount Suites Hotel in downtown Tucson. All alumni in the area as well as spouses or significant others are welcome to join us.
P: 323-340-8084; E: saltyest@earthlink.net
BGO Area Coordinator:(Orange/East LA County) CDR Nick Madigan ’81, USNR (Ret.) P: 949-852-0117x22; E: nick@alisonmortgage.com
BGO Area Coordinator: (Riverside/San Bernardino County) CAPT Stephen Andres ’67, USNR P: 858-454-6755; E: StephenMAndres@gmail.com
The San Gabriel faction of the LA Chapter had their regular monthly luncheon on April 25th at Mimi’s Cafe in Monrovia, CA. Two ladies joined our itinerant group of aging but very spry ex-midshipmen, adding a measure of civility to our sometimes unrestrained topical discussions.
Attending L to R: Melba Macneil, Frank Taylor ‘37, Jim Carmack ‘49, Mitch Marich ‘71, Bob Rogers ‘54, Pete Tamny ‘65, and Nancy Tamny.
Purple Heart Baseball A member of the LA Chapter, Ernie Medina, led a great event called Purple July-August 2013
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CHAPTER NEWS Heart Baseball to give those who have given so much to our nation the opportunity to fulfill a dream. On May 18th after the Angels game was completed, a three inning game was played by the Army Purple Heart Baseball team from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas against Marines from Southern California. A static display was on-hand before the game, and the event had great appeal as it is on a path to spread to all MLB teams across the country. In order to donate to future Purple Heart Baseball events, go to www.purpleheart baseball.com or contact Ernie Medina at ernie.medina@nmfn.com”. For press footage and video, please see the following link: http://www.websitesforheroes.org/ press.php Ventura County/Conejo Valley Luncheon A group of our West Valley Shipmates got together for our 2nd luncheon on May 30 at the Wood Ranch BBQ in Agoura Hills, CA. It was a pleasurable gathering as everything from what we have in common and what has changed as part of the Naval Academy fraternity was discussed. There were also a few true “sea stories” shared by our more senior alums. Judging from the healthy turnout, this group will continue to meet every two months and will also discuss the possibility of other events. Those attending were: Art Major ’44, Richard Harper ’60, Ed Rogas ’62, Charlie Plumb ’64, Bob Jordan ’64, Steve Genstil ’68, Gary Mann ’72, Jim Bullock ’74, Mark Costello ’76, Rob Westberg ’78, Chuck Smith ’85, Michael Schoffman ’92, Geoff Eich ’95, Brett Potts ’95, Larry Nance ’99, and Cade Wilson ’00. Beat Army! Tom Lavino ’03 Monterey Bay Chapter Pres: John A. Alich ’64
San Diego Chapter Pres: Alan Lerchbacker ’74 H: 626-644-6452; W: 626-644-6452 E: president@usnaaasd.com
Corr Sec’y: Barbette Lowndes ’80 858-560-8045; W: 858-535-8515 E: CorrSec@usnaaasd.com
Website: http://usnaaasd.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Michael McVay ’77, USN (Ret.) E: skip.mcvay@1977.usna.com
The San Diego Chapter has been very active these past few months. New board members assumed responsibility at the beginning of May. Before leaving office, the outgoing board members organized a very classy Ring Dance West at the end of April. Attendees ranged from the Class of ’42 to the Class of 2008. The guest speaker was Richard Lederer, an author and comedian who pulled together a linguistic review of the influence of naval terminology on the English language. Pictured are past President Dan Archer ’80, Richard Lederer, and past President Barbette Lowndes ’80.
Welcome
In May, the Chapter bought tickets to a Padres vs Cardinals game in the Kona Cove section of Petco Park. Everyone enjoyed the view, the networking and a Padres win. Pictured is a view of the scoreboard welcoming our Chapter to the game.
E: jalich@pacbell.net
Corr Sec’y: Steve Tackett ’87 E stackett99@yahoo.com
Website: http://montereybay.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Scott Perkins ’75, USN (Ret.)
For those that have followed San Diego traditions and occasionally join us at our luncheons, we are moving our monthly luncheons to the 3rd Tuesday of the month beginning in June. We are also changing locations to Randy Jones All American Grill. Our first speaker will be Randy Jones himself, a Cy Young winner who played for the Padres 1972-1980. San Francisco Chapter Pres: Liam Lane ’02 E: usnaaasf.president@gmail.com
Vice Pres: Eric Shangle ’97 E: usnaaasf.vp@gmail.com
Sec'y: Cheriene Griffith ’02 E: usnaaasf.secretary@gmail.com
Treas: Mark Lundstrom ’86 E: iblucky86@earthlink.net
Webmaster: Steve Hall ’75 E: usnaaasf.webmaster@gmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Scott Perkins ’75, USN (Ret.) P: 925-423-0580; E: perkins5@llnl.gov
Greetings from the San Francisco Bay Area! This spring has brought on some fun events for Navy and the Bay Area. In April Liam Lane ’02 and Eric Shangle ’97 joined the few and proud Navy fans at the Varisty Cup National Championships in Berkley. Though we didn’t beat Cal much fun was had. A few Chapter Alumni represented to cheer on Navy Women’s Rugby at the 2013 Emirates airline USA Rugby Women’s Collegiate DI National Championships. In May, Liam has been busy traveling as he attended the 2013 International Chapter Officer Forum where he and Steve Hall ’75 brought back information for the Bay Area that can be seen on our Website. Liam, Eric, Steve and Cheriene Griffith ’02 then met with a group of alumni in San Francisco at the Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel in Union Square for an informal Happy Hour which was a great success. Please check our Website to see when and where the next Happy Hour event will be held in your area of the Bay Area.
P: 925-423-0580; E: perkins5@llnl.gov
Sacramento Chapter Pres: Mr. Dennis P. Joyce ’61 P: 916-996-1333; E:djoyce1961@hotmail.com
Vice Pres: Dr.Terry Brown ’67 P: 530-676-0327; E: twbrown@innercite.com
Sec’y: Lt. Kaitlyn O’Connor ’05 E: kaitlyn.oconnor@navy.mil
Treas: Mr. Jim D’Orso ’52 P: 916-771-8950; E: jndo@surewest.net
Website: http://www.usnaaasac.org/ BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Scott Perkins ’75, USN (Ret.) P: 925-423-0580; E: perkins5@llnl.gov
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At the end of May, the Blue and Gold Reps, along with the Parent’s Club and the Chapter held a Plebe Welcome dinner for 21 candidates for the Classes of 2017 and 2018. This annual event is a great connection for the Link in the Chain as well as bonding a connection with the new Plebes and Parents.
Victor Rowney ’41 & Jeb Berrett ’05 proudly represented our “Oldest and Youngest” attendees for May Happy Hour event.
In June, Steve and Jimmy Sopko ’05 ventured to Lake Natoma to join the Sacramento Alumni Chapter and Northern California Parents Club at the IRA National Championship to support Navy while they competed.
Connecticut Connecticut Chapter Pres: Alan Weigel ’79 P: 860-376-5775; E: aweigel@blankrome.com
Vice Pres:Tom Hodgson ’83 P: 203-318-8870; E: t.h.hodgson@comcast.net
Sec’y: Eric Irwin ’86 P: 860-857-8748; E: irwiner@comcast.net
Comms Dir: David Candler ’67 P: 860-823-0862; E: davcandler@aol.com
Meeting Chairman: Len LaPorta ’87 P: 203-340-2870; E: lenlaporta@msn.com
Website: http://connecticut.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: Raymond Boyd ’73 P: 203-453-9493; E: raymond11@snet.net
The Navy Camp at the IRA Regatta at Lake Natoma CA. Go Navy Blue & Gold!
Our Chapter is proud to announce that we have made donations to sponsor to local youth who are attending USNA’s STEM and Summer Seminar programs. Jakob Nutt from Ripon CA attended STEM in early June and Korey Jones from Fresno CA attended Summer Seminar in mid June. Congratulations to them both! Football season is fast approaching! Plans are in the works to get a good crowd for the Navy vs San Jose State game on Friday November 22 at 2130. Please check our Website for details of how to purchase tickets as well as venues for Alumni game viewing locations. Also, “Like” and follow us on Facebook for more news and photos! https://www.facebook.com/usnaaasf GO NAVY BEAT ARMY! ~ Cheriene Griffith ’02, Sec’y Santa Barbara Chapter Pres: CAPT Homer F. Smith II ’63, USN (Ret.) P: 805-695-0033; E: hohohosmith@cox.net
Sec’y: Robert Quinn ’56 661 Ivywood Dr., Oxnard, CA 93030 P: 805-485-3995; E: quinn56@verizon.net
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Derek Roberts ’83, USN E:derek.roberts@1983.usna.com
Colorado Colorado Chapter Pres: CAPT Daniel Branch Jr. ’59, USN (Ret.) 555 Apollo Dr., Boulder, CO 80303-5002 P: 303-499-0337; E: dbranchjr@aol.com
Website: http://colorado.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Dick Eason ’84, USN (Ret.) (Denver) P: 720-747-4615; E: dick.eason@lycos.com
Colorado Springs Chapter Pres: John Sledgianowski ’87, USN (Ret.) 714 Pioneer Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 P: 719-287-2187; E: sledgesix@q.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Ross Schmidt ’74 P: 303-989-5281; E: rossaschmidt@msn.com
Ahoy! Summer is here and we are delighted in the Northeast! Here are some of our events for the warmer months. Hope to see you there! Informal Chapter “Blue and Gold” Happy Hour Thursday May 23. During the up-coming summer months, the Chapter will hold a monthly No-Host Blue and Gold Social hour at various venues around the state. The first one was 23 May at the bar in the Mystic Hilton. See the photo of some of the shipmates attending.
entry fee is $250 which includes lunch, dinner and open bar plus golf cart, driving range and a challenging course for accomplished golfers and duffers alike. Proceeds benefit Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (www.projecthealing waters.org), an organization that takes recovering veterans out for a day fly fishing. Entry applications are due by July 15. If you have any questions, email Michael S. Krause, USNA ‘63, at msk7736@gmail.com or call and leave a message at 203-349-5123. Happy Summer Sailing! Go Navy! Dive, Dive… Dave Candler ’67
Costa Rica Costa Rica Chapter Pres: Claudio A. Pacheco ’64 Apt. 4307-1000, San Jose, Costa Rica H: 506-2224-4325; W: 506-2225-4239 C: 506-8876-1394; E: cpacheco@1964.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Sue Loustaunau P: 207-326-0574; E: sjlous@roadrunner.com
Delaware Delaware Chapter Pres:Ted Fischer ’71 33695 Baylis Drive, Lewes, DE 19958 C: 302-841-9812; E: ted.fischer1@verizon.net
Website: http://delaware.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CDR William Soer ’78, USN (Ret.) P: 302-383-6611; E: wwsoer@aol.com
Dave Stryker ’61, Dave Candler ’67, Todd Washburn ’93, Tom Hogsten ’85, Alan Weigel ’79, and Paul Brandon ’74
Another get together on 27 June at Splash, the bar at the Inn at Longshore, in Westport (where we had a similar event last September). Future events will be on 25 July and 22 August. Navy-44 Sailing Visit 14 – 17 June Essex Yacht Club. The destination this year is Essex on the Connecticut River with Essex Yacht Club as the hosts. (Because of budget cuts, the Sail Training Program will only make one trip to Connecticut this year.) Bob Krimsier ’59, the Essex Regatta Chairman, headed up the arrangements for the Club for the five boat squadron visiting 14-17 June. Visit included a barbeque at the Club on Sunday afternoon, June 16, for the midshipmen, their hosts and alumni. Annual Inter Academy Golf Tournament 19 August. The Tenth Annual Inter Academy Golf Tournament will be at the Connecticut Golf Club in Easton on 19 August. The
Florida Fort Lauderdale Chapter Pres: Rock Daze ’76 2660 NE 48th St, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 P: 954-461-8926; E: rockdaze@att.net;
Sec’y: Birney Pease ’63 5555 N Ocean Blvd #19, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308 P: 954-941-0561; E: twopznpod@bellsouth.net
Website: http://ftlauderdale.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Dennis Neutze ’65, USN (Ret.) E: dennis.navy65@google.com
Gainesville Chapter Pres: CAPT J. Michael Smith ’61, USNR (Ret.) P: 352-450-9758; E: mickey61USNA@yahoo.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Steve Swift ’87, USNR E: sswift@1987.usna.com
The United States Service Academies Alumni Club of Gainesville held a monthly luncheon meeting Thursday, May 16, 2013. Naval Academy Alumni in attendance were Mase Wells ’47, Hart Stringfellow ’48, Rick Childress ’54, Jim Carr ’55, Art Nussel ’55, Russell Henderson ’58, Phil Meurer ’58, Ken Dixner ’61, Jerry Kennedy ’61, July-August 2013
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CHAPTER NEWS Mickey Smith ’61, Sam Mutch ’71, Charles Baker ’87 and Geraldine Fortis ’08. Attending from the Military Academy were Charlie Hall ’46, Jack Martin ’51, Jack May ’58, Ben Crosby ’58 and Jim Gleason ’66. Our Speaker was Dr. Ronald L. Hayes, Ph.D., co-founder and president of Banyan Biomarkers, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida where he is Director of Banyan’s Clinical Programs and Banyan Laboratories. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function. Of the 1.7 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States: * 52,000 die; * 275,000 are hospitalized; and * 1.365 million are treated and released from an emergency department. The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown. Exposures to blasts are a leading cause of TBI among active duty military personnel in war zones. Veterans’ advocates believe that between 10 and 20% of Iraq veterans, or 150,000 and 300,000 service members have some level of TBI. 30% of soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center have been diagnosed as having had a TBI. Currently, other than a physician visual examination, imaging by mostly computed tomography (CT) or occasionally magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there are no point-of-care tests to detect the presence and severity of brain trauma. After a head injury, there is activation of enzymes which break down the proteins in brain cells, resulting progressive damage and death of brain tissue. Banyan Biomarkers has developed tests to quantify those affected proteins through biomarker blood tests similar to those used to detect acute myocardial infractions (“heart attacks”). Banyan is currently engaged with the U. S. Army in Afghanistan in a study of combat-related head injuries and with the University of Florida in Gainesville in a study of sport-related head injuries.
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Our meetings are held at Gainesville Golf and Country Club, 7300 SW 35th Way, 11:30 AM, the third Thursday of each month. Meetings last about an hour. Alumni and their families, current and future midshipmen and cadets invited to attend. Especially invited as our guests are military academy graduates currently attending the University of Florida.
Turning to the Blue and Gold Officer program; a program that the Chapter strongly supports. CDR Kurt Kyle ’95 who recently assumed command of the Navy Recruiting District Miami – presented the USNA Appointment to Destiny Harrell, during the Cooper City High School Senior Awards Night.
Jacksonville Chapter Pres: CAPT Michael O. Borns ’70, USN (Ret.) 1185 Salt Marsh Cir. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082-2543 H: 904-273-4714; W: 904-285-3400, ext. 356 E: mborns@meridianmgmt.com
Comms: CDR John C. Snyder ’83, USN H: 904-307-0818; E: hntsnyder@comcast.net
Website: usnaaajaxchap@usa.net BGO Area Coordinator:Vickie Leisy DiGiovanni P: 407-380-5386; E: vickieldg@bellsouth.net
Greater Miami Chapter Pres: CDR Mel J. Meinhardt ’80, USNR (Ret.) 3075 Virgina St., Miami, FL 33133-4534 P: 305-448-1290; E: mel@melmeinhardt.com
Sec’y: Sergei Kowalchik ’67 E: sergei@bellsouth.net
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Dennis Neutze ’65, USN (Ret.) E: dennis.navy65@google.com
Greetings from Miami, By the time you read this, summer will be in full force; which for the rest of the country means time for enjoying the great outdoors. For South Florida, it means lovely Fall/Winter/Spring weather turning hot and muggy; plus sunblock even more de rigueur should someone choose to venture outside. However, that in no way slows down your Miami Chapter. The Annual (semi outdoors) Crab Feast in June, will be reported on in the next issue; and perhaps also the yet to be scheduled, cannot be duplicated anywhere (mostly outdoors) Annual Stiltsville Picnic, which has been postponed from June 15th to help insure warmer water for swimming in the surrounding Biscayne Bay – and I mean surrounding for those not familiar. From the news front, Chapter member Jon Rank ‘03 is now “off the market”, after celebrating his wedding to the lovely Joanie Stringer, whom he had the incredibly good fortune of meeting aboard Chapter member Bill Ogden’s boat. Sort of brings back memories of: “Shipmates stand together…” Another piece of news is that the Chapter’s website is now up and running. Lots of great information; please check out www.usnamiami.com
Presentation: Naval Academy Class of 2017 Appointment to Destiny Harrell
On a personal note; Destiny will now be joining my 1967 Class’ “Another Link in the Chain” (ALITC) program. For those Chapter members not familiar; ALITC is an outstanding new program/tradition that was officially established in 2002 (similar programs existed, albeit unofficially), whose objective is to form bonds and relationships between current midshipmen, and members of the 50 year class counterpart, via joint events and other throughout the four years the entering class is attending the Academy. This was discussed at length in the Business Meeting at our 45th Reunion during Homecoming 2012…and trust me: “It’s a Big Deal”. Activities have already happened involving classmates in local “Plebe Sendoff parties” around the country; there is a big event planned for the Class of 2017 I Day this June; a host of other things that will take place down the road, culminating with graduation where selected ALITC classmates will present Ensign and Second Lieutenant Gold Bars to each graduating Midshipman, that are engraved on the back with the two classes numerals symbolizing the graduating classes’ entry into the ranks of their fellow alumni – great stuff. And having nothing more to say, on that note I’ll close. Till the next one, Sergei Naples-Fort Myers Chapter Pres: Bruce Needham ’68 E: BNeedhamUSNA68@aol.com
Sec’y: James Mintun ’59 E: mintun37@netsync.net
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Dennis Neutze ’65, USN (Ret.) E: dennis.navy65@google.com
Orlando Chapter Pres: Kirk Michealson ’79, USN (Ret.) 1324 Belleaire Circle, Orlando, FL 32804 W: 407-306-2833; C: 407-375-3440 E: kirk.a.michealson@lmco.com
Sec’y: Gary Washam ’71 E: gary.washam@cubic.com
Webmaster: Russ Brewer ’78 E: usna78@gmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Vickie Leisy DiGiovanni P: 407-380-5386; E: vickieldge@bellsouth.net
In our last Shipmate article, we welcomed Committee Chairs and Advisory Board Members for our new chapter organization. For more details on our chapter’s purpose, mission, bylaws, organizational chart, and general guidelines, please go to the “About Us” page on our chapter website: http:// orlando.usnachapters.com. Recently, we welcomed Jerry Fallin ’56 as our Fundraising Committee Consultant. Based on his experience, Jerry will support the Vice President and the committee chair with future fundraising events. We are still looking for volunteers to serve as chairs for the Business Networking, Event Coordination, Fundraising, and Management Committees. In addition to those four, we are looking for volunteers to serve on the Audit, Collaboration, Membership and Outreach Committees. If you are interested in, or have questions about these committee positions, please contact the Chapter President, Kirk Michealson at kirk.michealson@1979. usna.com. To join the Orlando Chapter, please go to the “Membership” Page on the chapter web-site; there are 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year memberships available. We use membership dues for help defer the cost of chapter meeting room rental fees, food or refreshments provided at chapter meetings/events, cover the cost guest speakers’ meals, gift to guest speakers, and other related events. When you join the Orlando Chapter, your dues are tax deductible, and if you make additional donations to our chapter, those are tax deductible too. As previously mentioned in our last article, to establish more continuity, we will hold monthly chapter meetings with the exception of June, July, November and December. During those months other activities are being planned such as networking and social events. We have the following speakers scheduled for our next two chapter meetings: * Tuesday, 27 August – Senior Leadership from Space Florida on the future of space flight in Florida
* Friday, 13 September – Congressman John Mica On May 28, CAPT Ron Abate (USNR, Retired) spoke on the Returning Warrior Weekends, which he and his wife Colleen serve as volunteers and facilitators for. The weekend is for returning sailors/marines and a significant other (family member/ spouse/friend), to provide a safe venue in an effort o help them readjust to the “new normal” and possibly receive the assistance they may need, but weren’t seeking. The goal of the facilitator is to work with a small group, to listen, assess, and refer – if help is warranted. It truly was an inspirational presentation! The group of 31 in attendance included 20 alumni, 2 BGOs, 5 spouses and 2 parents. Alumni in attendance were: Eric Hooper ’47, Walt Marquardt ’49, Jerry Fallin ’56, Joyce & Larry Hays ’59, Patty & Ron Hearst ’59, Amilcar Vasquez ’61, Gary Washam ’71, Rob Alexander ’73, Bill Snook ’74, Rick Lecky ’75, Lynne & Russ Brewer ’78, Dan Fanelli ’78, Steve Sterner ’78, John Kaiser ’79, Kirk Michealson ’79, Sonja & Randy Jackson ’80, AJ Josiah ’80, Patrick Lien ’81, Barri & Tom Looke ’83, and Jason Walker ’94. Also in attendance were our Northeast Florida Area Coordinator for the Blue & Gold Officers Vickie DiGiovanni and husband Jim – parents of Zach an ’09 grad, BGO Don Ammerman, Associate Member and father of Ron an ’06 grad, Terry Brown. During the meeting, we learned that Pat Lien’s son was the Class of 2016 plebe who placed the Dixie cup on the Herndon Monument. CONGRATS Pat! Information on our future chapter meetings and socials will be sent via Chapter E-Mails. Additionally, we are also in the process of calling all area alumni about joining and participating with our chapter. Should you not be receiving our chapter e-mails or have not updated your current e-mail address and phone number with USNAAA, you’ll need to go to the USNAAA website and enter your information; there is no other way to get on the distribution list. Once you have entered your updated information, the USNAAA database knows the zip codes in the Orlando area then when I send a chapter e-mail you will automatically be included in our distribution list. We look forward to you attending our future events; there will be separate chapter e-mails for each future event with more details. If you have any questions, please
let me know. Have a wonderful summer and GO NAVY! Thanks, Kirk Michealson ‘79 Palm Beach Chapter Pres: Col Walter J. Breede III ’63, USMC (Ret.) P: 561-493-8470; E: wbreede@1963.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Bill Weiler ’65, USNR (Ret.) E: willweiler@aol.com
Pensacola Chapter Pres: Kurt Woltersdorf ’84 E: woltersdorf@msn.com
Sec’y: Pete Perez ’82 E: eliezerp@aol.com
Website: Pensacola.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Joan Platz ’81, USN (Ret.) P: 850-304-1626; E: joan.platz@1981.usna.com
We are nearing the end of another busy year of activity for the Pensacola Chapter. We held our end of year luncheon on May 8th at the New World Landing in downtown Pensacola. During the luncheon our Chapter President Kurt Woltersdorf ’84 provided a PowerPoint presentation recapping the year, highlighting the well attended football games in the fall, the many excellent speakers at our monthly luncheons, and the great success of our annual Blue and Gold Dinner. Overall our membership continues to grow, and we are well represented from the newest alumni classes, who spend time in flight training following graduation, to the more senior alumni who retired or left the military and settled in the Pensacola area. The main order of business for the end of year luncheon was to take nominations and hold an election of next year’s board. Nominations were submitted both via email and from the floor, and a vote confirmed the brave volunteers who will lead the Chapter for the next year. Butch Hansen ’75 takes over from Kurt as President, and Paul Johnston ’68 was elected to fill the Vice President position that Butch is vacating. Two returning board members are Karen Yeager (wife of Bill ’78) as Treasurer and Pete Perez ’82 as the Secretary. Over 30 alumni and guests were on hand to make the vote official, including Steve Blankman ’82, John Brick ’50, Paul Brooks ’58, Royal Connell ’70, Bill and Joan Daniels ’54, Tim Daseler ’84, Dick and Celeste Folga ’70, Larry Goins ’74, Paul and Annette Johnston ’69, John Kane ’68, Jim and Joan Kirby ’69, Glenn and Suzy Montgomery ’71, Pete Morgan ’81, Bert Oram ’81, Pete Perez ’82,
July-August 2013
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CHAPTER NEWS Al Pickert ’47, Bill Ramsey ’53, Clarke and Deanne Rook ‘57, Mike Sireci ’94, Lee Steele ’83, Kurt and Mary Woltersdorf ’84, Karen Yeager ’78, Rich Holznecht ’78, and Si Kittler ’53.
