CLASS NEWS ’38
Life Membership: 0% Donor Participation: 0% Sec’y: Donald E. Brown Son of CAPT C. Donald Brown, USN (Ret.) 4105 Elizabeth Ln., Fairfax, VA 22032-1453 p: 703-978-4571; e: donaldbrown@earthlink.net
’39
Life Membership: 50% Donor Participation: 0% Vice Pres: CAPT Chip Seymour, USN (Ret.) Son of Harry A. Seymour 309 Melvin Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401 c: 410-279-9195; e: seymour65@comcast.net Sec’y: Barbara Fidel Adams Also Sec’y for ’39 Navy Juniors Daughter of Jack and June Fidel 215 Ikerd Dr., Concord, NC 28025 p: 704-784-3876; e: adamsjimr@aol.com Thirty-Nine On Line: Barbara Fidel Adams e: adamsjimr@aol.com
This ’39 Shipmate column brings sad tidings with the passing of one of our grand ’39 Navy wives, Alice Elizabeth Compton. She was the widow of Capt. Emmett Mobley Compton, USN (Ret.) (dec. 2003).
Emmett Mobley Compton, ’39 Lucky Bag: Company Rifle 4,3,2,1; Chess Club 2,1; C.P.O.
The ’39 Lucky Bag said of Emmett… “A native of Greenwood, South Carolina, Emmett brought with him to the Naval Academy the traditional friendliness of the South, and also some of the independence for which South Carolina is especially famous.
He possesses athletic potentialities and a healthy, easy-going, tolerant attitude toward life. His tolerance, good sense and friendliness have shown his value to all who know him. Throughout the Navy he will without doubt be welcomed, liked and respected….” Alice Elizabeth Compton was an extraordinary mother, consummate hostess, realtor, singer and soloist. She passed from this world on 29 May, 2021 at the age of 93. Alice was born in Elberton, GA in 1927 and attended Shorted College in Rome, GA as a music major, but left after her sophomore year to marry Lieutenant Commander Emmett Mobley Compton in 1946. For 28 years, she enjoyed the life as a Naval officer’s wife, while simultaneously sharing her vocal talents and starring in musical theatre productions at many of their duty assignments locations- from Coronado, CA to Alexandria, VA. When Emmett retired from the Navy, they moved to Las Cruces, NM where Alice acquired her BA in Economics and began her career in Real Estate with Mather’s Realty. She also loved playing tennis, traveling with friends and grandchildren, painting, entertaining, playing bridge and working in her garden. Alice was very active at St. James Episcopal Church in Messilla Park, NM where she was on the Vestry and sang in the choir well into her 80’s. She is survived by her 3 children—Catherine Anne Masterson (Tipton, dec.), John Douglas Compton (Nina) and Mary Alice Durbin (Brent); 5 grandchildren— Tipton Scott Masterson, Elizabeth Compton Gerzetich, Caroline Durbin Cecil, John Benton Durbin, and James Barrett Durbin; and 2 great grandchildren. In the” Class of 1939 Golden Anniversary” reunion book, Emmett related the following about his Navy Career: “Earliest sea duties were in SAVANNAH, MONTGOMERY, and CONEY. Saw WWII exclusively
“But still when two or three shall meet, and old tales be retold...” in Pacific destroyers. Received Japanese surrender party aboard BEARSS, dramatically surrounded them with armed Marines and transported them to cruiser ceremony. (The show’s the thing). Saw Korea as Operations Officer, MISSOURI. Shore duty included positions in SecNav, OpNav, SecDef, Joint Chiefs, Naval War College (student), National War College (student). While in Operations Directorate, Joint Chiefs, dangerously tendered plan for original strategy for fighting Vietnam War. It is obvious to all, from subsequent events, that my plan was not accepted. ‘War is too important to be left to the politicians’… Emmett concluded his 50th Reunion entry with: ”As in all things my lovely wife Alice was the perfect Navy wife. If she ever thought service life was difficult, I never heard it. But then inner beauty together with outer radiance is always her hallmark.”
Alice Elizabeth Compton
No more beautiful tribute could be given to a grand ’39 Navy wife. What About ’39! Respectfully submitted, Barbara Fidel Adams ’39 Class Secretary
’40
Life Membership: 0% Donor Participation: 0% Corr Sec’y: Dr. Virginia Trimble Widow of Dr. Joseph Weber e: vtrimble@uci.edu p: 949-824-6948 ; fax: 949 824 2174
’41
Life Membership: 25% Donor Participation: 0% Send News directly to Shipmate at: classnews@usna.com
’42
Life Membership: 40% Donor Participation: 0% Pres: CAPT John (Jack) C. Crawford Jr., USN (Ret.) 11405 Farmland Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 p: 301-881-4268; e: jcraw71544@aol.com Vice Pres/Sec’y: Joan Curtis Wife of the late CDR Richard E. Curtis, USN (Ret.) 14518 Faraday Dr., Rockville, MD 20853 p: 301-989-8885; e: joan@jfcurtis.com
Hello Class of ’42 Classmates, Family and Friends, OCTOBER IS HERE AND THAT BRINGS FALL AND NAVY FOOTBALL!!!!!! DALE REED’S 102ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION— MAY 14, 2021. Festivities celebrating Dale’s birthday consisted of surprise party given by the staff of the doctor’s office, residents, and staff of Falcon’s Landing Retirement community serenaded Dale with an ice cream cake, Dale’s daughter and son-in-law joined him later that day for opening of presents and phone calls from his other children and grandchildren. Cards, letters, and gifts were received from Dale’s hometown of Batesville, Indiana who had known him and his family over the years. Dale continues to paint portraits, walks and cooks every day. Reads multiple books at a time, especially maritime histories and wishes he could discuss them with his ’42 classmates just like in the old days. “I’m fortunate and grateful,” Dale says. “Life is Good”.
LUCKY BAG OF BOOKS To check out all the options for your reading pleasure, visit usna.com/LBB
Donor participation numbers as of 31 July 2021.
OCTOBER 2021 • SHIPMATE 41
