Shipmate: November-December 2024 by U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

1,000 WORDS

Run to Remember

Midshipmen conclude the 11th annual “Run to Remember” at the U.S. Naval Academy with a remembrance ceremony in T-Court. Midshipmen, split into groups of five, ran the perimeter of the campus in 30-minute increments for 24 hours while carrying an American flag to honor the lives lost on 9/11.

1,000 WORDS

FLAT BILL IS ALWAYS ON THE GO!

Naval Academy alumni shared photos with Flat Bill this issue that included trips to the French Alps and Canada. Shipmate thanks all those who packed Flat Bill and shared their photos. We hope to see pictures of Flat Bill’s winter travels, send submissions to jimmy.debutts@usna.com.

CAPT John Willis ’76. USNR (Ret.), with Flat Bill at the top of Alpe d’Huez.

Carol Crooker ’81 with Bill at sunrise at 12,000 feet on the Continental Divide Trail near Twin Lakes, CO.

Eric Benson ’71 took Flat Bill onboard M/V SYLVIA EARLE at Prince Leopold Island, Nunavut, Canada on 9 August 2024. PHOTO

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

THRIVING AS LEADERS

By Jeff Webb ’95

I see it every day.

Naval Academy alumni performing extraordinary deeds in service of our nation and in their communities. They do it not for notoriety nor adulation. They do it to make a difference.

These everyday heroes advocate for those who have worn the uniform or might need a helping hand. They inspire us with their achievements and selﬂess deeds.

To honor alumni whose incredible work is a model for all of us, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation (USNA AA&F) has launched the Thriving as Leaders awards. The inaugural class of Thriving as Leaders honorees exemplify the values of duty, honor, and loyalty instilled at the Naval Academy.

The 2024 honorees are:

• Colonel Henry J. “Hank” Donigan ’77, USMC (Ret.)

• Matthew Wallace ’84

• Mawuli M. M. Davis ’91

• Lieutenant Joseph Cardona ’15, USNR

To learn more about the awards and honorees, please see page 9.

MEANINGFUL OUTREACH

This fall has been especially exhilarating, and I’m not just talking about the football team’s scorching start and appearance in the national rankings. While it’s amazing to witness the Midshipmen return to gridiron glory, it’s been similarly incredible seeing the turnout at road football games and the excitement of alumni reconnecting at parent and alumni gatherings on the road from Birmingham, AL, to Colorado Springs, CO.

Navy fans came out in full force for the UAB game, where the Alabama chapter hosted a terriﬁc tailgate. Prior to the UAB and Air Force games, members of the communications team interviewed alumni who served during the Vietnam War for the ongoing Legacy of Valor series.

This issue features Korean War veterans and starting with the January-February 2025 issue, we will begin publishing the Vietnam stories.

On 19 October, we hosted the second “Welcome Home” event at the Fluegel Alumni Center. Nearly 400 people joined us for a pre-homecoming game party featuring face painting for the kids, a food truck and plenty of sea-story swapping. That weekend we also welcomed back ﬁve reunion classes. During the fall, 13 classes held reunion events in the Fluegel Alumni Center.

One memorable event from our reunion season was a visit with members and family from the Class of 1949 celebrating their 75th reunion. Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette Davids ’89, USN, and I met with four ’49 class members and several dozen of their family members. Class members lit up in the Blue & Gold Bar when Davids displayed their pictures during her remarks. We threw our event timeline overboard as these gentlemen began speaking fondly of their time in Annapolis and the ﬂeet, and doing what inevitably happens “whenever two or three shall meet. …”

ANCHORED IN SUPPORT

Hurricanes Helene and Milton left destruction in their wakes and affected many of our alumni in the Southeast. Our hearts and thoughts are with are our shipmates, classmates and family members who are still recovering from those historic events.

In the midst of tragedy, it is heartening to learn of alumni providing helping hands to their fellow Academy graduates. Whether it’s an offer of temporary housing or assisting with cleanup efforts, Naval Academy alumni can always count on each other during times of challenge.

EMBRACING IMPACT

It is with sincere gratitude that we close out 2024 and look forward to a monumental 2025. I want to thank the alumni community for their unyielding support of the Naval Academy, the Brigade of Midshipmen and their fellow alumni.

In 2024, a record number of donors joined the President’s Circle and more than 600 of them convened in Annapolis for a spectacular PC Weekend. The Great Class Challenge once again set a participation record, which is the number one objective of the effort. With the Classes of ’84, ’87 and ’65 leading the charge (and ’78 right on their heels), we processed more than 7,600 total gifts totaling $3 million.

We hosted the Foundation Board of Directors and Alumni Association Board of Trustees in Annapolis in late October and early November, respectively, and the dominant theme was IMPACT. We, as an organization, exist to positively impact the Brigade of Midshipmen and the alumni community. And our alumni and parents are making that impact possible through their engagement, connection and philanthropy.

Our philanthropic efforts to support USNA and the Brigade of Midshipman create a MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE. It is evident from Hopper Hall to International Programs to state-ofthe-art nutrition centers across athletics facilities on the Yard.

The Alumni Association and Foundation continues to evolve and exert enormous effort to connect, support and communicate with our members. Our growing spouse support functions, career transition services, nationwide chapter visits and nurturing of the alumni entrepreneurship efforts are made possible through the generosity of our donors.

With the holidays fast approaching, I want to wish everyone the happiest of seasons with your families and loved ones. My team and I look forward to recharging our batteries and entering 2025 with renewed motivation and focus as we look to improve our support of the Naval Academy and the greatest alumni community on the planet. Go Navy! Beat Army! a

Members of the Class of 1949 gathered for their 75th reunion in late September at the Fluegel Alumni Center. Their visit included meeting Naval Academy Superintendent VADM Yvette Davids ’89, USN.

SH IPMAT E

DEPLOYING

ENTERPRISE painting links ’77 with classmate battling cancer 24

CAREER CONNECTIONS

Service Academy Career Conference reaches 30-year milestone 26

LEGACY OF VALOR

Alumni who served during the Korean War share their experiences. 12

BGO GRATITUDE

Aszklar ’81 pays tribute to the Blue and Gold Officer who helped him get to the U.S. Naval Academy. 30

This Bill is hiding somewhere in this issue. Find him and email us at getthegoat@usna.com with the correct page number and you will be entered into a drawing for a prize from the Alumni Association. Good luck! The drawing is limited to the ﬁrst 100 correct answers, so get reading.

Bill was hiding behind the rooﬂine of the rehabilitation center on page 32 in the November-December 2024 issue of Shipmate

strengthen our MEMBERS’ BONDS to the Academy and to each other, to help them THRIVE AS LEADERS in and out of uniform and reach their FULL POTENTIAL

SHIPMATE is the official alumni magazine of the United States Naval Academy.

On the Cover 1stLt Baldomero Lopez ’48, USMC, leads the 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines over the seawall on the northern side of Red Beach, as the second assault wave lands during the Inchon Invasion into North Korea on 15 September 1950. Lopez was killed in action within a few minutes, while assaulting a North Korean bunker. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor (see page 22).

BURLIN BERKSHIRE GRUNWALD DUNN

GHYSELS YOUNG TSIKNAS CASE

ALL HANDS

Tuohy ’16 Producing New Army-Navy Spirit Spot

In September, Rylan Tuohy ’16, the creative force behind Naptown Funk, launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a Navy spirit spot: a short, comedic video designed to rally support for Navy during the annual Army-Navy football game. In 30 days, the campaign was backed by more than 500 contributors and raised more than $100,000, every dollar of which went directly into the production.

The spot was executive produced by Academy Insider and Paul Prager ’80. It was written and directed by Tuohy and his production company Nickle Productions. After assembling a team of nearly 40 actors and 30 crew members, 14 of whom were Naval Academy alumni, they filmed for two days aboard MIDWAY in San Diego, CA.

During his time as a midshipman, Tuohy created more than 25 spirit videos (with zero budget), many of which went viral, amassing more than 12 million views. Tuohy, now a TV writer and commercial director, realized bringing his latest vision to life required substantial support and a budget.

Grant Vermeer ’17, founder of Academy Insider, was first to offer his support to Tuohy.

“Rylan is a great human being and has the ‘it’ factor,” Vermeer said. “From the moment he told me about his idea, I knew this spirit spot would provide joy, laughter and a deep sense of pride to the Naval Academy and the greater Navy community. I was determined to do anything in my power to support him and bring it to life.”

Nearly all the actors and crew were veterans or had family who were a part of the military community.

“It was very important to me to include veterans and USNA grads as part of the team.” Tuohy said.

To watch the spirit spot, visit www.youtube.com/rylantuohy. ®

Bell of CENTRAL AMERICA Rung

Commander Ray Hoffmann ’83, USN (Ret.), rings the bell of CENTRAL AMERICA on 15 May 2024 to start the Class of 2027’s Herndon climb. Hoffman is the father of Midshipman ZJ Hoffmann ’27. It was the first time an alumnus had rung the bell for a Herndon Climb featuring a legacy midshipman. Commander William Lewis Herndon was CENTRAL AMERICA’s skipper. He was able to save 152 passengers when the ship was battered during a hurricane and eventually sank with more than 400 lost souls, including Herndon, on 12 September 1857 off the Carolinas. The Herndon Monument honors his heroism. CENTRAL AMERICA’s bell was donated by the Class of 1983. ®

Register of Alumni

As a crucial step to strengthening ties among U.S. Naval Academy alumni networking connections, the USNA AA&F communications team conducted a data verification project at the beginning of 2024. We contracted Publishing Concepts Incorporated (PCI) to help us verify the contact information for our 69,000 living alumni and create a new printed alumni directory. This directory will help alumni connect with each other and the Academy. If you purchased a directory, it will be mailed in print and digital formats in early 2025. ®

Rylan Tuohy ’16 enlisted the support of Naval Academy alumni to produce his latest Army-Navy Spirit Spot. His budget was more than $100,000 thanks to a Kickstarter campaign.

Thriving as Leaders

The inaugural Thriving as Leaders award honorees were announced on 17 October. The awards recognize alumni who are “thriving as leaders in and out of uniform” through outstanding achievement, volunteer leadership and service who inspire others in our community toward greater heights of achievement.

The 2024 recipients are:

Alumni Outstanding Achievement—Professional Athlete: Lieutenant Joseph Cardona ’15, USNR

Alumni Outstanding Achievement—Amateur Athlete: Colonel Henry J. ‘Hank’ Donigan ’77, USMC (Ret.)

Alumni Outstanding Achievement—Professional Non Athlete: Matthew Wallace ’84

Volunteer Leadership and Service: Mawuli Mel Davis ’91

The Professional Athlete and Amateur Athlete awards were chosen by the Athletic and Scholarship Programs awards committee. The Professional Non Athlete was chosen by the Alumni Association Board of Trustees nominating committee. The Volunteer Leadership and Service awardee was chosen by the Alumni Association Board of Trustees nominating committee.

The awardees will be recognized at the CEO’s reception on 13 December, the night prior to the 2024 Army-Navy Game in Landover, MD. For more information about the awards, including full biographies, visit www.usna.com/Thriving-As-Leaders-Awards.

The USNA Alumni Association Thriving as Leaders award program was established in 2024 to honor living association members who have distinguished themselves and brought credit upon the community either through distinct acts of achievement or through volunteer service and leadership. Through the example of their achievement, leadership and service, these members bring to life the Alumni Association mission to recognize and honor members who are “thriving as leaders.”

The Alumni Association also recognizes the following alumni as Honorable Mentions, whose achievements and service were particularly notable among nominees:

• Edward Cummins ’69

• Victor D’Andrea ’84

• Nelson Jones ’72

• Stephen Leaman ’69

• Nathan Schmidt ’02

• William Squires ’75 ®

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Academy Fund IFC

Blue Forge Alliance 29

Brayton Purcell LLP 11

Classic Battlefield Tours 21

Decision Lens 115

Falcons Landing 68

Gary Knight ’70 (Atlantic BB) 75

General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works 54x

Lane Construction 25

National Museum of the Marine Corps 17

National Museum of the U.S. Navy 37

Navy Mutual 15

Scott Schuetter Realtor BC

Shaking up the World 27

USNA and Annapolis Leaders Celebrate

Founder’s Day, Navy’s Birthday and 179 Years as Neighbors

The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F) hosted local officials and USNA leadership in a celebration of Naval Academy Founder’s Day at the Fluegel Alumni Center on 9 October. The Naval Academy was founded on Fort Severn in Annapolis, MD, 10 October 1845 and was established as the Naval School. The school opened with 50 midshipman students and seven professors. Today, the Naval Academy boasts a 4,400-strong Brigade and 600 faculty, and it was recently named the No. 1 public school in America by U.S. News & World Report

For 179 years, this neighborly collaboration has blossomed as thousands of Naval Academy alumni were welcomed as children of the city and demonstrated their gratitude through countless community service acts Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Yvette Davids ’89, USN, said the Academy and the City of Annapolis are united in a partnership that produces “leaders of character.”

“USNA and Annapolis are completely one,” Davids said.

The event also featured remarks from USNA AA&F President and CEO Jeff Webb ’95, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Executive Director Kristen Pironis, Annapolis Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier and Downtown Annapolis Partnership Executive Director Erik Evans. The interdependence and support between the Academy, the city and the Alumni Association and Foundation was evident.

The Fluegel Center, which officially opened in September 2023, is in Annapolis’ Historic District. It is the homebase for nearly 69,000 living alumni.

Webb noted how intertwined the Academy, the Alumni Association and Foundation and the City of Annapolis are. As a city resident, he has a perfect perspective on how important those links are to supporting the Brigade of Midshipmen, the Academy and alumni who are forever linked—and always welcomed back—to Annapolis

“I appreciate the bond between the Naval Academy and the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County,” Webb said. “It is a special thing for all of us.” ®

A celebration of Naval Academy Founder’s Day was held at the Fluegel Alumni Center on 9 October. USNA AA&F CEO Jeff Webb ’95, Naval Academy Superintendent VADM Yvette Davids ’89, USN, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Executive Director Kristen Pironis, Downtown Annapolis Partnership Executive Director Erik Evans and Annapolis Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier were on hand to mark the occasion.

PHOTO COURTESY OF USNA

Legacy of Valor: WWII Torpedo Bombers

Major Thomas M. Rychlik ’79, USMC (Ret.), delivered a presentation on the sacrifice and service of three Naval Academy alumni who played pivotal roles during the Battle of Midway on 19 October at the Fluegel Alumni Center. Rychlik discussed the actions of Commander John C. Waldron, USN, Class of 1924; Lieutenant Commander Eugene Lindsey, USN, Class of 1927; and Lieutenant Commander Lance E. Massey, USN, Class of 1930.

The trio of alumni made the ultimate sacrifice but not before helping change the course of the battle in the United States favor. Rychlik shared the challenges the torpedo bombers faced using unreliable bombs and how trusting their instincts proved critical in forcing the Japanese to alter their tactics. Rychlik is working to have each of the alumni torpedo bombers awarded a Medal of Honor for their heroism.

To see a video of Rychlik’s presentation, visit www.usna.com/ Shipmate_WWII. ®

Former Academic Dean Davidson Passes at Age 100

Bruce Davidson, academic dean of the Naval Academy (1971-1984) died on 13 August 2024. He was 100 years old.

Davidson, a major general in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, was born in Ironwood, MI, on 16 March 1924. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Michigan in 1949. In 1971, he was appointed academic dean of the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he retired in 1984.

Davidson entered the military in February 1943 in enlisted status and later transferred to the Communications Cadet Program at Yale University, from which he was commissioned in December 1943.

He was assigned as squadron communications officer of the 28th Bombardment Squadron and deployed to Guam in 1945, where he served as the squadron adjutant and communications officer. Recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean War, Davidson was assigned to the Pacific Division, Military Air Transport Services at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. ®

Former Supe Hill ’61 Passes at Age 86

Former Naval Academy Superintendent Rear Admiral Virgil L. Hill ’61, USN (Ret.), passed away on 6 September 2024 in Lancaster, PA. He served as the 53rd Superintendent from 1988 until 1991.

Admiral Hill was a submarine officer during his 36-year Navy career. His commands included HAMMERHEAD, Submarine Development Squadron 12 and Submarine Group Five.

He served as a member of the Naval Nuclear Power School, Mare Island staff. In April 1969, Admiral Hill was promoted to lieutenant commander and he served aboard the Ethan Allen-class fleet ballistic missile submarine THOMAS JEFFERSON, which made four deterrent patrols over the next year and a half.

In January 1973, he was executive officer of the precommissioning crew of L. MENDEL RIVERS. The submarine was commissioned in February 1975 and Hill was promoted to commander in July 1975. The next year, he commanded HAMMERHEAD. After retiring from the Navy, Admiral Hill served as president of Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA, and taught leadership and ethics at Villanova University Business School.

For Admiral Hill’s complete obituary, see page 137. ®

Shiiba ’17 Turns Heads on The Voice

Mark Shiiba ’17 performed “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Bob Dylan during blind auditions on NBC’s music competition The Voice’s on 14 October. While none of the four celebrity coaches—Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Michael Bublè or Gwen Stefani—turned their chairs around to signify their interest in having him on their team, Shiiba benefited from a new rule in Season 26.

The coach replay allows coaches to pick up an artist at the last minute, even if they didn’t turn around during the blind audition. Each coach receives one replay and Bublè used his to pick Shiiba. The contest moved on to the battle rounds in which each coach has two of their team members perform together and then chooses one to advance in the competition. The Voice eliminates contenders each week and the winner is chosen by audience votes which include fans purchasing studio versions of their favorite artist’s performance in the iTunes Store.

Shiiba, a former Navy soccer player, was eliminated in battle rounds part two on 22 October. ®

Maj Thomas M. Rychlik ’79, USMC (Ret.), discussed the critical actions of three Naval Academy alumni during the Battle of Midway on 19 October at the Fluegel Alumni Center as part of the Legacy of Valor series.

Legacy of Valor: Korea

To honor the service of U.S. Naval Academy alumni who served during the Korean War, Shipmate is sharing some their stories of as part of its continuing Legacy of Valor series. Shipmate is gathering stories of Vietnam War-era alumni and will share them in 2025. To see more content from the Legacy of Valor series, visit usna.com.

ALUMNI CONNECTION LIT UP THE NORTH KOREAN SKY

Commander Charles W. Burlin ’44, USN (Ret.), and Lieutenant Commander William S. Berkshire Jr. ’45, SC, USN (Ret.), were separated by nearly 5,000 miles but intrinsically linked to a critical mission.

While serving as supply officer of SubGroup One of the Paciﬁc Reserve Fleet in Hawaii, Berkshire found himself “overwhelmed with tons of parachute ﬂares” in the early 1950s. Initially, Berkshire was startled, thinking they were ordered to combat Russian submarines aiding the North Koreans.

The Korean War was raging, and the parachute ﬂares were requested to assist Marines on the ground. Berkshire said he later learned during one battle the Marines and the Army had driven North Korean soldiers to the Chinese border. Chinese troops responded by coming over the border “in great numbers at night” to aid the North Koreans.

U.S. soldiers and Marines were pinned down. Berkshire said there were rumblings of an Army commander telling his Marine counterpart they were contemplating retreating.

The Marine then, purportedly, gave the Army officer a “15-minute, standard Marine dressing down,” according to Berkshire. The soldiers and Marines held their position. The Marines received the air support required to beat back the threat.

“They were never in the dark, they had parachute ﬂares,” Berkshire said. “I got them out there and

they ran these all night. The Chinese came pouring over and (U.S. forces) just mowed them down. They carried all their dead and wounded with them and retired to the sea.

“Every night, they were never in the dark.”

Flying a four-engine Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, Burlin might have dropped some of the parachute ﬂares Berkshire directed to the Korean theater. Burlin, who was a submariner in World War II and later earned his lighter than air wings and wings of gold, said his plane carried 150 ﬂares in its bomb bay.

With the Chinese delivering armaments and other supplies to the North Koreans, Burlin said a coordinated nighttime air-land strategy was required.

“We would fly over with a bomb bay full of flares at night up over the main line of resistance,” Burlin said. “You could look down and see the fire flashes going off. We’d light that up with four or five flares so the operators down below could look out and see what was coming.

“That was very successful. It was something that most people don’t think about but it was very important.” a

Editor’s Note: LCDR Berkshire passed away on 7 January 2024 and CDR Burlin passed away on 25 July 2024. We are privileged to share part of their stories of service.

Then-MIDN Charles Burlin ’44

Then-MIDN William Berkshire ’45

LEGACY OF VALOR

ALUMNI SHARE MEMORIES OF KOREAN EXPERIENCES

CAPTAIN ED GRUNWALD ’50, USN (RET.)

The tension was palpable aboard WASP even as the Korean War concluded.

Captain Ed Grunwald ’50, USN (Ret.), remembers patrol ﬂights launched from WASP in 1953. Her arsenal included one nuclear bomb, at the ready, if hostilities erupted again in Korea.

“Every time we would relieve the carrier on duty, we would have to switch an actuator,” Grunwald said. “Word we had is, if the war started again, we were going to drop it and we had that ability in the AD Skyraider to drop it from a low level.”

Grunwald served at sea following his commission before heading to ﬂight school. He earned his wings on 5 December 1951.

During his second cruise, ﬂying the AD Skyraider, his squadron went through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and toward Korea. They had three photo jets that ﬂew into China.

In his 30-year Navy career, Grunwald had nine major deployments with six being in attack squadrons. He experienced the full weight of Cold War preparations and stress.

Grunwald served in Attack Squadrons VA-175, VA-34 and VA-81 and was commanding officer of VA-81.

“On four deployments I had a target behind the Iron Curtain to drop a nuclear weapon during the Cold War,” he said.

After two deployments, and a period of shore duty where he served as instructor on ﬁghter aircraft, he was assigned to SARATOGA for two deployments as hangar and ﬂight deck officer.

Four of Grunwald’s deployments were aboard SARATOGA and two were on FORRESTAL. On FORRESTAL, he was executive officer of a squadron and later promoted to commanding officer of VA-81 with a deployment on SHANGRI-LA then returned as FORRESTAL’s air boss. During the Cold War, his squadrons had nuclear targets, with two planes on the hangar deck loaded with nuclear weapons guarded by Marines on 15-minute standby and ready to launch.

“That’s how close we were,” Grunwald said.

Grunwald saw extensive action during the Cold War as an aviator and attack squadron commander. He was at the precipice of the United States’ deterrence efforts against Communist regimes.

Soviet Interference

In 1959, Grunwald was a pilot of a C1-A aboard SARATOGA destined for Istanbul. His mission was to help prepare arrangements for when the ship came into port. He took off from the ship, on a “beautiful day” and used his instruments including the tactical air navigation system (TACAN). TACAN serves as a beacon to pilots providing bearing and distance to landing locations.

He was about 100 miles from SARATOGA, ﬂying near the Dardanelles when he’d lost the TACAN signal from his ship and tuned in Istanbul’s TACAN.

“That old needle points up 90 degrees to the left … Bulgaria and Romania, the Soviets are there. Wouldn’t they love to have a plane from SARATOGA with nine people from the ship?” Grunwald said. “But, we were too smart for that. Twenty minutes later, Istanbul’s TACAN signal popped up.”

On a separate cruise in the Mediterranean Sea in 1958 aboard the carrier ROOSEVELT, Grunwald said the U.S. flexed its aerial muscles with a squadron Middle East flyover. He said his entire air group flew into Beirut, Lebanon. The squadron split with half the aircraft heading south along the coast and the other half flew north and inland.

The Southern group ﬂew over Bethlehem and into Jordan while the Northern group went into Syria. The squadron rendezvoused over Damascus, Syria, and then back out to Beirut toward their ship. Grunwald said his aircraft never ﬂew above 500 feet.

“Nobody ever told us what the political situation was, and, you’d never get away with that today, but it was a show of force,” said Grunwald who ﬁnished his career with more than 5,000 ﬂight hours and 600 carrier landings many of which were on a straight deck. “On every cruise in the Mediterranean, we were tracked by a Russian trawler. At times, you’d encounter a Russian Bear

However, Grunwald said his executive officer positioned his aircraft between one of Castro’s planes and a B-26 to protect them.

“We had orders that we couldn't shoot our guns unless we were shot at,” he said.

During the exiles’ brief assault, Grunwald said he was sent up with a squadron of A-4 Skyhawks to verify reports of 50 tanks headed to the landing site. Before launching, pilots were instructed to remove all forms of identiﬁcation because U.S. combatants were not officially sanctioned to be in the ﬁght.

The directive was met with a near “mutiny,” Grunwald said. The pilots were hesitant to surrender their ID cards, dog tags and Geneva Convention cards. Ultimately, Grunwald conceded.

“I said, ‘look, damn it, an order is an order,’” he said.

Grunwald wore his Naval Academy ring during the ﬂight. When he got to the ﬂight deck, Grunwald found that all external markings on his plane had been painted over. However, he said every part of his Skyhawk still had United States Navy bureau numbers on all parts on the inside.

The pilots saw the 50 tanks and returned to the carrier.

bomber over the task force. I just waved to the other pilot as we ﬂew over.”

Bay of Pigs

In 1961, anti-Fidel Castro Cuban exiles, backed by the United States, attempted to overthrow the communist leader. The ill-fated Bay of Pigs Invasion was supported by the U.S. but not with the nation’s full military might.

Grunwald said his squadron VA-34 was told it was being tested to see how fast it could deploy from Jacksonville’s Cecil Field to the aircraft carrier ESSEX They ﬂew support equipment and pilots to ESSEX, which was about 100 miles off the coast.

The crew ﬁgured they’d launch, then return home after the exercise because they’d been at sea for eight months.

“We were told, ‘you guys have been picked to ﬂy cover for the invasion of the Bay of Pigs,” Grunwald said.

On the day before the invasion’s launch, Grunwald said there were some ships ﬁlled with exiled soldiers that were retreating from the invasion force. He said the order was given to convince them the U.S. was with them.

Grunwald was in one of the planes dispatched to demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment. He said he intercepted a landing ship, tank (LST) with about 200 “bearded men” hanging over the gunwales. His aircraft ﬂew low enough for them to see the plane’s U.S. Navy markings.

“The last thing I saw, the ship did a 180 and headed north,” Grunwald said.

“That night, at midnight, they told us we're not going in as a squadron. I felt like I had just led 200 guys to their death. Kennedy said ‘we’re not going to go in.’ The next day, we had to stay 10 miles off the coast.”

The exiles ﬂew B-26s from Guatemala, but Castro’s air force repelled them.

“We flew the flight and took a little bit of small arms fire, but nobody got hit,” Grunwald said.

ESSEX spent the next 27 days near Cuba. Grunwald said one day he intercepted a Cuban patrol boat with a machine gunner sitting on the bow. The boat was headed toward the mangroves and Grunwald said pilots weren’t authorized to enter within six miles of the island.

While not ﬁring any shots, Grunwald used his aircraft to send a message to the Cuban soldiers who were hunting for combatants.

“This guy was going to kill probably 50 or 60 of them,” Grunwald said. “I swooped down beside him and after the second swoop the gunner went below. He wasn’t about to ﬁnd out if I would sink him with my 20 millimeter guns. About the third swoop, the boat turned around and retreated. I thought well, ‘maybe I saved 50 or 60 guys that day.’”

CAPT Ed Grunwald ’50, USN (Ret.), served as an aviator during the Cold War including flights near Cuba as the Bay of Pigs assault was launched. He retired after 30 years in the Navy and lives in Annapolis. This painting is of CAPT Grunwald and his late wife, Caral.

VICE ADMIRAL Robert F. Dunn ’51, USN (Ret.)

Then-Ensign Robert F. Dunn was eager to enter the ﬁght.

The Korean War was underway when he commissioned in 1951. However, the future vice admiral’s path to piloting an AD Skyraider was delayed by a year by a tour on NICHOLAS. He was initially instructed to head to Japan but was redirected at Okinawa to Formosa.

That wasn’t a compelling assignment for Dunn.

“It was a boring kind of existence because there were two ships on patrol and we would go 12 knots for four hours in one direction and turn around and go 12 knots for four hours in the other direction,” Dunn said. “The big deal on the watch was which way are we going to turn.”

Dunn envisioned ﬂying missions over Korea. But, ﬁrst he had to run the training gauntlet.

• He started ﬂight training in June 1952 at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

• Next, he started ﬂying the SNJ at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

• From there, he went to Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Field for instrument instruction.

• Then, it was off to Sauﬂey Field for formation and gunnery training.

• He moved to Barin Field in Alabama for carrier landing practice.

• Next, he qualiﬁed for carrier landing aboard MONTEREY in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Finally, he transferred to Corpus Christi in the attack syllabus with the AD Skyraider.

“The Korean War was still on, and being young and foolish, I wanted to get through ﬂight training in time to get back into the war,” said Dunn, a 2016 Distinguished Graduate honoree. “I thought I would get into the war better by going to ADs than I would do anything else and that's why I opted for the AD Skyraider but the war ended before I got my wings.”

While Dunn didn’t ﬂy over Korea, he earned his wings in 1953. His training led to a 38-year Navy

career. His service includes piloting the A-4 Skyhawk, the F-4 Phantom and the Skyraider. He amassed 9,000 hours of ﬂight time, which includes 255 combat missions during the Vietnam War and 934 carrier landings, the last made in a single-place F/A-18 on his 60th birthday.

Dunn was the ﬁnal member of the Class of 1951 to retire.

Between Wars

During the interwar years, Dunn’s assignments included service as a flight instructor at Whiting Field for three years, as a flag lieutenant to World War II pilot Jumping Joe Clifton ’30, USN (Ret.), and a Pacific cruise on ORISKANY. He also attended safety school in Southern California.

While on a cruise aboard SARATOGA in the Mediterranean in October 1962, his squadron was ordered to Cuba. They were sent to support blockade efforts by the U.S. and deny Russia from delivering nuclear missiles to Fidel Castro’s regime.

Although Dunn said his squadron ﬂew missions near Cuba, it did not come close to the crisis. Still, it created stress for families back in Jacksonville, FL.

“They were worried the Cubans were going to drop a bomb on them,” he said. “It was really scary.”

The nuclear theme continued on Dunn’s AD Skyraider cruise. It was then he became a “special delivery pilot” for delivering a nuclear weapon. Dropping the bomb required a quick exit.

“You go in at 50 to 100 feet over the ground at high speed,” Dunn said. “When you get to a certain point you pull up with four and a half Gs within two seconds. At a certain level, the bomb is released and it goes off in an arc and detonates over the target. Meanwhile, you continue around and escape.

“I had a target assigned in China. I don't think I could have ever found the target because for navigating, they gave us a chart and several of my turn points were remnants of old Chinese walls.”

Dunn was also a nuclear delivery pilot in VA-36, which was the A-4 Squadron homeported at Naval Air Station Cecil Field near Jacksonville. Their targets were in the Eastern Bloc.