L to right, are: Tom Schwartz; Polly DeMott (Chapter photographer), Pete Peterson, Dawn Currie, and Ken Currie.
Chapter President Kurt Woltersdorf ’84 addresses the group at the End of Year Luncheon
We are excited about the upcoming activity year, which kicks off in the late summer with the new football season and monthly luncheon schedule. Our first event will be a Kickoff Football Watch Party at the Miller Pensacola Ale House on September 7th where we’ll watch Navy take on Indiana. Check our website as we near September to find our updated list of events with more details. We hope that if you live or visit the Pensacola area you will join us! Space Coast Chapter Pres: CAPT Pete Peterson ’56, USN (Ret.) 401 Third Avenue, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 P: 321-952-2066; E: peteusna@aol.com
BGO Area Coordinator:Vickie Leisy DiGiovanni P: 407-380-5386; E: vickieldge@bellsouth.net
The Space Coast Chapter held its May luncheon at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, Indian Harbour Beach, FL. Our Guest speaker was Dawn Currie. Dawn grew up in western New York State and spent 20 years serving her country throughout the US and overseas. Now retired from the Air Force, she is now pursuing her first love – photography. Her presentation, entitled “WELCOME TO CUBA,” covered her two-week photographic trek, spanning the island from east to west. Dawn brought school and clinic supplies and left enriched with memories to last a lifetime.Through her presentation, Dawn hoped to share a glimpse of life in Cuba where time stands still, yet takes its toll. Our membership thoroughly enjoyed her presentation.
HOMECOMING 2013 Thursday, 24 October through Saturday, 26 October
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Those attending the luncheon were: Tom Blake ’49; Dawn Currie (guest speaker) and husband Ken; Carolyn and Stan Dodd ’48; Polly DeMott (’57); Mary Anne and Tom Gailbraith ’48; Anne and Chip Hines; Betty and Dick Jeffrey ’39; Larry Johnston ’53; Anne and Frank Keith ’47; Skip McGinley ’61; Janet and Hal Neuhard ’56; Pete Peterson ’56 and guest Robin Fisher; Ed Peresluha ’57; Terry and Joe Steckler ’58, Merle and Tom Schwartz ’56 and guest Sherry Laskin; Fricky Vaughn (’40); Birgit Toohill (’47); Fricky Vaughn (’40); Ruth Wildman (’19); Beverly and Zeke Zellmer ’44. Visitors are always welcome at our luncheons, which are normally held either on the third Wednesday or Saturday of the month, except for the months of June, July and August when we stand down. Suncoast Chapter Pres: Clifford P. Bermann ’45 3240 Lake Pointe Blvd #324, Sarasota, FL 34231 E: plcwec@aol.com
BGO Area Coordinator:CDR Steve Swift ’87, USNR E: sswift@1987.usna.com
Tampa Bay Chapter Pres: CAPT John Kamen ’77, USN (Ret.) 1105 Culbreath Isle Dr., Tampa, FL 33629 H: 813-288-9548; C: 8134-385-6972 E: johnkamen@aol.com
Sec’y/Communications: Perry Dempsey ’72 E: dempseypw@msn.com
Website: http://tampabay.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator:CDR Steve Swift ’87, USNR E: sswift@1987.usna.com
The Tampa Bay Chapter had its monthly meeting at CDB’s Southside Restaurant on Westshore (between El Prado & Euclid) with these alumni present: Dick Ardavany ’61, Don Coughlin ’62, Chris Heath ’72, Perry Dempsey ’72, Andy Andrews ’74, Duane Lafont ’78, Don Aiken ’78, and Steve Swift ’87.
RECENT EVENTS— ADM OLSON Presentation— Admiral Eric Olson (Ret.) ’73 presented “The World at Night,” his perspective of the current global threats facing our country, at a local hospital charity event (see photo). Pete Leniart ’66 and Perry Dempsey ’72 attended the talk. army/NAVY Golf— Naval forces consisting of Mac Fossett ’58, Al Goins ’61, Don Coughlin ’62, Gary Polansky ’69, Perry Dempsey ’72, John Kamen ’77, Don Aiken ’78, Tom Daily ’92, and Hal Perdew ’92 engaged the landlocked enemy from the shores of the Hudson in the 20th Annual army/ NAVY Golf Tournament. John and Don partnered to record the lowest score and win the Bill the Goat head cover! Rays Baseball—Don Coughlin ’62 organized a fabulous outing to watch the (Devil) Rays whoop the San Diego Padres. Along with West Point alumni, over 30 folks with their families attended. Navy League/Service Academy Dinner—Dan O’Shea ’91, was the guest speaker at the Navy League’s Tampa Council’s 3rd Annual Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. (’56), Sea Service Academy Appointee & NROTC Scholarship Recipient Recognition Dinner. Dan charged the appointees to strive for excellence in leadership as they entered the Sea Service Academies and the various universities with NROTC programs. In the photo below along with the Naval Academy Class of 2017 are Warren Hahn ’60, Perry Dempsey ’72, Don Aiken ’78, Steve Swift ’87, and Dan. Boston Marathon—Our own Steve Swift ’87 participated in the Boston Marathon. Fortunately, he had completed the marathon and exited the immediate vicinity several minutes before the deadly blasts. UPCOMING EVENTS— All alumni need to prepare for our annual Wine Tasting! It is planned for mid-August. Details will be circulated via e-mail as well as announced at our monthly meetings Secondly, Duane Lafont ’78 is organizing an offshore fishing trip. Interested parties please contact Duane or any of the Chapter officers. GENERAL (ADMIRAL) NOTES: Look for the Chapter on our Facebook Page, our Website – (http://tampabay.usna chapters .com/home.shtm), and LinkedIn.
TBC Shirts—John Kamen’77 has the USNAAA TBC shirts. Please see or contact him or Perry Dempsey ’72 (dempseypw@msn.com) for a White or Navy Blue shirt. Dues—Treasurer Laura T. Hine ’97, loves to collect dues money! $25/yr, $200/lifetime. We have raised dues to these new levels to ensure a positive balance for our activities. Thanks to Marty Drake ’78, Kevin Underwood ’95, and Eric Thiel ’95 for their annual dues payments.
Tampa Florida Chapter: Tampa Bay’s incoming Class of 2017!
T
Georgia
Atlanta Chapter Pres: Ed Brownley ’81 E: EBrownley33@gmail.com
Sec’y: Scott Evans ’88 E: Scott.Evans88@gmail.com
Website: http://WWW.USNAAAA.COM BGO Area Coordinator: Ned Hunter ’81 P: 770-826-1985; E: ned.hunter@1981.usna.com
ADM OLSON speaking to audience.
Triumphant Naval golfers!
Kamen ’77 & Aiken ’78 with Bill the Goat Award.
Dan O’Shea ’91 motivates the incoming midshipmen
I, along with more than fifty other Alumni Association Chapter presidents and other officers, attended the International Chapter Officers Forum (ICOF) in early May 2013 in chilly Annapolis. Bravo Zulu to Byron Marchant ‘79, Skid Heyworth ’70 and Kristin Yale for hosting another fantastic forum and keeping the chapter officers informed of what is occurring on the Academy yard and with our Alumni Association. For additional information regarding the ICOF, I’ve encouraged metro Atlanta area alumni, parents and friends to visit the US Naval Academy Alumni Association’s website to update themselves on the ICOF proceedings. For Alumni and guests attending the May 2013 luncheon on the third Friday at Sheraton Suites Galleria-Atlanta, we were enlightened and informed by CDR Charles Washington ’94, USN, a recent commanding officer of an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer (DDG). In town from Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, to give the commencement address at a local high school, CDR Washington provided an informative update to the small chapter luncheon group regarding current fleet operations and status of the U.S. Navy. Living in land-locked Atlanta, it is easy to become disconnected with the status of the Navy and current fleet operations. It has been several years since the chapter welcomed an unrestricted warfare officer with recent fleet experience to discuss and update land-locked alumni about the challenges and successes of the fleet.
2013 Atlanta Chapter LobsterFest – Pete Knoetgen ’77, Thom (Angus) McLean ‘84, and Scott Evans ’88
On Saturday, June 1, 2013, the annual Atlanta Chapter LobsterFest was a rousing success for all in attendance. The annual event brought together over 225 alumni, parents, family members, friends and incoming Midshipmen Class of 2017 appointees on a relatively mild June afternoon to dine on mussels, sweet Georgia corn and lobsters, swap unbelievable (yet sometimes true) sea stories regarding our respective days at the Academy and in the fleet while on active duty saving the world and enjoying life.The afternoon concluded with a round of trivia questions and the raffling of Atlanta Chapter labeled wine. BZ to Scott Evans ’88, Tom Galloway ’71, Karen Frederick (spouse of Steve Fredrick ’72) and Marilyn McCallum (spouse of Carl McCallum ‘60) who planned, organized and ensured the smooth operation and success of the event. Photos of the LobsterFest can be found on USNAAAA Chapter’s Facebook page at: https://www. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=51181044 5539600&set=a.511809858872992.10737 41827.111534325567216&type=1&theater USNA Classes ranging from 1953 to 2017 (4 appointees) were represented and in attendance at the event held annually over the past several years at Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville, GA. This year marked the 38th year of the event. As tradition in Metro Atlanta, the annual Chapter meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 21, to discuss chapter business and elect new chapter officers. There will not be a July luncheon. The subsequent July-August 2013
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CHAPTER NEWS luncheon will be the third Friday in August with Buddy Wellborn ’58 speaking to the Atlanta Chapter giving his insight to the upcoming 2013 Navy football season. The June and August luncheon will be held at a new venue, McCray’s Tavern Smyrna in the West Village. In closing, this is my final article as the Atlanta Chapter’s President. It has been a rewarding and pleasurable two year experience serving as the leader and face of the chapter. I close with a favorite quote by JFK: “I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy.’” President John F. Kennedy, 1 August 1963, in Bancroft Hall at the U. S. Naval Academy. [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President, January 1 to November 22, 1963 (Washington: US Government Printing Office, 1964), 620] For more information regarding the Atlanta Chapter and events, please visit USNAAAA Chapter on-line at www. USNAAAA.com or like us on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/USNAAAA . Go Navy! Beat Army! Ed Brownlee ’81 T
Guam Chapter Pres: CAPT Noel M. Enriquez ’84, USNR PO Box 26849, GMF, Barrigada, GU 96921-6849 H: 671-472-9629; F: 671-472-1966 C: 671-777-9629; E: NME@1984.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator:CAPTAlma Grocki ’81,USN P: 808-781-1339; E: alma.grocki@navy.mil
2013 Navy Football Schedule Follow Navy Football online at NAVYSPORTS.COM
Opponent
7 Sept 2013 14 Sept 2013 28 Sept 2013 5 Oct 2013 12 Oct 2013 19 Oct 2013 26 Oct 2013 2 Nov 2013 9 Nov 2013 16 Nov 2013 22 Nov 2013 14 Dec 2013
@ Indiana -Bloomington, IN vs Delaware @ Western Kentucky-Bowling Green, KY vs Air Force @ Duke -Durham, NC @ Toledo -Toledo, OH vs Pittsburgh (Homecoming) @ Notre Dame -South Bend, IN vs Hawaii vs South Alabama @ San Jose State -San Jose, CA vs ARMY -Philadelphia, PA
1-800-US4-NAVY 142
Honolulu Chapter Pres:Tom Marzec ’87 P: 808-261-9430; E: tom.marzec@1987.usna.com
Vice Pres: Ben Peet ’88 E: benjamin.peet@hickam.af.mil
Sec’y: Lindsay Robinson ’06 Shipmate Scribe:CDR Matt“Kaz”Kaslik ’95,USN E: Matthew.kaslik@disa.mil;W: 808-472-0219
Treas: Doug Gainer ’98 E: douglas.e.gainer@smithbarney.com
Parent’s Club Pres: C.J. May E: mayiic001@hawaii.rr.com
Hawaii B&G Officer: CAPT Alma Grocki ’81, USN E: alma.grocki@navy.mil
Website: http:honolulu.usnachapters.com
Idaho Northwest Chapter Pres: Col Kenneth W. Moore ’66, USMC (Ret.) 31048 E. Hayden Lake Rd., PO Box 2020, Hayden, ID 83835-7059; P: 208-772-7494 E: eyehawk35@gmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Henry Netzer ’74, USN (Ret.) E: henry.jeanne.netzer@gmail.com
Illinois Chicago Chapter CDR Fredrick W. Weber ’75, USNR (Ret.) 2134 Evert Ct., Northbrook, IL 60062-6612 H: 847-559-9381; W: 312-845-3444 E: Fred.Weber@2comm.com
Website: http://chicago.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: (Chicago) Col Kevin Hart ’75, USMCR (Ret.) P: 847-910-4502; E: khart@durobag.com
Guam
Date
Hawaii
SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
BGO Area Coordinator: (Southern) CDR Michael Carnes ’74, USN (Ret.) E: usna74@att.net
Indiana BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Timothy Naville ’76, USNR (Ret.) P: 812-944-4833; E: tnaville@insightbb.com
Indianapolis Chapter CDR Lynn Thomas ’83 H: 317-329-1773; E: lynntw@aol.com
Michiana Chapter Pres: Ryan Marcott ’01, USNR
Restaurant at University Park Mall. We always meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. It is a great chance to catch up with fellow alumni and hear the latest sea stories. There were several interesting items discussed that affect our local membership. The big event on everyone’s mind is the upcoming visit by the Navy football team on November 2nd for the Navy/Notre Dame football game.Tickets just went on sale. Another story related to Notre Dame president emeritus, Fr. Ted Hesburgh. He was recently made an honorary Navy Chaplain. Fr. Ted always wanted to be a Navy Chaplain but his religious order had other plans for his future. The Chief of the Chaplin Corps, RADM Mark Tidd, visited South Bend and awarded a plaque to Fr. Ted in a special ceremony at the Hesburgh Library on campus. As many local alums know, the Hesburgh library is famous, not only for it’s collection of books but also the 13 story mural on the side of the building, affectionately referred to a “Touchdown Jesus.” There’s also a 6 foot diameter stone carving of the USNA crest in a major building on campus. Anyone know where it is? Come to the next luncheon and find out! In other news, Corey Robinson & is on campus and will be a freshman on the Notre Dame Football team this fall. Most folks may not know Corey, but his father, David Robinson 87, is pretty well know from his career in the NBA…he had the nickname “The Admiral.” Maybe our local chapter will have the good fortune of a visit some day…perhaps at the upcoming Navy/Notre Dame tailgate… I’m sure “The Admiral” might enjoy meeting “The Supe”, another famous admiral! And finishing up the luncheon, John Ross’94, provided an excellent brief on his attendance at the annual Chapter Officer’s meeting at USNA. John provided a great handout of items that will surely be discussed at future meetings! The monthly luncheon:
23042 Greenleaf Blvd.,Elkhart, IN 46514
Vice Pres: CDR John (Chris) Haizlip ’72, USN (Ret.) 15246 Longford Dr, Granger, IN 46530 P: 574-273-2939; E: CHaizlip@aol.com
Treas: John Ross ’94 E: johnwmross@me.com
Sec’y:Will Gury, '01, USNR P: 574-849-1727
Several members of the South Bend/ Michiana Chapter recently met for our monthly luncheon. The chapter luncheon is every month, at 12PM, at the Bar Louie
(L-R): Bill & Mort Dobbins, Leann Leidy (mom of Kenton, ’17), Chris Haizlip, ’72; John Strauss, ’68; John Ross, ’94; Dale Furman, ’61.
Japan Tokyo Bay Chapter Pres: Brett English ’00 PSC 473 Box 5, FPO AP 96349 P: 01181 046-816-8034 (Japan), E: bmenglish15@gmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Sue Loustaunau P: 207-326-0574; E: sjlous@roadrunner.com
Kentucky (see also Ohio) Louisville/Southern Indiana Chapter Pres: CAPT Gregory Reinhardt ’79, USNR (Ret.) 712 Talon Place, Louisville, KY 40223 P: 502-244-7707; E: captaingreg@insightbb.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Gregory Reinhardt ’79, USN (Ret.) P: 502-244-7707; E: captaingreg@insightbb.com
Louisiana Louisiana Chapter Pres: Kirk R. Benson ’87 E: Kirk@KRBenson.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Skip Paul P: 225-769-4019; E: captskip@earthlink.net
Maine Portland Chapter Pres: Jeffrey Peters ’85 7 Sumac Dr., Brunswick ME 04011 C: 207-650-1744; W: 207-442-4703 E: jeffpeters85@me.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Michael Devin ’84, USNR (Ret.)
BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Barry Davis ’85, USNR (Ret.) P: 410-544-6286; E: bldvs@comcast.net
Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Pres: Michael DeManss ’73 Briscoe Cove, P.O. Box 277, Compton, MD 20627 P: 301-475-7028
Corr Sec’y: Stu Fitrell ’62 P: 301-378-8087; E: stuartjfitrell@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.navyalumni.org BGO Area Coordinator:Patti Thumm P: 301-737-1629; E: thummmw@md.metrocast.net
Annual Midshipmen Recognition Luncheon. On 10 May 2013 some 56 members from 16 classes and guests of the Chapter, including local high school educators and Principals, gathered at our annual luncheon at the River’s Edge Club aboard NAS Patuxent River to recognize the graduating Midshipmen from the local area, specifically Sean Crane ’13, Ryan Dishman ’13, Danica Konyk ’13, Austin Toombs ’13, and Dwayne Hooper ’13. Following words of encouragement from local Blue & Gold Officer Art Pruett ’87, and from NAS Patuxent River’s newest Executive Officer, Capt Heidi Fleming ’89, Chapter President Mike Demanns ’73 and the XO presented each of the graduates-to-be with our traditional USNA diploma frame.
P: 207-563-3132; E: mdevin@maine.edu
Maryland Annapolis Chapter Pres: LCDR Mark Hakun ’88, USNR (Ret.) E: mxfour2@verizon.net
Vice Pres: Ken Barausky ’67 E: kbarausky@verizon.net
Sec’y-Shipmate Contact:Tim Hallihan ’72 E: tim.hallihan@yahoo.com
Treas: Christopher Landon ’00
GSMC Class of 2013 with President DeManns and XO Fleming
E: CLandon@reefpointgroup.com
Website: http://annapolis.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Barry Davis ’85, USNR (Ret.) P: 410-544-6286; E: bldvs@comcast.net
Baltimore Chapter Pres: Jason Hardebeck ’87 P: 443-269-1599; E: jhardebeck@whoglue.com
BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Barry Davis ’85, USNR (Ret.) P: 410-544-6286; E: bldvs@comcast.net
Eastern Shore Chapter Pres: Mr. Michael Epprecht ’65 E: mikeepprecht65@verizon.net
Vice Pres: Dennis Jones ’65 E: dennisjones@goeaston.net
Sec’y/Treas: CDR Rob Calhoun ’87 E: Calhoun@usna.edu
Treas: Mike Bracy ’63 E: mbracy@attglobal.net
classes, while Stu’s lady Lynn snapped the photos.
As usual, President Demanns’ Class of 1973 showed the most spirit with Mike Dougherty ’73, Steve Kunkle ’73, and Andy Mechling ’73 in attendance, along with Treasurer Ted Herring ’67, Jim Sandberg ’69, Gary Knight ’70, Events Chairman Rick Snyder ’75, and Scott Bruce ’79. Bruce Jackson ’80 kicked off the next decade along with Ken Carkhuff ’82, Pete Buckley ’84, Rick Muldoon ’84, and proud father Capt Bob Dishman ’85 and his family filled an entire table. Don Bouchard ’86, Joe Eversole ’87, proud parents John Lemmon ’88 and Julie, and Matt Farr ’96 filled out the alumni ranks. Stu Fitrell ’62 and MIDN 2/c Jason Torres ’14 cut the cake, representing the senior and junior
Cake Cutters Torres and Fitrell
For a variety of reasons, southern Maryland is a rich source of USNA candidates each year, like this one when TWELVE young folks from the Tri-County area will raise their hands in T-Court to become members of the Class of 2017. Of particular pride to many of us are the number of alumni offspring who are following in our footsteps, including Matt Eastburg, son of Steve Eastburg ’81 and Cathy, Ryan Gray, son of COL Charlie Gray ’89 and Kelly, Christy Green, daughter of John Green ’87, and John Lemmon, son of John Lemmon ’88 and Julie. As you read this, our next big event will be our TWELFTH annual Founders’ Day & CrabFest on Saturday 17 August at the Solomons Navy Recreation Center, featuring hot crabs, cool drinks, and good friendship; what could be better than that? Plan to join us for our biggest turnout of the year. Meanwhile, we have our monthly Business Meetings on the second Tuesday each month at 1700 at The Lexington (nee Roost) Restaurant, so come on by and say hello. We try to do something about every month, so check out the schedule on our website (www.navyalumni.org) and, as always, BEAT ARMY! And finally, after five years of recruiting, I have finally found someone to replace me, and you’ll be reading future columns here courtesy of Stu Fitrell ’62, our new Corresponding Secretary. Please remember to keep his mailbag full with any news you hear about local alums. S/F - Sandy, over and out.
Massachusetts Boston Chapter Pres: James Kras ’69 112 Beach Street, Unit 4, Boston, MA 02111 P: 617-645-1032; E: jameskras@comcast.net
Shipmate contact: Capt. Pete Seibert ’65 P: 781-235-5909; E: pkseibert@comcast.net
Website: http://boston.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: Reid Oslin P: 781-738-0777; E: reid.oslin.1@bc.edu
July-August 2013
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CHAPTER NEWS Honorable discharge, or because, having been discharged honorably, they lose their VA health care when they are incarcerated for an offense that is characteristic of PTSD or TBBI. I’m just getting started on this and will appreciate hearing from anyone who has any experience or knowledge concerning the problem. Please ask that they provide facts that are specific enough to be used to make the case that veterans should, under no circumstance, be denied benefits they have earned in combat, especially health benefits.”
Detroit Chapter: Pictured from Front left; Gary Stahl ’79, Lon Cook ’64, Tori Throckmorton ’05, Dan Bellomo ’07, Back row; Mike Bennett B&G Coordinator, Jim Acker ’66, Mark Whitfield ’‘80, Chris Bernard ’88, Art Bryant ’66 and Janice Acker taking the picture.
Michigan Detroit Chapter Pres: Arthur W. Bryant ’66 1811 Hollywood; Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-1311 H: 313-885-2174; C: 313-590-0301 E: arthurwbryant@gmail.com
Website: http://detroit.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: Michael Bennett P: 586-468-7490; E: mbbennett@comcast.net
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Doug Bishop ’69, USN (Ret.) P: 231-946-4100 x103 E: doug1@bishopheintz.com
On May 16th we held our monthly lunch at Guy Hollerin’s in Ann Arbor with a nice size group in attendance including two new comers. Tori Throckmorton ’05 and Dan Bellomo ’07 joined us for the first time. They are assigned as instructors to the NROTC Program at the University of Michigan. If you will look at the picture you will notice them POINTING at the block “M” on their shirts. I asked them to cover it up...no one ever listens to me. At least the colors on their shirts are correct. Dan is married to his classmate Lanaya (Martin) Bellomo ’07. We had some far ranging discussions on the old and the new at USNA. Plans coming soon for the Navy-Toledo game on Oct. 19, 2013 at Toledo.
USNA AA TAILGATES Bring the whole family down to cheer on Navy at our home game tailgates in the Stadium, right next to the field!
We start 2 hours before game-time and party right through half-time! For more information, see www.usna.com/tailgates or contact us at events@usna.com.
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY
Minnesota Upper Midwest Chapter Pres: LtCol Alex Plechash ’75, USMC (Ret.) 475 Highcroft Rd, Wayzata, MN 55391 P: 952-473-0011; M: 612-801-8222 E: AlexPlechash@mchsi.com
Shipmate Contact:Richard F. Elliott ’68 E: RFElliott@nwc.edu
Website: http://uppermidwest.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator:CAPT Mark Salmen ’73, USN (Ret.) P: 651-271-6690; E: mark.salmen@1973.usna.com
We continue to meet for our monthly All Academy breakfasts. Please join us for interesting speakers, networking, and fellowship. “When two or three shall meet and old tales be retold…” * The West side is on the first Friday at Kip’s Authentic Irish Pub in the Marriott West, 9970 Wayzata Boulevard (I-394 & US 169), St. Louis Park, MN 55426. * The East side is on the second Friday at The Machine Shed Restaurant, 8515 Hudson Boulevard (I-94 exit 250 & Inwood Ave. ( Hwy 13)), Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Interestingly, five different decades of USNA alums were represented at the East Side breakfast in May. Doug Menikheim ’60, Alex Plechash ’75, Dave Ratte ’84, Michael Seeberger ’93, Ernie Leitzan ‘01 Pat Kittler ’50 writes, “I work on both health care and military scholarship education. Recently I was contacted with a request that I look into the situation of combat veterans who have PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and then lose their health care either because PTSD/TBI like behavior results in them being discharged with an Other Than
Larry Purdy in Duathalon, wearing Navy biking shorts.
Larry Purdy ’68 was in the “Cinco ‘du’ Mayo” short course Duathlon, a 2-mile run, 10-mile bike, and 2-mile run event that took place just north of Stillwater MN. With 101 entrants, Larry was the oldest competitor (by quite a bit), but finished 22nd overall. At the 9:30 AM start, it was 34 degrees, rainy and windy. Miserable conditions!
Mississippi South Mississippi Chapter Pres: CDR E. Spencer Garrett IV ’88, USNR P.O. Box 1792, Gautier, MS 39553 P: 228-497-5050; E: esgarrett44@aol.com
Sec’y: Harry J.Rucker E: navynomad50@caldeone.net
BGO Area Coordinator: Maj Jeremy Vanderloo ’94 USMCR E: jvande1@entergy.com
Missouri Greater Kansas City Metro Chapter Pres: Ron Wisdom ’98 P: 816-750-4300; E: ronwisdom@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://KansasCity.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Jeff Kran ’74, USN (Ret.) P: 913-707-4860; E: navy744753@aol.com
St. Louis Chapter Pres: DaveTurnbaugh ’89
New York
E: dave.turnbaugh@charter.net; david.turnbaugh.ctr@ustranscom.mil
Website: http://stlouis.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Michael Carnes ’74, USN (Ret.) E: usna74@att.net
g
Capital District Chapter Pres: Frank Hughes ’80 P: 518-432-9193; E: frankhughes2@yahoo.com
Sec’y: Gordon Lattey 40 First Street, Troy, NY 12180 P: 518-274-4989; E: ussslater@aol.com
Website: http://capitaldistrictny.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Barry Witte ’84, USNR (Ret.)
Montana
Intermountain Chapter
P: 518-229-4883; E: brwitte@earthlink.nets
See Utah
BGO Area Coordinator: Capt Melville Walters ’68 USN (Ret.) P: 406-777-2421; E: usna68inMT@aol.com
Central New York Chapter Pres: Steve Erb ’68 E: steveerb@windstream.net
Sec’y: Bob Fegan Jr. ’64 E: bobfegan@windstream.net
Nebraska
Website: CentralNY.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: John Kaptan
Omaha Chapter Pres: Ray Foran ’00
P: 315-687-5088; E: jkaptan@twcny.rr.com
P: 402-312-4917; E: rayforan@2000.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CDR David Weaver ’83, USNR (Ret.) P: 402-330-9554; E: dweaver@oppd.com
Nevada Southern Nevada Chapter Pres:Tessa Carlson ‘91 P: 702-809-6827; E: tesscarl@clear.net
Website: http://southernnevada.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Stephen Schumacher ’74 P: 775-851-3409; E: bigshoenv@sbcglobal.net
New Jersey New Jersey Chapter Pres: Mike Lupton ’86 P: 973-763-6379; E: michaellupton86@yahoo.com
Vice Pres: Rich Vaill ’88 E: rcvaill@comcast.net
Sec’y: Bob Moran ’83
On 2 May 2013, following the International Chapter Officers Forum, CAPT. Steve Erb, ’68, President of the CNY Chapter and CDR Rob Sawyer, ’84,Vice-President, presented the four members of the Class of 2013 with desk clocks from the Central New York Chapter. The recipients were Midshipmen First Class Zachary Barbaro, 4th Company; Wayne R. Cleary, III, 6th Company; Brendan T. Lewis, 30th Company; and Timothy J. Wheeler, 6th Company. The clocks are presented annually to graduating Midshipmen from the Central New York area to remind them of their mastery of time while at the Academy, to track the time that they serve our country and that when the time is appropriate, they will always be welcomed home to Central New York.
P: 732-718-1502; E: bob.moran@1983.usna.com
Website: http://newjersey.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: (North NJ) CDR William Squires ’75, USNR (Ret.) P: 201-951-2867; E: rs.ci@verizon.net
BGO Area Coordinator: (South NJ) William DePue P: 856-546-9094; E: billd@billows.com
New Mexico New Mexico Chapter Pres: Christine Hoagland ’97 P: 505-771-8977; E: christinehoagland@hotmail.com
Sec’y: Don Rohr ’55 E: rohrdf@q.com
NM Parents’ Club Pres: Helen Romero Johnson P: 505-867-3570; E: mwjohnson@aol.com
Website: http://newmexico.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Keith Jones E: caseyjonesabq@msn.com
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CAPT Steve Erb, ’68, President of the CNY Chapter, and CDR Rob Sawyer, ’84, Vice-President present a desk clock to Midshipman First Class Zachary Barbaro. Mid’n Barbaro also accepted clocks on behalf of Midshipmen Wayne R. Cleary, III, Brendan T. Lewis and Timothy J. Wheeler, also graduates from Central New York.
his wife Ruthie, John Paddock, NPS’75, Bruce Tapper ’57, Si Ulcickas ’55, and Tony Zallnick ’66. John Paddock gave a presentation regarding the bicentennial of the Battle of Plattsburgh which occurred on 11 September 1814. More about Plattsburgh later as we may plan a day trip during the bicentennial celebration in September 2014. For 2013 additional lunch dates are 17 July, 18 September and 20 November. Any Alumni living or visiting the area, and their family members and friends are welcome to join the CNY Chapter for lunch. On the cited dates we will gather for lunch at the Limestone Grille at the Craftsman Inn, 7300 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066, 315-637-8000. The Limestone Grille is across Genesee Street from the Fayetteville Towne Center. We will gather and socialize from 1130, order by 1200, and sit down to a delicious lunch soon thereafter.The cost of the lunch is $25 which includes tax, tip and a small administrative fee. Check out the Chapter’s web site for details regarding menu selections. The lunches will include programs or presentations as can be arranged. The CNY USNA Parents Club held their annual Welcome Aboard Picnic on Sunday, 2 June at Trapper’s Pizza Pub. This event is financially supported by the CNY Chapter. Alumni able to attend were Augie Albanese ’48 with his companion Patricia Conklin, Jack Brereton ’67 and his wife Joanne, Steve Erb ’68 and his wife Judy, Bob Fegan ’64 and his wife Marilyn, Mick Keville ’74 and his wife Betsy, Pat Morocco ’86, his wife Peg ’86 and their children Mary, Lisa, Patrick and Peggy, Bruce Tapper ’57, Dan Wheeler ’75 and his wife Martha, and Tony Zallnick ’66 and his wife Joan. The Welcome Aboard Picnic introduces the candidates soon to be inducted and their families to the local USNA community. Able to attend the picnic was Brian Burlingame and his mother Luanne, Eric Spero and his parents Susan and Paul, and Seth Adams and his parents Kim and John as shown (left to right) in the photograph.
The CNY Chapter hosted the first of its every-other-month lunch on Wednesday, 15 May at the Limestone Grill in Fayetteville. Attending were Augie Albanese ’48 with his companion Patricia Conklin, Steve Erb ’68, Jack Esterbrook, father of Kris ’11, Bob Fegan ’64, Stewart Hancock ’46 and July-August 2013
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CHAPTER NEWS Additional Chapter functions in 2013 will be addressed as they are planned. Steve Erb and Bob Fegan as well as a few other alumni live in and around Cazenovia so get in touch if you are going to be in the area. Metro New York Chapter (NAANY) Pres: Tom Williams ’88 P: 212-255-3387; E: Tom_2500@msn.com HotLine: 1-800-234-USNA (8732)
Website: http://www.NAANY.org BGO Area Coordinator: LT Tim Parlatore ’02, USNR P: 732-904-6391; E: tim@cutlerandparlatore.com
Western New York Chapter Pres: LCDR Joseph A. Vaccarella ’92 USNR 17 Shannon Cres, Spencerport, NY 14559-9758 P: 585-478-9946; E: vaccarella@1992.usna.com
Website: http://westernny.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: Dick Kievit ’61 P: 585-385-4314; E: kiwiusna@rochester.rr.com
T
North Carolina
BGO Area Coordinator:Trey Alexander ’90
members and guests enjoyed an excellent lunch from the menu provided by the club. We proceeded to review our bank balance and Blue and Gold status. Kyle O’Conner, a 2013 graduate of New Bern High School and football kicker will be joining the USNA class of 2017. The chapter wishes him and his parents well. The guest and speaker for the day was Don Oltz, PhD geologist, consultant who has both worked in and regulated the oil industry. Don presented a very interesting discussion of fracking techniques and issues involved in oil recovery in the US. It was a timely and lively discussion in addition to being very informative. In other business the local Navy League council has invited chapter members to their summer brunch, June 23 on board the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. This month’s meeting concluded at `1330; the next chapter luncheon will be June 19 at MCB Camp Lejeune. Rob Skrotsky, ‘67
P: 980-329-6193; E: usna.bgo.ac.nc@live.com
Cape Fear Chapter Pres: CAPT Walter N. Flippin III ’75, USNR (Ret.) 132 King Arthur Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 P: 910-256-6289; E: walt75@bellsouth.net
Sec’y: Dr. John Crisp ’70 629 Woodland Forest Court, Wilmington, NC 28403 P: 910-256-7242; E: crisp40@ec.rr.com
Shipmate contact: Mr. James Welch ’52 1160 Arboretum Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405 P: 910-256-5489; E: jimlyne28@msn.com
Charlotte Chapter Pres: Kimberly (Crooks) Church ’01 E: kimberlycrooks@hotmail.com
Piedmont Chapter Pres: Paul Timmins E: timmins1@bellsouth.net
Vice Pres: CAPT Claude Lumpkin ’65, USNR (Ret.) E: clumpkin@1965.usna.com
Sec’y:Tom Cornejo E: thomas.cornejo@yahoo.com
North Carolina Triangle Chapter Pres: Pete Turner ’87 Sec’y: John Donnelly ’05 Website: http://sites.google.com/site/usnatriangle/
North Dakota Upper Midwest Chapter See Minnesota
BGO Area Coordinator: Susan Canham P: 701-226-2204; E: scanham2@bis.midco.net
Ohio Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Chapter Pres: R.Thomas Schram ’69 3534 Spring View Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45208 P:513-871-7266; E: tschram@fuse.net
Sec’y: Todd Barrett ’00 7612 Tepperwood Drive,West Chester, OH 45069 P: 513-846-0363; E: ToddC.Barrett@ge.com
Website: http://www.usnacinci.org BGO Area Coordinator: Kevin Queem E: queen.ks@gmail.com
Cleveland Chapter Pres: Capt. FredW. Bergman ’75, USNR (Ret.) P: 440-570-3564; E: FWayBergman@aol.com
Sec’y: John Blackburn ’82 E: joblackburn@clevelandtrack.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Thomas Hartline ’81, USNR (Ret.) P: 216-433-5298; E: thomas.w.hartline@nasa.gov
Columbus and Central Ohio Chapter Pres: CDR James H. Cowardin ’66, USNR (Ret.) P: 614-488-3873; E: jimco66@gmail.com
Website: http://www.usnacentralohio.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT D. Michael Crites ’70, USNR (Ret.) P: 614-327-1061; E: usnacondor@hotmail.com
Toledo Chapter Pres: David B. Puckett ’63 5051 Chatham Valley, Rd., Toledo, OH 43615-1107 E: dpuckett@buckeye-express.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT David Chilson, USNR (Ret.) P: 419-308-6464; E: chilson@cs.bgsu.edu
Sec’y: Jeff Searcy ’62 P: 704-341-2255; E: jeffsearcy@carolina.rr.com
Website: Charlotte.usnachapters.com
Eastern North Carolina Chapter Pres: Rob Skrotsky ’67 PO Box 778, New Bern, NC 28562 H: 252-514-0299; E: crskrotsky@earthlink.net
USNA Men’s Glee Club to perform with the Winston-Salem Symphony
Vice Pres: Rick Kunkel ’67 P: 910-455-6280; E: rkunkel@ec.rr.com
Sec’y:Tim Marvin ’59 PO Box 731, Kure Beach, NC 28449-0731 E: tmarvin738@charter.net
Treas: Jim St John ’53 601 Doral Ct., New Bern, NC 28562 H: 252-636-1977; E: saintlink@always-online.com
Website: http://easternnc.usnachapters.com
The chapter held the May meeting and luncheon on Wednesday the 15th at the New Bern Golf and Country Club. Our associate member, George McLeod, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy class of 1944 was the host and sponsor. Twenty
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The internationally-acclaimed USNA Men’s Glee Club will perform as Guest Artists with the Winston-Salem Symphony on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Auditorium, located at 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem, NC.This will be the third collaboration the Men’s Glee Club has done with Winston-Salem Symphony Music Director Bob Moody (previous performances with him were with Phoenix Symphony in March 2006 and Portland Symphony in October 2011). The concert will be a Salute to America’s Heroes and will feature a fine selection of patriotic melodies, music from Broadway and a distinguished repertoire of classical music to be enjoyed by all.Tickets go on sale August 1, 2013 through the Symphony Box Office at 336-464-0145 or WSsymphony.org.
Oklahoma BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Harry Rouse ’77, USN (Ret.) E: HVRouse@aol.com
Oklahoma City Chapter Pres: CDR James M. Novak ’91, USN (Ret.) P: 405-524-1006; E: novak6@sbcglobal.net
Tulsa Chapter Pres:CDR Harry V. Rouse IV ’77, USN (Ret.) 2623 East 33 Pl., Tulsa, OK 74105-2334
Oregon Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter Pres: Ray Kutch ’63 H: 360-835-7481; E: rkutch@comcast.net
Sec’y: John H. Adams ’69 H: 360-593-3449; E: johnadams1969@gmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT “Butch” Bewick ’62, USNR (Ret.)
Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter: 1st row seated. Candidates Austin Faunce, Brandon Teel, Ted SchopfII, Adrienne Vallancey-Martinson; 2nd row standing. B&G Officers Chris Ericson ’91, Butch Bewick ’62, Erik Ostmo ’94, Nanette Lemay
P: 503-319-4563; E: Jsbewick@aol.com
Attendees: Ray Kutch ’63, President; Skip Phipps ’73, Treasurer; John Frerchs ’50; John DeZell ’55; Paul Herner ’58; John Morris ’61; Art Roper ’63; Dave Lutes ’63;Tim Myers ’64Tex Harkins ’67; Jack Kohl ’65; R K Puttkamer ’66; Don Haslett ’66; Ed Hepp ’67; Chuck Penque ’67; Doug Bomarito ’68; Mike Carmichael ’69; Ageio Larson ’70; Mark Cooksey ’71; Tom Hall ’72; Bruce Thompson ’73; David Jensen ’77; Will Rimmer ’01; James Tanmi ’01; guest, Tony Lash ’58,VMI. The June luncheon was a lively social get together, highlighted by the changing of the guard, with the new officers relieving the watch: Ray Kutch relieving Mark Cooksey as President, Frank Swientek, coming on as Vice Pres., relieving Ray Kutch, Skip Phipps, indestructibly soldiering on as Treasurer, and John Adams relieving me, Jim Unger as Secretary. Past President,Tim Meyers related the saga of two just-graduated Ensigns who had their start at Lake Oswego High School: Ens. Robert Bruss, and Ens. Brendan Hanlon., graduated from USNA fourth and fifth respectively. Both received post graduate scholarships at MIT, Bruss in Mechanical Engineering, and Hanlon in Nuclear Science and Engineering.Tim further added that it would be fitting if someone were appointed from the chapter to keep track of “our Oregon candidates” as they progress in their careers, from the time we first see them at our candidate’s luncheon and picnic. Solidly agreed!