Vietnam Service

When the Vietnam War began, Dunn was initially ordered to a squadron that wasn't going to deploy immediately. However, another squadron commanding officer was shot down, the executive officer ﬂeeted up and Dunn took his place in

Task Force 77. His commanding officer was Captain Al Schaufelberger ’49, USN (Ret.).

Dunn said most of his missions on that first cruise in 1966 were in the southern part of North Vietnam. The next year, he was commanding officer of the squadron. For about six months, they flew almost every sortie into North Vietnam. In his 255 Vietnam sorties, he was hit by enemy fire just once with minimal damage to his plane.

He did have a harrowing experience while carrying a 2,000-pound bomb on a mission to hit the Thanh Hóa Bridge, a key target in North Vietnam.

“I rolled in on a dive, had a good run, pickled (button released bomb) then headed out to sea. The sea was our refuge,” Dunn said. “As we headed out, my wingman came to join me and all of a sudden he (made a quick move). He called and said, ‘you've got a bomb hanging from the airplane.’

“The aft shackle released but the forward shackle had not. The bomb was just swinging. It eventually released on its own accord into the water.”

After Vietnam, Dunn commanded an air wing in the Mediterranean, served as the Sixth Fleet operations officer, then commanded MOUNT WHITNEY and SARATOGA. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1989, he served as an aerospace consultant, deputy chairman of the NASA Aerospace Advisory Panel and Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Ramsey Fellow.

Dunn’s naval service spanned nearly the entirety of the Cold War. He said the Navy was at the leading edge of protecting American interests around the world during that time.

“The Navy was in the forefront of deterrence,” Dunn said. “We deterred through being ready to deliver nuclear missiles from ships around the world. We worked very hard at it.

“You have to be proud of that part. We didn't necessarily want to go to war but we were ready to go to war if that came to pass.”

During his 38-year Navy career, VADM Robert F. Dunn ’51, USN (Ret.), flew more than 9,000 hours and flew 255 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He is a 2016 USNA Distinguished Graduate.

DAVID GHYSELS ’51

Railroad demolition wasn’t on David Ghysels’ radar when he commissioned into the Navy from the Naval Academy.

The Class of 1951 alumnus is still dumbfounded by an improbable mission aboard destroyer T.E. CHANDLER. During the waning months of the Korean War, Ghysels served on T.E. CHANDLER as it cruised off Wonsan in the northern part of the Asian nation. The GEARING Class vessel was shelling mainland targets along Korea’s east coast in May 1953 when an alluring objective emerged.

Ghysels said trains along the coast ran between tunnels with about 300-400 yards in-between.

“We were determined to get one of these trains,” Ghysels said. “Our gunnery officer went ashore in a small pontoon-type boat. He ﬁgured the ranges. That night, when he was 100 yards offshore, when he could hear the train, he commenced ﬁring.

“Sure enough, we got it—the 24th train of the war, and the last train of the war. It’s on my Navy record.”

Ghysels was aboard T.E. CHANDLER from November 1952 until the Korean War ended on 27 June 1953 (the day before their Korean deployment was to end). The vessel was named for Annapolis native and World War II Rear Admiral Theodore Edson Chandler, Class of 1915. Chandler perished following a Japanese kamikaze attack aboard LOUISVILLE on 6 January 1945 in which he was terminally injured but not before manning ﬁrehoses to help extinguish ﬁres.

The Korean War ignited when Ghysels was on his ﬁrst-class cruise at the Naval Academy. Two days after leaving Block Island, RI, aboard a destroyer escorting aircraft carrier SAIPAN the crew was told to report to the bridge. The handful of midshipmen were transferred to SAIPAN. Then, they were sent to Korea.

As part of their duties on SAIPAN, midshipmen pushed the propeller-driven airplanes on the ﬂight deck. Ghysels was forced to wear night goggles because that’s all the crew could spare.

“You couldn’t see a damn thing,” he said. “I weighed 120 pounds, and I was pushing an aircraft and they started winding that engine up. It was a case of barely holding on and all of a sudden, I was scared to death to let go. Then, the plane stopped and the plane behind us had hit the tail of our plane. I think about how close I was to a propeller and what might have happened.”

Blue & Gold Calling

Growing up in East Grand Rapids, MI, Ghysels was drawn to Annapolis after being mesmerized by the 1937 ﬁlm Navy Blue and Gold starring James Stewart.

“I saw it and kind of fell in love with the Academy but didn’t really think that much about it,” Ghysels said.

He followed the Army-Navy games as a youngster but didn’t expect his fascination to materialize into four years by the Severn River. Then, a high school classmate told him he was taking the Naval Academy’s entrance exam and a light bulb went off.

“I said, wow, I’d sort of want to do that,” he said.

His efforts for an appointment from Sen. Arthur Vanderberg were unsuccessful but a day after that rejection, Ghysels said he received one from Congressman Bartel Jonkman. He said he and his friend each received appointments from Jonkman.

“It was extremely odd because two people from the same high school got principal appointments,” Ghysels said.

At the Academy, Ghysels was on the swim team as a plebe and on the golf team throughout his academic career. He once served as a spotter for legendary sportscaster Red Barber during a Navy home football game. Barber even requested his services for a road game and the Academy acquiesced.

The Naval Academy instills a sense of purpose and Ghysels said the discipline ingrained at Annapolis is critical for shaping leaders.

“That was always extremely important,” he said.

After commissioning, Ghysels’ ﬁrst assignment was to Supply Corps school then he was assigned to serve aboard SAIPAN. He transferred to T.E. CHANDLER in late 1951. He also spent three years as a Central Disbursement Officer, Ninth Naval District in Great Lakes, IL.

Crane Innovation

Ghysels transitioned into the private sector with a career in the construction equipment business. He went from not knowing much about the industry to helping revolutionize the construction crane market.

In 1965, he built the world’s largest telescopic hydraulic crane, the 45-ton Sargent Crane. His innovations include the self-propelled model in which one operator can control the entire crane instead of needing two operators in separate positions.

“That became the standard,” Ghysels said.

JACK YOUNG ‘52

The order for an expediated deployment of nuclearpowered submarine PATRICK HENRY came directly from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Jack Young ’52 was PATRICK HENRY’s reactor officer and part of the crew charged with ensuring she set off on her ﬁrst deterrent patrol before the end of 1960. During the summer of 1960, Eisenhower lit the ﬁre under PATRICK HENRY Commanding Officer Harold Shear ’42, USN (Ret.), because then-Sen. John F. Kennedy was suggesting there was a “missile gap” between the U.S. and the Soviet

The size and capabilities of his cranes continued to expand. Ghysels said he set a record with the 65-ton P&H crane (1967-69). In 1970, he joined Grove Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest manufacture of hydraulic cranes as senior vice president of marketing and engineering. There he built an 80-ton telescopic crane, followed by a 125-ton model in 1973.

Ghysels remained in the crane business until 1989.

Union, Young said. PATRICK HENRY was originally scheduled to commission in 1961.

During his 26 July 1960 speech at the Republican National Convention, Eisenhower publicly pledged that the submarines GEORGE WASHINGTON and PATRICK HENRY, which were equipped with new Polaris missiles, would be operational before the calendar ﬂipped to 1961.

“This has been done in two-thirds of the time predicted by the most optimistic of the scientists and sailors,” he said. “Incidentally, the Polaris submarine has just passed its ﬁnal tests with ﬂying

David Ghysels ’51 still has his Navy uniform and the belt he wore at the Naval Academy. He retired to Oxford, MD, after a long career innovating and selling the world’s largest telescopic hydraulic cranes.

colors. And here is another interesting fact: this revolutionary and practically invulnerable ballistic missile system was brought from initial concept to perational status entirely within the years of the present administration.”

PATRICK HENRY commissioned 9 April 1960 but her missile systems were still being tested when Ike visited the Rhode Island base.

“We went at terrible, breakneck speed to get the boat ready and adequately tested,” Young said. “We were on a catch-up schedule.”

Young said the ﬁrst missiles PATRICK HENRY launched were failures. However, they secured new missiles in Charleston, SC, and shipped out to Cape Canaveral for another round of tests which were successful.

It was a pivotal moment, Young said noting Russian ships were brazenly posted near the Florida coast.

“It was all right there for the world to see,” Young said. “This is how you win the Cold War.”

PATRICK HENRY headed for the North Sea on 30 December 1960 for its ﬁrst deployment.

“We made it. We went into the North Sea to do our jobs,” he said.

Young’s experience with PATRICK HENRY illustrates the Cold War tensions that began post-World War II. He said it was an exhilarating time as the United States implemented the latest technological advances to stiﬂe the Russian’s aggression.

“We were right there at the sharp end of the arrow,” Young said. “It was exciting, demanding and there was no second chance. It had to be right.”

‘Tip of the Spear’

Young submitted his resignation with the Navy before PATRICK HENRY deployed but agreed to stay on another year at Shear’s request. His tour of the North Sea was the culmination of nine years as a Navy officer following an unforeseen education at the Naval Academy.

As a UCLA student, Young was digging sewers when a “guy in a ﬂashy white uniform was looking for me.” His brother, Duane ’49, had returned from Scotland where he attended a memorial service for John Paul Jones.

“I thought, maybe I’d like to go to the Academy,” Young said.

An initial meeting with his congressman didn’t elicit an appointment to Annapolis but Young quickly learned the principal appointment had withdrawn. He entered with the Class of 1952 and credits the Academy for “squaring” him away.

Young advises current midshipmen to pay attention to the details. It will pay dividends once they commission.

“It got me organized, disciplined and allowed me to set goals,” he said. “Keep your attention and keep your focus while looking for new challenges. Remember, you’re leading a bunch of great sailors.”

After graduation, Young spent a year as a surface warfare officer before heading to submarine school. He referred to his time on Paciﬁc duty as “inconsequential.”

None of Young’s cruises were near Korea during the war. But, he said, that time helped him learn how to be Navy officer.

During his submarine career, Young served aboard TILEFISH, POMODON and PATRICK HENRY. He enjoyed that period, particularly serving as a deterrent to Russia.

“I thoroughly enjoyed that life,” Young said. “We deployed extensively all around the sensitive areas, including Russia.”

“My prenuclear days were extremely interesting. We saw all the Russian activity up close. We carried intelligence staff with us. We were right at the tip of the spear.”

Following his Navy career, Young spent six months with the Atomic Energy Commission. The U.S. was just starting its ﬁrst commercial nuclear reactors, but they hadn’t been licensed. He served as the licensing agent for commercial operators. Young was adamant that operators be more than administrators. He worked to

ensure the sensitive technology had the appropriate oversight and by folks with technical backgrounds.

After denying licenses, he had to justify why to power brokers in Washington. When the maritime ship NS SAVANNAH was initially denied, Eisenhower was among those with questions since he was scheduled to attend the ship’s launch. Young was steadfast noting SAVANNAH had quality young officers aboard but he was not satisﬁed with the administration’s hands-off handling of the reactor.

To license SAVANNAH, Young suggested personnel upgrades. The changes were approved, SAVANNAH went to sea, and Ike attended the commissioning.

“You can’t go to sea like that,” Young said. “Are we really going to have standards? We fought hard and we came out with a good situation for commercial operators.”

Young then entered the private sector where he would work for the next 47 years. He served as vice president for NUS Corp., CEO of Time Sharing Terminals Inc., president of the custom systems division with Computer Science Corp, president of Fuel Frontiers Inc., and CEO of Highland Light Management.

Jack Young ’51 served as a nuclear submarine reactor officer in the Navy and worked for the Atomic Energy Commission before entering a long career in the private sector.

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER John C. Tsiknas ’48, USNR (Ret.)

John Tsiknas received an alternate appointment to the Naval Academy in 1943, so he ﬁgured he’d dive right into pilot training with the U.S. Army Air Corps. His preﬂight training in Michigan did not go as the future surface warfare officer imagined.

“After a few lessons, my instructor said you’d be a better passenger than a pilot,” Tsiknas deadpanned. He then switched to navigator training. Before he could earn his navigator wings, Tsiknas’ Naval Academy appointment came through. He entered Plebe Summer with the Class of 1948 and retired as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

After commissioning, Tsiknas served aboard FRESNO, an anti-aircraft cruiser which had 5-inch guns in forward and aft mounts. He was part of the team that decommissioned her in New York Naval Shipyard in May 1949.

After FRESNO was decommissioned, Tsiknas served two years as communications officer on TERCEL, a 220-foot minesweeper on which he had various duties and where he perfected his seamanship and ship handling.

Tsiknas said war with Korea didn’t enter his mind until 25 June 1950 when North Korea’s army sent about 75,000 soldiers across the 38th parallel, the line separating North and South Korea.

“All of a sudden 1950 came along and there we were,” Tsiknas said.

With hostilities ramping up in Korea, Tsiknas was part of the crew recommissioning the destroyer MCNAIR in Long Beach, CA. MCNAIR was recommissioned on 6 July 1951 and sent through the Panama Canal to her home port in Newport, RI. She then went back through the Panama Canal to Korea.

Tsiknas said MCNAIR provided plane guard duty for the 7th Fleet carriers’ pilots and bombardment support for the task force. During the three-month patrol, Tsiknas said MCNAIR’s crew rescued a pilot whose plane malfunctioned.

“It was freezing,” Tsiknas said. “He was happy to see the medical guys.”

After spending 20 minutes in the frigid water, Tsiknas said the ship’s medical staff said the pilot would have survived only a few more minutes in the water.

While aboard MCNAIR, the navigator mentioned to Tsiknas that he didn’t enjoy his job. So, Tsiknas asked if it would be all right if he requested the captain give him the job

“He said, ‘be my guest,’” he said. “The skipper treated me like a son.”

MCNAIR navigated the Suez Canal on her way back to Newport and arrived on 11 April 1953.

Tsiknas’ next mission was as commanding officer of patrol craft PC-1423. He worked with students studying sonar in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) community. He said they would give students their ﬁrst experience of live ammunition during simulated submarine hunts.

“When we contacted one, we would drop a hand grenade,” Tsiknas said, noting this was his favorite assignment. “The students would plot the course and where (the submarines) were going.”

‘Do The Best You Can’

Raised in Cape Cod, MA, Tsiknas said a customer of his father’s vegetable business was a math professor at the Naval Academy. Up until that point, he was interested in attending West Point.

After learning more about Annapolis, his focus shifted to the Naval Academy. He credits the Academy for shaping him into a leader for his sailors.

“The most important thing was leadership,” Tsiknas said. “I beneﬁted from it, particularly on the destroyer.”

When the Navy onboarded recent draftees during the Korean War, Tsiknas encouraged them to make the most of their time in uniform, even if they weren’t happy about it. That advice proved fortuitous for some sailors under Tsiknas’ tutelage.

“At the time, we were drafting (young men) and they all wanted to get out,” he said. “I had a young sailor who served with me. I told him, ‘you may want to get out but while you’re here, do the best you can and you may get promoted.’

“A few of them did and I was really proud of that.”

LCDR John C. Tsiknas ’48, USNR (Ret.), was prior enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps before entering the Naval Academy. He taught anti-submarine warfare students (ASW) to use sonar as the commanding officer of a patrol craft in the early 1950s.

Commander G. Phillip Case Jr. ’52, USN (Ret.)

The Korean War was in its ﬁnal months by the time then-Ensign G. Phillip Case Jr. made it through the Panama Canal aboard MISSOURI.

“We had about one yard clearance on each side of ship passing through the locks,” Case said. MISSOURI left from Norfolk in September 1952 headed for Korea. Case served in the ﬁve-inch gun director battle station. He said he knew little about Korea or the war before commissioning.

During its four-month cruise around Korea, Case said MISSOURI ﬁred ﬁve-inch shells at targets ashore. As MISSOURI made its way back to the United States, Case served as assistant navigator.

Case, who spent the majority of his 22-year Navy career in the Silent Service, credited the Naval Academy for providing the foundation for a rewarding career. Young officers must be adaptable particularly to meet the challenges in a world of uncertainty, Case said.

“Be prepared,” Case said. “If, and when, you go to war, if you’re prepared, you’ll have a much better chance to do well against whomever the opponent might be.”

While at the Naval Academy, Case said he learned about submarine and aviation pay. That helped steer him to submarines.

“That didn’t hurt,” he joked.

Case was aboard CLAMAGORE and AMBERJACK, which were home ported in Key West, FL. He served for three tours in Guantanamo, Cuba. Following those deployments, Case was assigned engineering duty at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. There, he was ship superintendent and planning officer for the ﬁrst nuclear submarine overhaul. He spent four years in Norfolk and 25 percent of his time was overhauling the ﬁrst nuclear ship.

“The nuclear system was very strict about everything they did,” he said. “The workmanship and training with people who did the work was a long process.”

After Norfolk, Case was assigned to Guam as repair officer aboard PROTEUS. He tended to submarines equipped with Polaris and Poseidon missiles operating in the Paciﬁc Ocean. Following that two-year tour, he returned to the United States Naval Ship Systems Command for four years before retiring in 1974.

The Highest Honor

Case said he couldn’t have predicted how his life of service would have unfolded while in Annapolis. He encourages future generations of midshipmen to persevere through difficult times and trust the leadership lessons instilled in them at the Naval Academy.

“Hang in there,” he said. “Do as well as you can at the Naval Academy and be ready for a good career.” a

During the Korean War, three Naval Academy alumni were awarded the Medal of Honor which is United States’ highest award for military valor in action. The recipients are:

Captain

Thomas J. Hudner ’47, USN (Ret.)

On 4 December 1950, Hudner and Ensign Jesse L. Brown, USN, were among the pilots in Fighter Squadron 32 providing air support to American troops during the battle of the Chosin Reservoir. Brown’s plane was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Brown, the first Black man trained as a naval aviator, crashed behind enemy lines.

Hudner, seeing his squadron mate was still alive and trapped in the burning wreckage, intentionally crash-landed his aircraft near Brown’s on the snow-covered mountain. While Hudner’s efforts to free Brown were unsuccessful, he was commended for using his bare hands to pack the fuselage of Brown’s plane to keep the flames at bay.

Hudner’s Medal of Honor Citation reads, in part:

“He then remained on the spot despite the continuing danger from enemy action and, with the assistance of the rescue (helicopter) pilot, renewed a desperate but unavailing battle against time, cold and flames. Lt. (j.g.) Hudner's exceptionally valiant action and selfless devotion to a shipmate sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”

Hudner and Brown were the subjects of the 2022 movie Devotion

first lieutenant

Baldomero Lopez ’48, USMC Lopez was killed in action on 15 September 1950 during the invasion of Inchon, Korea. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

During the invasion, U.S. Marines were met by a 10-foot seawall. Lopez took the lead over the wall (see cover photo). As he raised his arm to throw a

grenade at the machine gun bunker that had pinned down the Marines, he was hit in the right arm and shoulder. The grenade landed a few feet from him. To shield his fellow Marines, Lopez pulled the grenade under his wounded body.

His Medal of Honor Citation reads, in part:

“In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Lopez and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

second lieutenant

Robert D. Reem

’48, USMC

As a platoon commander, Reem led his Marines trying to uproot enemy infantry units in fortified positions on higher ground on 6 November 1950. The Marines faced machine gun and rifle fire and were repulsed three times by hostile fire. On the fourth attack, an enemy grenade landed near Reem who was issuing last-minute orders to his non-commissioned officers.

Reem’s Medal of Honor Citation reads, in part:

“Unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, springing upon the deadly missile, absorbed the full impact of the explosion in his body, thus protecting others from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted and indomitable, he readily yielded his own chance of survival that his subordinate leaders might live to carry on the fight against a fanatic enemy.”

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. a

G. Phillip Case Jr. ’52, USN (Ret.), was a submariner during his 22-year Navy career.

“ENTERPRISE” DEPLOYS TO ENCOURAGE CLASSMATE WITH CANCER

THIS IS A TRUE STORY OF SUPPORTING A NAVAL ACADEMY SHIPMATE IN A CHALLENGING TIME.

When I heard of an impromptu lunch gathering of classmates to be held in Severna Park, MD, prior to the 21 September 2024 Navy-Memphis football game— I was intrigued. When I heard classmate Jim Luehman and his wife, Kathy, were going to make the drive from Virginia Beach to be there, I knew I had to attend.

Jim was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is undergoing biweekly chemotherapy treatments. My wife, Blythe, and I drove from Charlottesville that morning and arrived at Suzy and Leo Latonick’s home.

We spent two and a half hours remembering and laughing. It was an important day because Jim was there. His presence and strength brought an authentic perspective to the conversation. Kind comments were shared. Relationships with special people were appreciated. The experience was deep and poignant. When lunch ended, some departed for the football game and others for home. There were hugs (and some tears) as we said goodbye.

As a cancer survivor, I could relate to Jim’s situation, but medically speaking, I didn’t have his prognosis. How could we encourage Jim and Kathy? While driving home, a thought occurred to me; I shared it with Blythe, and she loved it.

Fast forward 48 hours. Classmate Lieutenant Commander Tim Jenks ’77, USNR (Ret.), who attended the lunch, was driving west, heading home. He spent the evening and a night with us in Charlottesville. We talked for a while and then I took him into my office and showed him a painting of ENTERPRISE (CVN-65), LONG BEACH (CGN-9) and BAINBRIDGE (CGN-25).

Coincidentally, Tim served on the cruisers as a junior officer. It was painted by the famous Navy painter, Arthur Beaumont, and given to my father, Admiral James Watkins ’49, USN (Ret.), in 1983, while he served as CNO. In 1968-69, during the Vietnam war, he also served as XO of LONG BEACH

When he died in 2012, he left me his Naval Academy ring and several items connected to the Academy and the Navy, including this painting. It was signiﬁcant to me because of the season of life it recalled, my eighth and ninth grade years, when my dad was at sea.

Here’s the link between the painting and encouraging Jim: He served on ENTERPRISE, and even enjoys “Big E” reunions with classmates, nine of whom served together and many of whom have become close friends. Why not let him enjoy this painting in his home for the rest of his life? My father, who met Jim

By Charlie Watkins ’77

Jim Luehman ’77 with a painting of ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) gifted to him by classmate Charlie Watkins ’77. Luehman, who is battling pancreatic cancer, served aboard ENTERPRISE during his Navy career.

while we were midshipmen, would have applauded the idea. It’s the sort of thing USNA shipmates from every class do, and without hesitation.

Knowing it was one of his “good” weeks as it related to the timing of chemotherapy, I called Jim. I told him I had something for him and I was in the area. He invited me to stop by. My hope was the painting would not only remind him of his ENTERPRISE shipmates, but also that he is greatly loved by many classmates and their wives, Kathy, his two children, four grandchildren and God. I arrived at his house and gave him the painting. We talked for an hour, mostly about personal things. It was a tender and memorable visit.

“Enterprise” deployed again but this time on a mission of encouragement to a unique destination: the heart of one special sailor. The typical deployment for the eight reactor ENTERPRISE was six or nine months, sometimes 12. We’re praying this “Enterprise” deployment will last for years. a

Charlie Watkins ’77 is president and CEO of Landmark Media Enterprises and Dominion Enterprises. He lives in Charlottesville, VA.

26th company classmates from the Class of 1977, who rallied in support of Jim Luehman in September 2024. From left to right, CDR Mike Hamner ’77, USN (Ret.), Charlie Watkins ’77, Jim Luehman ’77, Leo Latonick ’77, LCDR Tim Jenks ’77, USNR (Ret.), CDR Bob Nichols ’77, USNR (Ret.), and LtCol Ron Booker ’77, USMCR (Ret.).

ON THE JOB SACC CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF HELPING ALUMNI

Emily Favorite ’12 exited the Service Academy Career Conference (SACC) in San Diego, CA, with escalating optimism.

The former F/A-18 Super Hornet weapons systems officer was about to separate from the Marine Corps. She attended the SACC job fair on 23 August to gauge opportunities in the civilian sector. Favorite said she would often convince herself not to submit a job application because her skills didn’t perfectly align with the position’s description.

She has a technical background and an engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy but doubts surfaced when perusing online job postings. When she walked into the job fair, Favorite encountered a hall ﬁlled with employers including Deloitte, Bank of America, Lockheed Martin, Procter & Gamble, USAA, Northrop Grumman, PWC, Booz Allen Hamilton, Apple and Microsoft.

“It was very easy to think that I could never get jobs. But, having the person-to-person interviews and tailoring my approach to my ‘authentic story,’ who I am, where I came from and who I’ve become since. That is what I’m carrying with me to whatever future path I take.”

Emily Favorite ’12

Some of the nation’s premier higher education institutions were also on site including M.I.T., the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School and Syracuse University. In all, 62 employers were on hand to meet with more than 400 job candidates. In 2024, SACC commemorated 30 years of connecting service academy alumni with elite employers. This unique offering managed by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association has enabled thousands of veterans to seamlessly shift from the military to the private sector.

After meeting with recruiters in San Diego, Favorite’s perspective flipped. The firms represented at SACC convinced her she has the skills needed to transition to a number of fields.

Bank of America was one of 62 employers represented at the 2024 SACC in San Diego, CA, on 22-23 August. Bank of America held a seminar outlining its programs for military veterans.

The San Diego SACC drew 403 prospective applicants (including 210 Naval Academy alumni) who had access to one-on-one interviews with major corporations during a Friday job fair.

“The biggest thing I’ve gotten out of it was a big conﬁdence boost,” Favorite said. “It was very easy to think that I could never get jobs. But, having the person-toperson interviews and tailoring my approach to my ‘authentic story,’ who I am, where I came from and who I’ve become since. That is what I’m carrying with me to whatever future path I take.

“I will find someone who wants me for the job. I will find a job that I also want. I’m trainable, coachable and can take on whatever programs and whatever additional education there is. I appreciate the mindset shift and the confidence boost. It helps get over some of the imposter syndrome.”

SACC brings together alumni from West Point, the Merchant Marine Academy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Naval Academy four times annually for informational seminars and job fairs.

Candidates often receive job offers on-site based on their specialized experiences and skill sets.

“The Service Academy Career Conferences are fully committed to supporting our alumni as they navigate the challenges associated with transitioning from active duty to civilian employment— or at any time during their career,” said SACC Director Tonya McGinnis.

“Over the past three decades, SACC has facilitated innumerable connections that have provided thousands of academy graduates with opportunities to capitalize on their military experiences and craft highly successful post-service careers.”

FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE

Two years ago, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Clark ’01, USN (Ret.), was in a similar position as Favorite. In August, he was on the opposite side of the job fair

SHAKING UP THE WORLD

The shaping of four years at Annapolis molded men who would spend their lives Shaking Up the World, in large ways and small, in uniform and as civilians.

This is a collection of stories by the members of the Naval Academy Class of 1957: As children during World War II—in Shanghai with Japanese soldiers; during the bombing at Pearl Harbor, or herded into pens by Japanese in the Philippines; another boy survived the Nazis in Auschwitz. Brad Parkinson “fathered” GPS, and Charlie Duke, an astronaut, spent three days on the surface of the moon. Another describes his torture and life in a North Vietnamese prison; Another was hi-jacked by Hezbollah terrorists. Also tales of surviving after being shot down in enemy territory, and survival at sea and on the ground in Viet Nam.

The paperback is available on Amazon for $19.99 eBook available on Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble for $9.99

table, helping recruit service academy alumni to the Federal Reserve Bank.

In 2022, Clark said Federal Reserve representatives contacted him prior to the San Diego SACC and encouraged him to stop by their booth. He initially attended SACC to get a feel of the landscape as he eyed a move outside the Navy.

Clark is now a bank examiner specializing in cyber and IT security with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Seattle Branch. As he was departing the Navy, he contemplated careers in the defense and intelligence communities or broadening his horizons into ﬁnancial services.

“SACC gives you the chance to see what is offered, you get to meet with senior folks who have done the transition ahead of you,” Clark said. “They can give you encouragement by meeting the hiring team and other grads and ask what they did to get where they are.”

As a recruiter, Clark said it’s important to understand what motivates candidates. Some are looking to relocate, be near family or pivot to another ﬁeld.

“It’s our job at SACC, as a company, to help them articulate what is important to them,” Clark said. “Few are looking purely at a paycheck. We need to be receptive to that. This isn’t a regular college fair with new graduates just

looking to get started in the world. Everyone here has some degree of experience, leadership roles and having to make difficult choices such as having to relocate somewhere else.”

Michelle Mazanec, former director of SACC and wife of Warren Mazanec ’84, is a veterans recruiter with Los Alamos National Laboratory. One of her challenges is convincing prospective hires to move to northern New Mexico.

But, Mazanec said the quality of candidates who attend SACC make the time investment worthwhile. She noted SACC provides tools to recruiters—such as spreadsheets that include which candidates are open to relocating—that helps her target the participants that best ﬁt Los Alamos’ proﬁle.

In three years, Los Alamos has hired about 40 service academy alumni thanks to SACC. With hundreds of candidates on site for each of the four SACCs held annually, Mazanec said the return on investment for employers is signiﬁcant.

“It’s an automatic given you’re not going to wade through 200 substandard resumes to ﬁnd the one you want,” she said. “Here, they’re all unicorns. I know we’re going to love all the candidates.”

‘QUICK

TO LEARN’

Katherine Martin, a 2018 U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate, was encouraged to apply for a position with JP Morgan Chase & Co. by a friend who attended a SACC event and left with a job offer. Martin, a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, is a former tugboat pilot who didn’t initially think her skill set would necessarily translate into other industries.

Although San Diego 2024 was her ﬁrst SACC event, Martin understood how the conference worked thanks to a participant turned ambassador.

“I couldn’t wait to talk to people about this opportunity because I would have never known if I hadn’t had that connection with the person who went to SACC,” said Martin, who is an associate with JP Morgan’s Military Pathways Program.

Martin said JP Morgan brings service academy alumni to SACC who recognize and appreciate skills that carry over well between the military and corporate sectors.

“You might not have a ﬁnance background, but we understand your experience and how you have to be quick to learn in the military,” she said. “We can explain it to people we work with how that translates to the civilian workforce because we’ve lived it.

“I didn’t have any hard skills coming into this job, but they knew we were good quality people, we were trainable and we had leadership and problem-solving skills. That was enough for them to know we’re great and that someone just needed to give us a chance.”

To learn more about SACC and future conferences, visit www.sacc-jobfair.com. a

Many of the firms seeking to make hires at the 2024 San Diego SACC job fair were represented by employees who once attended SACC events as job applicants.

A TRIBUTE TO MY BLUE AND GOLD OFFICER

By Henry P. Aszklar

In the spring of 2024, I was writing the acknowledgments page of my Ph.D. dissertation at the University of Cambridge and reﬂected upon people who had profoundly impacted my life.

One person in particular, my Blue and Gold Officer (BGO), came to mind. However, it had been 47 years since our meeting, and I could not remember his name—yet I did not want this person to go unrecognized for his critical role in my life.