Our July meeting is on July 10, with no change in place or time, and our annual BBQ is on August 3, serving time 5 PM, hosted by Jack and Joan Kohl, with Chef de Grille, Butch Bewick, assisted by wife, Penny. God Bless ’em! There has to be a special place in Heaven, for a BBQ and host team such as this for the way they create gustatory delights that conjure memories and stories, which gather momentum from August to August. I know there, already, has to be mental jostling for the front of the lineto-be for those who missed out on Jack’s Elk Sausage last year.You don’t want to miss this one. AND! Special kudos to Butch, our Blue and Gold Officer, for the sterling job he does, year after year, helping our candidates and proud parents. Big Thanks, Butch! Jim ’53, Sec’y
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Chapter Pres: Kerr Smith ’72 1209 Morgan Ave., Drexel Hill, PA 19026-3330 P: 610-449-8055; E: smithsdrexelhilll@yahoo.com; members@usnaphil.com; events@usnaphil.com; webmaster@usnaphil.com
Website: www.usnaphil.com Shipmate News Input: Gregg Hamelin ’72 E: ghamelin@comcast.net
Website: Philadelphia.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR James Lare, ’77, USNR (Ret.) P: 610-222-4695; E: Jlare@comcast.net
Pittsburgh Chapter Pres:William E. Otto ’71 4105 Tartan Ct., Murrysville, PA 15668-1045 E: figaro4105@aol.com
Website: Pittsburgh.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT David Gates ’77, USN (Ret.) P: 724-632-6621; E: LJreese357@aol.com
Susquehanna Valley Chapter Pres: Paul Kurisky ’87 65 Magnolia Dr., Leola, PA 17540 P: 717-519-4961; E: paul.j.kurisky@mssb.com
Vice Pres: J.O. Johnson 1241 Little Conestoga Rd, Glenmoore, PA 19343 E:jo.johnson@yoh.com
Sec’y: Jeff Knauer ’78 525 White Oak Rd, New Holland, PA 17557 E: knauer4@frontiernet.net
Treas: Bob Abel ’90 2126 Waterford Dr., Lancaster, PA 17601 E: robertabel@mac.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Gary LaBuda ’79, USN (Ret.) E: gary.labuda@1979.usna.com
On 8 May 2013 the Susquehanna Valley Alumni Chapter held its second networking/social event at NSA Mechanicsburg, PA. The event was attended by approximately 15 attendees including a mix of active duty and “former” active duty/ retired. Attendees included Captain Kristen Fabry ’91, CDR Craig Abraham ’94, CDR James Murphy ’97, CDR Cory Schemm ’97, Charley Darrell ’52, Charley’s lovely bride Joyce, Steve Fabry ’65; Arlington Miller ’71, William Boniface ’ 72, David Willmann ’73, Matthew Chabal III ’77, Ray Cook ’77, Ned Davis ’78,Walt Brown ’78, and Honorary Member - Thomas Miele. A special guest, Mr. Bud Pitzer USMA ’45, happened to be at the Pub
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CHAPTER NEWS and was recognized accordingly - Go Navy! On July 17th the Chapter is going to have a Board meeting at the NSA Mechanicsburg, Ready for Sea Pub at 1800 and everyone is welcome to attend. On 14 August and 13 November networking/ social events are scheduled for NSA Mechanicsburg at the Ready for Sea Pub with an 1800 start time. Everyone is welcome. Other Chapter Events: Board Meeting … 7/17/13 at the NSA Mechanicsburg, hosted by Walt Brown @ 1800 14 August networking/social event at NSA Mechanicsburg beginnning @ 1800 Chapter Picnic at Gary LaBuda’s residence in Marietta, Lancaster County on Saturday afternoon 10/12/13 13 November networking/social event at NSA Mechanicsburg beginning @ 1800
Philippines Philippines Chapter Pres: Jose “Roy” Roilo Golez ’70 House of Representatives Batasan Hills Quezon City, Philippines C: 639-1753-95095; F: 632 9316624 E: gogo@golez.com
Sec’y:Vincent Sibala ’93 O/N-1 HQ Philippine Navy (pma92) 2335 Roxas Blvd., Manila P: 919-354-5846; E: pastilan@hotmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Sue Loustaunau P: 207-326-0574; E: sjlous@roadrunner.com
Recreational Vehicle American Chapter Pres: Jay Williams ’67 E: wjay@bellsouth.net
Sec’y: Jim Roberts ’59 E: JRobe925228@aol.com
Treas: Glenn Shindler ’64 4530 Lasheart Dr., La Canada, CA 91011 E: gshindler64@earthlink.net
Faye and Vic Sharpe ’48 were able to join the group on the final day. Aside from the wonderful firstie dinner and the daily happy hours, there were plenty of highlights at this gathering, including: A walking tour and boat tour of the beautiful Brookgreen Gardens; this was well received by all, and several people returned on another day to see more. We went out for two restaurant dinners and took in a show at the Alabama Theater. Jim Roberts treated us by cooking his famous breakfast, always worth getting up for; we all love his minced beef! Yes, we had a chapter business meeting, followed by entertainment, also known as the “Jim and Marie Show.” This is a white elephant sale, with Jim Roberts as the presiding auctioneer; we all pay to trade junk with each other. Strange, though…Jim never hears Marie’s bids. It just wouldn’t be a comearound without a pot luck dinner, and this one was outstanding, with lots of signature dishes provided by the ladies. Cynthia and Jim Tisarranni ’64 spent some time with the group as guests of the Waldrops. They also surprised their old friend Norman Mims ’60, who was a fellow Submariner and co-worker on the Savannah River Project. There was also plenty of time to sit around and chat and get to know others better.And with Barefoot Landing right next to the campground, lots of opportunities to explore shops and restaurants. The comearound ended on Saturday, May 4th, with a light breakfast before everyone headed for home. Next on the horizon is Watts Bar Dam, Tennessee, October 8th through the 13th.
Shipmate inputs to: Susan Norton E: ssusy3242@gmail.com
Website: http://www.usnarv.org
The 2013 National Comearound kicked off on April 29th with the traditional dinner hosted by firsties Chris and Walt Baskin ’59. The setting: Briarcliffe RV Resort, located in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Attending this year’s festivities were Bev and Darwin Hatheway ’54, Marie and Jim Roberts ’59, Carolyn and Tom Monaghan ’59,Virginia and Bob Larson ’59, Liz and Norman Mims ’60, Maryjane and Bob Metcalf ’61, Marty and Jim Henderson ’62, Karen and Keith Waldrop ’64, Patti and Jay Williams ’67, and Stevie and Hank Giffin ’67.
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RV Chapter: Comearound
Lynne and Jim Connors ’74 will host as always! While it must seem that our chapter is all about travel and good friends and good times, we do get serious sometimes. And this is one of those times. We recently lost a dear friend, Mike Stroop ’54. Mike was instrumental in the formation and growth of the chapter; he saw the potential for a group of nomadic grads to band together in camaraderie. It may be safe to say that without Mike, there would be no RV Chapter. Thus we honor his memory, because “wherever two or three shall meet…” Fair winds and following seas, old friend.
Rhode Island Newport Chapter
Pres: ADM James R. Hogg ’56, USN (Ret.) 2556 West Main Rd., Portsmouth, RI 02871 P: 401-841-2625
Corr Sec’y: Ben Katz ’57 E: Ben.Katz@1957.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Stuart Craig ’86, USN E: sbcraig@1986.usna.com
South Carolina BGO Area Coordinator: Eve Dallas E: dallasbgo@gmail.com
Central Savannah Chapter (Aiken, SC; Augusta, GA; and surrounding areas) Pres: CAPT J. Frederick Dohse ’72, USN (Ret.) E: jfdohse@atlanticbb.net
Website: http://csra.usnachapters.com/
Charleston Chapter Pres: CDR Rick Stein ’82, USNR (Ret.) 784 Preservation Place, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 P: 843-856-6591 W: 843-557-7021 E: Rick.Stein@CBUnited.com
Website: www.RickSteinOnline.com
Low Country Chapter Pres: Doug Ogden ’67 424 B.B. Sams Drive, Dataw Island, SC 29920 P-843-838-0077; E-dogden@islc.ne
Sec’y: Mr.Thomas M. Anderson ’60 P: 843-987-0121; E: tomandcarola@embarqmail.com
Website: LowCountry.usnachapters.com
Hi y’all from sunny South Carolina! The SC Lowcountry Chapter held its annual election of officers in May. The new Chapter Officers and Board members, effective June 1, 2013 are as follows: President: Doug Ogden ’67 Vice President/President Elect: Matt Kolich ’93 Secretary: Tom Anderson ’60 Treasurer: John Scanlan ’83 Director: Phil Boyer ’64 Director: Rick Eckstein ’64 Director: David Spisso ’67 Director: Keith Waldrop ’64 Immediate Past President/Ex-Officio Board Member: George Stubbs ’58 Immediate Past Directors/Ex-Officio Board Members: Denny Tomlin ’63, Rich Weidman ’63, Dave Woodward ’60 Go Navy! Tom Anderson ’60, Secretary Palmetto Chapter Pres: Capt Matthew J. Felt ’88, USN P: 864-297-6398; E: mjfelt@baldor.com
South Carolina Midlands Chapter Pres: CAPT Mike Kehoe ’71 1270 Polo Rd Apt 321, Columbia, SC 29223 P: 803-865-8664; E: mandnkehoe@hotmail.com;
Sec’y: Katie Hirsch E: mkh5325@aol.com
Website: www.usnasc.org
Tennessee
Nashville Chapter Pres: CDR John F. Ohlinger ’69, USN (Ret.) 880 Lakemont Dr., Nashville, TN 37220-2124 H: 615-370-1441; W: 615-594-7628 E: john.ohlinger@usna.1969.com
BGO Area Coordinator:Thomas Forsythe ’79 E: tom_forsythe@kyzen.com
Texas Alamo Chapter Pres: CAPT Ron A. Sandoval ’81, USN 18010 Keystone Blf, San Antonio, TX 78258-3436
Please send Shipmate Submissions and all correspondences to: Sec’y: Dave Driskell ’63 PO Box 461564, San Antonio, TX 78246-1564 E: info@alamogoats.org
Website: http://www.alamogoats.org FACEBOOK: Alamo Chapter NAAA BGO Area Coordinator: Maj Bruce Davis ’85, USMCR P: 210-877-1612; E: bruce.davis@parsons.com
May is a big month for NASS, STEM and Admissions. Final selections are being made and various award ceremonies take place. Alamo Chapter plays a significant role in funding applicants in need of financial help with tuition and travel for NASS and STEM. This year we funded approximately $2,100 for three selectees (two NASS and one STEM). Chapter members should be proud of themselves for their contributions. Statistics are not kept on the various chapters but the percapita participation by Alamo Chapter has to be near the top. With only 40- 50 members we have been able to fund every candidate eligible for aid since the program started. Our candidate funded last year is going to NAPS this year. All dues paying members give yourself a BZ.
Chattanooga Chapter Pres: CAPT R. E. (Rusty) Colquitt, ’71 USNR (Ret.) P: 423-886-6049; E: recol4971@comcast.net
BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Richard Cataldi ’69, USN (Ret.) P: 865-966-4677; E: cdrcataldi@tds.net
BGO Dave Driskell with Greystone Prep school appointees for the class of 2017: Guney, Cowen, Catoe and Clark.
It is appropriate to bring everyone in the area up to date on Greystone Prep School in Kerrville. Over the course of the last 9 years, 59 Greystone students have earned their USNA appointments. So far, Greystone students have achieved a 94% graduation rate from the Academy – the highest grad rate of any of the other prep schools! What they learn from Greystone empowers them to excel at the Academy – not just survive! They are more mature, more capable and more committed to their goal of earning their commission and leading – not for themselves, but for those they lead! A moment lost in preparation for their future is a moment that is lost forever – and it is a moment that is squandered when it comes to taking advantage of every opportunity offered by the Academy to learn and to grow! That’s why there have never been any Greystone students separated for honor or conduct issues. Sarah Kovel ’81 and I are BGOs assigned to Greystone. Sarah could not make the awards ceremony so I had the pleasure of presenting four appointments for USNA this year. (The others were Foundation sponsored.) Headmaster David Bailey (’81) and his staff are doing a great job preparing these young men and women for all service academies (and other programs and universities). Find them at greystoneprepschool.org.
Knoxville-Oak Ridge Chapter Pres: Joe Solymossy ’68 P: 865-274-3362; E: jmsoly@juno.com
Vice Pres: Duane Beck ’60 E: dcbtanasi@charter.net
Sec’y-Treas: CAPT Mark Kohring ’73, USNR (Ret.) BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Richard Cataldi ’69, USN (Ret.) P: 865-966-4677; E: cdrcataldi@tds.net
Memphis Chapter Pres: Judd F. Osten ’64 P: 901-527-2313; E: juddosten@1964.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Paul Schuhlein ’85, USN (Ret.) P: 901-751-2225; E: pschuhlein@yahoo.com
Tom Colbourn(’68) and Dave Driskell (’63) present a check to Steele High School student Emanuel Hublin to support his selection for 2013 NASS.
Connecting the USNA alumni family through the years...
Bill Penn (’63) with May speaker Vic Diaz (LCOL, USAF, RET), USAA, Information Security.
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CHAPTER NEWS Our May meeting (May 15) featured Victor Diaz, COL, USAF (RET) Information Director, Information Security, USAA. He presented an informative and revealing discussion about what financial institutions and USAA in particular are doing to protect our privacy. Most of the actions are behind the scene but one thing that USAA provides to us (the members) is guidance on how we can help ourselves. INSIDER ALERT: On the USAA.com page in the upper right corner is a tab labeled Security and Privacy. Select this icon and it will take you through a tutorial to help you improve your personal online security. Finally, please consider joining our organization so that we can continue our support of local academy related events, OPINFO, NASS, STEM and STNAPC. A membership application is available at alamo.usnachapters.com or contact me at daved@frand.com. GO NAVY !! Respectfully Submitted, Dave Driskell ’63 Austin Chapter Pres: John Rodgers ’70 E: retf14rio@sbcglobal.net
Corr Sec’y: Liz Leonard ’00 E: eamleonard@gmail.com
Website: Austin.usnachapters.com BGO Area Coordinator: Maj Bruce Davis ’85, USMCR P: 210-877-1612; E: bruce.davis@parsons.com
North Texas Chapter Pres: Matthew P. Elias ’78 1102 Westminster Ln, Duncanville, TX 75137-2044 H: 972-283-2261; E: matthew.elias@1978.usna.com
Sec’y: Chris Tipton ’90 E: roantipton@gmail.com
Website: www.usnaaa-ntx.com BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Thomas Kaprurch ’75, USN (Ret.) E: tkap1492@yahoo.com
Texas Gulf Coast Chapter Pres: Justin Jarski ’95 P: 832-722-1462; E: justin.jarski@gmail.com
Database Manager: Michael Vlachakis ’02: E: usnatgcc@yahoo.com
Website: www.usnaaa-txgc.com BGO Area Coordinator: Rich Mawdsley P: 832-336-1685; E: ramawdsley@gmail.com
June 7th Dinner Our annual Chapter Dinner, for alumni, spouses, guests, USNA Parents’ Club members, and current Midshipmen was held on June 7th. The dinner was themed around a traditional Navy “Dining-In”, a formal dinner function for members of a military organization.
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Our Featured Speaker was Richard Mac Namee, Lecturer at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, where he currently teaches courses on government intelligence operations, technical collection, terrorism, counterinsurgency, and nuclear security threat assessment and analysis. Mac Namee is a former British Army officer, with extended operational tours of duty in Germany, Northern Ireland, and the Middle East during the Gulf War (Desert Storm) as well as other unspecified locations. Later, Mac Namee deployed on operations as a Special Forces operator and commander. In 2009-2010, Mac Namee was recalled to military service, rejoined the Special Forces and was deployed with a Special Operations Task Force to Afghanistan as part of the ‘surge’ operation in extremely hostile environments. Mac Namee was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) for his Special Forces service. Aug 30 Luncheon Buddy Wellborn ’59 will present his annual Navy Football Outlook and season preview on Fri Aug 30. Chapter Communications Visit our website, http://www.usnaaa-txgc. com. If you have not yet registered on the website, please do so by following directions in the website’s upper left corner; press “New user, registration is FREE”. Once you are registered, you may choose to pay your annual Chapter dues ONLINE. Postal mail-outs are no longer utilized by the chapter. The website, with its outbound emails, is our single method of communicating about chapter events. Outgoing email announcements from the website will be sent to you from “USNA Alumni Association, Texas Gulf Coast Chapter”, “email_watch@omnimagnet. net”. Please add “email_watch@ omnimagnet.net” to your email address book to bypass your spam filter. Chapter Luncheons Upcoming Chapter luncheon dates are Aug 30, Oct 4, Nov 1, & Dec 6. The chapter website transmits email announcements for each luncheon, with embedded links to the web site, to make it convenient to order/buy lunch tickets ONLINE. For additional information, visit our website or email us at usnatgcc@ yahoo.com. Ed Klein ‘72
Turkey Turkey Chapter LTJG Arif Cirtlik ’98,Turkish Navy Veliefendi Mah, 75/6 Sok.No:51/2 Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey 34765 P: 212-510-5805; E: acirtlik@hotmail.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Sue Loustaunau P: 207-326-0574; E: sjlous@roadrunner.com
United Kingdom United Kingdom Chapter Pres: LCDR Greta (Spitz) Densham ’00 E: gretaj@mac.com
Sec’y: Mike Smith ’84 E: Mike.Smith@Polycom.com
Board of Directors: Susanne Saalau Bethell ’85 E: suesaalau@hotmail.com
Kelly Mayer ’85 E: mayer@lioncapital.com
BGO Area Coordinator: Sue Loustaunau P: 20-326-0574; E: sjlous@roadrunner.com
Utah Intermountain NA Alumni Chapter Pres:Thomas Rossa ’63 E: thom.rossa@hayes-soloway.com
Sec’y: Darren Briggs ’02 P: 801-996-3258l E: darrin.briggs@schreiberfoods.com
Website: http://utah.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Robert Beer ’62 USN (Ret.) P: 435-657-3098; E: beerutah@msn.com
Virginia Central Virginia Chapter Pres: Alan Swinger ’66 3205 Blandemar Drive; Charlottesville,VA 22903 P: 434-975-6237; E: awswinger@earthlink.net
Treas: Bill Murray ’83 1058 Blackburn Bluff, Charlottesville,VA 22901 P: 434-962-7856; E:bill.murray@mjh.org
BGO Area Coordinator: Stephanie Barnes ’04 E: barnes.steph@gmail.com
On May 9 the members of the Central Virginia Chapter participated in our Third Annual Interservice Social Golf Tournament. What started as a USNA vs USMA event a few years ago, has now become an All Navy (past and present) vs All Army & USAF local veterans. The Navy team of 14 Navy and Marine vets , of which 5 are USNA grads, played against 14 other service member vets at Old Trail golf course in Crozet,VA, a few miles West of Charlottesville. Once again, Jack Renard ’55 organized the Navy team and the arrangements with the golf course. This was a competitive event as well as social, and First Place went to Tom Otterbein ’70 and his Navy team, with Second Place being won by Jack Renard ’55 and his Navy partner. Third
Place went to an Army led team. By the way, Tom Otterbein also took first place honors last year!! Awards were presented at the post Tourny luncheon.
Winner Tom Otterbein ‘70 enjoys a cold one
Jack Renard ‘55 accepts 2nd Place award; Lee Kollmorgan ‘51 in support
A good time was had by all, and both Army and USAF players vowed to come back strong at the next year’s tournament . . . or a potential special re-match this Fall. All Chapter members are welcome to join in – watch for future announcements. USNA Chapter members who played were: Lee Kollmorgan ’51, Jack Renard ’55, Frank Mueller ’67, Michael Cathey ’67 (a New Member), and Tom Otterbein ’70. Alan Swinger ’66 (injured reserve status) acted a photographer.
awards were given to the four flights. 1ST FLIGHT: 1st - Joe Murphy ’81, Mike Hawley ’81, Bruce Gillingham and RDML Vince Griffith. 2nd - Chip Neidhold ’87, Ted Wallace ’87, Wick Townsend ’87, and Chris Powell ’87. 3rd - Travis Jones ’02, Dave Storey ’71, James Flatley ’83, and Lex Murphy. 2ND FLIGHT: 1st - Jason Holloway ’05, Rick Davis, John Swingle, and Bobby Hennis. 2nd - Jack Lahren ’69, Bill Coxe ’69, Judy Carpenter, and Artie Rea. 3rd - Rick Nagle USMA ’77, Harry Tillman, Jim Trudeau, and Wayne Sparrow. 3RD FLIGHT: 1st - Al Galvani ’43, Roy Constantineau, Cory Beisel, and Andy Hersey. 2nd - Bill Daniels ’77, John Geary ’77, George Herning ’77, and Bob Kautter ’77. 3rd - Wick Parcells ’60, Ed Clexton ’60, Jim Eilertsen ’60, and Tom Inderlied ’60. 4TH FLIGHT: 1st - Wilbur Edwards ’68, Ron Bauman ’68, Rick Kumar ’67. 2nd - Dave Paddock ’77, Mark Rupprecht ’76, Shaun Gillespie, and Ken Berger ’73. 3rd - Herky Hardison ’61, Jim Joyner ’61, John Pearson ’61, and Tom McNicholas ’61. Joe Greene ’69 and Jim Popielec ’89 earned a BZ for handling registration and check-in and of course the Chapter’s Directors of Golf (DOGs), Dan Lear ’68 and Bill Coxe ’69 once again ensured a superbly run event.
Hampton Roads Chapter Pres: CDR Mark Rupprecht ’76 USN (Ret.) P: 757-282-5546 x 3150; C: 757-285-5310 E: mark.rupprecht@1976.usna.com
Corr Sec’y: Dick Enderly ’71 Website: www.usnahamptonroads.com BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR David Lannetti ’81, USN (Ret.) P: 757-423-8603; E: dlannetti@vanblk.com
The Chapter’s Spring Golf Outing at the Sewell’s Point Golf Course on May 9th saw nearly 100 alumni and their guests participate in an event that included grads from 1943 to 2009. Al Galvani ’43 was the senior man on the links and the most recent grad was James Beauty ’09. The Class of 1960 retained the coveted “Frageele Award” given to the class with the greatest number of attendees - eight. Skill awards for the four duffers closest to the pin went to Dave Storey ’71; Andrew Knecht, son of Judd Knecht ’79; Herky Hardison ’61; and Doug Schaefer ’75. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
Hampton Roads Blue & Gold Area Coordinator Dave Lanetti ’81 presents the Weirich Award to 2012-2013 Outstanding BGO CAPT (sel) Laura Hatcher ’92
Hampton Roads Chapter President Mark Rupprecht ’76 presents a memento to Guest Speaker RADM Robert Wray ’79 at the Chapter’s Plebe Recognition Dinner
A most important highlight occurred on 30 May - our 20th annual Plebe Recognition Dinner at the Vista Point Conference Center on the Norfolk Naval Station. Organized by Bob Kautter ’77, approximately 120 enthusiastic participants including alumni, current Midshipmen, 15 incoming Plebes and NAPSters and their family members attended a wellorchestrated evening to be officially welcomed aboard. Wayne Savage, ’67, provided heartfelt assurance that the Class of 2017 would be fully supported by his classmates through the Another Link in the Chain Program. Congressman Scott Rigell (R-VA) offered congratulatory and encouraging words, and the keynote address by RADM Robert Wray, ’79, President, Board of Inspection and Survey, was truly inspiring and right on point for the new Plebes and the old grads alike. Another key event of the night was the presentation of the Weirich Award to the 2012-2013 Outstanding Area Blue & Gold Officer to CAPT (sel) Laura Hatcher ’92. The outstanding evening concluded with a rousing rendition of Navy Blue and Gold and a very loud “Beat Army!” All upcoming events will be promulgated on our web site (Dave Kern ’81 Webmaster) and announced via Chapter “blaster” emails. Dick Enderly ’71 Quantico Area Chapter Pres: Bob Sonnenberg ’70, LtCol USMC (Ret.) E: Sonnen70@aol.com
Vice Pres: Andy Wehrle ’72 E: andy.wehrle@1972.usna.com
Sec’y: John Brown ’74, LtCol USMC (Ret.) E: JRBrown74@comcast.net
Hampton Roads Class of ’60 Spring Golf Outing Champs (l to r): Wick Parcells, Tom Inderlied, Jim Eilertsen, Al Whitaker, Joel Febel, Henry vonKolnitz, Rod Friedmann, Ed Clexton
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT James Czerwonky ’63, USNR (Ret.) P: 703-533-3566; E: jczerwonky@verizon.net
On Thursday, 2 May 2013, the Chapter held it’s first annual Membership Meeting at the Globe and Laurel restaurant to discuss the process for electing officers
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CHAPTER NEWS and transact other business. Members and interested Associate Members attending, listed below in no particular order, were Bob Sullivan ’65, Andy Wehrle ’72, Angelo DiFilippo USN (Ret.) ’60, Chris MacMurray ’74, Thomas W. LaTurno ’74, Keith Lockett ’77, Frank McKinney ’80, Tom Ullrich ’80, Fred Crawford ’64, Mike Swords ’71, Mark Worrilow ’77, Michael Cathey ’67, John Keenan ’81, Walt Giraldi ’69, Jeff Falcone ’91, J. D. Baker, Associate, and Chapter SgtMaj, Honorary ’05, Bob Sonnenberg ’70, and Robert and Judy Orazi – Associates.
John Brown ’74 is the Secretary on the left and Bob Sonnenberg ’70 is on the right
We discussed the process by which officers and the members of the Council Advisors would be elected and their terms of office. The participants also offered their opinions about the events the Chapter has conducted during the last twelve months and made suggestions for activities in the remainder of the year. We also discussed Chapter communications means and our need for a website and more effective use of social media. The Chapter held a regular breakfast meeting held on May 10. We were pleased to hear from the Honorable Sean Stackley ’79, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development, and Acquisition. Secretary Stackley discussed his career as a Naval Officer, Congressional Staff Member, and senior political appointee. He also shared his experiences talking with current Midshipmen and how impressed he was with their abilities. Our Chapter has been fortunate to have another distinguished speaker willing to address issues and answer questions about the future of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Naval Academy. The last noteworthy event in May was the election of the slate of officers and advisors nominated to serve the terms described in the bylaws. The new officers and Advisors are: President—Bob Sonnenberg ,70
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Vice-President—Andy Wehrle ’72 Treasurer—Jeff Falcone ’91 Secretary—John Brown ’74 Advisor 60’s and earlier—Fred Crawford ’64 Advisor 70’s—Mark Worrilow ’77 Advisor 80’s—Tom Ullrich ’80 Advisor 90’s—Lynne Malinowski ’95 Advisor 00’s—Jennifer Tucker ’07 Advisor 2010 and later—Bob Dulin ’61 (Fills a vacancy for which there was no candidate. The Chapter is grateful for these volunteers who will lead the Chapter in the future and for the service rendered by the officers that lead the Chapter through its organization and recognition. Thanks to Chip Gregson ’68, Jeff Falcone ’91, and JJ Bancroft ’97. In addition to our regular breakfast on 7 June, the Chapter will support a project at the Quantico National Cemetery on 8 June and have a Happy Hour on 18 June. Members will attend Central Virginia and Northern Virginia Parents’ Clubs pre-I Day picnics for entering Midshipmen ’17 and their parents. It’s been a great first 12 months and we can’t wait to see what happens next. Richmond Chapter Pres: Robert Casey ’73 E: robert.casey@power.alstom.com
Corr Sec’y: Michael Metzger ’89 E: michael.metzger@1989.usna.com
Website: http://richmond.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR David Lannetti ’81, USN (Ret.) P: 757-423-8603; E: dlannetti@vanblk.com9
Shenandoah Valley Chapter Pres: CAPT Thomas W. Southworth ’67, USNR (Ret.) P: 540-514-4204 E: tomsouthworth@yahoo.com
Sec’y: LCDR Grayson Redford ’63, (Ret.) P: 540-662-6142
BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT James Czerwonky ’63, USNR (Ret.) P: 703-533-3566; E: jczerwonky@verizon.net
Williamsburg Chapter Pres: Bob Osmon ’60, USNR SC (Ret.) P: 757-564-3088; E: Ozusna@cox.net
Sec’y:Tom Pratt ’62 CAPT, USN (Ret.) P: 757-564-9090, E: trpratt@verizon.net
BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR David Lannetti ’81, USN (Ret.) P: 757-423-8603; E: dlannetti@vanblk.com
Washington BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Jason Woodward ’99, USNR E: woody@jasonwoodward.com
Hanford/Tri-Cities Chapter Pres: CAPT Edward Schwier ’69, USNA (Ret.) 1196 Brentwood Ave., Richland, WA 99352-8540 H: 509-627-7288; W: 509-372-0176 E: Edward_G_Ed_Schwier@rl.gov; eschwier@charter.net; egschwier@aol.com
Website: http://hanford.usnachapters.com/
Puget Sound Chapter Pres: RADM Bill Center ’68 USN (Ret.) 24007 76th Ave W, Edmonds, WA 98026 P: 206-719-2952; E: w.center@comcast.net
Corr Sec’y: CDR Peter Stit '83, USN (Ret.) 7219 64th St SE, Snohomish, WA 98290
Website: http://pugetsound.usnachapters.com/
The Puget Sound Chapter alumni and friends attended our annual Armed Forces Night at Safeco Field April 13th. Attendees enjoyed seats in the Hit-ItHere Café which provided great food and an excellent view of the game. The Chapter donated tickets to several Wounded Warriors and all in attendance enjoyed the game. The Texas Rangers won the game 3-1 over the Mariners. Blue and Gold socials continue on the East and West side of the Puget Sound. April 23 was the last Puget Sound EAST Blue and Gold social at Daniel’s Broiler in Bellevue , May 30 at the Osford Suites in Silverdale was the Puget Sound WEST Blue and Gold social. Come on out to a Blue and Gold social! GO NAVY!
Washington, DC Area Greater Washington Chapter Pres: CAPT Paul Normand ’74 E: pnormand@comcast.net
Secretary: Jamie Fleischhacker ’00 E:jfleisch21@gmail.com
Website: www.usnaaagwc.org BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Barry Schildknecht ’92, USN E: brady@1992.usna.com
BGO Area Coordinator: (Northern VA) CAPT James Czerwonky ’63, USNR (Ret.) P: 703-533-3566; E: jczerwonky@verizon.net
Wisconsin Wisconsin Chapter Pres: CAPT M. Sean Donovan ’78, USN (Ret.) MC 3424 W. Riverland Dr., Mequon, WI 53092 P: 262-242-9025; E: MDonovan4@wi.rr.com
Vice Pres & Treas: Chris Adams ’75 3448 N Humboldt Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53212-1702 P: 414-967-9249
Sec’y: Jennifer Mellone ’00 16965 Ruby Lane, Brookfield, WI 53005 E: J3ni@hotmail.com; P: 414-336-4436
Website: http://wisconsin.usnachapters.com/ BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Craig Walker ’83, USNR (Ret.) P: 262-502-9124; E: craig.a.walker@ge.com
IN MEMORIAM
Admiral Frank B. Kelso II ’56, USN (Ret.) 11 July 1933–23 June 2013 From A Psalm of Life By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’e r life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.”
F
ollowing his commissioning from the United States Naval Academy, Admiral Frank B. Kelso II ’56, USN (Ret.), served on the cargo ship OGLETHORPE before attending submarine school in 1958. After his submarine school nuclear power training in 1960, Admiral Kelso continued to serve, rising steadily up the ranks. Selected as rear admiral in 1980, Admiral Kelso’s Pentagon assignments included director, Strategic Submarine Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and director, Office of Program Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy. Kelso was promoted to four stars and assumed command of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet in June 1986. Assignments to commander U.S. Atlantic Command and NATO’S Supreme Allied Command Atlantic followed in 1988. Admiral Kelso’s distinguished career culminated in his appointment as the 24th Chief of Naval Operations, which he held
from July 1990 to April 1994. In 1993, he held the post of acting Secretary of the Navy while also CNO, the first to hold both positions concurrently. Upon retirement, Admiral Kelso remained active with the Navy and the Naval Academy. He delivered the first Forrestal lecture in Alumni Hall and was a trustee emeritus of the Naval Academy Foundation Athletic & Scholarship Division. In 2008, the Naval Academy Alumni Association awarded Admiral Kelso its highest honor, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award, in recognition of his contributions to the nation, the Navy and the Naval Academy. Admiral Kelso was described as a “4.0 sailor” who “brought sponsorship of terrorism to a standstill.” His obituary will appear in a future issue of Shipmate.
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LASTCALL “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” —Laurence Binyon, 1914 CROWELL, ROBERT BURNS ’34 * CDR, USN (Ret.) 3 June 2013
RADLOFF, FRED HARDIN ’46 LCDR, USN (Ret.) 22 May 2013
HINMAN, ALBERT HAROLD ’53 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 7 June 2013
MORRISSEY, STEPHEN BERNARD ’37 COL, USA (Ret.) 11 August 2012
ROGERS, HARRY MELVILLE ’46 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 18 May 2013
SMITH, DONALD DAMIEN ’53 Col, USAF (Ret.) 5 May 2013
HAWKINS, JACK ’39 Col, USMC (Ret.) 17 May 2013
DAVIS, RAY ELLIOTT ’47 * CAPT, USN (Ret.) 30 April 2013
CUTTS, ROBERT LESLIE ’54 CDR, USNR (Ret.) 7 May 2013
MURPHY, WALTER PATRICK JR. ’41 * CAPT, USN (Ret.) 24 May 2013
HOLLYER, RICHARD SAMUEL ’47 * CDR, USN (Ret.) 1 January 2013
JOHNSTON, EUGENE THOMAS ’54 15 April 2013
CARTER, ARTHUR MCDOWELL JR. ’43 CDR, USN (Ret.) 26 May 2013
BUHRER, DONALD PAUL ’48 * 20 May 2013
LAW, RICHARD RHODES ’43 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 17 April 2013 WATSON, SAMUEL ELIJAH ’43 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 24 May 2013 AWTREY, ROBERT KING JR. ’44 * CDR, USN (Ret.) 4 May 2013 MCELROY, JOHN BOWNE ’44 CDR, USN (Ret.) 25 April 2013 STUART, JACK COLLINS ’44 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 14 May 2013 YOUNG, ROBERT JOHN JR. ’44 CDR, USN (Ret.) 5 May 2013 POLK, ROBERT RAYMOND ’45 * 19 May 2013 THOMAS, HOMER BOHN JR. ’45 * CDR, USN (Ret.) 15 May 2013 GIBSON, JOHN CLAUDE ’46 7 April 2013 HORNER, WALTER ROBERT ’46 CDR, USN (Ret.) 22 May 2013 MCCLELLAND, ROBERT ALEXANDER III ’46 LCDR, USN (Ret.) 4 June 2013
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CUMMINGS, EDWARD MARK JR. ’48 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 21 May 2013 GEIGER, ROBERT KEITH ’48 RADM, USN (Ret.) 1 June 2013 BECKWITH, REYNOLDS ’49 * CAPT, USN (Ret.) 5 June 2013 MCQUILLING, JAMES ALEXANDER ’49 * 26 April 2013 PERKINS, JOHN HAMILTON JR. ’49 31 May 2013 BOWEN, GEORGE JACKSON ’50 17 May 2013 BURNS, KENNETH ROBINSON ’50 * Col, USAF (Ret.) 18 May 2013 LESLIE, MYRON ELMER ’50 * 19 May 2013 ADAMS, HENRY HAYES JR. ’51 * 4 May 2013 RASMUSSEN, RICHARD HAROLD ’51 Lt Col, USAFR (Ret.) 27 May 2013
KRATT, WILLIAM JOSEPH ’54 LT, USN 28 May 2013 ROURKE, CHARLES KANE ’54 24 May 2013 STEVENS, EDWARD G. JR. ’54 9 June 2013 STROOP, PAUL DAVID JR. ’54 CDR, USNR (Ret.) 29 May 2013 WOOD, HAL DEAVER ’54 CAPT, USNR (Ret.) 12 June 2013 SWANSON, HARLAN DAVID JR. ’56 CDR, USN (Ret.) 11 June 2013 WILBERN, JACK MARTYN ’56 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 17 May 2013 HORSEFIELD, JOHN EDWIN ’57 * CDR, USN (Ret.) 29 May 2013 TACK, OSCAR CHARLES JR. ’57 17 June 2013 SWEARINGEN, JAMES DONALD ’58 3 June 2013 OVERMAN, EVERETT FRANKLIN JR. ’59 7 May 2013
GRAY, HARVEY JR. ’52 CAPT, USN (Ret.)
MCLEAN, JAMES RUSSELL JR. ’60 * 14 May 2013
16 May 2013
SONTHEIMER, ROBERT MAX ’62 11 May 2013
HOLLAND, JOEL KENT ’52 18 April 2013 CLEVELAND, WILLIAM LEROY JR. ’53 LtCol, USMCR (Ret.) 31 May 2013
CLAYTON, WILLIAM BAILEY III ’66 CAPT, USNR (Ret.) 21 March 2013
RAUCH, ROBERT HUBERT ’66 18 May 2013
BURNS, DANIEL ALLEN ’74 10 May 2013
MCBRIDE, MARK WILLIAM ’80 8 May 2013
ORFGEN, LYNN CHARLES ’69 13 June 2013
MCMULLEN, THOMAS BENNETT JR. ’74 20 May 2013
HOFFER, GERALD LEROY ’72 10 June 2013
RYAN, CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH III ’77 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 2 June 2013
DRURY, PATRICK HUNT ’11 ENS, USN 16 June 2013
JONES, MAXWELL LEE ’73 CDR, USNR (Ret.) 11 May 2013
KROPKOWSKI, KENNETH JAMES ’79 CAPT, USNR (Ret.) 1 May 2013
ROBERT BURNS CROWELL ’34 Commander Robert B. Crowell, USN (Ret.), 101, passed peacefully into the Lord’s presence on 3 June 2013. Since 1990, he had resided at Fleet Landing Retirement Community in Atlantic Beach, FL. “Bob” was a native of Walden, NY, born on 21 September 1911. In high school, he was class president all four years. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, attended the Naval Academy Prep School in Norfolk,VA, and graduated from the Academy with the Class of 1934. Bob initially served on surface ships, then went to Flight School in 1936. While there, he married Beth Griggs from Ruby, SC. Bob earned his Wings and flew for four years, then returned to line duty and was aboard BENHAM just shortly before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During World War II, he served in the Pacific on destroyers and cruisers, participating in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, the battles of Midway, the Aleutians and Iwo Jima, and went ashore in Yokosuka as one of the first U.S. naval officers to set foot in Japan after the surrender. After WWII, Bob served in Washington with BuShips, in Subic Bay, Norfolk, sea duty command in European waters, and with the Reserves in Miami. Bob’s main specialty was engineering. Following his retirement in 1960, Bob was a successful stockbroker in Miami, FL, where he lived for 30 years. He was an avid jogger and walker and kept himself physically fit well into his nineties. Bob was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and was active serving in church leadership. In 1990, he and Beth moved to Fleet Landing, where Bob practiced his master gardening skills raising beautiful roses. He gave them away in their dozens to delighted residents, earning the nickname, “Rose-man.” Bob was counted among the ten oldest Naval Academy alumni for several years. Even into his final days, Bob maintained that sunny, cheerful, selfless and un-complaining disposition for which he was so admired. He is greatly missed; his departure leaves a void not easily filled, but our loss is greatly brightened by the certainty of his boundless eternal reward. He has crossed the bar and now sees his Pilot face to face. Bob was predeceased by his adoring, devoted wife, Beth in 2003 after 67 years of marriage. He is survived by his son,
MCARTHUR, KYLE CHRISTOPHER ’11 ENS, USN 16 June 2013 * obituary appears in this issue
Robert Jr.; daughters, Nancy Piper and Betsy Schroeder; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held in Ruby, SC. ALFRED NASH WILLIAMS ’38 “Nash” Williams died on 10 April 2013, in Fallbrook, CA, of kidney failure and complications. With a charming blend of brilliance and compassion, Williams left his mark on both industry and the nonprofit world. Born in 1915 to Samuel and Leda Williams, he grew up in Dallas, TX, with his brother, Lloyd. He attended North Dallas High School, built his own radio and became an amateur radio operator and an Eagle Scout. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1938, First Battalion, but upon failing an eye exam, was not allowed to attend his senior year there. Instead, he hitchhiked from Annapolis, MD, to the Georgia Institute of Technology, enrolled and completed a BS in aeronautical engineering. As World War II broke out, he went immediately to work for Lockheed Aircraft as an aerospace engineer; followed by Convair, General Dynamics and finally, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, from which he retired in 1982 as a solar engineer.While working, he earned an MS in engineering from UCLA in 1963. Nash founded and developed the Foothill (1974) and Palomar (1989) chapters of the Flying Samaritans, a nonprofit that provides medical, optical and dental care to the medically underserved in volunteer clinics in northern Mexico. Nash’s signature strength was enlisting surgeons, hospitals and transportation volunteers to provide life-changing treatment for patients with serious injuries or chronic conditions that could not be addressed in the clinic settings (correcting the eyes of cross-eyed children, for example). He was a dedicated and enthusiastic president and board member of both Flying Sam chapters. Nash’s hobbies included amateur radio (W6HCD), speaking and writing Spanish, solar engineering, and in his younger days, flying airplanes and dancing to the music of big bands. His wife of more than 60 years, Lillian “Billie” died in 2004. He is survived by his only child, Gary, of Los Angeles, CA.
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LASTCALL In a final act of generosity, Nash donated his body to the medical school of UC San Diego. A memorial gathering is planned on his birthday in July 2013. The Williams Family WALDRON MURRILL MCLELLON ’41 On 4 April 2013, Captain “Mac” McLellon, CEC, USN (Ret.), answered his final set of orders in Orlando, FL, passing into the next life. Typical of the Naval Academy and his ’41 Classmates, Mac’s career reflected many challenges. Starting as a wet sailor, he evacuated his repair party through a ventilator shaft to the main deck and then swam from under the capsized OKLAHOMA at Pearl Harbor. South Pacific destroyer duty followed. Faced with disqualifying bad eyes, he retrained as a civil engineer. Subsequent duty included the Seabees, Public Works, the Nuclear Weapons Testing Program, 11th Naval District facility design, BuDocks HQ and the Shelter Survey. Wanting to teach, his naval retirement in 1963 brought a return to Rensselaer for a Ph.D. Following two years teaching at Clemson University, he moved and led the establishment of the environmental engineering department at the two-year old fledgling Florida Technological University, now grown up into the University of Central Florida. Retiring as professor emeritus, he spent the next several years operating his own environmental engineering consulting company. Retiring a third time brought efforts as an author, yielding two published novels, one book of wisdom for achieving success, two books of poetry and one volume of life anecdotes. On 6 May 2013, Mac’s physical remains found final rest in the columbarium at the Naval Academy, near a number of Classmates. They joined those of his beloved wife, helpmate and partner, Naomi Waller. Eloping to North Carolina the day after graduation, they compiled 71+ years of marriage before she passed away suddenly on 15 December 2012. Mac and Naomi are survived by their son and daughter-inlaw, Dr. and Mrs. Richard W. McLellon of Aliquippa, PA. The McLellon Family WALTER PATRICK MURPHY ’41 Captain “Pat” Murphy, USN (Ret.), of Santa Barbara, CA, died on 24 May 2013 at Vista Del Monte, the retirement community in which he spent his last five years. He was 93 years old. Pat was born in Brooklyn, NY, on 25 October 1919. He was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1937 and graduated in February 1941. After serving on the cruiser NASHVILLE for a year, he was selected for Submarine School. He made seven war patrols in the Pacific on SNAPPER and SAILFISH for which he was awarded two Silver Stars, a Commendation Ribbon and was authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation. The latter was awarded to SAILFISH for
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her tenth patrol, during which she sank a Japanese carrier and two other ships. He also served as commanding officer of R-9 and executive officer on SEA LEOPARD. In July 1946, he reported to postgraduate school for a two-year course in ordinance engineering at the PG school and Cal Tech. Subsequent assignments were almost all related to submarines and/or missiles. Sea duty assignments included tours as commanding officer, CARBONERO, ComSubDiv 63, operations officer, ComSubLant and commanding officer, CALOOSAHATCHEE; shore duty assignments included the Naval War College, White Sands Proving Grounds, Pacific Missile Range, Office of the CNO and Special Projects Office (stationed in London with the Royal Navy Polaris Executive). He retired in August 1966 and went to work for NASA as chief of staff to the director of Kennedy Space Center during the entire Apollo moon landing program. In 1977, he was posted to Paris, where he served as the NASA European representative for five years. There followed five years as head of the NASA office at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, before retiring a second time in July 1983. During each of his three assignments, he was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ruth Guenter Murphy in December 1998; daughter, Susan Anne Orr (March 2010); and son, Michael Murphy (June 1994). He is survived by his son, Captain Patrick Murphy, USN (Ret.), and his wife,Virginia; daughter-in-law, Lin Murphy; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial Mass was held at San Roque Catholic Church in Santa Barbara, CA. His cremains will be inurned in the Naval Academy Columbarium with those of Ruth. The Murphy Family CHARLES EDWARD SMITH ’42 Captain Charles E. Smith, USN (Ret.), died peacefully in his sleep on 23 February 2013. He was 92 years old. “Charlie” was born in Zanesville, OH, on 14 September 1920 to Wilbur B. and Lillis Geiger Smith, the fourth of six brothers and sisters. He graduated in 1942 from the U.S. Naval Academy and served for 30 years as a naval officer. He initially served in the engineering department of NEW YORK in the Atlantic Theater during World War II, and then as gunnery officer on AMSTERDAM of the Pacific Fleet until 1947. A brief stint in aviation as a Corsair pilot in VF-41 followed. During his career, he served as executive officer on BORDELON and CO of GAINARD and NAVASOTA. Other commands include CinCarib, ComFour and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. He also served on the staff of the Armed Forces Staff College, the Naval War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, as director of the resident school. He was stationed at many military bases throughout the United States, including Pensacola, FL, Norfolk,VA, Newport, RI, Philadelphia, PA, Long Beach, CA and Arlington,VA, as well as various bases in the Panama Canal Zone.