I grew up under McChord Air Force Base's ﬂight pattern, watching C-141s and F-102s, and at a young age decided to be a pilot.

As a high school senior in 1976, I was summoned to the guidance office to meet my BGO. I still recall him asking why my application to the Naval Academy did not include sports, scouting or club activities. I stressed my desire to be a pilot and that I worked full-time to pay for ﬂying lessons.

Furthermore, I had just obtained my private pilot’s license and wanted to major in aerospace engineering. Being the son of a Korean War refugee and second-generation Polish immigrant, I had no idea how to convey my drive and determination in my application; however, my BGO certainly did.

I credit my BGO with getting me into the Naval Academy and changing the trajectory of my life. Despite applying to all the service academies and ROTC programs, I was only accepted to the Naval Academy. The only person I met that fall was my BGO, and I am forever grateful that he took the time to get to know me and reﬂect on my potential in his report.

I initially turned to the BGO program office, but their records did not go back that far. I then reached out to an archivist at Nimitz Library, who amazingly found the report signed by my BGO!

However, the report did not include a printed name, and the signature was unclear. I then asked the archivist to look up the signatures on two other applications of classmates from the same region, and the name Harry Petersen emerged! An alumni directory search produced a Harry Jeffery Petersen from the Class of 1974, who seemed too young to have been a BGO in 1976.

Crossing my ﬁngers, I contacted Harry Jeffery Petersen ’74, who goes by Jeff. Jeff conﬁrmed that the signature was his dad’s, who served as the BGO in the mid-1970s in western Washington State. Captain Harry Jess Petersen, USNR (Ret.), not a graduate of the Naval Academy, had unfortunately passed away in 2014. I told Jeff my story, and it made his day.

CAPT Harry Petersen, USNR (Ret.), served as a Blue and Gold Officer (BGO) in Washington State as aspiring pilot Henry P. Aszklar Jr. ’81 was eyeing an appointment to the Naval Academy. Peterson, who would ultimately run Washington’s BGO program, provided the guidance and support to help Aszklar earn his appointment to Annapolis.

PHOTOS COURTESY

OF HENRY

P. ASZKLAR JR. ’81

Jr. ’81

Harry Jess Petersen was born in 1926 in Tacoma, WA. He enlisted in 1944, and served in World War II as a Navy hospital corpsman. Harry was an educator at heart and became a teacher and school administrator serving at Tolt, Clover Park and Lakes High Schools.

He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s of education and served on the Yelm School board and the Washington State board of education. He was commissioned as a U.S. Navy reserve officer and became a BGO, ultimately running the BGO program for the state of Washington.

Harry loved the idea of service to others. In addition to his decades of service to the country, he actively volunteered in the community through civic organizations, such as the Thurston County Conservation District, Lakewood First Lions Club, Yelm Lions Club, American Red Cross Services to Armed Forces and the Nisqually River Council. Harry loved nature, raised cattle and timber on the family farm, and agreed to a conservation easement with the Nisqually Land Trust, preserving the family farm and its natural habitat for future generations.

I met with Jeff Petersen during his 50th reunion in September.

“My dad loved the Navy and was a great ambassador for the Naval Academy,” he said. “He focused on the motivation of young men who could thrive at the Academy and contribute to the Navy and the country he loved so much.”

So, I pay tribute to Harry Jess Petersen, my BGO, and his critical role in my life. This led to graduating with USNA Class of 1981 with a B.S. in aerospace engineering, which led to an M.S. from M.I.T. and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge.

Without Harry Petersen’s help in the autumn of 1976, I probably would not have gained acceptance to the Naval Academy, where I met my lovely wife and eventually had two wonderful and accomplished daughters. a Henry P. Aszklar Jr. ’81 became a surface nuke after failing his eye exam and served as the E2 division officer on EISENHOWER and the MPA on BAINBRIDGE. After leaving active duty, he started a career in the energy industry, eventually becoming the CEO of Globeleq, Africa’s leading independent power producer. He lives in Annapolis with his wife, Lisa.

BLUE AND GOLD OFFICER INFORMATION SYSTEM

General Information

The Naval Academy Information Program (NAIP), better known as the Blue and Gold Program, is a voluntary program consisting of active duty and Naval Reserve officers, retired military personnel, alumni and interested civilians. NAIP participants are divided into two categories—Naval Academy Information Affiliates (NAIAs) and Naval Academy Information Officers (NAIO). An affiliate is an individual who is performing NAIP duties while waiting for formal training. An information officer is an individual who has completed a formal training session. Both NAIOs and NAIAs are referred to as Blue and Gold Officers (BGOs).

The USNA Admissions Candidate Guidance Office is responsible for conducting training and administering the Naval Academy Information Program. More than 1,800 Blue and Gold Officers represent eight regions serving every state, overseas territory and active duty military applicant. They are qualified to counsel prospective midshipmen on every aspect of the U.S. Naval Academy. One hundred area coordinators, who are experienced BGOs, are selected by the dean of admissions to coordinate the program activities and serve as the recruiting focal point in their regional areas. area coordinators voluntarily serve for a tour of ten years.

The Blue and Gold Information System (BGIS) is the web-based real time system that was developed to better inform and counsel BGOs on their candidates by staying directly connected with the USNA Admissions Candidate Guidance Office and the AIS.

If you are interested in becoming a BGO, contact the USNA Admissions office at 410-293-1813.

Henry P. Aszklar Jr. ’81 (left) and Harry Jeffery Petersen ’74 met in September 2024 in Annapolis during the Class of 1974’s 50th reunion. Petersen’s father was Aszklar’s BGO officer.

CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT

SAN DIEGO SUPPORTS YOUNG ALUMNI

The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association’s San Diego Chapter links recently commissioned surface warfare officers with mentors who can assist with their transition to their new homeport.

Among the advice older graduates can provide, these mentors share the pros and cons of the different parts of San Diego which can make deciding where to live a bit easier, said Chapter President Keith Kitagawa ’92. Having access to local knowledge, including traffic patterns, can be invaluable for new ensigns trying to navigate their careers and a new residence.

“They give recent grads an idea of what to expect living in San Diego,” Kitagawa said. “They might not have any idea of what the traffic is like from North County to 32nd Street. Having that knowledge could help save them from signing a bad lease.”

With a large alumni population, the San Diego Chapter is leveraging their membership to welcome new graduates to the region. Among other activities, the Distinguished Chapter hosts happy hours each month, with the exception of December, and plans two each near the three Navy/Marine Corps bases in the region. The chapter encourages younger junior officers to meet

with graduates, and hopefully take away career advice, whether or not each officer decides to make the military a career.

Because traffic can deter many alumni from traveling from one part of the county to another, Kitagawa said it’s imperative the chapter meet alumni where they are. It also makes it easier for young alumni stationed at one of the bases to participate.

“We make the happy hours close to duty stations—we host two in South Bay near 32nd Street, two in Coronado and two in North County near the Marine Corps base,” he said. “If they have a night off, hopefully they can come meet local grads who have been in their shoes before.”

Kitagawa said Chula Vista, to the south of downtown, is about 10 miles, but can be a 45-minute drive during rush hour. The north part of the county near Camp Pendleton is 20 miles from downtown but can take an hour to drive at the end of the work day.

He said that the ﬁrst time the chapter hosted an event in North County, the response was immediate and appreciative.

“The North County graduates were extremely happy that we recognized who they were, and they made the commitment to attend the event,” he said. “If it’s in their backyard, they will make time to come out.”

“You have to go where the alumni are. We obviously have ties that bind, but everyone has their own life responsibilities, which could prevent them from driving a half an hour each way. You have to make the effort to go to the different parts of the city and county and touch all the graduates in your community.”

Supporting Local Alumni Businesses

The San Diego Chapter was an early adopter of the myUSNA platform for sharing news and event information. It has launched a business directory featuring an interactive map that provides location and information about alumni-owned businesses in the San Diego area.

San Diego Chapter Vice President No. 2 Mike Philbrook ’83 said myUSNA provides one platform for all the chapter’s needs. This includes serving as the home for the chapter’s database and membership information.

“It saves us money because we’re not paying for a website anymore,” Philbrook said. “We’re able to put the same data on myUSNA.” a

The San Diego Chapter co-hosted a multi-academy happy hour on 21 August with West Point, Air Force, the Merchant Marine Academy and the Coast Guard Academy. The chapter works to connect with alumni across the region, hosting gatherings near Camp Pendleton in the northern area of San Diego County, near Naval Base Coronado in the southern part of the county and near Naval Base San Diego downtown.

FIVE MINUTES WITH…

CAPT PAUL F. HANKINS ’81, USN (RET.)

This feature spotlights the extraordinary things being done by alumni in the Navy and Marine Corps and their unique, impactful achievements in the private sector and in their communities. Please send suggestions to jimmy.debutts@usna.com

Captain Paul F. Hankins ’81, USN (Ret.), was thrust into action the moment the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. Within a few hours of container ship Dali striking the bridge on 26 March 2024, and its collapse into the Patapsco River, Hankins was pulled into a meeting to determine a response to the incident.

Hankins, a civilian employee of the Navy Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV) and Diving in the Office of the Director of Ocean Engineering, was part of the team charged with clearing the Baltimore Harbor waterway. He served eight years as a surface warfare officer and another eight years with the Navy Supervisor of Salvage office. He has held various positions in the private sector conducting marine salvage and, following 9/11, a three-year stint at the Department of Homeland Security helping to develop the Federal Response Plan.

Hankins returned to SUPSALV in 2020 as the director for Salvage Operations. He recently shared some of his experiences with the bridge collapse with Shipmate

Shipmate: What was your first action when you learned the Key Bridge collapsed?

Hankins: I got a call just a few hours after the collapse. My boss and I were in Norfolk, VA, for some salvage meetings. At 0530 U.S. Fleet Forces Command convened an impromptu battle watch meeting to discuss potential help the Navy might offer to the developing response. Knowing my office’s long-standing relationship with the Army Corps of Engineers in clearing federal channels, I realized early on that this was going to be a significant challenge for the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage office.

Shipmate: What did it take to clear the waterway?

Hankins: What became clear on day 1 was the extraordinary effort the recovery would take from across a broad spectrum of the maritime community. No single company, no one organization would be successful without a significant team effort from everyone that touched the project. And that’s exactly what it took.

This was a leadership case study from a whole lot of people. And at the top of that list were folks that had come out of USNA, USCGA and many other maritime academies. These are people that understood the massive maritime challenge and excelled.

And yes, even West Point helped hone the skills of some of the most vital leaders in the response—Maryland Governor Wes Moore and U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers

Chief Major General Scott Spellmon come from military backgrounds. Most importantly though, it was everyone stepping up to the plate executing their roles excellently, from the tug deckhand to the very top of that leadership pyramid.

Shipmate: What was the biggest challenge?

Hankins: The loss of life was tragic. And, of course the near total shutdown of Baltimore’s maritime economic lifeblood was chilling. We knew on day one that this was no ordinary salvage response.

The effort would require precision execution of three significant salvage projects simultaneously. Getting things done quickly was unlikely without some very tight coordination. That, on top of the intense political pressure from all levels of government, made the Key Bridge recovery not just sobering but a rarely experienced challenge for both salvage and unified command leadership. And through it all we have to give a nod to safety, not a single lost-time accident throughout the recovery.

Shipmate: How did the Naval Academy/Navy prepare you to lead during your career and with this effort?

Hankins: The concept of teamwork and solidarity toward a common goal jumps to the forefront. Those leadership lessons and opportunities we are exposed to throughout our careers, starting in those first nascent days of Plebe Summer, can sound like hyperbole, but I credit all of it to the life lessons that shaped those that played such important roles in this response. My own experiences—given the opportunity to skipper a boat on the sailing team at the ripe old age of 21, learning the ropes of a struggling division in the bowels of an engineering department, leading entire projects—all contributed to that success. But above all I would point to those opportunities the Academy and the Navy have provided.

Shipmate: What is next for you and your role with the Key Bridge?

Hankins: It’s on to the next challenge. One of the most fulfilling aspects of working in the maritime salvage world is the variety of projects to which we are asked to respond. In just the last 18 months, we’ve responded to the loss of the Titan submersible, recovered a P-8 aircraft intact from the water at the end of a runway, recovered a bridge and provided salvage expertise to wreck removals across the globe. The job does not fail to stay compelling and relevant. It’s a great field to get into! ®

THIS IS WHAT LEGACY LOOKS LIKE!

Robin and Mike Yeager ’76, USMC, are legendary members of the Naval Academy family. Every year they make a significant impact with their philanthropic contributions supporting Navy Athletics. At the end of the year, they often give through appreciated securities, a strategy that allows them to support the Academy they love while also avoiding capital gains tax.

To learn more about how you can give back to the U.S. Naval Academy through tax-advantaged giving options like IRA/QCD or appreciated securities, please contact the Office of Planned Giving at 410-295-4110 or plannedgiving@usna.com.

Scan this QR code to learn more about Tax-Advantaged giving.

GIFTS FROM USNA REDUX: “WHAT ABOUT ’89” MAKES RUNNING A TEAM SPORT

By CAPT John Hammes ’89, USN (Ret.)

Igraduated from the Naval Academy 35 years ago, served 25 years on active duty and retired in 2014. While I don’t remember being particularly happy as a midshipman, it certainly had its moments, and I knew that graduating was something special. It prepared me well for a successful and enjoyable career in the Navy. Many graduates develop lifelong friendships, but our busy day-to-day existence doesn’t always allow us to enjoy the harvested fruit of all that social planting so long ago.

As a west coast sailor with two growing kids and then building a busy private practice in nephrology after retirement, I never made time to go to a reunion and often wondered when I would get to spend some quality time with my classmates.

Enter Ragnar Relays. Ragnar is a series of long distance, team, overnight running relay races in scenic locations across the country. These are physically challenging, requiring both training and a

willingness to tolerate pain and privation to complete them. It is common for military units to ﬁeld teams in these races and I would be very surprised if some other USNA classes had not already ﬁelded a team.

In December 2023, I was surprised to see a text from my ﬁrst-class roommate, Captain Mark “Metz” Metzger ’89, USN (Ret.), asking if I would join a team he was forming for a Ragnar Relay in August 2024. The team would involve eight of my classmates from geographically disparate areas meeting in West Virginia to complete the race.

As my classmate/teammates began to train, our team coalesced, aided by regular Zoom meetings and group texts to coordinate logistics. While we all had maintained a physically active lifestyle, it became apparent that our average age (58) and history of assorted physical maladies might make it hard to bring the team to a

competitive fruition. Despite the adversities of pulled calf and hamstring muscles, COVID infections and Hurricane Debby, all members of the team made it to Bruceton, WV, to compete on 10 August 2024.

Not surprisingly, team “What About ’89” acquitted itself remarkably well, finishing third of 11 masters teams and finishing 11th of 120 teams overall on a muddy, rocky and undulating course. Time in between relay legs was spent maintaining our campsite, cheering on our classmates, reverting to the “rack-hounds” that some of us were in 1989, reconnecting and in some cases getting to know classmates for the first time.

I laughed as long and as hard as I have laughed on any weekend in my life. While our naturally competitive team had a successful running race, I drew several other conclusions from my experience. We could not have completed this evolution without certain attributes which were created or honed by our four years together at the Naval Academy. The ﬁrst of these I will call the legacy effect.

While the service academies don’t have a monopoly on long lasting impacts on their attendees, our experience at Ragnar Appalachians demonstrates that even though we may not see each other in 35 years, our common bond as being Naval Academy alumni provides a motivation that helped us accomplish something few other 58-year-olds could.

While my teammate/classmates and I all had moments of physical suffering, there seemed to be no possibility that we would bilge each other. The second attribute is leadership and teamwork. While this could be viewed as cliché, I saw it reinforced again and again in the weeks leading up to and including the race weekend.

Whether it was team captain Metz ensuring all team members completed required entry items well before due date, Scotty McFadden ’90 (who has now

Eight members of the Class of 1989 reunited to participate in the Ragnar Relays in August 2024. Ragnar is a series of long-distance, team, overnight running relays. The Class of 1989 finished 11th out of 120 teams and team members rediscovered camaraderie and brotherhood from their days at the Academy.

completed eight Ragnar relays) providing mentoring for most of us non-prior Ragnarians, or Commander Jimmy Clautice ’89, USN (Ret.), completing an accurate, organized and fair spreadsheet accounting expenses for timely reimbursement, we worked remarkably well together.

Thirdly, the athleticism and emphasis on physical ability fostered at USNA has endured. While some natural inclination toward exercise is common among almost everyone who matriculates, members of our group have maintained regular exercise and competition as a way of life, which enhanced our quality and likely quantity of life as well.

Commander Drew Kenny ’89, USN (Ret.), has run more than 4,615 days straight without missing a day, while former Brigade Commander Mike McGettigan ’89 continues to run and golf regularly. All of us have continued to keep active despite very busy professional and family lives.

Finally, I would like to comment on humor. While there is no formal curriculum on how to see amusement or comedy in adversity at USNA, we were all exposed to it beginning with Plebe Summer and were taught its value over and over. The “What About ’89” Ragnar team showed that this still applies, since the jokes, humorous sea stories and anecdotes offered by the group, in particular by John “Tree Bone” Tregoning ’89, led to an embarrassing amount of incontinence due to laughter before, during and after the race.

I approached this race with some trepidation. I wasn’t too concerned about the running, but I wasn’t sure how I would be received by my classmates. Or how I would feel about them. Immediately upon meeting up, my fears dissolved.

While I thought well of Jim Snare ’89 as a midshipman, I didn’t really know him that well. Would I enjoy spending time with him after 35 years? When he arrived

at our campsite, we instantly greeted each other like long lost friends. The same feeling was recapitulated by everyone else on the team.

While I am uncertain when I will be able to spend time with my classmates again (family and work commitments prevented me from attending our 35th year reunion) I hope it will be soon. If you are a younger (or older, for that matter) alumni, and you have not recently engaged with your classmates because of this uncertainty or any of a dozen other reasons, I would beg you to set it aside and make or seek out opportunities to spend time with them.

While I have felt thankful many times for the gifts I received by attending USNA, spending time with my classmates this weekend and completing this race with them truly made me feel blessed. a

BRAVO ZULU

1950s

’57: Professor Bradford Parkinson —the “Father of GPS”—of Stanford University was honored by Gdynia Maritime University with the honorary title of doctor honoris causa Parkinson oversaw the launch of the first GPS satellites into orbit, their coordination and prelaunch testing and is the inventor of many innovative applications for GPS.

1960s

’67: Col Jim Buchli, USMC (Ret.), the first North Dakotan in space, was honored with a Rough Rider Award. The Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award has been given to 49 of the most prominent North Dakotans since it was first awarded in 1961. Douglas G. Matthews ’67 was elected to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. He set, and holds, the world altitude record for reciprocating-engine powered aircraft at 42,560 feet. As a naval aviator, he flew 123 combat missions and was Jimmy Carter’s presidency campaign pilot.

’68: CDR Thomas Hayes, USN (Ret.), the president of the Seawolf Association, led a successful $250,000 fundraising drive to acquire the last known, available UH-1B helicopter gunship assigned to Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three during the Vietnam War. The helicopter, donated in October to the National Naval Aviation

Okano ’94 assumes NAVWAR command

Rear Admiral Seiko Okano ’94, USN, relieved Rear Admiral Doug Small, USN (Ret.), during a change of command and retirement ceremony at Naval Information Warfare Systems Command headquarters in San Diego, CA, on 9 August 2024.

As NAVWAR commander, Okano will oversee 11,000 civilian and military personnel who design, develop and deploy advanced communications and information capabilities for the Department of the Navy. Okano’s operational tours include gunnery and fire control officer, and electrical division officer on BELLEAU WOOD, deployed to Somalia; and Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet flag aide in Okinawa.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, she served on Joint Crew Composite Squadron One in Tikrit, Iraq, to assist with defeating radio-controlled improvised explosive devices. Her previous assignment was as program executive officer for integrated warfare systems in Washington, DC. ®

Museum at NAS Pensacola, will replace a late-model Huey now displayed in the squadron’s exhibit that was not an authentic HA(L)-3 gunship. During its commissioned service from 1966 to 1972, nearly 100 Naval Academy alumni, spanning the classes from 1949 to 1969, served as Seawolves in HA(L)-3, one of the Navy’s most highly decorated squadrons during the war.

’69: CDR T. Dewey Meteer, USN (Ret.), was honored in August by the Knox-Lincoln Counties Soil and Water Conservation District for his decade of volunteering and helping a local nonprofit secure three grants to combat invasive plant species.

1970s

’71: Attorney Jeff Albright has been recognized by his peers for inclusion in the 31st edition of Best

Lawyers in America for his expertise in administrative law, environmental law and litigation–environmental.

1990s

'90: Michael Umstead retired from U.S. government service after 31-plus years in December 2023. While in the Navy, he served three tours in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm flying P-3C Orions. While in the FAA, he served as the national aviation events specialist/air show coordinator.

’91: Dan Durn was named CFO of the Year in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times. He joined San Jose-based Adobe in October 2021.

ALUMNI MENTORING PROGRAM

‘97: Shana Gritsavage Ferguson is CFO for USA swimming and played a pivotal role in ideating, organizing and executing the largest Olympic swimming trials in history which was held in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in June. CAPT Motale E. “Mo” Efimba, USN, relinquished command of Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Baltimore in September. Efimba’s next duty station is at the Office of the Secretary of Defense in Washington, DC.

2010s

’14: LCDR Mitch Kempisty, USN, was featured in the September issue of Military Officer magazine’s new “Why I Serve” section, the first naval officer to appear there since it was launched in May.

Do you know someone who deserves a Bravo Zulu? Send to shipmate@usna.com Open to all Nava l Academy al umni, AMP is about alumni helping alumni achieve more in their careers and lives. Register with AMP today to be a mentor, protégé or both. Visit www.usna.com/amp

ALUMNI BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Many Naval Academy alumni go on to launch and/or own businesses in a wide variety of vital industries. The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation launched a business directory to spotlight alumni entrepreneurs. Alumni can search the business directory by class, location or industry. To sign up or to locate an alumni owned business, visit www.usna.com/alumni-businesses.

Questions, please email USNAAlumniBusiness@usna.com

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We understand some members might prefer to access the digital version of Shipmate rather than have a print copy sent to their homes. A digital version of Shipmate is available at www.usna.com/shipmate/current-issue. All issues back to Shipmate’ s launch in 1938 are available online.

While we are cost conscious, Shipmate is committed to connecting alumni and sharing their stories of leadership, service and philanthropy. Strengthening the ties that bind the Naval Academy alumni community together is one of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation’s central missions. Our aim is to deliver impactful stories of alumni doing extraordinary things in the channels our members prefer.

We value your membership and don’t want you to miss any communications, particularly through our ﬂagship publication Shipmate and our monthly e-newsletter WaveTops (www.usna.com/wavetops).

CLASS NEWS

’39

Life Membership: 17%

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

(Editor’s note-Greetings ’39ers! This ’39 column is linked to the column of the Class of ’64, which pays tribute to their Classmate, Geoff Shumway ’64, son of Pete Shumway ’39). In the prologue of Nicholas Spark’s novel, A Bend in the Road, he asks….”Where does a story truly begin? In life there are seldom clear cut beginnings- those moments when we can, in looking back, say that everything started. Yet, there are moments when fate intervenes with our daily lives, setting in motion a sequence of events whose outcome we never could have foreseen.”…..

Two young men, from different parts of the country, entered the Naval Academy in 1935Pete Shumway, from Evanston, IL and Jack Fidel, from Casper, WY- becoming members of the great Class of 1939.

Upon graduation, Jack Fidel was ordered to USS OKLAHOMA. Detached May 1940, he reported to USS SOMMERS (DD 381). He and June Rooney were married in Charleston, SC, on 21 January 1942. Detached from USS SOMMERS June 1942, he was ordered to flight school in Pensacola, FL.

Pete Shumway spent his first three years aboard USS PENSACOLA. During that time, he married Adele Wysard on 12 July 1941 in Honolulu, HI (with ’39 Classmates, Jim Dare and Stan Hindman as part of their wedding party). June 1942 he was ordered to flight school in Pensacola, FL.

“But still when two or three shall meet, and old tales be retold...”

As this class in aviation training was the largest in history, it was assigned to the Naval Air Station in New Orleans in August. It was there that the fabulous Fidel- Shumway friendship was forged that has carried on through three generations. On the day Pete and Jack were to finally solo, Adele and June were in the lounge on the second floor of the operations building, looking through the windows facing the runway, and trying to guess if the plane they saw “bounce” on landing was being piloted by Pete or Jack! The aviation class was then sent to Pensacola for further training, where they received their wings. Geoffrey Raymond Shumway was born 22 October 1942. On completion of flight training in Pensacola, Pete went to VP 132 in Africa on anti-sub patrol off Gibralter. Jack went to Barin Field to train in TBMs and received orders in May 1943 as flight instructor for torpedo pilots at Naval Station Fort Lauderdale. August 1943, Jack was ordered to Great Lakes for carrier landing qualification training. Jack and June embarked on a very long car trip, along with Adele and 10-month-old baby Geoffrey Raymond Shumway. Enroute to Great Lakes, they stopped to stay at the home of Pete’s parents in Evanston, IL. It was there that June and Jack stood as in as Geoff’s Godparents at his Christening.

After Geoff,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

June and Jack became the proud parents of a daughter, Barbara and son, Larry. Through the years, Jack and June and Pete and Adele many great times together

And all through the years- at different duty stations, as well as after retirement- the families would gather together. They were “Uncle” Pete and “Aunt” Adele and “Uncle “Jack and “Auntie Doon” (a name that baby Geoff had given her) and Geoff, Peter, Phil, Bruce, Paul and Barbara and Larry became “Navy Cousins”. We attended each other’s family graduations and weddings. When Jack was assigned Command of USS VALLEY FORGE, LPH-8 in July of 1962, he was sent to Pensacola for helicopter training. As this was a six week training, our whole family went out by car from California to Florida. One afternoon, while at the base swimming pool, my brother, Larry, and I spotted a familiar face- it was none other than our “Navy Cousin”, Geoff Shumway. We were astounded, as what were the odds of us coming from California, and meeting up in Florida, Geoff- a midshipman at the Naval Academy! It turned out the Class of ’64 was there also for training that summer, and so we took him back to our temporary quarters to spend the evening with his “Uncle Jack” and “Auntie Doon”. It was a wonderful reunion! Geoff went through flight training upon graduation. In 1967, he received the following Citation presenting him with the Distinguished Flying Cross:

June holding baby Geoff in 1943 along with insert photo of June and Geoff taken during his June 1964 USNA graduation week.

four more sons were born to Pete and Adele- Peter, Jr; Phil; Bruce and Paul.

Shumway family

Jack and June and Adele and Pete

Pete Shumway Jack Fidel

25 June 1972, on his third deployment (in both A-4s and A-7s)

Geoff’s A-7 disappeared during a combat flight just north of the DMZ. He was rolling in on a target and his wingman reported that Geoff’s aircraft went behind some clouds and the next thing he saw was a ball of flame, due to an impact on the ground. Geoff was listed MIA. Both the Shumway and Fidel f amilies mourned his loss and wore his MIA bracelet for many years.

In the mid-nineties, the government finally confirmed his KIA status through DNA samples and remains that were positively identified. Thirty years to the day his plane went down, on 25 June 2002 the Shumway family delivered Geoff’s remains to the sea at the entrance to Pearl Harbor. In 2004, a full military honors service was held, and a marker placed at Arlington National Cemetery. Almost every member of Geoff’s USNA 12th Company were there with the Shumway family that day. (Editor’s note: Barbara Fidel Adams and her husband, Jim were there representing the Fidel family.)

We lost Pete Shumway in 1990.

In 2006, June and Jack joined Adele in Wilmington, DE to attend the wedding of Bruce and Carol Shumway’s daughter, Kirsten.

(l-r) Adele Shumway, Jack and June Fidel

We lost Adele in 2009.

Jack left this world in 2008 and June in 2010.

Phil Shumway traveled from Arizona, and Bruce Shumway from Delaware, to represent the Shumways at the full military honors burial for Jack, and then again for June’s military burial service.

While the ’39, senior members of each family are gone, we Fidel and Shumway Navy Juniors, we “Navy Cousins”, still get together on occasion and share fond memories of “Uncle Jack”, “Auntie Doon”, “Uncle Pete” and “Aunt Adele”.

To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson… ”I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the new and the old…” and the very best are those who wear the Navy Blue and Gold!

‘What about ’39!’…What about Pete and Adele Shumway…What about Jack and June Fidel!

Respectfully submitted

Barbara Fidel Adams ‘39 Class Secretary

’45

Life Membership: 54%

Donor Participation: 50%

Acting Pres: CAPT Edward L. “Ted” Cochrane Jr., USN (Ret.) 8814 Lynnhurst Dr., Fairfax, VA 22031 p: 703-280-4141

Corr Sec’y: Bonnie Boyd Daughter of CAPT E. L. Cochrane Jr. ’45 4606 Marble Rock Ct., Chantilly, VA 20151 p: 571-342-2266; e: bonnieboyd2266@yahoo.com

Website: www.usna.com/classes/1945

It was a joyous occasion as the Wednesday Zoom group gathered to congratulate Jack Gillooly on reaching 104 years. In attendance at that 25 September 2024 meeting were (top row; L-R) our Zoom host, Mike Taylor, and Ted Cochrane, (bottom row; L-R) Jack Gillooly pictured with sons Brent Gillooly and John Gillooly, Jr., and Rosemary Hsu-Brooks (widow of Don Brooks). To celebrate this milestone, there was some discussion of imbibing a Martini or two. We truly wish you many more happy birthdays, —Jack.

’39: Geoff’s DFC Citation

Geoff MIA photo and bracelet

A recent email to your class scribe from the son of ’45 classmate A. J. Hirsch. CAPT Jeffrey “Jeff” Hirsch (USNR Ret.), reads:

M “My father passed many years ago in 1981. I saw your name and contact information in the July/August Shipmate magazine. Although I did not graduate from the Naval Academy, I got a commission through Navy ROTC and spent a lot of time at the Naval Academy teaching seaman & navigation as a Merchant Marine Navy reserve officer during the summers, 1992 through 2001. I still serve the Naval Academy as a Blue and Gold Officer based in Kent Island, Queen Annes County, MD. It’s nice to see that the class of 1945 is still represented in the Shipmate Magazine.”

Jeff further explained the other Hirsch family members and their connection with the Naval Academy.

M “My father’s cousin, the late Stanley Hirsch was also a member of the class of 1945 and his son, Gary Joel Hirsch was a member of the class of 1968. Unfortunately, Gary was killed on active-duty 5 November 1969 on an aircraft training mission. Another one of my father’s cousins, Robert Hirsch (also a cousin of Stanley’s) was a member of the class of 1947.”

Thank you for your email, Jeff.

In another email from Anne LeBourgeois Grieves, the daughter of proud Class of 1945 member VADM Julien J. LeBourgeois (Ret.) who had died in 2012, she writes sadly that her mother, Priscilla D. LeBourgeois, passed away on 1 September 2024 at 99 years.

M “Our mother was indeed the “Devoted Navy Spouse” who made the career of our father all the more successful and meaningful, and a tribute to the United States Navy / USNA. She herself was a Navy junior (Capt. Sidney E. Dudley (Ret.) and lifelong member of the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy, having christened the USS SHAD at the age of 16.”

rest of the LeBourgeois family.

As always…

Look Alive with ’45!

’49

Life Membership: 57%

Donor Participation: 7.41%

Pres: CAPT Richard A. “Rick” Claytor, USN (Ret.) 701 King Farm Blvd.,#203, Rockville, MD 20850 e: retxnavy@aol.com

Exec Vice Pres and Treas: CAPT Richard A. “Al” Frost, USN (Ret.) 6516 Bellamine Ct., McLean, VA 22101-1481

Paul Laric, Honorary Secretary of the Class of 1949

Sec’y: Ursula Vosseler 2214 Chesapeake Harbour Dr., Annapolis, MD 21403 e: navygolfergirl@gmail.com

Webmaster: CAPT Richard A. “Rick” Claytor, USN (Ret.) Website: www.usna-class49.org

Letter from the President

Many in our class may not be aware that for several years our class has sponsored a Memorial Scholarship fund to help prospective young students obtain advanced high school education and then enter the Naval Academy. Following is a letter I recently received from one such student:

M Dear Class of 1949:

My name is Annabelle Follman, and I have had the wonderful opportunity of attending Marion Military Institute as the Class of 1949 Memorial Scholarship scholar, an award made possible by your extraordinary generosity. I will swear my oath on I-Day as a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 2028, and I could not be more grateful for the chance you have given me to make this dream a reality.

During this last year at Marion Military Institute, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet future service academy graduates and make friends with self-prep and sponsored Naval Academy appointees. I learned how to properly wear a uniform and hospital corner a bed, a skill which will help me greatly during plebe summer. I am incredibly grateful to have had this prep year because it allowed me to mature mentally and academically. While I struggled a bit, this year helped me in so many ways for the United States Naval Academy.

While attending USNA I hope to major in either English or Political Science with a minor in Spanish. I would love to participate in the club soccer team and other clubs as well. I chose Navy because I feel a great urge to serve our Nation and after attending the Summer Seminar, I knew that Navy was the only place for me. I hope to become a Naval Aviator and hopefully select jets. A dream of mine would be to fly with the Blue Angels.

Once again, thank you so much for your support. It means a lot to those of us navigating the prep school year to know that there is someone besides our families supporting us. I am grateful for the people I met during my time at MMI, and the experiences I gained during my year there.

Sincerely, Annabelle Follman

Our heartfelt condolences go to you. Anne, to your brother, Julien, and to the

Priscilla and Julien LeBourgeois, Christmas 2011

’45: Class of ’45 Zoom session discusses Jack Gillooly’s 104th birthday!

49/51 CLASS NEWS

Class of 1949 75th Reunion

Our 75th Reunion took place in Annapolis on 24-26 September. It was too late for this issue of Shipmate to cover the occasion but stay tuned for the next Shipmate which will have a full treatment with details and photographs. It was a great celebration! Nothing could be finer .... Rick Claytor

In Memoriam

John Anderson Bacon, Jr., who was very instrumental in the promotion of the 75th Anniversary died 10 September 2024, in Exeter, NH.

Bob Thomas Hight (non-grad) died 8 September2024 at the Kensington Rodondo Beach, CA.

Laila Suellen Williams Grabowsky, widow of LT COL USN (RET.) Fred Grabowsky died 23 August 2024 at her home at Knollwood Military Retirement Community, Washington, DC.

Elizabeth (Betty) Moore Knoble died peacefully at the in Boerne, TX on 23 July 2024.

’50

Life Membership: 66%

Donor Participation: 12.96%

Pres: CAPT Byron A. Lee, USN (Ret.) p: 410-266-7248; e: byleeby@verizon.net

Vice Pres: CAPT Ed Grunwald, USN (Ret.) Treas: Col William K. Rockey, USMC (Ret.) p: 703-842-3153; e: wkrockey@cox.net

Statistical Manager: Betsy Geibel

Daughter of CAPT Bill Martin, USN (Ret.) e: emgeibel@aol.com

Corr Sec’y: Mrs. Gail Mcnally e: ggmcnally@gmail.com

Widow of CAPT John J. McNally, USN (Ret.) Send News directly to Shipmate at: classnews@usna.com

Submitted by Betsy Geibel, Bill Martin’s daughter.

M The Coronado Class of ’50 lunch bunch continues to meet monthly. We alternate restaurants but always have a great view of San Diego Bay. Recent attendees include Dick Martin who is usually joined by his sons Jon (& wife Anne), and Rick (& his wife Patti); Bill Martin and one of his daughters (Betsy Geibel, Holly Lewis, and Alison Knack); and Scott Frudden, son of the late Admiral Mark Frudden.

Sec’y: Lt Col Wallace G. Christner, USAF (Ret.) 8804 Gibbs Pl., Alexandria, VA 22309 p: 703-780-8632; e: wallace.christner@aol.com

Museum Rep: Temp Vacant Shipmate and Newsletter Correspondent: VADM Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret) 819 Marshall Ln., Alexandria, VA 22302 p: 703-370-9589; e: robtdunn@aol.com

Other Board Members: Captains Robert E. Adler (Ret.) 1500 Westbrook Court, #3137, Richmond, VA 23277 804-200-1367; beadler51@gmail.com

By the time you read this our national election will have taken place and we will know the winners; however, it prompts reminiscence of another election, many years ago. That reminiscence begins with our first becoming midshipmen.

Gail McNally reports:

M Bill Rockey and I had a good visit during which we chatted about the disposition of class of 1950 funds.

Since the class lovingly cared for the Naval Academy museum over the years, we thought that would be the most appropriate. And so, if there is no objection, Bill will proceed with that plan.

’51

Life Membership: 59%

Donor Participation: 19.05%

Pres and Treas: CAPT Thomas A. Boyce, SC, USN (Ret.) 9014 Belvoir Woods Pkwy., Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060 p: 703-780-7525; e: moomapa51@gmail.com

YOUR PROFILE

Vice Pres and Director of Class Gifts and Funds Legacy: Mr. David Ghysels PO Box 68, Oxford, MD 21654 p: 410-822-8623; e: davidghy@aol.com

You will recall, that unlike subsequent years, our class was inducted in small groups all summer long. It so happened that your correspondent’s group was one of the earliest and we were sworn in by an “old” admiral who seemed of no particular interest to most of us. Turns out he was Admiral William Leahy who was an important aide to both Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, mentioned prominently in The Accidental President and whose contributions to the Nation and the Navy were legend; but we knew little of all that when we raised our right hands with many parents looking on.

As midshipmen we were little affected by whoever was president but we were as surprised as much of the rest of the nation a little over a year later when Truman beat Thomas Dewey in 1948. I shook my head along with others when the Chicago Tribune, on the day after the election, headlined an early edition with extra-large type, “Dewey Defeats Truman!”

On the other hand, we may have thought we weren’t affected by the election, but it turned out we were. When it came time for the inauguration, we marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, thrilling to, “Eyes left,” as we passed the reviewing stand in front of the White House.

Several hundred of us then-third class marched that day. Two and a half years later 725 graduated and now just 75 are still around. All who survive undoubtedly can credit at least part of their longevity to those, “Bright eyes and bushy tails,” urged upon us by “Whiskey Jim” Holloway.

Bright eyes and bushy tails notwithstanding, we have to work to keep up with one another, lo, these may years after graduation and the Truman inauguration. This column and our Newsletters help, but widespread dispersal and the ravages of memory and time work against us. One sad example is the San Diego area. Where not-so-long-ago we had a large and vigorous contingent who celebrated Washington’s birthday every year. Today we have only one classmate in the area. The National Capital Region has been similarly affected. Whereas there used to be regular

RADM Sardiello, USN with Bill Martin

In June, Bill Martin was an honored guest of Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello (’90) at his Change of Command (Carrier Strike Group 1) at NAS North Island.

Bill Martin & Dick Martin at one of their recent class luncheons.

meetings at places like Army-Navy or the USNA O-Club, we make do with phone calls and email; but even they are becoming less and less. Bravo Zulu to Cliff Barnes down in Warm Springs, GA; Dick Neff in Rochester, NY; and Barbara Crawford in Mercer Island, WA for helping to keep things going. Then, there are the authors still among us.

Perhaps as previously reported, Max Hill has published, Stories from Max Hill. I’s a lively 571 page autobiography which runs from Max’s early days in Southern Illinois through the Naval Academy, into the Air Force and on to a highly successful real estate career in Charleston.

John Kemble has published a somewhat more modest biography, Duty Stations: An Adventure in the U.S. Navy

Then, while it might be somewhat of a stretch to class the subjects as authors, the Naval Academy Library has on its shelves oral histories of Bill Lawrence and your correspondent.

Should there be other publications by classmates not noted above, please do let us know.

Finally, while not a biography, our late classmate, Andy Kremm, has left us with this:

M“One doesn’t often have the chance to save a life. When the chance occurs, itis most rewarding, even when the saved life is not a person. While walking home with my daughter recently, we heard a raucous commotion from above. At least a hundred seagulls were orbiting an area behind our local high school. Jill saw it first, as I am legally blind and 80 years old. An adult seagull hanging by one leg from the top of a wood fence. The eight-foot fence, made of vertical slats spaced a quarter inch apart, enclosed a trash collection center. Our winged friend was understandably in great distress, beating his wings and screaming his anguish. When I lifted one wing he tried to attack but I could see what had happened. One leg was captured in a fence slot and had slid down five inches until stopped by across member. With the shrieking flock still circling overhead, our friend was hanging upside down on the outside of the enclosure with only one webbed foot inside.

Fortunately, we found an unlocked fence door nearby. Stepping inside, I immediately saw the captured foot on the back of the fence. Jill helped me climb on top of a dumpster where I was eye-level with the fence top. As I reached over the top with one arm and grasped the leg, the bird surprised us by ceasing his frantic efforts and becoming completely silent. Pinching the ankle on the inside and, pulling up with both arms, I lifted the bird out of its shackle. Now I’m holding a very quiet, and likely terrified, seagull by one leg, eight feet in the air over a cement sidewalk. I had not thought ahead what I would do if I could release him. I reasoned that, appearing unharmed except for a sore foot, our new friend had eight feet to recover flight status if I dropped him. I did, and he did, gracefully

spreading wings and gaining altitude. Jill and I were elated, but that’s not the end.

As we continued home, the orbiting flock, now somewhat smaller and less noisy, seemed to follow us. Not until we walked a half block and crossed a street did they proceed on other business. Did they think we were the cause of their mate’s distress, or were they showing gratitude for the rescue? No way of telling, but Jill and I feel certain it was the latter.

Flight has special meaning for me as I am a retired Naval Aviator. An old man had a chance to restore a fellow creature’s wings and likely save a life. And he got to do it with his only daughter.”

’52

Life Membership: 65%

Donor Participation: 22.73%

Pres: Jack Young 9440 Newbridge Dr., #318, Potomac, MD, 20854 p: 240-477-2512; e: jcy52@verizon.net

Vice Pres: Ann Hogge, daughter of Jim Nunneley 7308 Normandy Dr., Richmond, VA 23229-6712 e: hogge4@verizon.net

Sec’y: Kip Young, daughter of Jack Young 1318 Kinloch Cir., Arnold, MD 21012 p: 240-205-2162; e: toughshoes52shipmate@gmail.com

Treas: Vacancy

Website: www.toughshoes52.com

Visit the Updated Tough Shoes Website! Class Vice President Ann Hogge has added new stories and pictures to our enhanced Class of ’52 class website. It includes a detailed Last Call section and even a link to the 1952 Lucky Bag yearbook online. Take a look: www.toughshoes52.com

Class of 1952 Annual Letter – 2024 Hello Tough Shoes ‘52, Our last ANNUAL LETTER was published in 2021, and a lot has changed since then. Let’s see if we can chart this accurately First, we should recognize some of our Class Leaders, including some who are no longer with us, but who kept the faith:

In particular, our Founding President, Jim Sagerholm. Since Plebe Summer, Jim had been our leader. Highly respected up and down the ranks and our best good conscience

Garnett Bailey and Jerry Zacharias supported Classmates and families in end-oflife situations. Zack kept the data base on the Class, and both Zack and Garnett updated the Class Register.

Bob Schulze, with Mimi’s assistance, kept the luncheons going and interesting. Bob also instituted the monthly Zooms, which included great presentations by Academy and Alumni staff, on the current life, education and experience of the Brigade. Very illuminating. Tom Hamil, our unique humorist, created the “Ploob” cartoons, characterizing Midshipmen Life. “Ploob” gave ’52 a signature philosophy, recognized by all Classes in our era

Bill Laux produced over the years great Shipmate columns that were read by a number of Classes. ‘52 was newsworthy.

Co-Chairmen Jan and Jerry Rapkin created a terrific 65th Reunion, including Zack’s presentation to graduating class members going to naval aviation, “Violent Skies - The Navy Air War Over Vietnam”. That was a first for a Class Reunion

Here is one still with us – Phil Case, who built the Army Game at Harbor Hills Yacht Club, with great attendance and even some good scores.

Our communications advisor for so many years, Russ Carlton. Russ was a great match for ‘52 and fit like a glove.

Jim Nunneley, member of the USNA Chapel Advisory Committee, asked Kimberly Moses to become our Class Chaplain in 2007, and to speak at our 55th. Kimberly has been an integral part of the Class as our spiritual guide at reunions, memorials, weddings and funerals.

Our Astronauts, Tom Stafford and Jim Lovell - Their pioneering and space contributions, including several APOLLO and GEMINI missions, had a special context for ‘52, when Tom in GEMINI 6 placed a sign in the window for Jim to view from his window in GEMINI 7 as they rendezvoused. As photographed by Jim: BEAT ARMY! No less the one and only Class rally in Space!!

And we can expand the listing. Those were very good and rewarding times for the Class and families.

TRANSITION TO OUR NEXT GENERATION Now we have a reduced agenda. No Tailgates. No reunions.

But we have some interesting strengths. The power of ‘52 resides as well with the wives, widows, and children of the Class. They provide an even and balanced support and enthusiasm for all that ‘52 stands for. Nobody reflects the value of our Class better. Day In and Day Out they are committed and seek the best for all of us. The children support the functioning and spirits of their parents, particularly directed toward the Class and the Academy.

Our EXCOMM is down from the Glory Days, but I am impressed. Ann Hogge, Jim Nunneley’s daughter, has just come on board as Vice President. She is poking around and is going to get our website on track, among other things. She will get us operating in better fashion. My daughter Kip Young is Class Secretary and gets out our highly regarded Shipmate column, that chronicles our life, both individually and as a tight grouping. Both of these ladies have a lot of things on their plate, and we should appreciate their enthusiasm and good works.

We would be sooo smart to stay in touch with each other. Not just on scheduled events, but just to say hello and how are you?

BEST, AND STILL TOUGH SHOES TO FILL – THIS IS A GOOD LIFE

JACK YOUNG

52/55 CLASS NEWS

We continue to receive word of the passing of Classmates, wives, and widows. Read more details at www.toughshoes52.com

Received recently:

Lt. Colonel James F. Link, USAF (Ret.), September 21, 2024

Jimmy Lee Smith, August 31, 2024

Victor Macomber, August 29, 2024

Jean Maurice Marchand, August 11, 2024

Raymond Cipriano Amor, April 17, 2024

George R. Slayton, January 14, 2024

Lawrence Jefferson Pacl, June 6, 2023 Still Tough Shoes to Fill!

—Jack Young

’53

Life Membership: 64%

Donor Participation: 22.22%

Pres: CAPT Chris Zirps, USN (Ret.) 1902 Toll Bridge Ct., Alexandria, VA 22308-2447 p: 703-780-6124; e: CZirps53@aol.com

Exec Vice Pres: CAPT Alvin S. Glazier, USN (Ret.) 7619 Leith Pl., Alexandria, VA 22307 p: 703-768-2762; e: glophin@aol.com

Cor Sec’y: Mike Gilmore 5324 Lucas Farm Ln., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 p: 984-364-0629 e: mdgilmorevt79@gmail.com

Webmaster: CAPT Paul Dudley, USN (Ret.) e: pdudley@1953.usna.com

Website: www.usna53.com

Getting ready for the Holidays: Pictured is a miniature of the Thompson Trophy Cup, presented to the midshipman declared by the Association’s Athletic Committee to have done the most during the year for athletics at the Naval Academy. In 1953 Donovan Kniss was awarded the cup for his outstanding achievement as a basketball and lacrosse player. His son, Don, has the miniature awarded to his father displayed in his home where it is decorated for Christmas.

“Cruncher” Kniss

Donovan Kniss enlisted in the Navy, served two years and then attended Washington State University before entering the U. S. Naval Academy where he played basketball and was All American lacrosse midfielder. He was awarded the Thompson Trophy Cup when he graduated in 1953. In 1958, he coached and played on the Pacific Fleet Submarines basketball team. He served in diesel powered submarines, attended Nuclear Power Training and served in engineering duties on GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN-598) where he was the Diving Officer for the first submerged Polaris missile launch, and THEODORE ROOSEVELT (SSBN-600), as executive officer on STONEWALL JACKSON (SSBN-634) and as commanding officer on JOHN MARSHALL (SSBN-611). After retiring in 1973, he taught science for 18 years and was science department head at New London High School. We lost Don in 1991.

We have also learned of the passing of the following class of ’53 members: Richard Luthin (27 June), Richard (Dick) Barrett (non-grad, 28 July), Elbridge Frederick (Fred) Murphy (13 August), Melvin Munroe Holley (24 August), Herbert Tiede (5 September).

Enjoy the Holiday Season. Go Navy, BEAT Army.

’55

Life Membership: 61%

Donor Participation: 18.82%

Pres: RADM R. R. Fountain Jr., USN (Ret.)

Treas: CDR Robert P. Pirie Jr., USN (Ret.)

Sec’y: CAPT Thomas F. Stallman, USN (Ret.) e: staltom@aol.com

Corr Sec’y: Frederick Schoenberger e: fredseod@gmail.com

Website: http://1955.usnaclasses.com/

Ernest Hugh Seborg, Eighth Company, passed away peacefully on 23 July 2024 in Annapolis, MD, after a lengthy illness with pneumonia

Alfred Scott McLaren (13) recently posted a new photo. Fred’s youngest grandson, 2nd Lt William McLaren, is on the right with sunglasses at Basic School, Quantico, VA.

DON’T SEE YOUR CLASS or CHAPTER HEADER?

Visit usna.com to look for your POC at: www.usna.com/FindAndConnect Let your class and chapter officers know you have news to share in Shipmate

All-American Lacrosse

’56

Life Membership: 73%

Donor Participation: 30.86%

Class Co-Chairman Emmeritus: Col George Mushalko, USAF (Ret.) (15) p: 703-768-4543; e: gmushalko56@gmail.com

Class Co-Chairman: CAPT Jim Van Metre, USN (Ret.) (4) p: 410-224-3860; e: jimvanm@aol.com

Shipmate: CAPT Pete Fitzwilliam, USN (Ret.) (13) p: 703-501-6776; e: petefitzwm@aol.com

Sec’y: CAPT Doug Hayman, USN (Ret.) (11) p: 410-268-0740; e: dfhayman@comcast.net

Webmaster: Alex Morris (2) p: 941-378-5598; e: alex.morris@1956.usna.com

Website: www.usna56.org

“Deo Fidelis et Patria”

Hi All!

Here it is, Happy Holidays! May everyone have a terrifically noteworthy Thanksgiving! And a Happy Chanukah! And the Merriest of Christmases! Along with Happy New Year! and anything I have overlooked.

On 20 July, George Biles (14) emailed the following to Hoppy Hohenstein (14):

M “When our class had our 60th, I couldn’t let Moose [Al Eagye (14)] celebrate alone in Denver. Instead of going to Annapolis that weekend, I went from California to Colorado, and Moose and I had our mini-class-reunion on that weekend. He didn’t last much longer after that. It pleases me to share this picture of our great classmate and my 3-year roomie. I sure miss Moose. It’s great to remember him and of course our Joe [Duke Edwards] and Smitty [H. L. Smith] as well. —George”

Moose and George in Denver, 2016 [Well done, George. Everyone who knew Moose loved him. P]

Then on 24 July:

M “Hoppy, good to hear from you… Sure, go ahead and share that great picture of Al (Eagye)

“Moose and Jan, Joe Edwards and Dottie, and Janet and I used to get together about once a year around the country. The Edwards had a time share that could be moved around the US and accommodated us all nicely. We really enjoyed each other’s company. We miss them. Thanks, —George”

On 25 August, Alex Morris (2) wrote to Doug Hayman:

M “On August 5th, our house was among 80+ in our development to be flooded. We lost furniture, papers, 2 cars, piano, etc. Our son took us to safety when we could not drive cars. Fortunately, our interior designer daughter has clients who volunteered to lend us their (vue) condo for the duration while our house is being repaired, and we do have flood insurance. The streets have been piled high with debris, furniture, fixtures, garbage, etc. Flooding was unexpected since we were always outside all evacuation zones. However, this year, FEMA changed us to “flood prone”, presumably, we think, because of countyapproved massive construction. This was unknown to residents. And the high rain got mixed with sewerage from a nearby county plant.

“Our 3 kids, both Gkids, a half dozen friends and even strangers spent long hours in the heat helping pack and clear out the house. Carole and I could never have done it. It’s now cleared down to the studs and concrete deck. Dealing with contingencies, contractors and insurance is continual and exhausting for Carol, who does all the negotiating. —Alex Morris”

Doug responded on 26 Aug:

M “Alex, I am sorry. Please remember to give the post office your current address so they can forward your mail. Wonder whether you have considered moving to a continuing care community. Would you like mention in the class column? —Doug”

To which Alex responded to Doug on 28 August:

M “It’s fine with me to mention it in our column. We’re doing fine; it’s challenging dealing with insurance, contractors, county, etc. —Alex”

The following announcements are made of the recent passing of classmates and classmate wives. Full obituaries for classmates will be presented in the “Last Call” section of this or a future Shipmate.

Nancy Henry, born and raised in Roland Park, Baltimore, passed away Tuesday 23 July 2024 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Severna Park, MD. Nancy was the only child of Norman and Elva Swayne and the loving wife of the late Captain William F. Henry, USN, (Ret.) (10) for 41 years.

Nancy and Bill met at the U. S. Naval Academy and were married 2 Jun 1956. Bill’s submarine career took them to Norfolk, VA, Charleston, SC, Key West, FL, Washington, D.C., Newport News, VA, and Cape Canaveral, FL. Nancy and Bill shared five children, all of whom were born at different duty stations. A new child miraculously appeared nine months after many submarine deployments!

Nancy’s fondest moments were times spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was adored by all. In addition to her 33-year career as a Navy wife, she was a legal secretary for 20 years. Nancy loved laughing, reading, crafting, bowling, playing games of all kinds, and Chardonnay.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bill, her daughter-in-law Sharon, and companion Bob Barrett. She is survived by her five children, Cheryl Henry (Mike Ratterman, Kieth Henry (Donna), Nancy Timmons, Jennifer Hillman (Simon) Stritehoff). She leaves 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren who affectionately called her “Moo.”

A memorial service and celebration of Nancy’s life was held at the USNA Chapel on 5 Sept 2024, followed by inurnment in the USNA Columbarium. Nancy was laid to rest with her husband Bill, overlooking the campus they both so loved.

Written by, Sunrise Assisted Living Gordon Leary Vogt, Sr, (non-grad) of Emporium, PA passed away 23 August 2024. He was 91.

’57

Life Membership: 71%

Donor Participation: 25.75%

Pres: VADM Daniel L. Cooper, USN (Ret.) e: dandbcoope@aol.com

Vice Pres: CAPT William H. Peerenboom, USN (Ret.) 1003 Rachel Ln. SW, Vienna, VA 221280 e: whp36@aol.com

Sec’y: CAPT Peter S. Boyne, USN (Ret.) e: theboynes57@cox.net

Corr Sec’y: CAPT Robert M. Wellborn Jr., USN (Ret.) 3141 Abruzzo Pl., Glen Allen, VA 23059 e: rwellborn3@gmail.com

Treas: Col John D. Regenhardt, USAF (Ret.)

Webmaster: CDR Charles R. Hall III, USN (Ret.) e: crhall@comcast.net

Website: http//1957.usnaclasses.com/

Those of us who now have passed on and are missed by family, classmates, and friends: Harman Brown Bell III (07 - Non Graduate) passed away on 03/02/2023 in Mt. Dora, FL. (Please note that this was last year) He was born 06/09/1933 in Honolulu, HI. *

Betty Jean Blind (wife of Loren Lee Clark (22), passed away on 06/10/2024 in The Villages, FL. She was 89. *

David A. DeLo (24) passed away 08/28/2024, having succumbed from his

CLASS OF 1957 FATHER OF GPS

Honored by Gdynia Maritime University

"Professor Bradford Parkinson — the “Father of GPS” - of Stanford University was honoured by Gdynia Maritime University with the honorary title of Doctor honoris causa. The Professor personally oversaw the launch of the first GPS satellites into orbit, their coordination and pre-launch testing and is the inventor of many innovative applications for GPS. The innovation of his work has been confirmed by seven patents.

Professor Parkinson has been honoured with many awards and distinctions for his scientific and professional activity. One of the most important awards is the Queen Elizabeth Award, which was presented to the entire team responsible for the architecture and development of GPS in 2019 by the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III).”

<https://umg.edu.pl/en/ news/2024/ professor-bradford-parkinson-conferredhonorary-title-doctor-honoris-causa>

battle with bone marrow cancer, in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Dorothy “Dorri” Dunlap (wife of Stanton Dunlap (06) who passed away in 1996), passed away on 08/06/2024 in Virginia Beach, VA. She was born 12/19/1933 in Brooklyn,NY. *

Andrew S. Massimino (03) passed away on 08/24/2024 at home in Dallas, TX. He was born in 1934 in Russellton, PA. *

Richard B. Nygaard (20) passed away on 07/11/2024 in Virginia Beach, VA. He was born on 01/12/1935 in Alcester, SD (population 750).*

James “J.P.” Patrick O’Neill Jr (13) passed away on 08/19/2024 in Pacific Beach, CA. He was born on 04/27/1935 in Kellogg, ID. * Raymond L. Vieira (22) passed away on 07/15/2024 in St. Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford, MA. He was born in New Bedford on 09/27/1933. *

Patricia Stuart ( Wife of Moore Stuart (21) who passed away in 2022) passed away in early September 2024. She lived in Reno, NV. (This information was provided by Moore’s daughter, via Burt Nichols (21) and Sam Coulbourn (21), and also reports that final arrangements are pending.)

An email from Ms. Woodbury, who prepares the “Last Call” section of Shipmate, is as follows: Paul T. Saari (03) “In the course of doing some database cleanup, I found that he passed away on 7 March 2023. No obituary, just this: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/254272659/paul_toivo_saari. His wife, Pat, had predeceased him on 20 April 2018: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19147 1076/patricia_marion_saari ” No additional information is available. **

* Denotes timely information, about events that may have passed by the time this issue of Shipmate is published, that was posted in Reference Info/Deceased Classmates/Recent Obituaries on the class website: http://1957 .usnaclasses.com/. Our webmeister, Charlie Hall (07), deserves our appreciation for updating our website in real time, meaning that we all should make it a point to check it (no log-in required) several times a month.

** As you can see from this note, a genealogy database website is used. If any of you has more information, please communicate with a member of the class listed in the masthead for this article. (Also, your scribe is pleased to offer his help to any reader desiring help with genealogy.)

Follow-on Information about those who have passed:

A note on the services for Bill Mickle (03), via Pete Boyne (06) and Bill Peerenboom (03) in the DC area:

M “A Celebration of Life for Bill Mickle was held on 9 September at the Falcon’s Landing retirement residence in Virginia where Bill lived until his passing on 10 May. Hosted by his family, Bill Jr, Kathryn and Richard, there was a large turnout of residents who became his friends while living there. Bob Crouch (21), the Peerenbooms and the Boynes represented the Class. Inurnment at the USNA columbarium followed on 10 Sept.” His portrait from Falcon’s Landing is provided.

A note on the services for Fred Federici (19) held at Arlington National Cemetery on 7 August 2024, followed by a reception in Patton Hall in Ft. Meyers. The reception, provided by Fred’s wife, Jinny, daughter, sons, and their families, included friends, former service associates, and families, from New Mexico and the Northern Virginia area. Don Regenhardt (20), Bob Strange (19) and Bob Wellborn (11) represented the class. Don Regenhardt provided anecdotes from their service together in our USAF.

From Bill Peerenboom (03), sad news as follows:

“We were saddened to learn that one of the most influential Distinguished Professors in the Class of 1957 Naval Heritage Chair, Professor James Bradford, passed away. Jim Bradford served in the Chair 2012-2013. His service is particularly noteworthy because under his leadership, he and a number of our other Chair and Fellowship occupants cooperated in producing “America, Sea Power and the World”. This book has become the text for all midshipmen to use as they are introduced to our navy’s history and heritage. It is used by the Academy and all NROTC Units. This book, now in its second edition due to the work of Jim’s son, will serve as one of the most important legacies of our class. The second edition is updated and includes input by other former Professors and Fellows.”

An additional note from your scribe about Professor Bradford: Please go to our class website, http//1957.usnaclasses.com/, in the “Now Hear This” heading for more information. And also, while you are in the website, look in “Reference Info”, “Heritage Chair History” for even more good, good information.

Pete Boyne (06) brings to our attention the remembrance in the National Maritime Historical Society 27 August 2024 issue of Tuesday Morning - Honoring our Naval History and Heritage, noting the passing of Professor Bradford. Those words also are posted in our class website.

An Exhortation by Your Scribe:

More about our class website. In several places therein, we are asked by Charlie Hall, the webmeister, to contribute stories, classmate information, and other various forms of real-time information. Now, when your scribe sees information for publication in Shipmate, while it may reach a different audience, often the information is overtaken by events by the time the Shipmate issue is mailed. Therefore, we are all encouraged to email Charlie Hall with all the things he asks of us in order to keep the site a living, breathing, little history of what we are doing. As our numbers dwindle, and just look at the list above, it really is important to not give up on who we still are. While 71% of us subscribe to Shipmate, a much smaller percentage of us participate in sharing the daily stuff of real interest. This really strikes me, as I read the obituaries each month, and

Bill Mickle

see all the accomplishments and good words, and good works, that go unnoticed while we are still living. The thing about our website, unlike Facebook, Instagram, etc., is that it reaches all of us. This isn’t bragging. It’s humble history of our here and now!