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1972, he served as coordinator for the University of Virginia and the FBI Academy until 1988. He was also active in the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association for the Class of 1942. Charlie was predeceased by his first wife, Helen Augustiny of Chicago, IL, and is survived by his wife of 35 years, Martha Jane Claypool Smith of Houston, TX. He is also survived by his daughters, Sheryl Smith of Atlantic Beach, NY, and Deborah Smith of New York, NY; grandchildren, Ashley and Arielle Chapin of Atlantic Beach, NY; and his brother, Otto D. Smith of Columbus, OH. He lived a long and full life; he was loved by all and always had a kind word, a smile or a humorous comment, even when he became ill. His children and grandchildren gave him great joy. To his family, he was a constant source of love, encouragement and support. Services were held on 11 June 2013 in Arlington, VA, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. JOHN LASSWELL NICHOLS ’43 Captain John L. Nichols, USN (Ret.), died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a massive heart attack on 4 May 2013. He was born on 27 March 1921 in Ft. Worth, TX, to Jasper Willard Nichols and Helen Lasswell. While in high school, he was a member of the ROTC serving as cadet colonel in his senior year. He attended Texas A&M, and after taking the competitive exam given by the congressman of his district, entered the Naval Academy in 1939 as a member of the Class of 1943.With war-time acceleration, they graduated in 1942. He served in OMAHA in the south Atlantic (1942-1943), ENTERPRISE (CV-6) in the Pacific (1943-1946), SALEM as assistant gunnery officer, executive officer of BENNER, and commanded CHEVALIER and ELDORADO. He graduated from MIT with a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1948 and served in Research and Development, staff, CinCPac Fleet; staff in Washington, DC; Director, Fleet Computer Programming Center. He retired 1968, worked for Computer Sciences Corp. and started his many years of volunteer work in Coronado. He was section chair, show chairman and president of the Coronado Floral Association. He also served on the board of the Coronado Public Library. He is survived by four children, Jean Eichenlaub (Carl), J. Geren Nichols (Linda Fraley), Lisa Moore (Grant) and Meliana Johnson (Tony); six grandchildren, Katherine N. Sippl, John L. Nichols; Nicholas and Guy Moore, Erica and Cady Jean Johnson; and one great-grandson, Theodore Sippl. His wife of 68 years, Linda Lee Geren Nichols, died on 27 June 2013. Services were held at Christ Episcopal Church in Coronado, CA, on 23 May 2013. Private interment will take place at a later date at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.
ROBERT KING AWTREY ’44 Commander Robert K. Awtrey, USN (Ret.), 92, died peacefully at his home on Amelia Island, FL, on 4 May 2013, in the presence of his longtime companion, Martha Biedenkapp and his children, Karin Akerson and Warren Awtrey. “Bob” was born in New Orleans in 1920, where his father, Captain Robert K. Awtrey ’11, USN, was commanding officer of the Navy Communications Center. He accompanied his family to Constantinople, Guantanamo Bay and most memorably, China (1927 to 1929), where his father was the skipper of GUAM, a Yangtze River patrol gunboat. Schooling included five years at Kent School, a boarding preparatory school in Connecticut. Bob graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1943, a member of the World War II accelerated Class of 1944, and was assigned to ship’s company aboard ENTERPRISE (CV-6). (The surface admirals thought a year at sea in ships would show how the real Navy worked before further training.) Bob’s ambition was to be a naval aviator, though, and in 1946 he completed flight training. It was on a 1947 summer cruise aboard KEARSARGE (CV-33), during a port call to Gothenburg, Sweden, that Bob met his future wife, Lisa. They were married six months later in South Carolina. They had two children, Warren and Karin. Lisa and Bob separated in 1971; Lisa died in 2011. Through his years as a carrier pilot, Bob flew fighters, light attack aircraft and photo reconnaissance aircraft. Bob was especially proud to be a graduate of the Naval Test Pilot Training School, with a subsequent tour as a test pilot at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD, where he tested new aircraft prior to their fleet introduction. During the Korean War, he flew in a photo detachment of F2H-2P Banshees assigned to the “World Famous Red Rippers,”VF-11, aboard KEARSARGE. Later assignments included flying F4D Skyrays with VF-23 and A-4 Skyhawks with VA-125. Sea time included tours aboard HANCOCK and ORISKANY. In his final years in the Navy, Bob served on staffs ashore in Hawaii (CinCPacFlt); Paris, France and Stuttgart, Germany (EUCom); and Mildenhall, England (Silk Purse), from where he retired in 1970. He taught for a period in Naples, Italy, then in 1979, moved to Fernandina Beach, FL. There, he built a home on Egan’s Creek and met, as a tennis partner, Martha Biedenkapp. (Martha still plays indefatigably on.) In October 2011, Bob moved to Osprey Village in Amelia Island, FL. The Awtrey Family
The land of the free, and the home of the brave. —Francis Scott Key
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LASTCALL MILES BLACKWELL LARSON ’45 Miles B. Larson passed away on 20 March 2013 at the grand age of 92. Miles grew up in Grand Junction, CO, with three brothers. One, Keene Larson ’48, went to Annapolis, one went to West Point and one ran an Army hospital—a proud military family! After graduation with the Class of 1945, Miles served in the Submarine Service until the end of the war. He moved to California, where he had a successful real estate career in Orange County and where he met and married, Joann, his wife of 50 years.Together, they raised four children and spent many happy hours on the beach. The Larson Family ROBERT RAYMOND POLK ’45 Robert R. Polk, beloved husband of Mary Ann Polk, entered into rest on Sunday, 19 May 2013 at Brandon Wilde Life Care Community in Evans, GA. Robert was born on 9 August 1921, the son of Forrest R. Polk and Ruth Finley Polk in Oshkosh, WI. He won a state-wide scholarship competition for the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1945 in 1944 with a BS degree. As a new ensign, he joined the crew of MISSOURI, serving as junior gunnery officer during the Asiatic campaign of World War II. On this tour, the ship earned three Battle Stars. In 1945, he went to Texas to start flight training. His assignments, after getting his Wings, took him to the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands. In 1949, he resigned from the U.S. Navy and enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After earning his degree, his academic appointments included the Wisconsin Universities at River Falls and Oshkosh. He was later named chief academic officer of the Wisconsin System and after a merger with the University of Wisconsin System, he became associate vice president of the U.W. System. He served concurrently as chancellor of the U.W. Center System (13 two-year colleges) and as interim chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He retired in 1982 and he and Mary moved to Hilton Head, SC.They left Hilton Head Island in 1997 and entered Brandon Wilde. Robert married Mary Ann Witzel in 1944. She survives, along with their two sons, Robert F. Polk (Joyce Peterson Polk) of New Berlin, WI, and Don G. Polk of Houston, TX; two grandchildren, Sandra of Brookfield, WI, and Jeremy of Waukesha, WI; four great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Sean, Anna and Jordan; and a sister,Vivian Harnitz of Appleton, WI. He was predeceased by his sisters, Frances Kester and Marian Watts. Please sign the guestbook and send condolences at www.plattsfuneralhome.com.
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HOMER BOHN THOMAS JR. ’45 Commander Homer B. Thomas Jr., USN (Ret.), 91, died peacefully at his home in Plano, TX, on 15 May 2013. “Bones” was born in St. Paul, MN, on 19 October 1921 and grew up in neighboring White Bear Lake. An accomplished athlete, he accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Oregon in 1940 where, upon arrival, he was greeted by the football coach who jokingly remarked, “You’re nothing but a bag of bones”—hence, the nickname. While still at Oregon, he received a congressional appointment to the Naval Academy and subsequently entered the enigmatic “Look Alive” Class of 1945. At USNA, Bones chose academics over athletics, although his peripheral involvement in sports earned him the honor of being goat-keeper along with Ed Roberson for Bill IX. Upon graduation, Bones was assigned to MILLER (DD-535), where he participated in five battle star engagements and earned the Navy Unit Commendation in March 1945 for MILLER’s valiant efforts in saving the lives of injured personnel from the war-ravaged FRANKLIN (CV-13). After WWII, Bones served on ComPhibLant staff for three years before being accepted into Submarine School. In submarines, Bones found his true love and perfect career. His first boat, POMODON (SS-486), was his professional home for three years, serving under the tutelage of Bing Gillette, Al Bergner and Bob Froude, career mentors and lifelong friends. Upon detachment from POMODON, Bones married his true love, Mary Lamar McCune. After a brief honeymoon, Bones reported to Madison, WI, for a two-year stint teaching in the Naval Reserve Training Officer Program. He then served two years as CEO of SEGUNDO before taking command of TENCH (SS-417) in New London, CT; his most enjoyable and rewarding career move. Following a tour as Squadron Ten engineer and a year at the Operations and Development Unit, Bones left for postgraduate study in Monterey, CA, earning a master’s degree in management. He spent the next four years at the naval base at Pearl Harbor, serving as management and plans officer, and CO of Submarine Division 13. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1966, Bones worked as business manager in the private sector, until retiring in 1985. Bones leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Mary; children, Ken, Steve (Carrie), John and Patty; five grandchildren; and other beloved family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held this summer in Ely, MN. Memorial contributions may be made to the Naval Academy Foundation.
One heart, one hope, one destiny, one flag from sea to sea. —Kate Brownlee Sherwood
GEORGE PAUL PAVIS ’46 Captain George P. Pavis, USN (Ret.), passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on 31 March 2013. Born in New York City in 1923 to Victor and Blanche Pavis, he attended Purdue University for one year, then entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1946. He was graduated and commissioned as an ensign on 6 June 1945, the course of studies having been compressed into a three-year period because of the war. Captain Pavis married the former Bea Rostermundt in 1950. They had one child, Paul Craig Pavis in May 1952, who predeceased him in February 2000. His first assignment was to the light cruiser NASHVILLE, flagship of Commander Seventh Fleet in Shanghai, China. He had gunnery and operations duties in the destroyers FLOYD B. PARKS and WILLIAM M. WOOD; and was executive officer of the radar picket destroyer CHEVALIER. Later, as commanding officer of the guided missile destroyer HOEL, he participated in the Vietnam Defense Campaign and on one occasion, rescued a downed pilot in the Gulf of Tonkin. Captain Pavis served on the heavy cruiser BREMERTON, and on the respective staffs of Commander Cruiser-Division One and Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, and a master’s from MIT in 1953. He was head of the Missile Fire Control Section in the Material Division of the Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, DC; and then director of the Ship Installations Division, Systems Engineering and Quality Directorate, Naval Ordnance Systems Command in Washington, DC. Captain Pavis assumed duties as commanding officer of GRAND CANYON on 19 October 1968. He retired from the United States Navy in July of 1975 and adopted San Diego, CA, as his home. Following retirement from the Navy, Captain Pavis acquired a position as a physics lab instructor at San Diego State University, teaching there for nearly ten years before his second retirement. Captain Pavis stayed gainfully occupied following his second retirement with extensive volunteer work in the San Diego community. Captain Pavis is survived by Paul’s wife, Clare; his grandchildren, Michael, Katherine and Daniel; great-grandchildren, Logan, Colton and Josephine; his siblings, Jimmy and Victor; and many nieces and nephews. Committal took place on 5 July at the Naval Academy Columbarium. The Pavis Family
FRED PRESCOTT RITCHIE JR. ’46 Fred P. Ritchie Jr. of Pinehurst, NC, passed away at home on Saturday, 4 May 2013. Mr. Ritchie was born on 24 January 1924 in San Jose, CA, to the late Fred Prescott Ritchie and Rose Stoll Ritchie. Fred attended the University of California, Berkeley, for a year before accepting a commission to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from USNA in 1945 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering and served two years in the Navy. In 1948, he resigned his commission, married Patricia Heidt, and worked for several engineering firms before starting a career in the paper industry with Container Corporation of America in northern California. During this time, he also served as a councilman for the City of Saratoga. A company transfer eventually took him and his family across the country to Pennsylvania and then a company change brought him to Connecticut. There, he worked for Federal Paper Board Co. and retired as vice president of manufacturing after 24 years. As avid golfers, Fred and his wife were charter members of Blackhall Country Club in Old Lyme, CT. In 1989, Fred and Pat retired to Pinehurst, NC, where he soon became involved with the Foundation of FirstHealth and served on the Foundation’s investment committee. During the years 1998-2010, Fred served on the Moore Regional Hospital (MRH) Foundation board of directors, including two years as chairman. He also served on the MRH board of trustees, serving two years as chairman. Additionally he sat on the MRH Facilities Committee, the MRH Finance Committee and the MRH Patient Care Committee. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Patricia Heidt Ritchie of Pinehurst, NC; children, Lynn Hooper (Donald) of Topsfield, MA, Ann Atherton (William) of Landrum, SC, and Douglas Ritchie (Debbie) of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Erin Freed (Jason) of Lander, WY, Melissa Atherton of Atlanta, GA, Scott Ritchie of White Plains, MD, Thomas Atherton of Atlanta, GA, Samantha Hooper of Greenville, SC, and Nathan Hooper of Topsfield, MA. His sister, Adrienne McWilliam of Lehi, UT, also survives him. His brother, Jack Stoll Ritchie, preceded him in death. A memorial service was held on 8 June 2013 at The Village Chapel in Pinehurst, NC, with Dr. Ashley Smith officiating. Burial will be at sea by the U.S. Navy. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, or to the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneral home.com.
COLUMBARIUM For more information visit www.usna.edu/cemetery/
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LASTCALL ROBERT NEWELL BARKER ’47 Robert N. Barker passed away peacefully on the morning of 12 April 2013 in the company of his wife of 66 years, Barbara. Born on 19 March 1925 in Kansas City, MO, to Marian and E.D. Barker, “Bob” attended Western Military Academy, graduating as Cadet Major. Appointed to the Naval Academy in 1943, he was the East Coast Collegiate diving champion and graduated with the Sixth Company. While at the Academy, he met Barbara “Bobbie” Ackerman of Bryn Mawr, PA, and they were married in Rosemont, PA, on 7 June 1946. He served first in STRIBLING (DD-867), had temporary duty as XO of PGM-16 for four months, then returned to STRIBLING until November 1948. He was then XO of PC-579 until his resignation in July 1949. After working briefly with National Union Radio, he and Classmate, Don Haggerty (10th Company), both went to work for Union-National Furniture (similar names, but different businesses!) whence the Navy recalled him for the Korean Conflict in 1951. He served in PICKING (DD-685), then as aide and flag lieutenant to ComDesLant, until his final release in 1953. Bob reentered civilian life in Pennsylvania, became a top salesman for Union-National Furniture and maintained an area sales partnership with Don until 1963. He moved to Palos Verdes, CA, in 1966. He also worked for Walter B. Scott and the Lam Lee Group, where his humor and dedication garnered him top salesman awards year after year. In 1997, he retired in order to further investigate the mysteries of golf, to camp with family and friends, and to travel and explore the far corners of the globe with Bobbie. Presiding as patriarch over a close and opinionated family, Bob tried to instruct and pass on to the younger generations his vision of a perfect world, but despite this, the kids adored him and somehow went on to happy and successful lives and careers. His love for Bobbie became even deeper and stronger as he struggled through a long illness. Bob made sure all around him knew his appreciation for the care and support he was receiving. His optimism, wit and keen sense of comic timing were legendary. Bob is survived by his wife; sons, Christopher (Beverly), David (Linda) and Gary (Jan); daughter, Robin Gardner (Jim); and grandchildren, Jasper and Maggie. A memorial service was conducted on 26 April at St. Peter’sby-the-Sea Presbyterian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes. Rest in Peace, Dad. The Barker Family
He loves his country best who strives to make it best. —Robert G. Ingersoll
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WILLIAM JAMES COOK ’47 William J. Cook died peacefully on 27 March 2013 at the Lexington Health Care Facility in Wheeling, IL. He was 88 years old. Born in Fort Smith, AR, on 7 March 1925, “Bill” was appointed to the Naval Academy from that state and graduated in 1946 with the Fifth Company. He served in ROCHESTER (CA-124), then in ALBANY (CA-123) and in FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42) before assignment as an instructor at the Naval Academy Prep School at Bainbridge, MD. He resigned in 1949. Studies at Boston University led to a bachelor of sacred theology degree in 1952. He served as a chaplain for the State of Massachusetts at their Wrentham State School and concurrently was minister of First Methodist Church in Franklin, MA, then minister of First Methodist in Medford, MA. He returned to Boston University in 1955 for graduate studies. In 1956, he began a career with the Council on Religion and International Affairs (an independent Andrew Carnegie endowment) in New York, then in 1968 became an officer of the New Trier Township High School District 203 in Illinois and resumed his studies at Northwestern University, where he received his PhD in educational administration in 1971. He was subsequently a consultant to the public school districts of Detroit, MI, and of Springfield, IL. In later years, he worked in real estate in Arizona and played a primary role in the construction of a new school for the Navajo Educational Foundation. Bill was stricken at a relatively early age by Alzheimer’s disease and had spent a number of years under care and treatment for that illness. He is survived by his children, Leslie, Kathy, Deborah and Tad; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Chet Shaddeau ’47 RAY ELLIOTT DAVIS ’47 Captain Ray E. Davis, USN (Ret.), died on 30 April 2013 in Santiago, Chile. Born and raised in Staten Island, NY, Ray was congressionally appointed to the Naval Academy from that state and graduated with the Class of 1947’s Sixth Company. He was commissioned in the line and served in cruisers CHICAGO (CA-136), BREMERTON (CA-130) and PASADENA (CL-65) before entering flight training, then flew F4Us with VF-74. He married Rowena Cummings in 1952 and deployed to Korea in BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31). He transitioned to jets and was a flight instructor in Texas in 1953, then made two WestPac deployments, again in “BONNY DICK,” but this time as ship’s company. In 1958, Ray became XO of VA-113, flying A-4s from SHANGRI-LA (CVA-38) as a nuclear weapons delivery pilot. In 1960, he served with BuWeps in development of PLAT—Pilot
Landing Aide TV—and attended the Naval War College in 1962, earning a master’s in international affairs. In 1963, he was on CinCPacFlt Staff in Pearl Harbor as assistant for international affairs. He became XO of BAYFIELD (APA-33) and deployed to Vietnam, then back to DC in the Office of the Assistant SecDef, Caribbean Desk. He was Division Head of U.S. and International Studies at the Naval Academy, then Chief of Naval Mission and Commander MilGroup at U.S. Embassy, Santiago, Chile, from 1972 to 1975. His final assignment was as Chief of Staff to COM ONE, at Boston. He retired in 1976. His first marriage having ended, he married the former Patricia Panayotti of Santiago in 1976, and spent most of his time between Chile and Florida. In 2000, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and spent his last years in Santiago. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; five children; and seven grandchildren. It is planned that he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a date not yet established. Chet Shaddeau ’47 RICHARD SAMUEL HOLLYER ’47 Commander Richard S. Hollyer, USN (Ret.), died peacefully at his home in Katy, TX, on 1 January 2013. “Dick” was born in Detroit, MI, and graduated from Redford High School. He attended the Michigan State University briefly before his appointment to the Naval Academy with the Class of 1947. At the Academy, he became fluent in Japanese. Commissioned in June 1946, his first assignment was onboard FALL RIVER in the Pacific for the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests, after which he was responsible for decontamination efforts at Pearl Harbor. He was then assigned to OP-20 in Washington, DC, where he learned Russian and worked on breaking codes. Next, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Hollyer attended MIT and earned his master of science degree in marine engineering. A brilliant engineer, he was selected to join the Sigma Xi honors research society. For his thesis, he developed the control law equations that govern control of high speed submerged submarines. These were later implemented by the Navy for their submarine fleet. He met and married Doris Mae Knowlton while attending MIT in the summer of 1950. Following graduate school, he was assigned to several locations stateside before being assigned to the SRF Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Dick was reassigned stateside and in 1959, he reported to BOXER (CVA-4, then LPH-4) on maneuvers in the Caribbean near Vieques Island. He was chief engineer on BOXER off Havana during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the early 1960s, he was assigned to BuShips in Washington, DC. He retired from the Navy in 1966. Following his Navy career, Richard moved to Houston and branched out into the offshore oil industry, designing offshore drilling facilities. In 1988, he took up woodworking and went back to school to become a paralegal for Royston Rayzor, a
maritime law firm, where he worked on many interesting cases, including the EXXON VALDEZ grounding in Alaska. Richard was predeceased by his eldest son, Stephen Hollyer. He is survived by Doris, his beloved wife of 63 years (“the best decision I ever made”); daughter,Virginia Leigh Hollyer; sons, John Barry Hollyer ’78 and Peter Alan Hollyer; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Winifred “Winnie” and Alice. He is dearly missed, but his teachings and lessons are with all who knew and loved him. Per his desires, his ashes were spread over the sea, “where the Severn joins the tide,” in May 2013. The Hollyer Family EDWARD GUY BUCK ’48 Captain Edward G. Buck, USN (Ret.), passed away on 9 May 2013 in Sarasota, FL, from complications of mesothelioma. He was 87 years old. Born in Muskogee, OK, and appointed to USNA from that state, “Guy” graduated with the Class of 1948A in June of 1947. He reported for initial sea duty to SHANGRI-LA in San Diego, followed by duty in PRINCETON as signal officer. In June 1949, he commenced flight training at Pensacola, receiving his Wings in 1950 at Corpus Christi. His first squadron tour in VP-26 was followed by a three-year NPGS/MIT tour (1952-1955) where he earned a BS and MS degree in aeronautical engineering. He then moved on to duty in VX-1 in Key West, serving as torpedo project officer from 1955 to 1957 and VS-32 in Quonset Point, RI, serving as the flight officer from 1957 to 1959. He was selected for AEDO duty in 1958. In 1959, as a fresh AEDO, he reported to the Bureau of Aeronautics, serving as program officer for the ANEW Project, responsible for shifting all naval aviation analog devices to digital equipment. In 1963, he reported to ComNavAirLant as armament officer, later serving as the Atlantic Fleet avionics officer. Follow-on duty saw him serve as comptroller and later executive officer of the Naval Avionics Facility, Indianapolis. Selected for captain in 1968, he became the EA to the special assistant to ASN for Computers. He then moved on to become the naval plant representative at LTV in Dallas for two years before returning to command the Naval Avionics Facility, Indianapolis. He retired in 1974. In retirement, Guy Buck became the industrial liaison director at the newly formed Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research, as well as becoming an adjunct assistant professor of business at IU. Two years later, he moved up within ICFAR to Director, Aerospace Research Application Center, a NASA industrial application center. Four years later, he found himself back with LTV as the special assistant to the VP for Engineering. He also dabbled in small business for nine more years before becoming fully retired in 1993.
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LASTCALL He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maryln “Bebe” of Sarasota, FL; two sons, Edward Jr. and Sean ’83; and two grandchildren, Jeff and Jenna. His cremains were interred on 7 June 2013 in the Naval Academy Columbarium in a private ceremony with full military honors. The Buck Family DONALD PAUL BUHRER ’48 Donald P. Buhrer passed away at Ginger Cove in Annapolis, MD on 20 May 2013. “Don” was born in Detroit, MI, to Russell and Florence Buhrer on 8 May 1924 and grew up in the metropolitan New York City area. He graduated from Millburn High School, Millburn, NJ, in 1942 and received a congressional appointment to the Naval Academy in the Class of 1948. As a Midshipman, he was a member of the crew, the press detail and the Trident Society. Upon graduation with the Fifth Company, Don was assigned to POCONO (AGC-16), which at the time was flagship of the Atlantic Fleet based in Norfolk. After the decommissioning of POCONO in June 1949, he reported to Submarine School in New London, CT, and later served on SIRAGO (SS-485) and in the commissioning crew of WAHOO (SS-565). His last active duty was at the Third Naval District Headquarters in New York. Don met his wife, Marion Wilson, in Grand Central Station while waiting for the arrival of a train. They were married in London, Ontario, in 1954 and were blessed with two sons, Paul and Scott. Upon leaving service, Don spent 30 years in the packaging materials business, operating a converting business in northern New Jersey and later in Baltimore, specializing in the conversion of cellophane for the packaging trade. In 1976, Marion and Don built their “dream home” on the banks of the Severn in Arnold, MD, and lived there until entering Ginger Cove in 2010. He was a life member of USNA Alumni Association and USNA Athletic Association, a trustee of the Naval Academy Foundation and a member of the Robert Means Thompson Society. He attended St. Anne’s Church in Annapolis, where he was a lector and chalicist. He was a member of the Annapolis Civitan Club. He was an avid stamp collector and enjoyed gardening, boating, traveling and playing with his Irish Setters. He is survived by Marion, his wife of 59 years; sons, Paul of Severna Park, MD, and Scott of New Orleans, LA; five grandchildren, Russell, Ryan, Rebecca, Wilson and Jackson; and his sister, Nancy Shepard of Short Hills, NJ. Funeral services were at St Anne’s Church in Annapolis, with inurnment at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium. The Buhrer Family
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REYNOLDS BECKWITH ’49 Captain Reynolds Beckwith, USN (Ret.), 88, died peacefully on 5 June 2013 at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Coral Gables, FL, in 1924 to Mildred Beckwith Humphries and John Humphries, Reynolds grew up in south Florida and southern California. He attended UC Berkley until he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1949 and earning his Wings in 1951. At the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, he earned a master’s of science degree in underwater acoustics. Reynolds Beckwith was a veteran of two wars, serving with distinction in aviation billets in Korea, during the Cuban Crisis and in Vietnam. During the Korean War, he served in VP-871/ VP-19 flying anti-submarine warfare patrols in the Japan and Yellow seas; he commanded attack helicopter squadron HA(L)-3 at Binh Thuy in South Vietnam in 1969/1970, flying missions throughout Mekong Delta. His early naval career included three years in Key West at VX-1. He commanded ASW helicopter squadrons HS-7 and HS-10; in the early 1970s he served in Washington, DC, as Director, Air Division, OP-951C on the CNO’s staff; and in the mid-1970s, as the director of the System Planning Office ASWPO (PM-4) at the Pentagon. He was recognized throughout the U.S. Navy as an operational and technical sonar expert in anti-submarine warfare. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1975, Reynolds headed the Washington office for Allied Signal Ocean Systems Division advanced systems engineering. In 1989, he co-founded a software company, Objective Interface Systems, with his son, Bill. Reynolds served as the president and CFO until 2000, and with the board of directors until 2011. Upon retirement, Reynolds continued to serve his community with naval civilian support roles throughout Palm Beach County. Reynolds met his wife, Bette, in Carmel, CA, and they were married for over 50 years. She predeceased him in 2005. He was a committed family leader and terrific father and grandfather. He was deeply loved and is missed by those he leaves behind, including his two children, Karen Beckwith and her husband, Scott Barrow of Lenox, MA; and Bill Beckwith and his wife, Alison of Reston,VA; four granddaughters, Ardis and Rebecca Barrow, and Lauren and Kristin Beckwith; and a great many friends. May his skies be clear for takeoff, and his seas smooth for sailing on the journey forward. The Beckwith Family
If you have any questions regarding the submission of obituaries to Shipmate, please contact Timothy Elizabeth Woodbury (410-295-4064 or obits@usna.com).
JAMES ALEXANDER MCQUILLING ’49 James A. McQuilling died of heart failure in Manhasset, NY, on 26 April 2013. He was 85 years old. A native of Flushing, NY, “Jim” prepared for college at Admiral Farragut Academy prior to receiving his congressional appointment to the Naval Academy from New York. He graduated with the Class in June of 1949 as a member of the 32nd Company. Upon graduation, Jim served as a line officer in the Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets on surface vessels before being selected for Submarine School. He served five years in the submarine force in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. He served on fleet submarines as supply officer, engineering officer, torpedo officer and finally, as executive officer of T-2, an experimental submarine, from its keel-laying to final operation and decommissioning. He resigned from the Navy as a lieutenant junior grade in 1956. After several years of employment in the marine industry in New York, Jim founded Midland Marine Corporation, which became one of the largest barge brokerage businesses in the United States, as well as shipyard agents for a worldwide group of major shipyards. In 1975, Midland Marine Corporation and its sister company, Shipyard Marketing, Inc., entered the business of building and leasing marine equipment, which included river barges, offshore barges and supply vessels. In 1996, Shipyard Marketing, Inc., acquired L&R Chartering, Inc., in Houston, TX, which was renamed L&R Midland, Inc. L&R Midland is presently one of the largest Jones Act brokerage businesses in the United States. Jim was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, the former Florence Carolyn Vars, and his brother, Thomas Merrick McQuilling ’45. He is survived by two sons, Thomas and Andrew; two daughters, Kathleen Balderston and Carol McMorris; 16 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Jim on 1 May 2013 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Manhasset, NY, with interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Danbury, CT; military honors were provided. The McQuilling Family KENNETH ROBINSON BURNS ’50 Colonel Kenneth R. Burns, USAF (Ret.), passed away on 18 May 2013, after a prolonged illness. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1950 and entered the U.S Air Force. He completed Air Force pilot training during the Korean War and flew numerous combat related Forward Air Control (FAC) missions in support of UN troops. He subsequently attended the U.S Air Force Institute of Technology, where he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He also earned a master’s degree in physics.
During the long Cold War, he flew photo reconnaissance missions in an RB-50 along the Soviet border, as well as mapping missions of Italy. He was also a qualified B-36 pilot. During the Vietnam War, he flew many rescue missions in support of U.S. and South Vietnamese troops. On one rescue mission, he safely picked up 84 South Vietnamese Special Forces troops about to be overrun by North Vietnamese forces. At his White Sands, NM, duty station, he led a team of scientists and engineers that improved the inertial guidance system for U.S. long range missiles. He also commanded the Air Force ROTC Unit at New Mexico State University. Colonel Burns distinguished himself throughout his Air Force career and was the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 12 Air Medals. He is survived by his wife, and three of his four children. Funeral services and inurnment with full military honors took place at Fort Bayard National Cemetery in May 2013. MYRON ELMER LESLIE ’50 “Mike” Leslie of St. George Village in Roswell, GA, formerly of West Chester, PA, and Wayne, PA, died peacefully on 19 May 2013. He attended Pomona College in California graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, in 1950. Mike served during the Korean War on board the anti-aircraft light cruiser JUNEAU (CLAA-119) known as the “Galloping Ghost of the Korean Coast.” He later served on the destroyer CONWAY (DDE-509) on the East Coast. He also taught Rules of the Nautical Road and Emergency Ship Handling at the Fleet Training Center in Newport, RI. After his naval service, he worked at the Heintz Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia; followed by PottsFarrington Co., a steel service center; and Fanning Schuet Engineering Co. In 1967, he became the owner of HussongWalker-Davis Company, a textile-dyeing machinery company, which he introduced to the bulk materials handling field. Mike invented a skein-dyeing machine that dramatically decreased the dyeing time required. These machines were used in the carpet and thread industries in this country and overseas. He was a former elder at Church of the Savior and at Living Oaks Community Church, both of Wayne, PA, was a member of Proclamation Presbyterian Church of Bryn Mawr, PA, and was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA. Mike was a member of The U.S. Naval Institute, The Navy League, the Naval Academy Alumni and Athletic Associations, a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and former member of the Union League of Philadelphia. He was the husband of Jeanne Farrington Leslie, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Robin Chalk of Alpharetta, GA, Susan Raebeck of Wainscott, NY, Laurie Finlayson of Renton, WA, and Elizabeth Kohl of Athol, ID; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
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LASTCALL A memorial service was held on Saturday, 1 June 2013 in the St. George Village auditorium (11350 Woodstock Road, Roswell, GA 30075). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hope Presbyterian Church at 4101 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 30066. HENRY HAYES ADAMS ’51 Henry H. Adams, a native of Reading, PA, died on 4 May 2013. A member of the Naval Academy Class of 1951, at USNA he sang with the chapel choir. He served as chief engineer on LATIMER (APA-152), FLOYD COUNTY (LST-762) and GAINARD (DD-706). Henry left active duty in the Navy in 1955 to pursue a civilian career. He held a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hartford and a master’s degree in engineering administration from The George Washington University. He was an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a licensed professional engineer. His civilian career began at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft designing jet engine components. In 1956, he joined Atlantic Research Corporation in Virginia, where he worked for 33 years designing and developing solid-propellant rocket engines. He served as Episcopal lay reader and chalice bearer for 17 years and spent his retirement years as docent at the Washington National Cathedral, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum. Henry treasured time with family, enjoyed music and travel and was a life-long birdwatcher. He will be remembered for his intelligence, sense of humor and gentle manner. Henry was a devoted husband and a loving father and grandfather. He leaves his wife, Barbara; sister, Virginia; daughter, Mary Ann Adams; stepdaughter, Carole Angie Cianelli and her husband, Jamie Cheatham; and stepson, Thomas Theodore Cianelli and his wife, Tammy Cianelli. He was “Poppy” to four grandsons: Thomas Hayes Cheatham, Thomas Theodore Cianelli II, Cameron Lee Cianelli and Anthony Aaron Cianelli. A family service was held at the Naval Academy Columbarium. RICHARD ALAN PETERSON ’55 Captain Richard A. Peterson, USN (Ret.), passed away on 22 February 2013. He was 79 years old. “Dick” was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on 4 April 1933 and attended Lehigh University for one year before joining the Naval Academy Class of 1955. He was in the 23rd Company. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Catherine Koehler, on 12 June 1955. He and “Sunny” enjoyed 32 wonderful years together before her passing in 1987.
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Their Navy career began in Newport, RI, where he served on BEATTY (DD-756). Transferring to submarines in 1958, he served on SARDA (SS-488), a training ship for the Submarine School in New London, CT. He completed nuclear power training in 1961 and was assigned as the reactor officer of the world’s first nuclear powered ship, NAUTILUS (SSN-571). He was commissioning engineer officer of ULYSSES S. GRANT (SSBN-631) and executive officer of TINOSA (SSN-606). From 1969-1973, he was the first commanding officer of BLUEFISH (SSN-675) from new construction through several Atlantic operations. He was chief of staff (operations) at ComSubLant during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. He commanded CAVALLA (SSN-684) for that ship’s first front line deployment from Holy Loch, Scotland. The highlight of his Navy career was command of the submarine tender SIMON LAKE (AS-33) in Rota, Spain from 1974-1977. He then served in the attack submarine division at the Pentagon for two years, earned his master’s degree from The George Washington University, and led the construction of the new submarine bases at Bangor, WA, and Kings Bay, GA. He retired in 1982 and led the Washington, DC, office of Westinghouse’s D-5 missile project until 1987. He earned many personal decorations, but was most proud of the Battle Efficiency “E” awards earned by the crews he led on both BLUEFISH and SIMON LAKE. A resident of Great Falls,VA, for 36 years, he enjoyed traveling, golfing and gardening. He enjoyed Naval Academy alumni activities and working on the Class of 1955 gift to the Naval Academy highlighting President Theodore Roosevelt’s mission to return the remains of John Paul Jones to the Naval Academy Chapel Crypt. A loving father and grandfather, he is survived by his only child and fellow submarine officer, Richard A. Peterson Jr. ’81; daughter-in-law, Lois Peterson; and grandchildren, Beth, Richard A. Peterson III and Mary. A memorial service was held at the Naval Academy Chapel on 9 May 2013, followed by committal at the Naval Academy Columbarium. THOMAS NEIL TATE ’55 Commander Thomas N. Tate, USN (Ret.), passed away at the Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM, on 28 April 2013. He was 79 years old. A native of Idaho Falls, ID, “Tom” graduated with the Naval Academy Class of 1955 as a member of the 17th Company. At the Academy, he was a yawl sailor and manager of the varsity gym team. Commissioned in the Civil Engineer Corps upon graduation, Tom’s 20-year career took him around the world. He did postgraduate work at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute and Stanford University. During one of his earliest assignments, he worked in the shipyard in Bremerton, WA, on the construction of the world’s then-largest drydock. He spent 14 months at McMurdo Station in Antarctica (Deep Freeze ’63) as the public works officer and a year commanding 13 teams of Navy Seabees in Vietnam and Thailand. In 1966-1967, he taught accounting and
behavioral science at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Other assignments led him to serve his country in Japan, Hawaii and on bases across the United States. After retiring from the Navy, Tom joined the engineering and construction firm of Fluor Corporation, training young engineers and traveling the world as an expert in government and international contracts. Following his retirement from Fluor in 1994, he and his architect wife, Donna, moved to Las Cruces and became land developers working on an 85-unit subdivision. They also became actively involved with Memorial Medical Center, the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra (Tom served on the board and as treasurer), the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, the League of Women Voters and many other cultural and political organizations. Tom believed deeply that community was first and his volunteerism and personal philanthropy reflected that. Tom and Donna also enjoyed a hobby as certified cold water scuba divers. Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna (whom he first met in high school); his daughters, Melody and Kamella; and his brother, Ray. At Tom’s request, his ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean. A celebration of Tom’s life will held later in 2013. Reflecting Tom’s philosophy of “Community First,” contributions in his honor may be made to the “Tom and Donna Tate Endowment” at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (www.cfsnm.org). EDWARD ALAN WARDWELL ’55 Edward A. Wardwell, 79, died peacefully at his home in St. Thomas, USVI, on 24 April 2013. A native of Washington, DC, “Ed” entered the Academy through the DC commissioner’s competitive exams. He graduated with honors with the Class of 1955 as a member of the First Company. After graduation, he served 18 months in PICKING (DD-685). Following Submarine School, he served and received his Dolphins in PICKEREL (SS-524). He then attended Nuclear Power School, after which he served in SKATE (SSN-578) and was onboard when she surfaced through the Polar Ice Cap at the North Pole. He then served in the pre-commissioning unit of NATHAN HALE (SSBN-623). From 1963-1964, he served TAD as part of the THRESHER (SSN-593) search. He resigned his commission in January 1964 to manage a National Geographic Society successful world record deep sea saturation dive at 432 feet for 48 hours. He then spent five years as a founding member and chief engineer of Ocean Systems, Inc, a deep-sea diving subsidiary of Union Carbide. Ocean Systems supported the search for and recovery of an H-bomb lost off Palomares, Spain, in 1966. Ed was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for the part he played in that operation. He was instrumental in the startup of Oceans Systems Japan and spent five years running that subsidiary. He returned to the U.S. in 1972 and founded and ran Seaward, Inc., a deep sea search and recovery company that
conducted many pioneering search and recovery operations. In 1979, he was recruited to run Oceaneering International, Inc. and in five years as CEO, turned a $17M loss into a $20M profit. In 1984, he and his wife, Carolyn, moved to St. Thomas, where he owned a few retail businesses. He and Carolyn kept a holiday apartment in New Zealand for 25 years, where Ed bred and raced harness horses. He continued to participate in start-up companies around the world with a philosophy of finding good people and putting them in jobs that required growth. He was an invaluable mentor to many. Ed is survived by his wife of 34 years, Carolyn; children, Chaunette Thomas and Dale Hall; grandchildren, Brandi, Christopher, Stephanie and Shane; brother, Bob; and sister, Dianne. Ed’s ashes will be scattered in Christmas Cove, across from his home in St. Thomas, where he and a close friend spent Sundays on a boat named QUIET DESPERATION, playing cards and solving the world’s problems. WILLIAM JOHN HESKE ’57 Colonel William J. Heske, USAF (Ret.), passed away suddenly on 26 February 2013 while on vacation in Hawaii. He was 77 years old. “Bill” was the only son of the late John and Catherine Heske and grew up in Bethlehem, PA, graduating from Liberty High School in 1953. He was appointed to the Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1957 as a member of the Sixth Company, receiving an Air Force commission. While a Midshipman, he met Barbara Black on a blind date that turned into a lifelong commitment. Bill and Barbara were married in June 1957 and had recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Bill’s Air Force career started as a personnel officer for the Seventh Weather Squadron at Scott AFB, IL, with a subsequent tour in Heidelberg, Germany. (Joining them during these tours were their daughter, Kathryn and son, John David.) Returning to the states, Bill joined the Minuteman Missile Crew Force at Malmstrom AFB in Montana as a crew commander. Follow-on tours included chief of military assignment for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and the Air Force Military Personnel Center. After completing Air Command and Staff College with a MS in political science from Auburn University, Bill returned to SAC Headquarters, where he rose to chief of ICBM studies and analysis. Following completion of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, he was ordered to F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming as deputy commander for maintenance of the 90th Missile Wing. After 26 years of service, Bill retired from the Air Force, returned to Bethlehem and became Manager, Nuclear Administration for Pennsylvania Power and Light Company. He was very active in community affairs during and after his time with the power company and was determined to “give back” to the community which had nurtured him, especially the Bethlehem School District. Bill served on the Bethlehem School Board for many years, including board president for several
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LASTCALL terms. As a lifelong member of the Central Moravian Church, he was active in the congregation, as a sacristan, vice chairman of elders and an usher. In addition to Barbara, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Ronald Domen; son and daughter-inlaw, John David and Staci Heske; and six grandchildren. Memorial services were held on 8 March 2013 at the Central Moravian Church, followed by burial in Bethlehem. Mrs. Barbara Heske & Peter Boyne ’57, Sixth Company JOHN EDWIN HORSEFIELD ’57 The world lost a kind, decent man on 29 May 2013. Commander “Jack” Horsefield, USN (Ret.), died from complications of heart disease at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL. He was 79 years old. Jack was born in Hoboken, NJ, in 1933 to C.R. and Madeline Horsefield and grew up on Indian Lake in Denville, NJ. He had one sister, Nancy Covington. After high school, Jack attended Stevens Institute of Technology for two years before entering NAVY with the Class of 1957; he was a member of the 22nd Company. He completed flight training in Pensacola, where he met his future wife, Janice Sims. They were married in 1958. He loved flying for the Navy. As a P-2 and P-3 pilot, he was stationed on both coasts and overseas. He was in VP-23 (19581963);VP-30 (instructor) (1963-1966); KITTY HAWK (CV-63) (1966-1968);VP-23 (1968-1971); director of training at Schools Command, NAS Pensacola (1971-1975); Subic Bay R.P. (19751977); NAS Whiting Field (1977-1979); and finally CNET at NAS Pensacola (1979-1982). He retired in 1982 and moved to Pensacola, where he was a simulator flight instructor for the Navy working for Burnside-Ott. He often said he was a southerner by choice. Jack had a finely-tuned sense of humor; he loved his children and grandchildren and said they were the best “toys” of all. He enjoyed taking them boating and hitting the big waves. He spent many hours in his workshop in Grande Lagoon making toys for his grandchildren that will be family treasures for all. He was a lector and Eucharistic minister in the Catholic Church and he cherished each job, until his health prevented him from carrying on. Jack was the first “Big Brother” in the area. He gave recruitment talks to Marines and Sailors at NAS Pensacola and was very successful in gaining more “Bigs” for the program. He had his ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) lunch every Thursday with his buddies and enjoyed swapping lies as only Navy pilots can. Jack is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janice; their children, Captain Michael Horsefield, USN (and his wife, Marilyn Helmke), and Susan Horsefield Putnam (and her husband, Commander John Putnam, USNR); eight grandchildren; and his sister, Nancy Covington. A funeral Mass was celebrated on 7 June 2013 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola.
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The family requests that remembrances be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. The Horsefield Family EDWIN DEAN SMATHERS JR. ’57 Colonel Edwin D. Smathers Jr., USAF (Ret.), passed away on 10 December 2012 following a long and courageous battle fighting kidney disease. He was 77 years old. A 1957 graduate of the Naval Academy, the Lucky Bag states: [Ed] had a “background of charm and hospitality, arriving from Richmond, KY…Well known throughout the brigade for his easygoing way and courteous manners.” Ed thoughtfully provided a personal biography written in 2006. Excerpts follow: “In the fall of 1944, when I was a nine year old kid, I determined that someday I would go the Naval Academy in Annapolis. I’ve had three careers; have three sons and two granddaughters, who have stolen my heart.” Ed choose civil engineering in the Air Force, attended graduate school at the University of Texas and spent the next 17 years working in the whole spectrum of military and intelligence satellites. “The personal reward was getting to contribute to the success of five major satellite development programs, all of which achieved well beyond their design life and capabilities.” Retiring from the Air Force, he took a teaching position at Eastern Kentucky University, teaching production management, operations research and systems theory. “In all these courses, I tried to teach beyond mastering the fundamental methodologies…”[t]he challenge is to see the application across multiple environments.” “After eight years, “I got [hired] to work through most of the life-cycle of yet another large scale space program at the Boeing Company. That was one of the most rewarding and successful programs I ever worked. It came out that way because the systems thinking and focus of the joint government/contractor team carried through without the crippling intervention of too much higher oversight. Now…in 2006, it is hard for programs to have that latitude.” “In 1999, I retired from Boeing and settled in Kentucky, and enjoy traveling with my wife, and sharing time with friends I’ve made over these years.” Ed could not speak about much of his professional career as he proudly served as member of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). He was excited about being able to attend the fifth anniversary celebration at NRO at the headquarters outside Washington, DC, in 2011. His wife, Mary Ellen Klatte comments, “He was a truly fine man and a gentleman. We had a wonderful marriage.” Services were held on 20 December 2012 at Camp Nelson (KY) National Cemetery.