Lunch, Effort, and Progress:

About every month a group of classmates in the greater DC area gather at the Army Navy Country Club for lunch. A purpose for noting this is to encourage all of you in other metropolitan areas to consider doing the same thing. Your scribe travels by convenient, reliable train service (rather than patience-destroying driving episodes on I-95), and notes that in the Los Angeles/San Diego and San Francisco Bay areas, local train travel has become more convenient. The same is true further north in the Northeast Corridor. This is more than “see and be seen” stuff. There is still a lot to accomplish. A To Do List is embedded in the following paragraphs.

Example 1: The DC area luncheon on 18 September featured the following, as quoted from Todd Creekman, Class of 1969.

“During the ’ DC-area luncheon on 18 September at the ANCC, retired Navy Captain Todd Creekman, USNA ‘69 and his wife Debbie were guests of Pete and Eleanor Boyne, with whom Todd had worked almost two decades earlier to get the Submarine Centennial Exhibit at the Smithsonian moved into the then-newly created Cold War Gallery of the Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yard.

Todd reflected on the many ’ers besides Pete with whom he had worked in support of naval heritage projects (and at his local church!) including serving as executive director of the Naval Historical Foundation (NHF) when Bruce DeMars was chairman of that nonprofit and actively engaged in fundraising for the Cold War Gallery.

Todd offered some of his thoughts about the dissolution of NHF at the end of 2022, the transfer of its assets and many of its programs to the U.S. Naval Institute, and the growing Navy support for a new National Museum of the U.S. Navy to be sited just outside the Navy

Yard gate on M Street SE—making it still the only national military museum located in the nation’s capital.”

Those in attendance now have an implied action to support, and find support, for an important effort to bring our Navy’s museum quality history into a more accessible part of the Washington D.C. area.

Example 2: Please note how often the names of Bill Peerenboom, Pete Boyne, and others, contribute Shipmate articles that enlighten all of us as we continue to recognize things and then make contributions. So, Shipmate classmates, keep the good stuff coming.

The Good Social News for the Issue: George Lanman (06) provides us with two wonderful gatherings from the West Coast; Coronado, and elsewhere.

First, with George on the left, and Bruce Friederich (16), met for dinner here at Tartine Coronado. Bruce was in town for an annual three-day meeting of the UDT/ Seal community. (Ah! Could we hear more about this with some real salt in the sea stories?)

And second, he sends in the picture of a larger gathering of the California Bunch, with the following words:

M “On Thursday 26 September, seven classmates made it to the IL Fornaio Coronado Italian restaurant for lunch, with a great view of the San Diego skyline, including the iconic USS MIDWAY Ray Fazzio (14) came down from the

Bay Area, John Holt (14) from Oceanside, and Joe Koch (11) from LA. After comparing notes on our aging status of canes, walkers, diets and companions, we swapped many football stories in the wake of Navy’s great victory over Memphis. Ray was the leading storyteller.

“From left to right, front row: Ray Fazzio, George Kachigian (23), back row - Harry Gimber (4), Jim Beatty (4), George Lanman, John Holt, Joe Koch. Jeff Dennis (6) and Bud Edney (5) were not available to attend the get-together due to prior commitments.”

and

Speaking of Bill Peerenboom (Again) He sends us the following.

M “…Several Northern Virginia classmates got

George

Bruce

California brunch at IL Fornaio Coronado Italian restaurant

‘57: Lunch at Patty O’s

‘57: Left to right going around the table, the names are: Jim Hower, Dan Cooper (absent in picture), Gil Livingston, Bob Crouch, Duke Peacher, Don Regenhardt, Chuck Hermanek, (back right) Dwight Avis, Bob Wellborn, Pete Boyne, Eleanor Boyne, Debbie Creekman, Todd Creekman, Jerry Smith.

57/58 CLASS NEWS

together at the suggestion of Forrest Hanvey’s (05) wife, Sylvia Auton, in the beautiful village of Little Washington, an hour’s drive west of us. We had a delightful lunch at Patty O’s, one of the many fine eateries there. Pictured are (L-R Front) Dave Smith (02), Diane Smith, Forrest Hanvey, Sylvia Auton, Jack Cook (11) and Diane Cook. (Rear) Betty Peerenboom, Bill Peerenboom. The beautiful weather, great views enroute, lunch and company were splendid. Service at Patty O’s was enhanced since we identified the affair as a nonagenarian celebration for Dave and Forrest. Jack and Bill don’t yet qualify.”

More About Shaking up The World: Our Compiler, Jim Paulk (06), has done an extraordinary job of generating support, publicity, and sales for this book of books. His incredible list of activities is too long for our class news word limit, so your scribe arranged with Charlie Hall for a section of the class website to describe all Jim has done for our class. As room allows in future Shipmate issues, more space will be allocated to Jim, and all those who help him, to make Shaking a continuing and growing success story. BZ from the whole class!

’58

Life Membership: 60%

Donor Participation: 32.44%

Pres: Lt Col Gordon M. Gerson, USAF (Ret.) e: gordon.gerson@1958.usna.com

Corr Sec’y: CAPT Bill Schramm, USN (Ret.) 17 Calera Canyon, Salinas, CA 93908 p: 831-484-9058; e: w_schramm@comcast.net

Webmaster: CAPT Fred Victor, USN (Ret.) e: avictor@erols.com

Website: www.usna.com/Classes/1958

ARRIVEDERCI IN ASCOLI PICENO – When Ron Eytchlson ,1st Company, was stationed in Naples he and his wife Pat developed a love of Italy. Later they purchased a 400-year-old “villetta agricola” and set about a restoration process. Over the last 26 years they have visited their very special second home 37 times. The photo shows Ron and Pat at their unique second home. Ron says their most recent trip in June may be the last, but what

From CDR Mark Poindexter, USN (Ret.): Bill Schramm’s daughter Karen Stubb informed me that Bill will be unable to continue as your Corr Sec’y. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bill for his devoted service to ’58 for so many years. He’s been great, reliable and ensured that the class column always has interesting news. Bill thought it appropriate for the son or daughter of ’58 and also an alumnus take over this responsibility. I am the son of your classmate VADM John Poindexter and a member of the Class of ’85. I will be your new Corr Sec’y. I look forward to serving the great Class of ’58. (mark.poindexter@1985.usna.com)

ANOTHER RIING STORY – This one is from C. Vern Hanna, 24th Company. During 1st Class year spring break Vern went home to Charlston, WV travelling by train. On the way back to Annapolis he took a night train to Washington, planing to visit some of the sights before taking a bus to Annapolis. He used a restroom in a service station to clean up and ended up leaving his ring on the side of the sink. Later he noticed the ring was missing and returned to the restroom, but no ring. A couple of days later he gets a note from a Mid in a different battlion saying that a relative of theirs had found the ring and recognized what it was. A week later Vern travelled back to DC to collect the ring. Proof yet again that God looks over babies, drunks and Midshipmen.

UNUSAL ART FORMS – Pat Hanavan, 24th Company, sent in a photo of the framed back of his Academy bathrobe. Makes me wonder what other unusual items folks have framed. Let me know if you have your own “art” on display.

USNA PICNIC – In Montecito, CA, there is an annual USNA picnic. This year the Class of 1958 was represented by Gary Minar, 20th Company, and his friend Sally Jones and Nils and Beverly Rueckert, 6th Company. Sally’s father-in-law owned the “drag” house at 21 Maryland Ave. back in the day and her late husband was George Jones a non-grad from our Class.

THE CRUISE OF 1955 ACCORDING TO DAVE AULT

We rejoin Dave as he explores merry olde London.

10 July - Up at 0900 and back to the hotel and the boys. Harlow and I walked around and mailed off some postcards. I really haven’t begun doing too well at this. We had chow at the hotel and then cleared out of our room. Caught the bus at 1:40 and bid farewell to London. I and many others were sorry to go in a way, but glad to get out at the same time. We’re on our way home now and also London did not live up to expectations – I had an enjoyable time but really had to pay for it –not so in Madrid. We arrived in Portsmouth at 1730 – too late to call Jill – I did try but she wasn’t home. I’m quite sorry – I think I will write her. We went back out to the pier. Harlow found his girl – with another Mid!!! We hit the fair, dances and all just to while away the few remaining hours – sweated getting back on board on time but made it. To bed- received a welcome letter from Mom on my arrival –can’t wait to get home.

11 July – Dick’s birthday – The fleet pulled out today too – we put the refueling gear together, took down the awnings and then just screwed around – weighted anchor and at 1630 said a final goodbye to England – it was a nice country I’ll come back – though I’ve no one to see. Mom must come someday. Caught up on this damn thing – hope it is worth it in the end – somehow might want to read it. Hit the rack early – Need some sleep which I lost in London.

12 July – No more land nowhere – It’s sort of nice to be sailing into the setting sun. We’re really on our way home – “turned to” this morning – all morning – as usual we keep doing the same thing over and over again because there isn’t anything constructive to do. Had two lectures this afternoon – secured early, posted the watch to 1715 – Compartment security til 2000 – went to first family movie in a long time - “Casanova’s Big Night” – I’d seen it, but it was still sort of funny. Hope they keep the movies outside for a while. To bed at 2300 – We have to get up at 0500 to refuel this big thing – will be interesting to watch if nothing else.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

CLOSING RANKS

Nancy O’Connor – Wife of Michael O’Connor, 7th Company, died on 9 September 2024

Philip Granum 4th Company, passed on 30 June 2024

John Griffiths 6th Company, died on 4 April 2024

John Brophy 5th Company, died on 19 June 2024

Joan Lerum wife of Glen Lerum 4th Company, passed on 12 August 2024

George McNulty 21st Company, passed away on 11 April 2024

Tom Rosser 1st Company, died on 31 August 2024

Tom Gladding, 17th/13th Companies, died on 19 June 2024

’59

Life Membership: 64%

Donor Participation: 20.11%

Chairman Executive Committee: Tom “Luke” Lukish e: tluke5959@gmail.com

Executive Vice President Administration: Tom Billings e: tomsfree1959@gmail.com

Executive Vice Pres Services: Bob Beaton e: cccusna@gmail.com

CorporateTreas: Joe “Paddy” Ford e: Hagerty127@comcast.net

Corporate Sec’y: Art Emmerson e: pickemm@verizon.net

Shipmate Editor: Larry Weaver e: ls.weaver@icloud.com

Webmasters: Elaine and Pete Stout e: estout3915@verizon.net

Website: www.usna1959.com

YES, THE CLASS OF 1959

HAD A FANTASTIC 65th REUNION !!!!!!

We had 72 - ’59ers present plus 43 - Spouses, 14 -’59er widows and 30 Family and friends for a total of 158 - A GREAT REUNION!!!!

To me, however, one of the biggest events was the attendance of Norm Bednarek (22) who broke the femur in one leg and has been in serious medical condition for months!! He has now undergone a second surgery and been subjected to LOTS of Physical Therapy to strengthen his leg and build up his stamina.

Below is a photo of Norm and his wife, Linda at our Reunion. IT WAS GREAT THAT YOU BOTH MADE IT!!!

Norm and Linda

We are collecting photos and comments from other REUNION attendees and will have them here on this site in the next issue of Shipmate!!!

’60

Life Membership: 71%

Donor Participation: 22.99%

Pres: CAPT Douglas M. Johnston Jr., USNR (Ret.) p: 202-203-8360; e: dmjj60@gmail.com

Vice Pres: CAPT Bob Osmon, USN (Ret.)

Treas: CAPT Geoege W. Dowell III, USN (Ret.)

Sec’y: Bill Lewis

1300 S Hwy. A1A Unit 508, Jupiter, FL 33477 p: 804-334-6353; e: bilewis@comcast.net

Webmaster: Richard Harper p: 805-583-1640; e: Richard.Harper@1960.USNA.com

Website: http://www.1960.usnaclasses.net

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

In Mid-March, I had lunch with Gary Espinas, our Distinguished Visiting Professor in National Security who is now in his second year in the Class Chair. After lunch, I sat in on his “Politics of Russia” class and was impressed not only with the quality of his teaching, but with the highly thoughtful responses the Mids gave in response to his probing questions. Before the class began, I conveyed to the class how pleased the Class of 1960 is to be providing them the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of national security and the nuances surrounding its practice.

As a former Foreign Area Officer in the Army, Gary is able to draw upon a rich background of past assignments in Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, as well as the Pentagon and State Department, in informing his presentations and the discussion that takes place. In short, he brings a lot to the party.

A total of 54 enthusiastic Mids attend his Politics of Russia course as do another 37 his

Russian Foreign Policy course. Contributing to their enthusiasm is the quality of guest speakers he is able to attract. This past semester, for example, he brought in a total of seven guests, all with considerable expertise in Russia, including the U.S. Defense Attache’ to the Russian Federation, the current Ukrainian Defense Attache’ to the U.S., and a Ukrainian two star general.

The below note of thanks from Captain Dave Richardson, Chair of the Political Science Dept. says it all:

M “Class of 1960 Officers—Just to add my two cents of optics to Gary’s performance to you and the entire Class, he is setting a new standard here in the department for what it means to be an engaged faculty member of significant impact. He is very humble about it, but I have never observed such a pre-registration “buzz” around a course like his specific classes in all my 5 years as Dept Chair.”

His two Russia-related electives fill up within 5 minutes of pre-registration opening, which is indicative of the way midshipmen are responding to his course content, rigor and exceptional guest speakers. The fact that he is taking on additional duties like escorting Mids abroad on cultural trips over the summer and serving as faculty representative for our annual Foreign Affairs Conference, in addition to being in his office with a line out the door nearly every hour of the week when he’s not in a classroom...makes me simply say that I hope Dr./Colonel Espinas remains in this role for quite some time. A huge thanks to you and the entire Class of 1960 for making this huge “margin of excellence” possible.

All the best & V/R, Dave

From Bob Ianucci (16):

Guest, Clexton, Eilertsen, & Greenhalgh

Parcells, Whitaker, Townsend and Ablowich

M “Hi Bill, The Williamsburg/Hampton Roads monthly lunch bunch gathered at Bubba’s Crab house & Seafood Restaurant in VABEACH on

9 July for food, camaraderie and retelling of old tales. As usual, Bubba’s staff gave us a warm welcome, good food and gracious service.

Fourteen classmates attended the lunch: Ed Clexton (10), Wick Parcells (12), Jim Eilertsen (21), Al Bissell (8), Bill Townsend, Al Ablowich (16), Henry von Kolnitz (22), Al Whitaker (16), Bob Powers (8), Jack Greenhalgh (9) Bob Osmond (17), Rod Friedmann (5), Bert Johnson (10) and Bob Ianucci (16). Bob Osmond (17) brought along a guest, Colonel Johan Wagner, Netherlands Army who is assigned to a post at Ft. Eustis, VA. Col. Wagner was a pleasant addition to our group giving us insights into the world of NATO logistics and expressed his interests in the comparison between our respective services.

While waiting for lunch to be served, Al Whitaker (16) told us of his trip to Annapolis for his grandson’s induction into the USNA class of 2028. An interesting chain of events led to Al’s meeting the Superintendent, Vice Admiral Yvette Davids after the ceremonies and introducing his plebe grandson to the Admiral. Al noted that few of us ever got to meet the Superintendent until the garden party for our graduating class during June Week 1960 - his grandson was in awe on meeting the Supe.

On a personal note; my youngest son, Tom, is now a captain, Chaplain Corps USN and is serving as Command Chaplain at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. He thoroughly enjoys the challenges of working with the enthusiastic and talented Corps of Cadets. Tom celebrated his 30th year as an ordained Catholic priest in May of this year. Best Regards, —Bob”

From John Schmidt (20):

M In the attached picture, we looked happy but actually were sad after the loss of Sam Ward (8) and east coast move of the Stevenson’s (2). Attending were Joyce & Chuck Schroeder (23), Nancy & John Pethick (9), Charlotte & Bob Stevenson (2), Jan Shaw (2), Avery Hallowell (3), Ann & George Marburger (20), Pam & Mike Fenn (4), Carmen & Angel Ortiz (4), the McDonoughs (4), and Glee & John Schmidt (20)

Also, later we joined Sue Ward (8) to say farewell to Sam in Coronado. Joining were; Jan Shaw (2), Avery Hallowell (3), Francette & Bernie Roeder (23), Chuck Schroeder23) John Schmidt (20). Interment was at Christ Church Coronado. —John

I’ve included a short note regarding a race won by our classmate Tom Glew (13) this past spring. Hopefully the entire article including pictures will show up on the class website and you can enjoy it as I did – Bill

SHIPMATE

More than 85 years available online to all Alumni Association members. Visit usna.com/shipmate

‘60: Gathered in SoCal

M “For 45 years the Linda & John Paepcke (11) have faithfully erected and managed the tent and tables for our tailgate at the football games. If next year is going to be our last

gathering, maybe we should erect a marble monument on the spot where our tent has stood for all these years in their honor!! Just a thought. In the meantime, a few BZs from all of us to them would be most appreciated, I’m sure. The lovely young lady with us in their granddaughter Abigail. A chip off the old block, she put up the protective plastic screen when the winds began to blow and the winds came. God bless, Oz

From Doug Johnston (5):

M “Classmates, Attached is a picture of the 1960 flag which flew over the new Alumni Association and Foundation building yesterday in honor of Pete Chabot’s inurnment. Between the service at the Columbarium and the reception that followed, a moving tribute was paid to a uniquely gifted friend and leader. Warm regards, Doug

M (From Tom) - Bill: You might find this article written by a crew member of interest. I had promised Pete Chabot (14) a crew spot, but unfortunately, he passed away. I see Bill Ballard (4) here in St. Pete as we are both members of the St. Pete Yacht Club. He is very well and I hope he can crew for me on the next Mexico race in 2026. Maryann and I went to Harry Lewis’s (15) service In St. Marys, GA on June 21. Helen & Jack Garrity (15) were there also. Mimi is doing well even after a fall. She has great support from multiple family members. Hope you are doing well in Jupiter. Maryann and I are looking forward to next year’s reunion. I presume you will be there. Thank you for all your years serving as class secretary. All the best, —Tom

“If you had told me I would one day, get to race in St. Petersburg Yacht Club’s

“Regatta del Sol al Sol “I would have said “No, not even in my dreams.” Sure enough, this dream would come true when a friend from Crescent Sail Yacht Club invited me to crew on XTC a 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 461, under the command of 1960 Naval Academy grad, Tom Glew (age 85) - Shahe Momjian”

Your

Tom Glew celebrating with daughter Sharon and son-inlaw-Joe Leite in front of the awards: Cruising A First-Place plaque, Cruising B Second-Place plaque, Overall Cruising Class trophy, and a trophy for Most (22) Regata del Sol al Sole Races Completed.

Also, from Bob Osmon (17):

Granddaughter Abigale, Jack & Linda Paepcke, with Bob Osmon

’60 Flag at the Fluegel Alumni Center

’61

Life Membership: 74%

Donor Participation: 23.21%

Pres: RADM Jerome F. Smith Jr., USN (Ret.)

Corr Sec’y: CAPT Bob Sherer, USN (Ret.) 2301 River Crescent Dr., Annapolis MD 21401 p: 410-266-1334 voice and text e: enavant1305@icloud.com; sherer@1961.usna.com

Webmaster: Howard Winfree e: winfree@1961.usna.com

Website: www.USNA61.org

Dear Classmates,

On a recent autumn stroll through the Yard your scribe noticed an addition to the Herndon monument area. The bell of SS Central America (Commander Herndon’s ship) was recovered following the discovery of the wreck in 1988. The pictured memorial was made possible with the participation of the class of 1983 who also installed a time capsule on the site to be opened by the class of 2083 .

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

Bill Kraus reports The Class of 1961 San Diego Region group met at the San Diego Yacht Club once again to celebrate our bi-monthly luncheon on Tuesday, 13 August. It was a nice 80 degree day out on the front deck surrounded by lots of boats. Five guys had to cancel at the last minute for various reasons. But those of us

in attendance had a great time exchanging new and old stories .... “whenever two or three shall meet”… All hands looked great! In the photo, left to right are Leo Willetts, Don Coullahan, Bruce Maxon (standing), Chuck St Laurent, Bill Kraus (standing), Tom Bailey, Jack Allen and Ed Oleata. Bruce Maxon is heading up the funding for the Supply Corps memorial at our planned USS MIDWAY “Freedom Park” on the San Diego Bay waterfront. We’ve been meeting like this for over 25 years now. Our next event is our annual “end of summer” party and dinner on October 12th. (Photo evidence is on next page.)

The Annapolis/Northern Virginia gang convened at McGarvey’s for the September luncheon. Again, avoiding references to health topics, we stuck to computer problems, parking and dealing with bureaucracy of which there were plenty to go around. In the photo from left: Dana French (17), Bob Glover (8), Paul Lang(19), Bob Sherer (4), Bill Ciesla (18), Jay Bower (14) Ike Cole (5), Jerry Smith (8), Professor Doug Rau ’71, Ron Carlberg (20) and Tim Dugan (12). (Photo evidence is on next page.)

Your scribe ventured to Virginia Beach to join the Tidewater monthly luncheon. It was great to catch up on the doings in the area and share tidbits of news from inside the yard. Seventh Company took the attendance prize. Left to right around the tables: Cyd Driscoll (22), Bob Sherer (4), Tom McNicholas (9),

Steve Olzinski (16), Ned Kuhns (7), Dick Hixson (19), Bob Graham (18), JP Decker (8), Tom Markley (12), Mike Gambacorta (3), Kurt Rohdenburg (20), Buzz Needham (12), Bill Brown (14-Honorary), Fred Lowack (7) and Ken Craig (7).

Football tailgate operations resumed this year with Ed and Chris Straw, Ron Carlberg, Jim Davidson (Honorary 7), Howie and Susan Winfree, Bill and Gloria (McMillan) Brown

(Honorary 14 ) and Carolyn Liebeck hosting with tailgate fare, refreshments and a venue for swapping yarns. Fans were rewarded for their faithfulness with the team sporting a flashy new wing-T offense resulting in victories over Bucknell, Temple and most notably top-rated Memphis. The 143-point total for the first three games is the highest since the 1918 (not a typo) mark of 150. The brigade had to learn a

new routine for the march-on following the return from 30 to 36 companies this year. In the photo foreground: Bill the Goat who is so realistic that kids come up and ask to pet him.

From left: Ron Carlberg (goat-keeper) (20), Jerry Smith (8), Ed Straw (7) Jim Connell (2) and Bob Sherer (4).

’61 fans tailgating

During the Memphis game I was flagged down by the Anne Rudzki, Mom of our current ’61 legacy Midshipman Bobby Rudzki ’26, the grandson of George Youmans (1) who died in 2013. She had alertly noted the 1961 on my ball cap. Anne is George’s youngest daughter. A measure of the family devotion to USNA is the membership of Bobby’s two non-graduate parents in the President’s Circle. I did not meet Bobby (a Political Science major) because he was busy as defensive end on the Sprint football team playing against Mansfield. I hope to catch up to him before the next issue.

Speaking of Presidents Circle, the class of 1961 has 44 members supporting the Academy in this way. Here are three classmates at the annual President’s Circle Weekend.

From Left Bob Sherer (4), Joe Hansen (22) and Warren Hoppe (21).

Bobby Rudzki ’26 and parents

’61 at Fluegel Alumni Center

’61 at San Diego Yacht Club

’61 at McGarvey’s

’61 at Rib City Restaurant

61/62 CLASS NEWS

Recognition for our outstanding sports teams continues with the gridiron heroes.

Capital headline: 1960 Navy Football finishes Season ranked 4th in nation.

Context: The roster for opening day had 49 players, which made up three teams, plus several extras for injuries etc. Of the total, 24 players were from ’61 (10 returning letter-men), 15 players from ’62 (2 returning letter-men) and 10 players from’63 (Plebes were not eligible for varsity football). The coach was Wayne Hardin, in his second season as head coach (the 1959 team record was 5-4-1). Navy was not ranked in the pre-season top-20 national polls. Navy was an independent team, not affiliated with a conference. The substitution rules allowed only one free substitute per play and participants usually entered by checking in, as a team, with a designated referee. Once on the field, participants played offense, defense and all special teams. The free substitute allowed Navy to get the quarterback/safety on/off the field, as well as the punting or field goal/kickoff specialist. Division 1 college teams only played 10 regular season games each year.

The 1960 Navy Football Season

The team flew to Boston to face Boston College on 17 September 1960, winning 22-7. The next Saturday, for Homecoming in Annapolis on 24 September, Navy blew out Villanova 41-7. After this game Navy was ranked 17th out of 20 in the national polls.

In the first of six “big” games of the season, the team flew across country to Seattle to face the prior year’s Rose Bowl Champions, Washington, on 1 October. This hard-fought game wasn’t decided until the final seconds when Greg Mather’‘62 kicked a field goal for the Navy win, 15-14. After that game Navy jumped up to 6th in the nation.

The next Saturday, the Navy team flew to Norfolk (while a Regiment of the Brigade traveled by ship) to play in the Oyster Bowl in the rain on 8 October. Navy beat Southern Methodist 26-7, improving to 5th in the nation.

The second “big” game of the season came on 15 October in Baltimore where Navy faced Air Force for the first time ever. Air Force scored first, a field goal, but then Navy took charge on both sides of the ball winning 35-3. It had to be end Frank Dattilo’s ’61 favorite game, as he intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown. As a result of this win, Navy rose to 4th in the nation.

The next week, the team took the first of three train trips to Philadelphia, this time to face University of Pennsylvania on 22 October where they secured the only shutout of the season, 27-0. Navy remained 4th in the nation.

The next weekend, for the third “big” game of the season, the second train trip to Philadelphia was to take on Notre Dame on 29 October. Navy prevailed 14-7, still 4th in the nation.

The following weekend, the fourth “big” game of the season, Navy flew to Durham to face Duke on 5 November. Despite taking the lead, Navy wasn’t able to sustain its momentum bowing to Duke 19-10. Duke would finish as champions of Atlantic Coast Conference in 1960. As a result of this first loss of the season Navy dropped to 8th in national rankings.

Back in Annapolis for Senior Day, 12 November, Navy righted the ship, beating Virginia 41-6. After this game, Navy stayed ranked 8th in the nation.

The fifth “big” game of the season, and third train trip to Philadelphia was, of course, Army on November 26. Navy controlled the game in the first half, leading 17-0 at halftime. The Black Knights made adjustments and Navy was hanging on in the second half while Army scored two touchdowns. Joe Bellino finished up the regular season in typical fashion, carrying 20 times for 85 yards, catching a pair of passes for 16 yards and returning two kickoffs for 46 yards. What mattered most was Joe’s interception of an Army pass in the end zone returning it 45 yards to end the game with a 17-12 Navy win. Navy climbed back to 4th in the nation, in the final ranking of the regular season.

Of course, the sixth “big” game of the season was on 2 January 1961 – the Orange Bowl, in Miami, Florida. In a hard-fought game against Missouri, Navy ended up losing 21-14. There was a seventh “really big” event for the season between the Army game and the Orange Bowl – Joe Bellino became the first Navy player to win the Heisman Trophy.

Get it done with ’61

’62

Life Membership: 75%

Donor Participation: 26.19%

Pres: RADM William C. Miller, USN (Ret.)

Sec’y: Robert Giles 1749 Baldwin Dr., Millersville, MD 21108 p: 301-395-4379; e: robert.giles@gmail.com

Mary Lee and Herb Sprague

Herb Sprague (15th Co.) and wife, Mary Lee, send three “Rocky Mountain Highs.” The first is from the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak which rises some 8,000 feet above our home in Colorado Springs. While we drove our car to the top, we met our son, Stephen Sprague, USNA class of ‘93, who had been hiking since 4 a.m. to meet us at the summit. Yes, we gave him a ride down.

The second “High” is congratulations to Mary Lee on our 60th Anniversary this May, and her 80th Birthday this October 9, 2024. She is the daughter of Mrs. Marshall (our USNA Social Director), and the sister of classmate Al Marshall who we visited in South Carolina in July 2023 to celebrate his and Phoebe’s 60th Anniversary. Sadly, Al passed away in February of this year.

Our third Rocky Mountain High comes from the Air Force Academy football stadium where Navy just triumphed over Air Force by a score of 34 to 7. Shown in the picture nearby (from right to left) are Herb, Mary Lee, our son Stephen (USNA ’93), his daughter Lydia, and his wife, Andrea. Go Navy!

’63

Life Membership: 62%

Donor Participation: 19.51%

Pres: CAPT W. Spencer Johnson IV, USN (Ret.)

Sec’y: Michael H. Shelley 27 Cambridge Dr., Brevard, NC 28712 p: 828-506-2201; e: nstar@citcom.net Website: www.USNA63.org

As I prepare this column in late September it is my sad duty to report the loss of four classmates and a ’63 wife, as noted below. Be sure to visit the Last Call section of our web site to read their obituaries and other remembrances.

Raymond L. Witter passed away on 5 September 2022. We do not have contact information for his next of kin.

Joel D. Millen died on 12 March. We do not have contact information for his next of kin.

Peter L. Rollosson passed away on 4 August. His widow, Joyce, can be contacted at 14337 Holly Springs Road, Lake Oswego, OR 97035. William R. Carmichael Jr., died on 22 August. His widow, Pat, can be contacted at 2300 Cedarfield Parkway, Apartment 418, Richmond, VA 23233.

Mike Obsitnik’s wife, Marilyn, passed away on 10 August. Mike can be contacted at 29200 Bay Hollow Drive, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543. Jim Ring provided this remembrance of Pete Rollosson, his roommate.

M I roomed with Pete and Jim Patterson plebe year, and then with Pete, Paul, and Ron Reihel, youngster year. Pete was a great roommate who brought a hot plate and several Playboy magazines to start youngster year. We enjoyed hot dogs and Playmates until we were caught and required to have a white glove inspection by Ned Koons, ’61. I still remember standing at attention while he tested everything for dust. We passed. I forget who received the demerits.

My Fourth Companymate Jim Koehn checked in with this full update.

M I was just reading the latest edition of Shipmate and decided it was time to update you on a few of our activities. First off, I suspect that I may hold two Class of ’63 records: most descendants and most surgeries.

After 61 years of marriage, Judy and I have 11 great grandchildren! Audrey Ruth Koehn was born on July 28 to Josh (USA Special Forces) and Amanda Koehn. I’m not convinced that there will be any more in our lifetimes but one never knows.

Over the years I have accumulated a total of 26 surgeries spanning heart, back, hand, eyes, kidney, hernia, shoulder, hips, three types of cancer including several skin carcinomas, and who knows what else. Having said that, our health is generally fine for both of us although we are slowing a bit due to arthritis.

Judy continues to manage a church thrift shop that benefits a local Las Vegas food bank as well as being the original founder of the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Henderson with hundreds of members today. I have surrendered all my board responsibilities trying to live my belief that old guys should retire and let the younger generation take the lead.

Judy and Jim Koehn at the 50th Reunion

Each summer we drive to central Oregon for the summer to escape the Southern Nevada heat (this year we saw 120 degrees). We usually have 15-30 visitors during our time there and it has become sort of an annual family reunion for those that can make it. We spend our time on the golf course, and I supplement that with 12-15 miles on my road bike with a lot of reading during the quiet times.

This fall we are traveling to Buffalo for my 65th high school reunion, Philadelphia to see Judy’s brother and sister, and then to the Baltimore/Westminister area for time with our daughter and granddaughter’s family. Colorado Springs is planned for October, while Josh is deployed, to help his family as well as to see another grandson who is also an Army guy. I don’t know how long we can sustain the travel, but we are not limited yet.

Dave Moore and Phillip Marsden are frequent contributors to our Shipmate reports, keeping us informed about various ’63 contacts and activities on the west coast. Both were busy this summer, as evidenced by the many photos and notes they submitted. Because of limited space, most are not included here. See this column on our web site for the full content. First, here is Dave’s account of classmate contacts.

M In late July, Lana and I went to San Diego for a ’63 function in Coronado. On the way we stopped in Oceanside to see Ginnie and John Dolby. We had a light lunch on their back patio. The fence behind us in this photo is the Camp Pendleton boundary and marks a sharp drop-off from John’s property on a ridge. The occasional thud of artillery shells was interesting.

While in San Diego, Lana and I had a two-hour meeting over beers with Mickey Mays at the Admiral Baker Golf Clubhouse. He and I served together on ComCruDesGru-3 (‘76-’78).

Mickey is from Washington and spent one year at Washington State which explains his shirt logo.

Phillip submitted several photos and a note tying them together.

M This is a picture of classmates who enjoyed lunch together when Northern Virginia resident Jim Fontana visited San Diego in July. Left to right are Lew Blackwell, Jim, me, Ted Krohne, and Vern VonSydow.

John Dolby and Dave Moore

Mickey Mays and Dave Moore

Every year, I send a photo from the annual Coronado, CA, Concert in the Park. Appearing (L-R) in this image from late July are Phillip and Martha Marsden, Jerry and Rowena Harken, Lee and Sue Cargill, Vern and Gail VonSydow, Dave and Lana Moore, Ron and Dee Wills, and Donna Kaup.

Shortly after the concert, I took my 16-yearold grandson on a tour of western Washington State. During this travel I was able to see several classmates who live in the area. Being with Meredith Musick, Bob Wildman, and Rusty Rank made the trip a special treat.

Many of us have consulted Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, for easily accessible information. I was surprised to learn that several of our classmates are the subjects of articles on the site. Mike Blackledge reports having found biographies for Pete Deutermann, Mario Fiori, Tom Hall, David Robinson, Ron Terwilliger, and Harlan Ullman. You will enjoy reading them. Should you learn of others, please tell me.

As I was proofing this column for submission to the editor, I received an email from Jim Stageman with this timely news.

M I’m happy to report on a classmate get together in Omaha in mid-September. Specifically, it was a plebe year, 3rd Company, Room 1116 reunion. The roommates were Gary Smith, Fred Kaiser, and Jim Stageman Unfortunately, Gary is no longer with us but his widow, LoriKate, filled in admirably.

The occasion was that LoriKate and her husband, Cody, were on their way back to California after attending Parents Weekend at Iowa State, where her son, Casey Smith, recently enrolled in the aerospace engineering program. They decided to stop by Omaha for a visit before seeing Cody’s family in Kansas. In a happy coincidence, Roy and Vicki Warren just happened to be at an RV rally near Omaha and were able to join in. Finally, Klara and Fred Kaiser drove over from their home in the Chicago area to complete the group.

In this photo below, seated left to right, are Lori Kate Pyle, Klara Kaiser, Vicki Warren, Roy Warren, Jim Stageman, Sandy Stageman, Fred Kaiser, and Cody Pyle.

We had a lot of news to share this month, and I hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to visit our web

site for extra content. Let’s keep up the active participation in this news exchange. We want to hear from YOU, Sir.

QUALITY – ’63

’64

Life Membership: 65%

Donor Participation: 28.21%

Pres: CAPT Michael Farmer, USN (Ret.) e: farmer.mike@comcast.net

Corr Sec’y: Roland Marquis 333 Valverde Ln., St. Augustine, FL 32086 p: 847-970-7562; e: bigroland1@comcast.net

Website: www.usna64.org

(Editor’s Note: Most classmates are accustomed to being badgered to submit Shipmate material; however, this month’s column memorializing Geoff Shumway, elicited sufficient great material to easily fill two columns given “Shipmate Police” word count restrictions. Accordingly, your humble correspondent was forced to employ drastic editing measures this time with apologies to the many who submitted wonderful narratives and great photos.)

And so, we open this issue remembering Goeff, the seventh honoree of our ten classmates listed on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall who have been and will continue to be listed chronologically in the identical manner their names appear. The first section below covers the exact narrative accompanying Geoff’s name on The Wall (not consistent with Shipmate Style Guidelines) and the second section - up to now - has been a short transcription from the individual’s entry in our 40th Reunion Yearbook, usually submitted by a roommate or company mate.

In this case however, Rich Wilson, the roommate who actually, initially wrote Geoff’s 40th Reunion summary, submitted what amounts to an extensive Shumway biography, summarized below.

On The Wall: Panel 1W Line 49 Lt. Commander Geoffrey Raymond Shumway was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. He served as a Pilot and was assigned to VA-22, CVW-15, USS CORAL SEA, TF 77, 7TH FLEET. On June 25, 1972, an A-7E Corsair (Bureau Number 157437, side number NL 311) of the VA-22 Fighting Redcocks was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot, LT Geoffrey R. Shumway, was never heard from

’63: At the Coronado concert

’63: Having a fine time in Omaha

Geoffrey R. Shumway CDR USN Panel, Line

again and declared Missing in Action. The crash site was later located at Xom Bau in the Nghe An Province. LT Shumway’s remains were returned on August 3, 1993 and positively identified on June 12, 2002. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. [Taken from a4skyhawk.org]

Key elements of the Wilson Writeup: First Class Year Geoff and I roomed together. He was exceptionally smart and a very good athlete. One exam week while I was busy studying, trying to pass exams, he taught himself to play the guitar!

He also was a very good athlete, especially in racquet sports, but he wanted to try pole vaulting and I believe he played 150 lb. football. Whenever we played squash, I never had a chance!

Geoff’s dad had been a naval aviator, and Geoff knew what he wanted to do after graduation. After living with Geoff, I also decided to go Navy Air. We roomed together most of the time through flight training at NAS Saufley, NAS Meridian, and NAS Beeville. I remember how excited we were, when we were issued “g suits”!

After getting our “wings” in Beeville, Geoff decided to go to the west coast A-4 RAG and subsequently went to the VA-146 Blue Diamonds for North Viet Nam cruises on

RANGER and CONSTELLATION During one of those cruises he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while he was in VT-24.

Goeff receiving the Distinguished Navy Cross Goeff then attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he earned a master’s degree. Back on sea duty, he joined the VA-22 Fighting Redcocks and left in November 1971 on CORAL SEA for a planned nine-month cruise, leaving behind Kathy, daughter Carey (almost 3), and Duncan (1 1/2).

Geoff’s A-7 was shot down on June 25, 1972 by AAA in Nghe An ProVince, NVN. The crash site was reported as 19 degrees 11 minutes N, 105 degrees 27 minutes E.

After hearing the news, I went to NAS Lemoore to see Geoff’s wife Kathy.I got to talk to Geoff’s wingman. As I recall, he said it took him a while to locate the target Geoff had identified. He stalled rolling in, and he only saw Geoff’s aircraft on the ground after it crashed and no chute.

Years later a Vietnamese “source” came forward and said he witnessed two aircraft flying along Route 15. He said one of the aircraft was on an attack run along the route, when it was struck by AAA ground fire, burst into flames, and crashed. The “source” said the pilot did not eject from the aircraft, because it was hit too close to the ground. He visited the crash site later that day and saw local militia forces burying the pilot.

After hearing that U.S. and Vietnamese authorities were searching for MIA remains, he returned to the crash site and recovered remains, which he then buried in the vicinity of his residence. In 1990 the Vietnamese government repatriated them and they were eventually positively identified.

I have been impressed by the number of friends he had. I have bonded with them, as they shared with me they think of him every day, as I do. Goeff Shumway is the standard by

which I measure other men. We were best friends, and I miss him.

The Shumway family weighed in with their unique perspective. Geoff was our beloved brother, oldest of five. Geoff, Peter, Philip, Bruce, Paul. As’ a Navy Brat (CDR Peter Shumway ‘39), he was deprived of a normal middle school and high school experience due to multiple family moves over several years. He attended 4 different schools from about 8th grade on, and his last high school year was at Skaneateles Central High School in upstate New York. This part of his life showed him to be a resilient and upbeat individual. We looked up to him with reverence and pride as he “herded the cats” behind him, and tried to keep us in line. He received a Congressional appointment to the Naval Academy in 1960.

Geoff was a multi-talented athlete, participating in track, wrestling, football, and tennis. He went on to be a pole vaulter at the Academy. Upon graduation, he went immediately to pilot training in Pensacola, qualified for a fighter pilot assignment, and went on to A-4 training in Texas, subsequently being assigned to multiple A-7 squadrons. His last deployment was on CORAL SEA in late 1971.

during a combat flight just north of the DMZ. He was rolling in on a target, and his wingman reported his aircraft went behind clouds and the next thing he saw was a ball of flame, due to impact on the ground. No parachute was sighted and no beeper signal or communications were received. We have no idea how this tragedy occurred, and many things could have happened. This was his 3rd deployment, in both A-4’s and A-7’s.

Fast forward to the mid-nineties, when, after many years of trying to reach closure, the government finally had a team that produced some remains, coupled with some DNA samples, that confirmed KIA status.

30 years to the day, on June 25th, 2002, family and friends had a ceremony in Honolulu

Jamming

Kathy and Goeff’s mom tending to Pinning Duties

64/65 CLASS NEWS

and delivered his remains to the sea at the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Two years later, in 2004, a marker was placed in his name at Arlington, with full military honors, attended by his family, friends, and a large contingent of his 12th Company USNA 1964 fellow graduates who rendered the poignant traditional final, slow, salute. That they came from literally all over the world was a tribute to his impact on his colleagues. He was a dedicated professional and family man who we all miss dearly. Patriot, husband, brother, father.

Geoff is survived by his widow, Kathy, two wonderful children, Carey and Philip, and 5 grandchildren, all of whom reside in northern California. His family appreciates the opportunity to tell his story, and recognize his impact on so many.

Now, yet another Shumway perspective: I am Barbara Fidel Adams, Secretary of USNA Class of 1939 and ‘39 Shipmate column editor. I am also the daughter of the late Capt. John A. “Jack” Fidel ’39. It was of great interest to me to read in your ‘64 May-June 2024 column and noted that you are honoring each of your ten Classmates listed on the Viet Nam Wall. I saw that Geoff Shumway is to be remembered in an upcoming column.

Geoff and I grew up together as our dads attended flight school together, both in New Orleans and Pensacola. It was there that a lifelong bond was formed between Jack and June Fidel and Pete and Adele Shumway. The five Shumway boys and my brother, Larry, and I became “Navy cousins”, and lifelong friends as well.

We close this amazing Shumway segment with a charming note from Goeff’s wife, Kathy, with an interesting, unexpected, twist. “In 1965 while in Skaneateles, NY, Nelia Hunter, a friend who lived down the street invited Goeff and me to double date for dinner. Her date was Joe Biden (who was then 35 years old!). During the course of the evening, I, as an elementary school teacher, asked him ‘Well Joe, what do you want to be when you grow up?’ He answered ‘The president of the United States!’ and that certainly shut me up!!”

“In losing Goeff, his family and everyone lost a lot! Thank you for giving him the recognition” Kathy Shumway

Honorable Bernie Maguire, an unquestioned stand out member of our class on so many fronts. During a discussion with Class President Mike Farmer at the very well-attended Alumni Club reception Joyce and Bernie’s family hosted, a decision was made to give Bernie special Shipmate recognition. Accordingly, when all our Viet Nam Wall classmates have been appropriately memorialized, a future issue – likely the July-August one will be designated for this honor.

’65

Life Membership: 65%

Fair winds and a quartering sea, classmates

Donor Participation: 51.41%

Pres: CAPT Jim Minderlein, USN (Ret.) p: 410-841-6644; e: jimm65@verizon.net

Corr Sec’y: CDR Dave Anderson, USN (Ret.) 1600 Ala Moana Blvd. #2208, Honolulu, HI 96815 c: 816-621-0878 e: daveand65@me.com; daveand65@earthlink.net

Class of 1965 Home Page: http://www.daveand65.com/USNA65/ https://daveand65.wixsite.com/usna65photos

It’s been a busy two months plus it’s football season, so if you don’t see a report you expected to see in this edition, please check the forthcoming January-February 2025 edition. Mahalo.

First – as usual – the sad news. Here are the classmates who we lost since late July: John Grady, Nick Glover, and Dave Miller For career and life details on all of these, please check out Last Call in this edition.

From Jim Minderlein, 14 Aug

M I regret to inform you of the death of our classmate, John Leo Grady. I just received the e-mail below from Dave Kirkpatrick and appreciate the initial information that he provided about John. He is the 7th deceased member of 20 graduates from the 2nd Company. —Jim

… and from Dave Kirkpatrick John came to the academy after two years of pre-med at Pitt. His goal in life was to become an Ophthalmologist. After four years as a Surface Warfare Officer, the Navy sent him to Temple to complete his medical training. After interning at Bethesda John completed twenty years as an eye surgeon, retiring as a Commander and head of Ophthalmology at the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. He then went into private practice in Mt. Pleasant S.C. and retired only a couple of years ago. He passed away in that area with severe heart blockage.

From Jim Minderlein, 16 Sep

M We have lost another classmate, Nicholas Woodfin Glover on 12 Sep in Georgetown, SC. I just received his obituary earlier this afternoon from the Alumni Association. Nick graduated from the 5th Company and is the 7th deceased member of 20 graduates. Nick became the youngest Vice-President of R.J. Reynolds and was also a senior vice-president of RJR International. Nick had an especially fulfilling career and retirement, including motor cruising on the east coast, foxhunting, all kinds of travel and founding and working with non-profits.

From Jim Minderlein, 17 Sep

M Another sad loss last night, David Lee Miller in Dallas, Texas. I heard about this from Mike Malone, John Wroten, and Dave’s daughter, Beth. He passed away peacefully after suffering from liver disease for several months. His burial will be in the Dallas National Cemetery at a later date, Dave graduated from the 12th Company and is the 7th deceased member of 26 graduates. We all remember him as a great guy who was a real Navy and

Issue Input Deadline

Regarding future memorialization’s, the following table lists the anticipated dates and comment submittal deadlines for memorializing the remaining classmates on “The Wall” Classmate Shipmate

William Griffis III Jan-Feb 25 20 Nov 24

Charles Parish Mar-Apr 25 20 Jan 25

Michel Collins May-Jun 25 20 Mar 25

Anyone desiring to submit remembrances, sea stories, etc., must submit them prior to the deadline date in order to be included in the designated issue.

While we’re on the classmate remembrance thread, your humble correspondent, along with over 50 classmates, attended the 18 April USNA service and inurement of the

overall sports fan with what seemed like an encyclopedia of knowledge of facts and statistics about football.

On to happier class news.

Pete Lumianski, on 23 Jul, described in detail to the folks at USNAAA’s Legacy of Valor project all the great work he’s done and is doing for the City of Phoenix as he honchos the big effort there to pay tribute to the USS PHOENIX (SSN-702) and create a wonderful Cold War Monument in a Phoenix park. Built around the sail salvaged from this retired submarine. Many classmates have contributed their Cold War experiences which will be posted on placards in this monument. Way to go, Pete! Heckuva meaningful endeavor for a retired Navy chopper pilot. If you’d like more info on these projects, please email Pete at prom65@cox.net.

From Thel Hooks, 28 Jul

M Went to the memorial service for George Hurley on Saturday. Fellow classmates attending were Craig Clark with wife Jan, Bob Gosnell, Bill Klopfer, and myself. Very moving service for one of the really good guys in our class.

Ed McCann, on 29 Jul, provided a link to the Register of USNA during the years we were there. Here’s a link to the one dated 09 June, 1965.

https://archive.org/details/annualregiste 19651966unse/page/32/mode/1up.

From Bruce Fuller, 31 Jul M Lately I have returned to the Bridge tables after a 30-year break and enjoying learning how the game is played today.

From Ted Nanz, 06 Aug

M Happy birthday to Meliza, with son FBI Assistant Director, David; and daughter, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets freshman, Karina. Many classmates have met Meliza and Karina. And Ed Linz and Skip Lane have met David.

(Ed. Note: Ted, bless his soul, is always a classmate I can count on to relate what he is doing these days and sharing great pics of his family. Only had room here for one of his reports. But I wish others of you would learn from Ted!)

M Our older daughter, Nelle, CAPT, USN (MC), Ret. is beginning a new phase of her life. Next time you are in the Norfolk area and find yourself in need of a stent somewhere in your heart, tell “them” you want Nelle.

Phil Ferrara on 18 Aug, and Pete Seibert on 13 Sep, reported on the August Columbia River cruise. They attest it was an awesome assembly of ‘65ers and their ladies. Pete reported that 25 classmates and spouses/ partners/widows had a great time cruising the Columbia and Snake Rivers from 11-19 August on American Cruise Lines. It was Karen McCombs’ fourth USNA ’65 Class Cruise. Attendees were Susan Case, Pam and Mike Epprecht, Linda and Phil Ferrara, Barrie and Jay Fyfe, Kayleen and Hap Hadd, Frances and Jim Jenkins, Joan and Jack Kohl, Tracy and Bob Lasseter, Jo MacMichael, John O’Dwyer, Marion and Dave Schlesinger, Jim Roorbach and Judie Zitzewitz, Bob Starkey and Elaine Fenton as well as Midge and me. We enjoyed American Cruise Lines’ accommodations, food, drinks, nightly entertainment and daily excursions which included a Native American welcoming ceremony, Multnomah Falls exploration, Bonneville Dam experience, local museums, Lewis and Clark expedition demonstrations, eight locks, and Mount St. Helens scenic drive. We toured several wineries, went salmon fishing at the mouth of the Columbia River, spent a day exploring Mt. Hood, and more. Mike Epprecht and Karen have already planned our fifth trip for 2026 (not 2025) (See below), and Phil Ferrara added the photo album Columbia River Cruise by Class of 1965, August 12-19, 2024 to his collection. Contained in the album are 142 photos, sequenced and annotated to portray the cruise and its activities. Email Phil at pferrara65@comcast.net for access instructions. After the cruise Phil and Linda were guests of Joan and Jack Kohl and really got a tour of Oregon.

From Ralph Lobdell, 18 Aug

M Diana and Ralph Lobdell and Jack and Joan Kohl at a recent All-Academies picnic (Portland Oregon chapter)

From Frank Peterson, 22 Aug

M To add to the ‘65 Offspring at West Point crowd, here is my grandson, Will Springer, with his brother Luke and his Granddad last weekend. A very impressive ceremony was held to welcome the new cadets into the Long Gray Line.

From Phil Ferrara, 05 Sep

M It was a great assembly of ’65ers on 04 Sep for the monthly Annapolis lunch. Mitch gave us an overview of the health programs and meetings being conducted on the Wardroom site. Attending were Mitch Henderson, Phil Ferrara, Fred Vogel, Frank Peterson, Moke DeMatta,

Ted with his family

From Ed Linz, 14 Aug

All Academies picnic in Oregon

Petersons

’65: Columbia River cruise, August ’24, Marjorie & Pete Seibert, Joan Kohl, Frances Jenkins, Jack Kohl, Tracy & Bob Lasseter, Dave Schlesinger and Jim Jenkins

65/67 CLASS NEWS

Sam Dutrow, Pat Philbin, Jim Stark, Bob Sullivan, Doug Katz, Mike Luecke, Carter Refo, Ted Nanz, Skip Orr, Tom Kinder, Charlie Morrison, Bob Andretta, Larry Eggert, Bill Erickson, Dan Flanagan, John Collins, Jim Minderlein, and guest Gary Stasco ’81

From Tom Barry, 11 Sep

M We moved 4 years ago from Ponte Vedra to Jacksonville to downsize and to be closer to our 7-year old granddaughter. I retired as a Navy Captain in 1991 and had a second career as a real estate broker in Ponte Vedra Beach, from 1991 to 2004. Not one to sit around, I kept busy volunteering at St. Augustine food pantry and with meals-on-wheels, and providing other community support. In addition to volunteering, Carole and I became avid RVers in 2004 and we typically took 2-3 annual trips all over the US. It was a great time and the RV was retired in 2023. We may be slowing down but our 7-year old granddaughter keeps us moving,

On 13 Sep Chip Seymour posted to the Wardroom eForum on his and Mary’s September cruise to Greenland and Iceland. Some great photos too of the Northern Lights were included.

From Sted Garber, 14 Sep

M We are still living like gypsies. We try to spend much of the winter, ideally mid-November through mid-April in Naples, FL. We still are able to spend summers on our small island in Georgian Bay, Ontario. We arrived mid-June this year and are planning to leave on 17 Sep. It is a spot that the kids and grands love so we are very fortunate to have them here for five or

six weeks each summer. I kayaked for over two hours today with a grandson. Our big change is that we sold our house in Annapolis where we had planned to live out our days. But the kids had been pushing us for some time to live near them, so we plan to move into a CCRC in Boulder, CO in October. We are still blessed with good health but take each day as a gift from God. We hope to see a lot of friends at our 60th reunion in another year. Blessings, —Sted

Charlie Morrison on 17 Sep posted some great stuff on our class – Tributes and Stories. If you didn’t see it on the Wardroom site, contact Charlie at morrisonch@aol.com and he’ll send you the links.

Thazzit, guys! Aloha, Dave

’66

Life Membership: 66%

Donor Participation: 18.58%

Pres: Jim Long e: jalongiii@aol.com

Sec’y: CDR Mike Baird, USN (Ret.) 10439 Rivington Ct., Lone Tree, CO 80124 e: mike.baird@1966.usna.com

Website: www.usna66.org

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Christmas and Hannukah are just around the corner, and a new year fast approaches. There isn’t a great deal of news for this issue, but there are some important items to relate.

Sadly, Dee-Dee Hoepfner, wife of Tom Hoefner, passed away 14 August 2024 with family present. That same day, Ginny Michaux, wife of Dick Michaux passed away, also with family present. Please keep both families in your prayers.

Also, Sam Nicholson (10th Co) died on 9 September 2024 after a prolonged attempt to recover from a fall in which he received a head injury. A Celebration of Life at Demaine’s Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA was held on 8 November. His ashes will be interred in the USNA Columbarium, sometime in December. Please keep his wife Sharon and family in your prayers.

Hank Nothhaft checked in to update his status. From his email, he states that “I have been active in supporting USNA since graduating. The most notable is the Blue Angels Fighter at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium which was funded by my wife Randie and me to honor Butch Voris, her father and founder of the Blue Angels. Butch was a unique individual who laid the foundation for the Blue Angels culture which continues to this day.

I am retired from my post military career and have been on a new quest for the last 15/16 years. Check out our website at HnRhorseracing.com. As a result, we now live in KY in Versailles.

One of my son’s, Ryan, was inspired by his grandfather and created BlueAngelPhantoms.com, dedicated to the history of the Blue Angels. His YouTube channel tied to this effort now has 100,000 subscribers. Ryan has basically created a video history of the Blues on his own time and dime. The Blues honored Ryan at their 75th Anniversary by designating him an Honorary Blue Angel, a rare honor. We are immensely proud of his achievements and ready to discuss at any time. I am, for one, savoring every minute of the Navy football success and looking forward to Beating Army!!!!!!” Thanks, Hanks. Great update.

The Class Executive Committee/Reunion Committee is at work planning the 60th Reunion. That reunion will be held 1-4 October 2026 in Annapolis, MD. It is a football weekend, but Navy will be at Air Force. The reunion was scheduled that way to ensure our Class could have the N-Room at the stadium. We will have the usual tailgate in the N-Room and view the game via the several TV sets provided. A brief survey and schedule of events will be published to the Class in the spring 2025. Start making plans to attend now. Until February…All the best…Mike!!!

’67Life Membership: 77%

Donor Participation: 35.53%

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

Here’s a late photo from the joint inurnment of Royce and Dave Vetter last month. (Photo is on the following page.)

We received this note that Steve Fagan sent to the 33rd Co Mets:

M Nancy called last night to say that Paul Kanive had passed away on Sunday18 August 2024 after becoming ill at home. He was hospitalized and his family was with him. I am not aware of any arrangements at this time. Nancy’s address is 13826 Haynes Dr., Houston, TX 77069-1770.

Annapolis Lunch Bunch

HANK WITH GRANDSON JETT AND TRIPLE CROWN WINNER JUSTIFY

There’s no further word on services for Paul, but the family has requested privacy.

After graduation, Paul reported to GURKE (DD-783) and deployed to WestPac. On return from that cruise he reported to flight school to be designated a Naval Flight Officer, then serving two extended deployments to WestPac flying F-4s with VF 114 on KITTY HAWK (CV-63). He and Nancy were married between deployments in 1971. Together they celebrated 53 years of marriage. After stints of shore duty and a tour flying F-4s with VF-151 aboard MIDWAY (CV-41), Paul retired from the Navy in 1991 and embarked on a 14 year career with United Airlines. He and Nancy retired to Houston in 2005. In addition to Nancy, he is survived by his daughter Kelly, son Paul, Jr. and five grandchildren.

Tom Knudson forwarded word from Pete White that Adam Llewellyn died on 30 July 2024 at home in Mt. Jackson, VA. His services were at USNA in St. Andrews Chapel, followed by inurnment at the Columbarium on 23 September 2024.

After graduation, Adam served on RICHARD B. ANDERSON (DD-786) and EL PASO (LKA-117), and entered the Navy Reserve in 1971. Following graduation from the University of Miami School of Law in 1974, he returned to active duty, serving in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps until his retirement from the Navy in 1991. Adam’s career continued at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC, where he was an Appellate Litigation Attorney until his retirement from civil service in 2006. Adam is survived by his wife Pam, sons Adam and Craig, and four grandchildren. His obituary may be found at https://shorturl.at /arKdS. Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306. (https:// shorturl.at/3iSen)

Tom Knudson again was the bearer of sad news. He had spoken with Cindy Gompert. She told him that Dave Gompert had passed away the morning of 21 August 2024 at their home in Portsmouth, NH. His children and grandchildren were all able to be there and say their goodbyes. Cindy has scheduled Dave’s inurnment at the USNA Columbarium for 4 November 2024. According to his obituary

(found at https://shorturl.at/Wf6BN) he led a remarkable life in service to his country in six administrations and in the private sector in Europe and academia. The family asks that donations in Dave’s memory be made to Loon Echo Land Trust (https://www.lelt.org/) and the Bobcats Sports League (https:// bobcatsportsleague.com/).

We also learned of the passing of Mark Berner, a non-grad who left USNA in the spring of Youngster Year. I don’t know what Company he was in, but while at Navy he met Kathy. They were married in 1967. Mark founded a company, Anlyn Systems, Inc, and after retiring in 2000 he and Kathy moved to the Bahamas where they lived for 20 years. His obituary may be found at https://shorturl.at/V32U8.

And…I received this from multiple directions! Ted Lewis, John Boivin, and Doug Faber: M On 30 July, Jim Buchli became the 49th recipient of North Dakota’s Teddy Rosevelt Rough Rider Award given annually to a distinguished native of the state. The award was presented by Governor Burgum in a ceremony at the University of North Dakota in which Jim’s portrait, which will hang in the capital building in Bismark, was also unveiled, Jim was recognized for his distinguished career as a Marine, a NASA astronaut, and aerospace executive. Go to https://shorturl.at/7BsAz for the whole article.

Congratulations, Jim! Semper Fi!

We heard from Bob Fischl that he has published a personal memoir entitled Tipping the Scales of Injustice – The Errors Before Us as a eBook available from xulonpress.com/bookstore Got a good note and a photo from Doug Ogden:

M I recently found out that two years ago, the City of Hardeeville, SC, near Beaufort, by resolution of the City Council, named their High School football field after our Classmate Dave Spisso. He and Martha moved to Hardeeville after he retired from business, and he ultimately was elected to the Hardeeville City Council, He was very popular and effective, and when he passed away his service was one of the biggest I have ever attended, As I recall, there were 8 or 9 classmates and wives in attendance at the services and reception.

Field

Dave Church grabbed a photo of James Cranmer ’28, grandson of Bob Ryan. He’s third from the left in this picture of him and some Classmates. The Chain goes on!

The Chain goes on

Gary McBride sent a link to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame nominees for 2025. Doug Mathews is one of four. Go to https://shorturl.at/vat4p for the official announcement. Congratulations, Doug! Checking my calendar, I’m writing this in September, and you’re not due to see it until the Holiday Season. My turkey costume and fat guy’s red suit are still in storage, but I can at least wish you the best of the Holidays and an absolutely super New Year. Hard to believe my next column will be dated in 2025. Have a good one, boys and girls. Meet you back here next year.

And that’s where we are for this time. Navy football is off to great start. We’ll see what my tone is when this hits your mailbox but as was said in the movie Top Gun: “Looking good so far!”…That’s it...Goodnight!… —Jim

Buchli Rough Rider Award

Spisso

’67 at Vetter inurnment

’68

Life Membership: 62%

Donor Participation: 19.68%

Pres: CAPT Gary A. Storm, USN (Ret.) 2725 Cabernet Ln., Annapolis, MD 21401 p: 410-757-7156; c: 443-924-1130; e: gastorm@verizon.net

Corr Sec’y: CAPT Gordon I. Peterson, USN (Ret.) 5200 Brittany Dr. S., Apt. #102, St. Petersburg, FL 33715 p: 703-282-3411; e: gpeters621@aol.com

Website: www.usna68.com

Mission accomplished! Congratulations and Bravo Zulu to Tom Hayes and the Seawolf Association for acquiring the last-known available UH-1B Huey gunship assigned to HA(L)-3 during the Vietnam War for donation to the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, FL. Tom, accompanied by his brother Mark, traveled to Show Low, AZ, in mid-September to finalize Seawolf 324’s purchase and arrange transportation for its 1,500-mile trip to Pensacola. The helicopter was transferred to the museum in early October. It will replace a late K-model Huey in the squadron’s display, where it will prominently welcome visitors to the museum’s new Vietnam War exhibit.