JAMES DENNIS REGAN ’59 Captain James D. Regan, USNR (Ret.), passed away peacefully in his sleep next to his wife on 1 May 2013. He was 76 years old. “Jim” was born in Queens, NY, on 25 November 1936. He graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School and received a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Jim excelled in swimming, was on the varsity swim team all four years and held the record for the 50 freestyle. He graduated with the Class of 1959 as a member of the Fourth Company. After graduation, Jim attended flight training at Pensacola, FL, and New Iberia, LA. He became a “Stoof ” pilot, flying every version of the S2 carrier-based antisubmarine warfare aircraft, and qualifying him as a “Double Centurion” during his active duty and reserve career. An MS in data processing while at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, was excellent preparation for assignment as a BuPers detailer. Upon completion of that assignment as a lieutenant commander, he left active duty for a Reserve commission and a two-year stint as an international pilot with Pan American Airways. The data processing degree facilitated a marketing career with the IBM Data Processing Division in New York, followed by the Federal Systems Division in Manassas,VA. Early retirement from senior management with IBM provided the opportunity to continue in a federal business development career. This consisted of senior positions with Computer Sciences Corporation, Unisys and American Coastal Industries, a small disadvantaged business. These came after a transitional senior management assignment with United Way of America, the association of local United Way charities throughout the United States. Captain Regan retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve with 30 years of commissioned service in 1989. He joined the faculty of George Mason University in 1994, where he served as director of the Procurement Technical Assistance Program in the Mason Enterprise Center of the School for Public Policy for the past 18 years. Under his direction, the program helped businesses achieve over 5,500 government contracts totaling more than five billion dollars. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Judith Regan; son, James Lawrence Regan of Oakton,VA; daughter, Tracy Anne Thompson of Bristow,VA; and grandson, Michael. Memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery are pending. The Regan Family JAMES RUSSELL MCLEAN ’60 James McLean passed away at his home in Clifton,VA, on 14 May 2013. He was 75 years old. “Jim” was a native of Rowland, NC, and entered the U.S. Naval Academy directly from high school. While at the Academy, he participated in numerous activities and multiple intramural sports. He was an excellent student, a natural
athlete and was always available and willing to assist Classmates within the demanding environment of Bancroft Hall. Upon graduation and commissioning as an ensign on 8 June 1960, he commenced a surface Navy career aboard HAWKINS (DDR-873), one of the first ships at the new homeport of Mayport, FL, then CANBERRA (CAG-2), a flagship during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A series of interesting and demanding tours ensued, including duty in Keflavik, Iceland, where he met, wooed and married his wife of 48 years, Sigridur “Sigga.” He then became one of the Navy’s earliest computer specialists, with duty at FCCDSA Dam Neck, HQ Military Assistance Command, Saigon Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, and Naval Command (computer) System Support Activity, Washington, DC. Sandwiched in there, and a tribute to Jim’s versatility, he served as XO of TALLADEGA (LPA-208). After the Navy, Jim continued as a computer specialist, steadily advancing to his eventual position as the Director, Information Systems for the Navy Audit Service. He retired in 1999 after 40 years of combined military service and federal civil service. In retirement, he volunteered at Fairfax County Parks and became an avid left-handed golfer with an awesome game off the tee, shots that went out of sight, occasionally straight and shooting a hole-in-one TWICE. Equally important in his life, he and Sigga delighted in their grandchildren and the opportunity to help out their working parents. Jim is survived by his wife, Sigga; two sons, David and Patrick; and four grandsons. A memorial service was held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Clifton,VA, on Sunday, 19 May 2013, with interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. The McLean Family JOHN LYNN CAMPHOUSE ’65 John L. Camphouse passed away suddenly at his home in Westchester, IL, on 1 April 2013 at the age of 69. “Jack” was born in Oak Park, IL, on 13 October 1943 to John and Vera Camphouse. As a young boy, he spent summers with his family in Northern and Southern Wisconsin. Some of his fondest childhood memories were spent at Paddock Lake. Jack graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965. He completed his bachelor’s degree with a major in engineering, followed by Submarine School and Nuclear Power School. Jack served on the submarine BARB (SSN-596). During his time at the Academy, he competed on the USNA diving team and also enjoyed playing squash, volleyball, soccer and running cross country. After leaving the Navy, Jack went on to receive a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Chicago. He was a longtime educator and administrator for the Oak Park School District in Oak Park, IL, before retiring in 1999.
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LASTCALL Jack was quite intelligent, yet extremely modest—a rare combination. He was one of the best at-home Jeopardy players around. His hobbies included doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, reading and watching Cubs games. Those who knew Jack will miss his friendly demeanor, great sense of humor, willingness to help others and all-around kindness. He truly cherished time spent with his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara (nee Dollaske) of Westchester, IL, formerly of Oak Park; daughters, Ann Javor (Jason) and Amy Kaiser (Erich); twin granddaughters, Sara and Lauren Javor; and sisters, Leslie Camphouse and Sue Golick (Lee). Services were held on 12 April 2013, with interment at Glen Oak Cemetery in Hillside, IL. The Camphouse Family RICHARD CHARLES EMERSON ’65 “Dick” Emerson died on 22 April 2013 after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. Born in Long Beach, CA, as a Navy junior, within a few months, his parents, Lloyd Emerson and Shirley Huebler, moved to Miami, FL. Later, when Dick was 15, they moved to Norfolk,VA, where he graduated from Maury High School. In 1959, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy, entered the Naval Academy in 1961 and graduated in 1965 with his commission and bachelor’s degree. At the Academy, he won his varsity letter in boxing and as an upperclassman, was very nearly undefeated, losing only one match in his division in two years. Also while at the Academy, Dick earned his Airborne Wings. After graduation, Dick served five years in the Navy, including two tours in Vietnam, where he received the Bronze Star for saving the life of a fellow officer while in combat. Dick left the Navy in 1970 and began a successful civilian career that spanned several fields. In North Carolina, he served for five years as assistant to the regional director of the North Carolina Bell Telephone Company. In South Carolina, he established his own homebuilding business, eventually becoming president of the South Carolina Homebuilders Association. In Florida, he worked in his own contracting business and then became a financial advisor. He remained in this field for the last 20 years of his life, working first at Merrill-Lynch and then in his own firm. In his forties, Dick took up skydiving, leading winning teams in both exhibitions and competitions throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. As an avid outdoorsman, Dick enjoyed a variety of activities including hunting, fishing, scuba diving and golf, but throughout his life, fishing was the sport he loved the most. Dick is survived by his wife, Susan Gemberling Emerson; son, Erik Emerson (Ellen Stafford Emerson); daughter, Alicia Emerson Collier (Roger Collier) and their children, Roger, Amber, Dante, Jack, Lindsay, Alexis and Kyle; daughter, Alison Emerson Pandelos (Nick Pandelos) and their children, Nikita and Lily; stepson, John Gemberling (Andrea Rosen) and their
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son, Odin Bean Gemberling; and his devoted teacup poodle, Sophie Jean LaMalee. On 28 April 2013, a celebration of Dick’s life was held for close friends and family. Donations in Dick’s memory may be made to Florida Hospital Hospice Care, 301 Memorial Medical Parkway, Daytona Beach, FL 32117. Susan Gemberling Emerson & Bill Zuna ’65 VALERIE CAPPELAERE DELANEY ’09 Lieutenant Valerie Delaney, USN, died tragically on 11 March 2013 when the EA-6B Prowler she was piloting crashed during a training mission in Eastern Washington State. She was 26 years old. “Val” grew up in Ellicott City, MD, where she graduated from Centennial High School, having lettered in soccer and lacrosse. She attended Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts for a year through the USNA Foundation Scholarship Program. At the Naval Academy, Val sang with the Women’s Glee Club and the coveted group, The Stowaways. She was instrumental in Navy Women’s Lacrosse rising from a club sport to an NCAA Division I competitive team.Val also participated in the first ever exchange with the French Military Academy, Saint Cyr. She graduated with the Class of 2009 as a member of 17th Company, with a degree in aeronautical engineering and a minor in French. Upon graduation, she was selected to be a naval aviator and to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Initially training at NAS Pensacola, FL, she moved to NAS Corpus Christi, TX, where she flew the T-34C for primary flight training.Val continued training at NAS Meridian, MS, flying the T-45 on the road to becoming a jet pilot. She earned her Wings of Gold in February 2012 and was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 of NAS Whidbey Island, WA, as a Prowler pilot. Val met her future husband, fellow USNA Classmate and native Marylander, Sean Delaney, while training in Singapore and Australia after Plebe Year. They were married on 18 February 2012 at the Naval Academy Chapel, shortly after Val completed her carrier qualifications and was winged. They made their home in Anacortes, WA, where they enjoyed doing everything together. Valerie will be remembered as a person of great integrity, strong faith and unyielding compassion. With much hard work and grit, she accomplished many goals she set for herself. Her love for lacrosse and her teammates resulted in deep friendships. She inspired and mentored many of her teammates to pursue aviation with her same fearlessness and determination. She is survived by her husband, Sean; parents, Doreen and Patrice; and sisters, Caroline Desroches and Allison Righter. A memorial service was held at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, MD, on 18 May. Her funeral was held at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on 6 June. For more information, visit: valdelaneysmemory.wordpress.com. Sean Delaney ’09 & The Cappelaere Family
CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE • ANNAPOLIS
REAL ESTATE • ANNAPOLIS
Rich Taylor ’77
COLDWELL BANKER Residential Brokerage
Associate Broker (MD) Realtor©, GRI, MBA
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Pat Baird Realtor (Husband Mike ’66) (Son Mike ’89) Office: (410) 263-8686 Home: (410) 263-6985 1-800-627-0714 4 Church Circle Annapolis, MD 21401
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CHARLOTTE CHURCH (Wife of Dave ’67 and Mom of Kimberly ’91)
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REAL ESTATE • EAST
Relocating to NEWPORT, RI? Amy Hoag, GRI, ABR, ePRO Broker Associate (Dexter ’96) Amy@AmyHoag.com www.AmyHoag.com 401-608-2906
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We will meet Your real estate needs
MARY HUSHOUR, SRES, Realtor Wife of Larry ’87
Contact for details: 301-606-5890 MEH@LNF .com E: bettypboom@aol.com Fairfax Office: 3918 Prosperity Ave. Fairfax, VA 22031 Office: (703) 573-2600 Cell: (703) 400-7189 Res:(703) 281-0969 Fax: (703) 641-9524
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MEH@LNF.com www.MARYSELLSHOMES.US www.MARYSELLSHOMES.US Specializing in relocation, downsizing, Home staging, buying & selling
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VIRGINIA BEACH & THE EASTERN SHORE THE DUNDERVILL-RIPA TEAM
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JUDY DUNDERVILL ASSOCIATE BROKER LIFETIME TOP PRODUCER LICENSED IN VA, MD, & DE
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Search for VA, MD and DC listings at: www.StephWardwell.com OR www.StephanieWardwell.com Contact me for your own personalized web search at: Stephanie@stephaniewardwell.com 7034729633 (cell) 7033579200 (office)
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San Diego San Diego Magazine
Selects Eric Kalisky one of San Diego’s Best Realtors Home Buying Made Easy
Eric Kalisky USNA ’78 Realtor San Diego’s Best Buys Free Relocation Information Military Relocation Specialist
For Honest and Expert Real Estate Representation Call CDR Eric Kalisky ’78 (RET)
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REAL ESTATE • WEST
REAL ESTATE • WEST
SERVICES
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Nationwide
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State House Inn SERVICES
SERVICES LAKE TAHOE
Patriot Scuba 305 Mill Street, B-1 Occoquan, VA 22125 703-490-1175
www.patriotscuba.com
jeff@patriotscuba.com Jeff Currer ’83
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VACATION RENTALS SO. LAKE TAHOE Year round playground Quality Homes & Units Call for more info:
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our home away from home. Downtown, walk to gates 1 & 3. Call for Gov’t & Alumni Discounts LCDR Marc Lucas (’91) 25 State Circle • Annapolis, MD 21401
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Gary Michelsen ’70 www.SouthLakeTahoeResorts.com
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SERVICES
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FAMILYin Annapolis DENTISTRY Roger T. Doyel, D.D.S. USNA ’72 Former White House Dentist Master, Academy of General Dentistry Diplomate, American Board of General Dentistry
David Samson, DMD Associate 1116 West Street Annapolis, MD 21401 410-268-7737 Military Dependent Dental Plan Accepted New Patients Always Welcome
USNA AA TAILGATES Bring the whole family down to cheer on Navy at our home game tailgates in the Stadium, right next to the field!
We start 2 hours before game-time and party right through half-time! For more information, see www.usna.com/tailgates or contact us at events@usna.com.
REGISTERED PATENT ATTORNEY
JAMES K. POOLE, ESQUIRE USNA ’59, M. S. USNPGS
(970) 472-5061 See profile on LinkedIn.
AMP
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AMP is a system of connecting Alumni for a greater good. Contact: Stephen Leaman at sjlconsulting@cox.net; Dr. Steve Hudock at shudock@1969.usna.com or RADM (Ret.) Stan Bryant, AMP Director of Communications at stanleywbryant@hotmail.com
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2013 Shipmate Classified Information & Insertion Order Classified Advertising Policy
2
3 Payment
Advertisement
Classified ads are accepted on a space available basis as a service to USNA Alumni only. The Alum’s name and class year MUST appear in the ad. Spouse ads are accepted only with the Alum’s name and class year included in the ad.
Classified ad rates are $64 per inch for black & white and $80 per inch for color ads. LifeMembers are eligible for a 25% discount— reducing the cost to $48 per inch for blk & wht and $60 per inch for color.
Ads are accepted camera-ready and electronically; jpg., tif. or PDF formats. (300 dpi) Any classified ad may occupy one column width (2.25 inches) by a maximum of up to 8 inches of column length.
Please select the issues in which you wish to run, or write: “Run Until Further Notice.” Issue
Insertion/Ad Due
1 Advertiser m Mmbr-Srvc/Fall 2013
06/25/13
Street__________________________________
m September-October 2013
07/23/13
m November-December 2013
09/23/13
Daytime Phone __________________________ Class Year ______________________________
American Express: Total $ ____________ per issue Credit Card No.____________________________ Expiration Date____________________________ Signature ________________________________ Payment information must accompany order.
Name__________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________
m Please charge my Discover/Visa/MasterCard/
The 2014 deadlines will be posted soon.
Send insertion order and materials to: USNA Alumni Association Attn: Maria O’Shea 247 King George St. Annapolis, MD 21402 or email to: maria.oshea@usna.com fax: 410-295-4003; phone: 410-295-4074
Please contact me via email or phone for space availability — even if the due date has passed, I will try to be as flexible as possible.
July-August 2013
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STAFF AND ASSISTANCE Executive Office President: Byron F. Marchant ’78 ..............................................................410-295-4090 Executive Administrator for the President: Gwenn Dennis ..................410-295-4091
ENGAGEMENT Executive Vice President: Skid Heyworth ’70 ..........................................410-295-4070 Executive Assistant to Vice President: Melanie Allegretti ....................410-295-4011
DEVELOPMENT Executive Vice President: Bill O’Connor ....................................................410-295-4101 Executive Administrator: Abby Repko ......................................................410-295-4103
Development Vice President of Development: Steve Maconi ......................................410-295-4177
Major Gifts
Business Operations Director, Membership and Business Operations: Bobbi Collins ..........410-295-4023 Receptionist: Eileen Dabich ........................................................................410-295-4000 Receptionist: Amanda Arreola ....................................................................410-295-4028 Facilities Assistant: John Taylor..................................................................410-295-4029 Facilities Assistant: John Cooper ..............................................................410-295-4029
Major Gift Officer: Dena Ebert ....................................................................410-295-4183 Major Gift Officer: Michael Hoffman ..........................................................410-295-4184 Major Gift Officer: Charles J. Kupec ..........................................................410-295-4185 Major Gift Officer: Randall Sawyer ............................................................410-295-4182 Major Gift Coordinator: Lynn Cloutier ........................................................410-295-4178
Communications
Planned Giving
Director: Kristen Pironis................................................................................410-295-4072 Associate Director, Publications: Jackie Furton ......................................410-295-4073 Assistant Director, Development Communications: Courtney Jolley......410-295-4075 Communications Manager: Elizabeth Wrightson ....................................410-295-4071 Web Communications Manager: Anne Sharpe ......................................410-295-4078 Communications Specialist: Maria O’Shea ................................................410-295-4074 Communications Specialist: Sandra Stansbury-Spadaro ........................410-295-4076 Communications Specialist: Samantha Richer ........................................410-295-4027 Communications Coordinator: Tonya White ......................................................410-295-4066
Engagement Operations Director: Craig Washington ’89 ..................................................................410-295-4089 Assistant Director, Alumni Special Projects: Noreen Frenaye ............410-295-4016 Coordinator, Parent Programs: Elizabeth Beedenbender ........................410-295-4166 Class Reunion Manager: Holly Powers ....................................................410-295-4017 Regional Engagement Manager/Chapters: Kristin Yale ........................410-295-4035
Director, Planned Giving: Mike Mundt ’83 ................................................410-295-4041 Coordinator, Planned Giving: Keisha Outen ............................................410-295-4186
Development Operations Director, Development Operations: Rusty Yeiser ’74 ..............................410-295-4174
Annual Giving Programs Associate Director, President’s Circle: Julia Hutchison ........................410-295-4162 Associate Director, Class Legacy Gift Programs: Rich Goldsby ’72 ......410-295-4167 Coordinator, Annual Giving Programs: Nicolle Williams ......................410-295-4188 Associate Director, Annual Giving, Parent Programs: Elizabeth Gross ........................................................410-295-4160 Special Gift Officer:Tripp Matteo ................................................................410-295-4161 Administrative Assistant: Tracey Cook ......................................................410-295-4164
Development Services
Events and Protocol Director, Protocol and Events: Shannon Spillane....................................410-295-4175 Assistant Director: Lyn Looft........................................................................410-295-4020 Events Coordinator: Wendy Owen..............................................................410-295-4018
Director, Development Services: Emily Parkhurst ..................................410-295-4110 Assistant Director, Research & Stewardship: Carolyn McCollum ......410-295-4111 Research Analyst: Dana Pauley..................................................................410-295-4112
Gift Processing
Programs and Services Director: Dave Church ’67 ............................................................................410-295-4013 Manager, Career Programs: Michelle Mazanec ....................................410-295-4021
TREASURY/HR/INFORMATION SERVICES CFO and Treasurer; Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration: Hank Sanford........................................................................................410-295-4040 Executive Assistant to CFO: Joanne Rennie ............................................410-295-4043 Comptroller: Gerrie Farmer ..........................................................................410-295-4050 Director, Treasury Operations: Lisa Strobel ..............................................410-295-4051 Human Resource Manager: Diana Vickerman ........................................410-295-4042 Director of Investments: Mike Mundt ’83 ..................................................410-295-4041 Investment Accountant: Janet Douglas ....................................................410-295-4057 Staff Accountant: Angela Berteaux ..........................................................410-295-4053 Accounts Payable Coordinator: Jenny Bolton ........................................410-295-4055 Accounts Payable Clerk: Linda Reyes ......................................................410-295-4056
Director, Gift Processing: Dawn Beach ....................................................410-295-4115 Coordinator, Gift Processing: Elvira Reyes ..............................................410-295-4116 Gift Processor: Jennifer Barrett ..................................................................410-295-4118 Gift Processor: Frieda Gureck ....................................................................410-295-4117
Corporate and Foundation Relations Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations: John Rudder ’78 ..................410-295-4189 Coordinator, Corporate & Foundation Relations: Natalie Cullers ........410-295-4190
FOUNDATION ATHLETIC AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Executive Director: Ed Wallace ’72 .............................................................410-295-4096 Office Manager and Administrative Assistant: Chris Knott ...................410-295-4097 Administrative Assistant: Susanne Mons..................................................410-295-4098
QUICK REFERENCE
Information and Technology Services Director, Information Services: Ken Kurz ’99 ............................................410-295-4080 Computer Network Engineer: Jawan Rich ..............................................410-295-4081 Computer Network Engineer: Richard Thomas ......................................410-295-4082 Sr. Database Administrator: Larry Rogers ................................................410-295-4084 Database Administrator: Denise Clark ......................................................410-295-4079 Web Developer: Lewis Spadaro ................................................................410-295-4068 Online Membership Services Coordinator: Paige Fuller ........................410-295-4026 Systems Analyst: Derrick Planz ..................................................................410-295-4067
Death Notifications........................................................obits@usna.com; 410-295-4064 Class Ring Information..................................................................classrings@usna.com Register of Alumni..............................................................registerofalumni@usna.com Address/Delivery..................................................................................alumni@usna.com Donate...............................................................................................................410-295-4100 Alumni Registration/Corrections .................................................................410-295-4026 U.S. Naval Academy Main Phone .................................................................410-293-1000 U.S. Naval Academy Athletics ......................................................................410-293-2700
CONTACT US U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association 247 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402-1306 • Main Phone: 410-295-4000 • Faxes: Ogle Hall: 410-295-4001 / 49 House: 410-295-4004 / Cottage: 410-295-4003 Foundation Development 291 Wood Road, Beach Hall, Annapolis, MD 21402-5001 • Main Phone: 410-295-4100 • Fax: 410-295-4107 Foundation Athletic and Scholarship Programs 25 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 • Main Phone: 410-295-4095 • Fax: 410-280-5534 To send an email, please visit the “Contact Us” section at www.usna.com.
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SHIPMATE—75TH ANNIVERSARY