Tom, a HA(L)-3 veteran and president of the Seawolf Association, spearheaded a fund-raising drive for Seawolf 324’s $250,000 purchase price. He first visited the old museum in 1962. “Years later, when my youngest son earned his wings and joined his older brother, his grandfather, and me as naval aviators,” Tom reflected, “we went to the new world-class museum with my dad. He showed us the many aircraft he flew during his career. It was meaningful to me to see the displays of actual airframes spanning more than 100 years of naval aviation history—except for one Vietnam warbird. The late-model Huey on display was not one we flew in HA(L)-3. With the

acquisition of Seawolf 324, I am proud that HA(L)-3’s legacy as one of the most highly decorated Navy squadrons during the Vietnam War will be represented by an aircraft we actually flew in combat.”

When “The Big Blue” kicked off the football season at home in August, Bill Paine and his team of volunteers “turned to” again for our ’68 Class tailgate at the stadium. That raises a question—when did this tradition begin? According to Bill, the consensus is it started in

1978 with Ted Nayden and about a dozen other classmates in the local area.

“We purchased the tailgate trailer in 2005,” Bill said, “and our first tent sometime shortly after that. We are now on our second tent and at least third grill. Some 20 to 30 classmates generally attend, so with a bunch of family and friends we have about 50 people under the tent. We have to give special thanks to Ray Hopkins, Bill Mulholland, Bob Hollerbach, Gary Storm and Joe Conway for picking up the tab for having Select Events take the tent down after the games this year. So far, we are able to pay for the tent setup out of the donations we receive at each game.” Go Navy, Beat Army!

Members of the 20th Company gathered in Annapolis in September for a fun mini-reunion.

“We rendezvoused during the week to avoid traffic and see the midshipmen at work,” Bill Boykin reported. “Rita and Tom Harper set it up, and Pam and Skip Carter, Marie and Bob Madel, Phyllis and Gordon Brown, and Pat and I were all together after many years. We hoped to include Mike Tkach, but he was unable to make it. Tom and Skip drove down from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Bob from Virginia, and Gordon from South Carolina. We had two fun evenings together sharing old

Tom Hayes (left) and his brother Mark with Seawolf 324 in Arizona. “It was a rare pleasure to sit in the cockpit again,” Tom said.

’68 Tailgaters at the win over Temple: First Row (L to R): Ray Hopkins, Ted Nayden, Guy Eastman, Glenn Gottschalk, Bill Ober, Bill Paine, Bob Arneson, Kevin Rearden, Bill Boykin, Bill Dow. Second Row: Joe Conway, Bill Ruch, Roy Graham, Jim Rather, Bob Hollerbach, George Breeden, Bill Mulholland, Chip Beedle, Kit Ruland, Bill Cobb. Third Row: Greg Horne, Rick Buchanan (top of head only), John O’Neill, Mike Burkhart. In background at left: Sandy Paine, Pam Horne. Photo by Linda Hopkins.

’68: 20th Company Rendezvous: From foreground clockwise: Pat and Bill Boykin, Phyllis and Gordon Brown, Pam and Skip Carter, Tom Harper, Bob and Marie Madel, and Rita Harper.

memories and spent a whole day touring the new academic and athletic buildings. Lots new. Our reaction to interacting with the midshipmen as we walked around with them going to class was very rewarding. The Academy seems like it’s doing things right. We’re all looking forward to the 60th.”

During a Viking Polaris Expedition Cruise of the Great Lakes in September, a casual conversation between Bob Crotteau and John Patton brought an “aha” moment: They learned they were both members of the Class of 1968! “We pursued different career paths after graduation,” Bob said. “Mine was in nuclear submarines, and John’s was in aviation. Our paths hadn’t crossed until the Viking cruise when we both were prepping for a one-hour dive in a mini-submarine. The two submarines on board were civilian-made submersibles seating six guests in two separate ‘bubbles’ on either side of the operator. We went down to 250 feet and observed what was visible—some saw a submerged wreck and others just fish or rocks. The fun was in the ride, not the view!”

Having moved five years ago from their home in Panama City, FL, to the Pacific Northwest, Dave Steere and his wife, Sayre, enjoy sightseeing to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. In late July, they visited the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum in Tacoma, WA. “Our tour guide was a distinguished looking gentleman who appeared quite knowledgeable about boat building and the maritime trades,” Dave said. “My wife noticed his ring and suggested we chat with him to see if he was a USNA grad. Sure enough, he was Lawson “Bud” Bronson ’61. Boy, does he have some great sea stories! If you find yourselves in the vicinity of Port of Tacoma, make sure to visit this museum!”

Dennis Dilley and Rick Buchanan recently recommended adding two books to our reading lists. Having read both of them, I heartily echo their endorsements. “Into Enemy Waters; A WWII Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALs” (Andrew Dubbins; Diversion Publishing; 2022) is a riveting account of our Navy’s Combat Demolition Units during the war. “The book is ostensibly a chronicle of one such diver’s experiences from Normandy and on to the Pacific Theater,” Dennis explained. “Of greater interest to our class, however, it recounts in satisfying detail the work of our late beloved Superintendent RADM Draper L. Kauffman following his graduation with the Class of 1933.” Awarded two Navy Crosses during World War II, RADM Kauffman pioneered the establishment of the combat demolition “frogmen” units that would evolve to today’s Navy SEALs.

Thanks as well to Rick for bringing to our attention Pulitzer Prize Award-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” (Simon & Schuster, 2024). “This is an amazing history of the years when we were preparing to enter the Naval Academy and the time we spent there,” Rick said. “This is a compelling summary reflected in a wonderful story of the love between Doris Kearns and her husband Richard ‘Dick’ Goodwin. They were married after Dick spent time in support of JFK, then LBJ, then RFK, then Eugene McCarthy crafting the Great Society legislation, dealing with the Vietnam War, and challenged by the deaths of JFK, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. It is a chronicle that you will have a hard time putting down. I found it fascinating to think where we all were, what we were doing, and how the events of the day surrounded us in our somewhat oblivious environment.”

Sadly, we lost the 17th Company’s Ron Bauman from our ranks 31 July. In September, we learned that the 23rd Company’s Steve Ries passed away in February. Please see their entries in the Last Call section of this or a future issue.

Ron had a distinguished career in the Navy as a carrier pilot flying the A-6 Intruder in attack squadrons, commanding Fleet Composite Squadron Six (VC-6), and serving as navigator on USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) before retiring as a captain in 1993. He was a 1984 graduate of the Naval War College’s senior officer course. After retirement Ron and his wife, Susan, served their community as Emergency Medical Technicians-Advanced with the city of Virginia Beach for more than 15 years. He married Susan two days following graduation at the Academy. He is survived by her, four daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Ron will be inurned at the Naval Academy Columbarium.

Steve died in Virginia Beach, VA, on 7 February of pancreatic cancer. Upon graduation, he served as gunnery and weapons officer aboard two destroyers, then moved to the

amphibious forces for multiple department head tours. His distinguished career as a surface warfare officer included command of USS SUMTER (LST 1180), USS TRENTON (LPD 14) and USS LEMOURE COUNTY (LST 1194). Retiring as a captain, Steve became a dean at Troy University (Mid-Atlantic) and later accepted a position as a senior analyst at Analytic Services in Arlington, VA. Steve and his wife, Betsy, were the first couple in our class married in the Academy Chapel following graduation. He is also survived by two daughters and three grandchildren.

All the best and take care, Gordo

’69

Life Membership: 59%

Donor Participation: 21.78%

Pres: Steve Comiskey e: swcomiskey@gmail.com

Exec Vice Pres: Jim “Sandy” Sandberg Corr Sec’y: Pat Stroop p: 410-279-4575; e: pstroop@hotmail.com

Sec’y: Dr. Steve Hudock p: 571-419-0290; e: shudock@1969.USNA.com

Treas: Ron Gumbert

4300 Summertime Ln., Helena, MT 59602 e: rongumbert@icloud.com

Website: www.usna69.org

The Grand and Glorious Class of 1969 celebrated the 55th anniversary of our graduation from the Naval Academy 29 August to 2 September 2024 and it was GREAT!! Over 440 classmates and guests were in Annapolis. From Thursday to Sunday all we did was reunite, tell the same old stories, laugh, hug, grin, smile, laugh again, company get-togethers, class functions…biggest lie was “You don’t ever age!”. So much fun. Many, many folks were involved with making everything go so smoothly. Doc Hudock oversaw the reunion, picked the date and the hotel and set up a very strong organization…so strong that even when he could not attend at the last minute his organization of Activity Bosses was such that they carried on without missing a beat. These guys deserve all the credit…even as Steve Linder said, they were like ducks paddling furiously under the water, on the surface they made everything go so effortlessly. Here are the Activity Bosses and their areas of expertise…if you know any of them or if they are in your company or if they live near you, hug them and buy them a beer! Check-In: Geoff Pomroy, Website Registration: Howie Bacharach, Golf Outing: Stan Shustak, Cocktail Reception and Farewell Brunch: Mike Michaelis, Alumni Center Brunch: Todd Creekman, Memorial Service: Norm Brown, Crew Shell Dedication: Pete Blackledge, Class Dinner: Al Cipriani, Class Dinner Entertainment: Sam Wilson, Walk/Run of the Old Goats: John Post, Tailgate: Ed Bannat and Jim Slaight,

From left: Celia and Bob Crotteau with John and Pam Patton during their chance meeting on a Viking Cruise.

Ring knockers Dave Steere (left) and Bud Bronson ’61.

Football Tickets: Walt Giraldi, Photography: Keith Maynard, Transportation: Lanny Hunt, and Finance: Ron Gumbert. Also, a big thank you goes to all the wives and significant others who helped make everything go so smoothly particularly with registration and in preparations for the class dinner. Finally, none of this would have happened without the assistance of the Alumni Center: Kylie Freeburger Fluegel Alumni Center (FAC) events coordinator, Don Kennedy ’92 FAC Senior Director, Elizabeth Beedenbender Director of FAC Enterprise Operations, Wendy Owen Alumni Association and Foundation Director of Class Programs, TJ Grady ’96 Alumni Association EVP, and finally Jeff Webb ’95 President and CEO of the Alumni Association and Foundation. Additionally, we thank our good friend Monte Maxwell Chapel Music Director and Organist who again supported our service with his accompaniment and advice. Monte commented to Norm after the service on both the number of attendees and the warm spirit of our class.

Although we don’t want to wish our time away, we look forward to doing it all again in five years to celebrate our 60th anniversary of graduation. And oh yeah, Navy beat Bucknell to start the season off 1-0! (Navy football is currently 3-0 and has some votes nationally!) Election results: President: Steve Comiskey, Secretary: Pat Stroop, Board of Directors At Large #2: Stephen Leaman, Board of Directors At Large #5: Sam Wilson

From Andy Scott: At the Class meeting at the 55th reunion a presentation was made about Custodes Libertatis Memorial Foundation (CLMF) and our Class support to that Foundation. For more information and awareness, it is suggested that Classmates take a few minutes to review the CLMF website http://www.fallenshipmate.org

One of the highlights from the reunion was President Steve Comiskey letting everyone present know who has been nominated for the Distinguished Graduate Award. Class leadership presented each of the nominees with a plaque that read:

“UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY CLASS OF 1969 CLASSMATES HAVE DESIGNATED [name] A ’69 DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AND HAVE NOMINATED HIM FOR THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD. PRESENTED AT THE USNA CLASS OF 1969 55TH REUNION AUGUST 29-31, 2024 ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.”

Distinguished Graduate Nominees from the Class of 1969 have been Tom Burbage, Bill Clifford, Steve Comiskey, Todd Creekman, Ed Cummins, Dave Deininger, Jim Ellis (our lone award winner), Lou Giannotti, Stephen Leaman, and CF Snyder

Believe it or not, there were other events involving classmates. Jim Moses ran into Carl Tankersly in June at an Art Show marking the 20th anniversary of Plein Air Easton in which Carl’s wife, Nancy, had her own exhibition. Jim recognized the Tankersly name and the rest is history!

From Ed Wallace: As the reunion rapidly approaches, I want to report that Ron Tefteller and I jumped the gun in a small way and held a mini reunion in Denver this week/early August. One lunch fueled the agenda to catch up on a 57-year gap since we have seen one another. The discussion was terrific as you would imagine, although we didn’t finish covering the whole timespan. The attached picture will have to suffice as to how we have gracefully aged. Hope that all of you able to make the 55th have a great time too.

Aida and Al Cipriani, Dee and Bill Coleman, and Mary and Pat Stroop along with a group from Solivita Travel Club (Dee and Bill’s community in Florida) took a 7-day cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to learn about Lewis and Clarks expedition in the early 1800s. We embarked in Portland, Oregon, went West to the coast, then back East and debarked in Lewiston, Idaho. The ship was small – about 200 people – and we were treated royally! The daily excursions were wonderful and we learned so much. While we were on board, we signed up for a ten day Great Lakes cruise next summer. Parts of the world that I have never seen! (See the photo evidence on the following page.)

Ed Wallace and Ron Tefteller

’69ers at their 55th

’69ers and gals (plus one – SecNav ‘83) at their 55th

It is not too early to start thinking about nominations for the next election (2025). This cycle we will elect a Treasurer, BOD At Large #3, and BOD At Large #6. The current incumbents are Ron Gumbert, Tom Cavanaugh, and Pat Maley. John Ohlinger has once again agreed to head up the Nomination Committee and he will be assisted by 4 members of the Foundation as required by our by-laws. If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader. Sell ice cream!

Finally, when you exit the Navy, you are required to tell Navy stories to every human being you meet for the rest of your life!

Non sibi.

’70

Life Membership: 63%

Donor Participation: 24.88%

Pres: CDR Edmund E. Moore, USN (Ret.)

e: edmund.moore@gmail.com

Sec’y: CDR Royal Connell, USN (Ret.) 10100 Hillview Dr., #332, Pensacola, FL 32514

e: royal70@1970.usna.com

Webmaster: Ed Moore

e: edmund.moore@gmail.com

Website: http://1970.usnaclasses.com

Greetings all, and Merry Christmas to you all. Of course I’m writing this in summer weather but there it is… First of all a Bob Sonnenberg correction: The photo of the 11th Co. minireunion gathering in Savannah has the names of those attending, though in this case, the names are incorrect. Apparently, during editing, the names of those attending an event with ‘69 (previous page) has those same names. Not sure it’s worth the time and effort to do a correction, but wanted to let you know. Sound the Last Post: There’s been several decedent notices forwarded, here’s what I know; Larry Cochran

passed in September, Tim Joyce passed in July, Major William Francis Broderick USMC (10th Company) passed away recently from a heart attack and Thomas Martin Storey, of Manassas, VA, passed away in October 2021.

Clint Adams’ wife Joanne, passed away in July. She was a good friend and it is a great loss, although she’s been suffering for a while. She was born in Ware, MA. In September 1968 Jo met the love of her life, Clint Adams, while on a blind date at the Academy. They were married June 6, 1970. Her move to Hendersonville was a result of her long-term medical needs which resulted in her joining the community at Carolina Reserve-Hendersonville followed by The Laurels where she has flourished in the love and warmth of the care she received.

CJ Ihrig’s wife Jennifer, passed away in the arms of her husband of 54 years, she dedicated her life to her family, a role she embraced with great love. Jennifer was born in San Jose, CA, and married on June 13, 1970. Her love, laughter, and the joyful moments she shared will forever be a testament to a life well-lived.

And now for News!

Pat Tierney sends:

M “Last summer, in the spirit of connecting with old company classmates, 36th company Joe Cohen and Pat Tierney took up Eric Thueson’s invitation to join him at his mountain lake cabin near Glacier National Park. Never having been the lounging type, we filled three days with kayaking, whitewater rafting and mountain climbing, all without the benefit of a hot tub. Eric, as an amateur movie producer, put together a YouTube video to memorialize our exploits: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zQ1e-jy8Cm4. So pleased were we with our ability to walk at all after our ordeal, that we decided to challenge any other company to beat our senior triathlon - three guys, three days doing things we use to do easily, and still walk upright on the fourth day.

Any takers

Frank Reifsnyder and 10th Co updates:

M “Jean and Phil Eslinger recently visited with Deborah and Steve Chapman at their second home in Durango, CO. While the rest of us baked over the 4th of July holiday period, temperatures in Durango were in the mid 80s during the day, and down in the upper 40s at night. During their stay, they enjoyed a visit to Mesa Verde National Park. There was also a great parade and fireworks show on the 4th. Shauna and Jim Bowlin joined the group the next day after driving from their new home in Castle Rock, CO. The whole group paid a visit to the misnamed Aztec Ruins National Monument. Upon the completion of activities in Durango, Phil and Jean visited with Shauna and Jim in Castle Rock. The photo shows everyone at the Country Club in Durango. The second photo is from Mesa Verde National Park.”

Pat Tierney, Eric Thueson, Snicker and Joe Cohen

’69: Solivita Travel Club – 4th of July

Su and Dale Gange). The quilt that Rose, Susanne and Su are holding was made by a Chapter member and purchased by Su at the Chapter’s white elephant sale.”

Tom Marsilio, our Pennsylvania Lawyer, sends: M “As a semi-retired, criminal defense attorney (I love the courtroom and can’t stay away), I appeared in a county other than my own in front of a judge with whom I was not acquainted in a packed courtroom. Upon my case being called, my client and I approached the bench, and the judge apparently noticed my rather large and ostentatious Marine Corps lapel pin (which has reaped why many benefits, by the way, in my profession). The Judge immediately said “thank you for your service, Mr. Marsilio” to which I responded “Don’t thank me for my service Judge, because in 28 years, the only combat I saw was in North Africa and there the enemy was my ex-wife and I miserably lost that conflict. Yeah, she got the house.” Well, the courtroom erupted in laughter, and apparently the judge was amused as the sentence my client received was merely half of what we had anticipated. Semper fi, Tom.”

Ring-A-Ding-Ding!

Tom Wolfe sends; M “Our class was well represented at the Alumni Association RV Chapter’s 25th

Anniversary Comearound in Huntsville. Appearing in the photo (L to R) are Rose and Tom Wolfe, Susanne and Charles Lewis and

’69: Solivita Travel Club – 4th of July

’71

Life Membership: 62%

Donor Participation: 18.69%

Pres: CAPT Perry Martini, USN (Ret.) e: pmartini71@gmail.com

Sec’y: CAPT Mike Longworth, USN (Ret.) e: duke.longworth@1971.usna.com

Website: http://1971.usnaclasses.net/

Wow! What an interesting season this fall! Navy Football is off to the best season start since 2017. The team is looking sharp on both sides of the line. I’m placing my bet on a NAVY WIN this year in the battle against Army!

First up is a note from Carl Josefson: M “Duke, My wife, Jean, and I just completed a grand tour of the northwestern states in a 1960 MGA; a car I originally purchased as a Midshipman. Starting in Reston, VA, the tour covered 17 states, 7 national parks, 25 days, and 7500 miles. The highlights included impromptu participation in the West Mansfield, OH Fourth of July Parade.

“We happened to arrive in West Mansfield just as the town was setting up for the parade. We were asked if we could join in. We were enthusiastically welcomed as an ‘exotic car’. Following the fire trucks, various floats and city officials, we fell in behind a Ford tractor pulling a wagon loaded with popsicles (which they shared and we enjoyed) and drove the length of the parade route before continuing on our way.

Highway, Teton Pass, Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge, North Cascades and Glacier National Parks. As you can see in the photo nearby, we also drove part of US Hwy 71 in northern Iowa and thus had Class of 71 on US 71 in 71NAVY.

“It was a great way to see a big chunk of the US! Go Navy! Carl!” What an adventure. So many beautiful sights seen in one trip! You certainly know how to travel well! I hope to see you this fall!

Next is a note from Craig Welling

M “36th Company held another annual get-together on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in September. Company-mates stayed at a large waterfront home near St. Michaels.

Activities included golf, hikes at a wildlife preserve near Cambridge, participation in the ’71 pre-game tailgate, viewing of the Navy football win over Memphis, and a St. Michaels harbor cruise. The company-mates enjoyed lasagna prepared Carter Welling, muffins made by Jim Barron, wine provided by Bruce Gallemore, and dining at the Crab Claw restaurant. The company-mates in the picture from (L-R): Sonny Naple, Lee Burgess, Mark Horgan, Bruce Gallemore, Jim Barron, Garry Holmstrom, Don Beaudette, Robbie Roberson, and Craig Welling.”

I am very confident this was a most enjoyable gathering of my company-mates! Cheers to those who attended! I hope to get there next year!

Jeff Albright, my O’HARE shipmate sent this note:

M “Here at Annapolis for the Memphis game with Beth. Attached is a photo of me with Jim Waddell at the Superintendent’s Garden Party. Other President Circle ‘71 attendees were Jim Bryant, Carl Josefson, and David Polatty. At different times during the weekend, we had the chance to meet with each of the ’71 President Circle attendees. We visited with several other classmates at the game.

“Beth and I have accepted an invitation to a formal ‘black tie’ dinner at the U.S. Supreme Court in October. Semi-long story but might be worth a note. Interesting that most attorneys think I was a JAG officer (too much Navy TV – Jag) and most of the JAG officers know very little about Navy stuff. Sometimes I am not sure if I was caught in between two careers or if I should be more of a link between the two. Anyway, take care - prayers to Lisa.

Jeff and Beth!”

Glad to hear you and Beth were PC weekend and Memphis game attendees. Lisa and I look forward to seeing you at a game this fall! Sadly, three classmates passed away since my last column.

James “Jim” W. Garrow, age 75, of Oxford, MI passed away in the comforts of his home surrounded by his loving family on 6 September 2024. Jim was born in Springfield, MA to parents Walter and Barbara Garrow. At Navy he was a member of 10th Company. Jim 0graduated with us on 9 June 1971. After spending a short period of time on a Destroyer as a First Lieutenant, he reported to Pensacola, FL for

Jean and Carl in the parade “Across Montana, WY, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, we drove the Beartooth

Class of ’71 on US 71 in 71NAVY

Carl’s MGA in the mountains

Jeff and Jim at the Sup’s PC weekend garden party

’71: 36th Company gathering at St. Michaels

71/72 CLASS NEWS

flight training in 1972 and earned his wings in 1973. Jim served as a flight instructor in Meridian, MS and later finished his Navy service at the Naval Photographic Center making training films. Flying was always Jim’s passion. After leaving the service in 1978, Jim transitioned to civilian life where the Michigan automotive industry took him on as a sales engineer. No story of Jim would be complete without mention of golf. Wherever Jim was, there was a golf course to be conquered. He would study the game and practice often. He was incredibly proud of his relatively low handicap.

According to his family, Jim’s greatest love was truly his family. He did everything he could to be an integral part of their lives. He coached his children in a majority of their sports. His grandson Richie was coached in golf by Jim and his grandson Henry became his painting partner. He was honest, kind, and rarely negative about anyone or anything. He can aptly be described as ‘A prince of a man.’ These traits he leaves behind in those whom he cherished most. Jim is and will continue to be sorely missed.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Barbara ‘Barb’ Garrow; daughter Adrienne (William) Majewski; son Timothy (Brittany Kohlberger) Garrow; grandsons William ‘Richie’ Majewski, Henry James Majewski; and sisters Christine (Thomas) Spagna, Lynda (John) Maggipinto, and Nancy (Jim) Aldrich.

Jim’s inurnment service with military honors will be held at the Naval Academy at a date to be announced. May he rest in peace.

George Edward Steel, 74, of Washington, D.C., passed away 11 June, at Gracedale nursing home, Nazareth, PA. He was born 20 October, 1949, in Chicago, IL to the late Dudrey and Francis Steel. George was a 1967 graduate of Wheaton HS, Wheaton MD, where he served as class president. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis MD, for two years before earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1972.

George served as a police officer and detective with MPDC, Washington D.C., for 20 years (1973-1993). He was the co-founder of Grenada Clay works, Grenada West Indies. In his later years, he worked as a private detective in DC. George loved being active in the community and helping people in need. He also loved sailing, dogs, and spending time at the beach.

George was preceded in death by a grandson, Sergio. He is survived by his two sons, Robert and Daniel, a sister, Roberta, a brother, Eric, a niece, Robin, his granddaughter Grace, a daughter-in-law Mary Anne, and several cousins. A memorial service was held in his honor on Friday, August 9th.

Warren Grossetta, passed away in Christ Church, Canterbury, New Zealand on 12 April 2024, at Parklands Hospital. He was 74 years old. Warren arrived in Annapolis and joined us on 28 June 1967. He left USNA at the end of

Youngster year. His survivors include his wife, Janet, and children René, Amy, and Simone, and grandchildren Charlotte, James, Holly, and Angus.

Too soon, it is time to close. Please keep our classmates and their families in your prayers for good health, healing when needed, safety in travels, and strength to meet every challenge. Today is a gift – life is precious and too short! Love passionately, give, and share your time and blessings generously with others – as we are richly blessed so may we richly bless others. Our leadership at home, in our social circles, and in daily routines is vital to maintaining our nation’s constitutional republic. Our training to think critically and to analyze problems is necessary to solve our nation’s challenges. Now is the time to shape the future of our great nation as we strive for a more perfect union. There is plenty of work remaining as we increase our wisdom! Time, tide, and column due dates wait for no man!

Duke Longworth

’72

Life Membership: 59%

Donor Participation: 17.97%

Pres: CAPT Rick Rubel, USN (Ret.) e: rrubel9@gmail.com

Sec’y: CDR Rich Robison, USN (Ret.) 3126 North Greystone Dr., Morgantown, WV 26508 e: Scribe72@comcast.net

Website: http://1972.myusna.com

Class Listserv: TheGouge-USNA72@googlegroups.com

Facebook: USNA Class of 1972

Aaah…that winter chill is rolling into town… must be the Holiday season once again. It’s been a busy year, to be sure—hope yours has been a good one.

From the Scribe’s mailbox—George Stringer sends along the following:

M “It’s been a long time since we were last together at the 50th reunion what a great event! One of the highlights since then was the commissioning of my oldest grandson in June… The experiences that I am afforded by this career never cease to amaze me. Everyone please welcome George “Kyle” Stringer to our Navy family. Kyle was commissioned by his grandfather, who is a retired Captain. It was a touching ceremony with unbelievable support from his family. Kyle hopes to pursue orthopedic surgery, but no matter his specialty, he will be an amazing physician and leader of Sailors! As you can imagine, I’m very proud of his decision to commission as an Ensign, USNR, in the Medical Corps. He is in med school at Ohio University in Athens, OH.

“We have an active Navy League Council locally as well as a support group for the current USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20) —with a scholarship program for family members of the crew (current or previous) attending college or trade schools. In addition to exchange visits to/from ship’s force we have a great float for parade duty to increase public awareness. The ship is currently in San Diego, and having recently completed a maintenance period, may deploy soon. The previous namesake ship, SSN 693, will be featured as part of a Cold War Memorial that will be completed in 2025.

George Stringer and his grandson, Kyle

’72: Cold War Memorial for USS CINCINNATI (SSN 693)

It will incorporate some of the sub’s components. A photo from the groundbreaking ceremony on 31 August shows the “outline” of the sub and its location near the historical Voice of America transmitter site.

“Other than that, I’m active in my community & church, and enjoy making furniture and toys for family in the “Inner Sanctum” of my home workshop. I enjoyed sailing for a few years—including the famous best days (buying and selling the boat) —and will take a cruise on a 100 ft schooner this fall.

“Look forward to hosting classmates coming through Cincinnati! Just let me know: George.F.Stringer@gmail.com.

“(PS: And in case you were wondering, yes—those are the “original” white buck shoes!)” Congrats to you and your grandson, George… but the shoes?!?

Ann and Curt Kemp report that they were back on the road again last summer.

M “As part of celebrating our 50th Anniversary, Ann and I spent a week in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. First time for both of us. They were both visually stunning in their own ways, especially Yellowstone. We saw the sites, hiked, canoed, rode horses, and drove over a hundred miles a day to try to cover as much territory as possible. And as you can see in the photo, we had to make sure we had a GO NAVY photo, by one of the minor geysers at Yellowstone. Most enjoyable and “bucket list” worthy.”

Jeff Beard—never one to be idle—has been working hard on our Class 55th Reunion Campaign. Here’s his update:

M “Our 55th class reunion will be in the fall of 2027. Our class board endorsed planning for another major campaign, to run a survey monkey with the entire class to establish priorities & interest, and to include the Class of ’72 Fund as one of the options. The Class of ’72 Fund has re-established its 501.c.3 not-for-profit status and needs to replenish its treasury.

“The Foundation’s next campaign is not about buildings, but about reimagining how leaders are developed at the Naval Academy, specifically about leadership, ethics, and character. The Naval Academy is the only institution in the nation that teaches these characteristics that produces leaders of

character prepared to serve in the combat arms of the Navy & Marine Corps. Early polling by our top 35 donors coupled with a broader survey monkey questionnaire for the entire class showed support for the following: (1) Class of ’72 Fund (82% very likely or likely; (2) USNA Leadership Institute, specifically the Leadership, Education, & Development Department (51%); (3) Columbarium (49%); (4) the Fund for Athletic Excellence (24%). Based on the response, we’ll aim for the top three.

“Almost two-thirds of you (61%) were very likely or likely to participate in the campaign. Twenty-one of you indicated that you were “very likely” or “likely” to utilize the “Planned Giving” component that we may include as an option. The donor pyramid levels provided an indication of where you saw yourself “fitting” within the campaign was helpful as we had responses at all levels with 80% of you planning to donate.

“All your comments were helpful in shaping the feedback I was seeing in the survey, so I appreciate everyone’s input. In summary, what we’ve learned is the class should focus on supporting: (1) the Class of ’72 Fund (2) the Leadership, Education & Development (LED) arm of the USNA Leadership Institute and (3) the new columbarium. This fits nicely into a campaign that (1) supports our class (2) supports the brigade and (3) supports our alumni base.

“Timeline-wise, we’re looking at running a Leadership Campaign for our top 50 donors in early 2025. Based on that response, we’ll fine-tune our goal and run the campaign for the entire class in 2026. This timing allows for pledges from our last campaign to run their course. We’ll report then the results at our class meeting during our 55th Reunion in the fall of 2027.

“Finally, we’re planning a pre-launch in December 2024 by asking our leadership group to consider donating any unused 2024 RMDs (required minimum distributions) from their IRAs to our Class of ’72 Fund. Those donations would then count as part of our campaign and would help us begin to restore our class fund to more sustainable levels.

“I’ll try to provide the class updates in Shipmate and via The Gouge periodically. Thanks again to all of you for your help and support!”

Closing Ranks.

Jim LaBelle (34th Co.) passed away on 16 July 2024 in Southern Pines, NC. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, three sisters, seven brothers, 14 nieces and nephews and 15 great-nieces and nephews. His obituary and a memory board can be found at: https:// www.floridatoday.com/obituaries/psar0893683

John Blosser (21st Co.) passed away from bilary cancer at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO on Friday, 6 September 2024 following heart valve replacement surgery earlier in the summer. He is survived

by his wife, Cindy, three children, eight grandchildren, a brother and sister, and numerous other family members. His obituary, which can be found at: https://www. freemanmortuary.com/obituaries/ John-D-Blosser?obId=33087509, aptly notes that, “He was a big dreamer who always looked for ways to make things better for those around him. He loved to work hard and play harder.”

We will miss them both, and the Class extends its deepest condolences to their families.

Well, there, mates, another year has come and gone for the Class of ’72. It really doesn’t seem like all that long ago we were tracking the number of days until Christmas Leave or the day when we saw Annapolis in our rear view mirror for the last time. Time does have a way of smoothing some of those edges. So, your Scribe wishes each of you and your families the very best for the Holiday season… and save a special prayer for our Classmates who find themselves in distress, for the families of our Classmates who have gone ahead of us, and for our shipmates far from home who—like we once did—continue to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.

And, oh, yes… BEAT ARMY!

More to come—next year. D. O. Tried and True with ‘72

’73

Life Membership: 67%

Donor Participation: 21.57%

Pres: Paul J. Ryan e: pauljryan@aol.com

Sec’y: CAPT James H. Chapman, USN (Ret.) 769 Largo Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23464-2417 p: 757-462-0344; e: Chap769@yahoo.com

Hello classmates, Happy Holidays! Susie and I hope you have great holidays and are in good health. It has been pretty quiet in Virginia Beach. The mail buoy is riding pretty high in the water but I have some news and several great pictures to share, so let’s get to it!

The first item is from Doug Peters who wrote: “Our 31st company classmates had a great time at our 50th reunion. There was not enough time however to really catch up after so many years had gone by. Towards that end, this summer we hosted 31st company mates Dennis and Karen O’Meara as well as Jim and Pam Lash at our lake house in the New York finger lake region for an encore reunion. Great times were had by all as we continued to reconnect while enjoying the wineries and the beautiful environs.” Thanks & Non Sibi, —Doug

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

The Kemps at Yellowstone

I told Doug I went to protype in Balston Spa and really enjoyed the area. The prototype not so much. I asked what he was doing and received back; “After USNA, I served as a Marine helo pilot on the West coast and Hawaii - not bad duty. I left the service after seven years and began a civilian engineering career in manufacturing in Rochester, NY. Working for Mobil Chemical Company as a project engineer, plant engineer, operations manager, and project management. I made some career decisions to stay in the Rochester area because we loved it so much. We still live in a suburb of Rochester (October-April) and transition down to our lake house on one of the smaller finger lakes (Honeoye Lake) for the spring through fall.”

My next item is from Paul Ryan who sent the following; “It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since our 50th reunion. I know a lot of ties with classmates have been renewed and refreshed since then. As I write this at the end of September, Navy football is 3-0, having just completed a 56-44 surprise victory over the Memphis Mustangs, the team that was predicted to win our conference. If you didn’t see the game, it was absolutely tremendous, and a nail-biter until the very end. Besides the normal tailgate crowd, we were joined by a dozen or so classmates and spouses who are members of the Naval Academy President’s Circle, providing generous financial support to the Academy. One classmate asked if we always have a big tailgate, and the answer is yes. We’re on the Gold (visitor’s) side just off Taylor Avenue, same place we’ve been for about 20 years. Another classmate commented on how much

fun he’s had walking around the Academy and attending a football game with his grandkids, telling stories about Grandpa’s experiences at the Naval Academy. We’re not getting any younger, so think about coming back for a nonreunion weekend and enjoy walking around the yard, visiting the Midstore (which is much, much nicer than I remember as a Mid), and joining us at one of the five or six football home games. I’ve attended three classmates’ funerals this fall. It’s sad to say “good-bye” to classmates and their families, but the redeeming factor is the opportunity to see other classmates and talk about the memories and good times we had together. Recently Louis and Debbie Hughes, 27th Company, were both interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Here’s a picture of our company mates and spouses who attended. Bob Barnes served on a submarine with Louis and was also in attendance. I reported Mike Gouge’s death in the last Shipmate Dave Architzel, Mark Kohring and Ross Harding were able to attend Mike’s funeral in August and sent this picture.

In other news, Jon Friestedt contacted me looking for the contact info on a couple of classmates. In the course of our correspondence, he told me he coached youth STEM robotics for 10 years. He mentored a Boy Scout underwater robotics team that won an international competition in the Office of Naval Research program Seaperch. Jon recently

wrote a book STEM Pathway to College. The book has been edited and getting ready for the publication. I asked Jon what he was doing when not writing a book and got back. He was a retired bank senior vice president and they are living in Tustin, California. They have two children, one a member of the Space Force and one a senior in college studying American Sign Language and Deft Studies. Pretty cool and its great hearing from folks (hint)!

I have a short walk down Memory Lane. Conrad Donahue sent the following pictures. Conrad, Mike Rader, Mike Peal, Ray Wenderlich, Mike Gouge and me were together at Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland late 1973. Here are some pictures.

Jim Lash, Pam Lash, Barbara Peters and Doug Peters

Dennis O’Meara, Karen O’Meara, Barbara Peters and Doug Peters

Ross Harding, Dave Architzel and Mark Kohring at Doc’s funeral

CJ Donahue in a cerebral moment

Mike “Doc” Gouge at Nuclear Power School 1973

’73: From L to R, Rich and Ruth Umbel, Roger Nolan, Tom and Merrilyn St Denis, John Midgett, Tim and Cheryl Scheib, Paul and Laura Ryan at Lou and Debbie Hughes interment

I have several items of sad news to pass on. Roger Murch, 25th Co passed away on 30 July 2024. I do not have any additional information

John Stephens, 22nd Co, passed away on 2 Aug 2024 from cardiac arrest in Naples Florida. He left the Academy after Youngster year and was a non-grad. He had a 29-year career in project development and investor finance in the Energy Division of GE in Schenectady, New York. In recent years he was Senior Advisor in Energy for Marathon Capital based in Chicago. He is survived by wife Tish, son Sean, daughter-in-law Kim, twin granddaughters Anastasia & Caelynne, and sister Linda & brother-in-law David Taylor.

Look for more on our departed classmates in Last Call. Please remember our classmates’ families in your thoughts and prayers.

That’s all the news. Time to start getting ready for the Dark Ages. Again, we hope you have great Holidays and don’t forget that extra-special X roomie at Christmas. Beat Army and Semper Fi General Non Sibi!

’74

Life Membership: 60%

Donor Participation: 32.87%

Pres: John Yaeger

Corr Sec’y: Roger McEvoy

p: 559-905-7362; e: usna745677@hotmail.com

Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel

September 26, 2024. Just a few days after returning home from “The Reunion”. I’m on such a high that came from seeing so many classmates, attending so many outstanding events and sharing in the camaraderie of USNA ’74, I also oscillate between that high,

and the depression that nags at my consciousness in knowing that it will be five years before we all meet again. Of course, the scales tip to the side of elation and optimism: Navy 56 – Memphis 44!

What a great way to cap off our 50th. Coach Newberry called it one of the most significant wins of the last 5 years. If only because Memphis was ranked 26th in the AP Poll, and 23rd in The Coaches Poll, to me this one ranks just a hair below Malcolm Perry’s 304 yards against Army in 2019, which ranks just below our Reunion win over Air Force that same year. Happy days are here again.

I have this nagging compulsion to pontificate over last weekend. But with a 2000-word limit, it is impossible to do justice to our 50th here in print. And photos are a nonstarter. If I print one photo, I need to print dozens, and just not enough room for that.

So, I say this: First and foremost, I want to thank John Yaeger and Rusty Yeiser for all the hard work they put into this event. Earle and I appreciate the nice compliments we have received for helping to put this four-day party together, but the reality is, that with John and Rusty being right there in Annapolis, the lion’s share of the burden fell on their shoulders. If you have never tried to coordinate all the various elements that go into making an event like this come off, then you can’t possibly know how difficult it is, and all the coordination that is required between the many different factions required. John and Rusty, my sincere thanx to you both. BZ!

As a class officer I received an invitation to sit in the covered area directly behind the pass-in-review area at Friday’s P-rade. So, for the first time since June Week, 1974, I attended a P-rade. Fifty years of separation has certainly had its effect, because I was shocked to see my sincere appreciation for the young men and women that were marching before me. With swimming being a winter sport in college, I did not get out of marching anywhere near as often as I would have liked. I remembered P-rades as compulsory events, to be tolerated because there was no way around it. Which explains why I had not attended one since graduation. I find it hard to think about the Brigade in terms usually applied by media outlets trying to assign significance to the commitment, dedication and perseverance of the individual midshipmen when they become so visible during football game march-ons. I have always seen those events from the inside-out. Sitting there Friday afternoon and watching them march on to Warden field, hearing Brigade, Regimental, Battalion and Company Commanders introduced my name, knowing that a quarter of those marching were just a few months away from starting an adventure that cannot be accurately put into words by casual bystanders, I thought, I did that. I lived that. I wanted to tell every one of them what incredible things lay in their future, and to savor every minute of it, because they were truly special for

being who they were, and where they were at that moment. Of course, had I had the opportunity to say that to each midshipman, they would not have heard the message any more than I would have heard it 50 years ago. Sometimes you need separation to clearly see the forest for the trees. Fifty years of separation dials a lot of things into focus.

I have always attended our memorial service for USNA ’74 classmates. I am always moved by the conscious gesture to remember each classmate that has passed. This year, John Yaeger wanted all the class officers to participate. So, this year my vantage point had changed somewhat. I was touched by the “up close and personal” nature of the ceremony by being more than an observer. My company (8th Co.) started a tradition two reunions ago of toasting, by name, each company member that has passed, any time three or more of us get together. It is a powerful experience. Participating in the class memorial, just multiplies that experience many times over. As Rusty read each name, so many names with whom I had been personally acquainted, I felt honored to be a part of their remembrance. As future reunions come and go, that list will be longer, for sure. But remembering each man by name will continue to be our responsibility, and our honor.

I had previously been told that the 45th Reunion is typically the best attended reunion for any class. A large number of classmates are retired and financially able to travel. And most are still in good health, making travel a treat, instead of a laborious event. Five years ago, we had about 300 classmates attend our 45th, with a total attendance of approximately 600 registered, including spouses, children, etc. This year, as of Friday evening, we already had 489 classmates registered, with an additional 67 pre-registered but not yet signed in. And the total numbered registered exceeded 1000. OUTSTANDING, USNA ’74!

It’s no wonder that we beat Memphis. USNA ’74 provided the moral support to spur our team to victory, I’m sure.

Speaking of reunions, 30th Company held a mini reunion this past summer out in the Gunnison/Ridgeway/Telluride area I Southwest Colorado. Neil Rondorf, the ever-vigilant Shipmate contributor and self-appointed 30th Co. scribe documented the event and submitted the incriminating evidence to me. I’ll paraphrase Neil’s contribution do to column length requirements.

The story starts 52 years ago when Neil visited 30th Co, mate Mark Milligan at his home in Montrose County, Colorado. Evidently, there was a pheasant hunting excursion, during which Mark claims Neil endangered his person. Without admitting guilt, Neil claims that if you dress Mark in camo gear, put a red bandana around his neck, he could be mistaken for a ringneck pheasant from a distance. Regardless, the Colorado visitation left a significant stamp on Neil’s memory.

Mike Peal and Mike Rader 1973 Nuclear Power School

Fast forward to 2024: They were trying to come up with a good summer adventure when fellow 30th Co mate Jim Trotter announced that he and Peggy were moving to Ridgeway, Colorado. All the pieces seemed to fall into place. With the addition of Bob Miller, Tim Schnoor and Claude Goddard along with Neil and Jim, the 30th Co. “Boys of Summer” mini-reunion was on.

There were bicycle rides (if using e-bikes constitutes a bike ride), mountain hikes, some poor planning with regards to hydration requirements, and the consumption of a lot of mountain lager to balance out the trip.

There are a few details I left off for the sake of brevity, but having grown up camping, backpacking, hunting and fishing in the high Sierras Nevada mountains, the photos Neil submitted made me feel a little homesick. Standing on the 4th Tee at Mallory Hill golf course here in The Villages, (the highest point in the state of Florida), just doesn’t satisfy the way that taking in a close-up view of 11,000-foot peaks can. The following photos bear witness to that fact.

In closing, we just got word this week that Keith Nostrant, a member of USNA ’74 who actually graduated with the class of ’75, passed away last Saturday, September 21 in New Jersey.

Also, we just found a notice of the passing of one of 8th Company’s, nearly a year ago. John Grizzle (MOC, as we called him) passed away on October 9, 2023 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. John was part of 21st Platoon, Golf Co. plebe summer, and 21st Co. plebe year. Details of his death are not available.

It seems like a month or two ago I was sitting here thinking what a great time our 45th reunion was, with the 50th seeming so far off. And now, I’m thinking the same about our 55th. For the time being I’m going to bask in the warmth of our most recent reunion. There will be plenty of time to think about the future later on.

—Roger

’75

Life Membership: 61%

Donor Participation: 41.35%

Pres: Chris Cikanovich e: chickc975@gmail.com

Sec’y: CAPT Larry Warrenfeltz, USN (Ret.) 5732 Tamarack Dr., Pace, FL 32571 p: 850-525-8727; e: usna75scribe@hotmail.com

Website: http//1975.usnaclasses.net/

Dear ’mates,

The Class of ’75 never disappoints. You guys have provided so much great input that our gouge locker is overflowing! [I almost wish Shipmate still published eight times per year.] I will just have to work to pack each issue with good stories … and beg forgiveness from the editors for the extra long submissions. If you’ve sent items, they may be pushed back a slot. It’s not like you’re reading this column for the latest news! Most stories age OK.

You know that Tig Krekel has been a very generous donor to USNA (eg., fully funding the business wing of the Fluegel Alumni Center, a chair in the Aero Science Engineering department, along with other important class and Academy causes). Lest you think he’s just sitting back and stroking checks, read on. “The government of Ukraine recently recognized Tig Krekel for his work on behalf of the Special Forces Assault Brigades in helping to fight Russian aggression this past year. Tig and a small team operating close to the front lines in the southeastern part of the Ukraine rendered technical and financial assistance to the drone and anti-drone programs that are a major part of the conflict. Also, his team imported and equipped much-needed transport vehicles for the movement of injured troops in and out of the combat zones.”

Most of you have seen the Class Blasts about the Gulf to Goat charity bike ride. The ride is dedicated to several classmates and those charities that have assisted them or their

The Boys of Summer

The Diehards

’74: Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Claude Goddard, Cheryl and Neil Rondorf, Jim and Peggy Trotter, Janet and Bob Miller, Tim and Linda Schnoor

families. The ride is set to begin 1 October 2025 in Apalachicola, FL, transit up the East Coast (1160-miles) to arrive at the Bill the Goat statue inside USNA Gate 1 on 22 October, just as festivities begin for our 50th Reunion. Sixteen Flower Children have signed up to make all (or parts) of the ride, covering their own costs to ensure all donations go directly to the four selected charities — cancer research, kidney disease research/patient support, cystic fibrosis, and frontotemporal dementia. Charity #1 is the Emily Whitehead Foundation—named for Dr. Carl June’s first pediatric cancer success. Carl, who is widely known for the development of CAR-T therapy for cancer, will be one of the 16 riders in the “Gulf to Goat”.

Being 70+ years old and agreeing to ride a bike 1160-miles takes a significant amount of commitment, dedication, preparation, and training. Mike Meier and Dan Murphy are coordinating. The services of a professional guide have been secured to help ensure the safety, logistics, and enroute support for the bikers.

More on the ride and the other charities in future issues. I assure you that every one of us will recognize a classmate who was or is supported by one of these amazing charities. Let’s not forget those who have volunteered their time, energies, and sore bottoms to ride in support of a Classmate and a charity. Our prayers for rapid healing go to Pat Sloan. He was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in August and suffered a concussion and multiple

broken bones. Pat swears he will be back in the saddle in time to train for Gulf to Goat.

This past August the fishing crew from 1st company and a few selected guests (sixteen total) headed north for their third annual Canadian walleye fishing expedition. Once again, the group met up in Naubinway, MI at Ron Nicol’s historical cabin on the Millecoquin River for the annual Hiawatha Sportsman Club’s Rocking on the River event hosted by Ron, Mike Meier, Dan Murphy and their wives. Pat Sloan’s brother Joe provided DeJay services for the event. The next morning the crew of Mike, Dan, Ron, Rob Reed, Gary Jones, Mike McDermott, Mike Mathews, Jeff Bust, Randy Avers, local retired football coach Joe Austin, (Plebe year departure), Chris Cikanovich, and five other friends headed into Canada for a week of walleye and pike fishing. After some issues with a threatened Canadian railroad strike and low ceilings that cancelled the bush pilot flight into the isolated fish camp, the group finally made it to Lake Esnagi late Saturday evening for five days of fishing and reminiscing about our 53 years of friendship. The non-academy guests once again were astounded and entertained by the stories, individual biographies, and total disrespect shared by all. That people can remember Plebe year stuff so vividly 53 years later is amazing. Although the fishing wasn’t as good as in past years, a great time was had with the help of plenty of beer and other libations. The big

walleye fish winner of the week was Mike Meier with a 27-incher. Dan Murphy and Mike Mathews tied for second with 25-inchers. Trip first timer — class president Chick — was voted most stylish fisherman, easily beating out last year’s winner class vice president Gary Jones. They did not ride in a boat together since we did not want to risk losing most of our class leadership in a single boating incident. After taking a break next year for our 50th reunion activities, the Fishing Team will be looking forward to another adventure in the summer of 2026.

Another fish story (with photos to prove it) came from Tony Barbieri, who sortied north to Sitka, AL for another great 4-day fishing adventure. The ’75 Warriors were John Carman, Laverne Lovell, and Tony. Tony’s two grandsons

Nice fish!

and Verne’s son and grandson completed the crew. [Yep, we’re that old!] They spent three terrific days fishing with Kingfisher Charters (top-notch folks highly recommended for a top-shelf charter service). A two-boat armada with nine fishermen took twenty-seven king salmon, ten halibut, and eight ling cod (including one at 55” that had to be returned to Davey Jones).

Tony Barbieri also reported on the 9th annual “Hackin’ for Harden” golf tournament. Six 20th Company classmates participated at the Legacy Golf course in Phoenix. The Harden family started a memorial fund in the name of their son Josh, who passed at 32 years of age after a (very) brief bout with cancer. Josh was a terrific young man whose passion, besides family, was golf. A certified professional caddy, Josh worked at the Legacy Resort. One of his true joys was getting children and young adults involved in golf. Recognizing Josh’s devotion to the sport, especially the involvement of young people, the Hardens, in concert with the Legacy Golf Resort, sponsor a golf weekend with the proceeds going to First Tee of Phoenix. The festivities started with our usual toast (and roast) of those in 20th Company that have gone before us … and to Dean Lahren who was in the final throes of his battle with cancer. 20th Company was well represented at the 31 May pre-ex show at the “Four Peaks Brewery” tasting room. Tim’s son Andy is the Brew Master. Bill Neill, Dave Niedermaier, Dick Shaw, and Greg Hoffman joined Tim and Tony. This year’s event garnered a record-breaking donation to First Tee in excess of $32,000. Tim would like to thank the many Alumni, especially his son, Matt ’99 and his teammates, plus hundreds of well-wishers and supporters. Doing the yeoman’s work were wife Laurie, son Andy, and daughter Megan and her family (without them this would be just another beer-bust). While the tournament is always the first Saturday in June, donations to First Tee in Josh’s honor are always welcome.

20th Company lost another brother and great shipmate on 1 June. Dean “Deano” Lahren had been battling colon cancer for several years, which metastasized to his liver. He was holding his own there until the colon cancer once again reared its ugly head. Classmates continuously connected with Deano. Six were able to attend his funeral services. Deano rallied the last two years to meet in Phoenix for the “Hackin’ 4 Harden” tournament. By and large, he was his old self … a great reflection of the old days. Meeting his brother and kids gave company mates new insight into the “other” Deano, which was enlightening and refreshing. Terrific family! Deano was preceded by five other 20th Company Classmates: Bob Ramey, John Park, Robb Stephenson, Bill Dixon and AB Johnson Bill Chimiak was on stage in Music Man as Ewart Dunlop of the Barbershop Quartet. It played at the Signal Mountain Playhouse for four weeks this summer.

Bill in the barbershop quartet. Knock ‘em together Chimiak! Chris and Bill Daley have assumed the leadership role for our football tailgates. Bill says that the first three tailgates had great turnouts. The opportunity to get together with Classmates and share time and stories made the Navy victories even sweeter.

Tune in next year for another Peter Damisch adventure and some 25th Company summer mini-reunions.

75 Sir!

—Larry

John, Laverne, and Tony

Another nice fish!

Raise a toast

’75: 1st Company Fishing Team and guests

’76

Life Membership: 59%

Donor Participation: 25.07%

Pres: Kevin Stone

928 Lynch Dr., Arnold, MD 21012

p: 410-974-4313; e: kevin.stone@1976.usna.com

Sec’y: Mark Hubbard

774 Settlers Ln., Kure Beach, NC 28449-4907

p: 301-514-1645; e: Mark.Hubbard@1976.usna.com

Website: http//usna76.wordpress.com/

It’s now officially autumn, and the floodwaters from a “once-in-a-1,000-year rainfall event from an unnamed storm” have finally receded leaving us unscathed by the deluge. Thankfully, we also escaped the wrath of Hurricane Helene. (Should I mention that my wife has always wanted a houseboat?)

On a serious note, the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene was far worse than had been anticipated. As I begin to grasp the full extent of the destruction, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, had their homes destroyed, and had their lives turned upside down. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this unimaginable time.

Greg Vaughn (36th Co.) recounts his adventurous vacation cruise partaking in the magnificent sights of Iceland and Norway:

M There was a total of 16 folks who had USNA connections that traveled around Iceland down the coast of Norway from 12-23 July. There were four ’76 graduates and their wives, a former ’76 spouse, a recent ’76 widow, one couple from Class of ’78, a golfing buddy of Steve Chapman and his buddy’s wife (the Bittles), and finally the neighbors of Wayne and Joelle Jakubowski from Norfolk (the Kigers). This was a large and fun group. We were particularly pleased that Judith Ann Scott, widow of our recently lost classmate, Craig, was able to join us for the cruise – along with her sister, Jane Gardner. After a rocky first night leaving Reykjavik, Iceland, the weather was great, and we all had a fabulous time with good food, gorgeous sights, and outstanding camaraderie. We had three stops in Iceland and seven stops in Norway before arriving in Oslo for the return home. Time flew by!

Clayton Hill (1st Co.) reports that he finished the Air Force Marathon in September, bringing his total number of marathon completions to 38! He’s on the schedule for October to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon.

John Myers (29th Co.) regales us with a heart-warming story:

M 50 years ago, Mike Crochet (29th Co.) and I walked down to Mitscher for a mixer one Saturday evening. We met two girls from Hood College and had a great time. We had our first double date to see a Navy game in early September 1974. Pat and I went to the Navy game last Saturday and did our best to recreate our first date. Although it was hard to capture the excitement of the first date, it was great to go together, watch the march on, and have a pregame meal at a local steakhouse. On top of all of that, we saw Navy kick Memphis’ butt in what is the most balanced effort I’ve seen from Navy since the Paul Johnson days. It was awesome!

Mike married Nancy and in January 1977, I married Pat. 2026 and 2027 will be big years in the Myers household. Here’s a pic from the game.

USNA Graduates at the top of Flam, Norway fjord: Wayne Jakubowski (’76), Steve Chapman (’76), Tim Curry (’78), Greg Vaughn (’76) and Bill Ostendorff (’76)

Sisters Judith Ann Scott and Jane Gardner

Iceland’s ‘Godafoss’ Waterfall

Gerainger, Norway

John and Pat Myers

’76:The entire Group (train station at end of Flam, Norway railway): Greg Vaughn, Diane Kiger, Susan Vaughn, Gray Kiger, Joelle Jakubowski, Jane Gardner, Judith Ann Scott, Wayne Jakubowski, Mary Ellen Curry, Timm Curry, Sandy Chapman, Steve Chapman, Dan and Susan Bittle, Bill and Chris Ostendorff.

CLASS OF 1976 ANOTHER LINK IN THE CHAIN

2026 Commitment Dinner

By Kevin Stone ’76

On Tuesday, 20 August, the Class of 1976 was hosted by the Class of 2026 for their Two for Seven Commitment Dinner. It is a privilege to report that, thanks in no small part to the Class of ’76, the Class of 2026’s Commitment Dinner was a smashing success. This event was flawlessly executed by the class officers of 2026 generating an even stronger “link in the chain” between our classes. We were represented by about 40 classmates and 30 spouses who met with 2026 at a reception in Smoke Hall and then sat with each of the 36 companies for dinner in King Hall (yes, the Brigade is back to 36 companies now). The guest speaker, our own Honorable Bill Ostendorff, delivered an impassioned speech about commitment and being “all in” every day: at USNA, in the Fleet and Corps, and for the rest of their lives.

The event was unlike anything we ever had when we were midshipmen. The Class of 2026 sought us out at the reception, and when seated throughout King Hall, were genuinely interested in asking us about our careers and getting advice about theirs. It is also worth noting that several classmates, when asked “What is the most important decision I’ll need to make?”, answered “Who you marry.” Well done to all, with a special nod to the spouses who were actively engaged in all the discussions and provided a perspective that we rarely received when we were in that situation.

The Class was represented by: Tom Anderson, Steve and Julie Barilich, Scott Beaton, Mike Bosworth, John and Phyliss Boulden, John and Kay Brownell, Ron Brunson, Al and Angela Clark, Derwood and Towanda Curtis, Bob Dixon, JD and Linda Craven Engels, Nick Flacco, Randy and Lynn Goff, Mark and Phyllis Haas, Mark and Teri Hoekstra, Frank and Geraldine Inzirillo, Wayne and Joelle Jakubowski, Bill and Candy Kneller, Calvin Langford, Joe McGowan, Mark and Sally Moore, Hugh and Inger Neighbour, Mark and Martha Nesselrode, Steve Nimitz, Bill and Chris Ostendorff, Scott and Rebecca Pugh, Ray and Mary Putt, Chuck and Barb Renner, Ed and Sarah Reihl, Wayne Rogers, Mark Rupprecht, Jeff Sander, Jim and Patti Sanford, Doug and Linda Schaus, Ralph and Carley Scherini, Kevin and Barbara Stone, Steve and Debra Taylor, Dave and Bunny Venlet, Wayne and Mary Walters, and John Webb.

The feedback that we have received from our attendees—and that of 2026—was uniformly positive. Several classmates said that after interacting with the midshipmen that they are now confident that our Navy and Marine Corps will be in good hands.

A special thanks goes out to Mark Nesselrode who did the heavy lifting for soliciting your attendance and matching our classmates up to the Class of ’26 tables. A special shout out to Randy Goff who unhesitatingly took over coordination for this event when Mark went down hard with a C4 CASREP for a few weeks (Fear not, he’s back on full duty.)

Thank you, Classmates! As a reminder, this does not end our “Link in the Chain” engagement with 2026. The next major event is the Ring Dance next May—and we’re invited! Watch for more information about this event coming soon. ®

Barb and I traveled to Rhode Island earlier in September to visit my son, Billy Hubbard ’01, and his family in Wakefield. While there, we had the opportunity to attend a Granite Theatre (Westerly, RI) Production of the Mary Chase play, “Harvey.” The main character, Elwood P. Dowd, is played by our very own classmate and my roommate, Jim “Doc” Doherty (26th Co.). Doc was impressive as Dowd who was played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1950 movie, Harvey. We had hoped to meet Harvey after the show, but somehow, he managed to disappear...

Tim Farrell (27th Co.) provided photos of three recent monthly lunch meetings with classmates:

Jim Doherty with his cousin, Barb Hubbard, at the Granite Theatre

Class lunch August 29 at Lebanese Taverna in Arlington, VA, with Greg Vaughn, Brad Little, Tim Farrell, Hugh Neighbor and Peter Varsanyi.

Leroy Sparr, Scott Jenkins, Tim Farrell, Hugh Willis and Dave Lawrence at Harry’s Savoy Grill Wilmington, DE September 12

Class lunch September 26 at Lebanese Taverna with Bruce Petit, Greg Vaughn, Tim Farrell, and Peter Varsanyi

Standing in the center, Nick Flacco ’76 (34th Co.) with current members of “Club 34” from the Class of 2026.

Jim Poole (5th Co.) has news from across the pond:

M I recently attended the Filey Festival 2024, a yearly commemoration of the naval battle of Flamborough Head fought off the coast of Filey on 9/23/1779. The dinner held at the Filey Sea Cadets HQ on 9/21/2024 was impressive and featured the following speakers: CDR Michael Sturm, the Naval Attaché of the US Embassy to the UK, LCDR Antonio Valente, Royal Navy, Professor (retired) Peter Guith of the USNA and Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles (direct descendant of CAPT Richard Pearson RN, CO of HMS Serapis).

Filey Festival 2024 is sponsored by Yorkshire Coast 1779 Research Group (I am a member), composed of residents of Filey, England (UK) dedicated to keeping alive the story of the naval battle of Flamborough Head fought off the coast of Filey on 9/23/1779. I am proud to announce we have found the remains of the BONHOMME RICHARD after it sank on 9/25/1779. If you would like to be part of supporting this historic event, please contact me: jimpoole1976@gmail.com.

And now a Public Service Announcement from our Class President Kevin Stone:

As we age, we’re sadly but quite naturally encountering the deaths of our classmates. There are two things that consistently come up when I am communicating with the families of our departed classmates: Your DD-214 is missing, and your joint banking accounts are closed upon your death.

If you wish to be interred in a military cemetery your family must produce your DD-214. Your “I love me wall” with photos of you in uniform or your Lucky Bag don’t cut it ... Please find it now and file it with your will. If it is lost, go to https://www.archives.gov/ personnel-records-center and request it.

Several times now I’ve learned that the widows of our classmates were “locked out” of their joint checking accounts after the bank learned of their spouse’s passing. Your “joint” account with your wife does not necessarily survive you unless you have selected “joint survivorship”. Please take a few minutes to track this down, you’ll be doing your family a big favor.

End of PSA drill, regard all further alarms ...

As we come to the close of this column, it is with deep sadness that we reflect on the recent loss of three of our dear classmates.

John Parrett (34th Co.) passed away on 11SEP24

https://www.forevermissed.com/ jb-parrett/about

Curt Shaffer (15th Co.) passed away on 03SEP24

https://www.maugergivnish.com/obituary/ curtis-shaffer

Tom Smith (30th Co.) passed away on 13JUL24

https://www.tempemortuary.com/obituary/ thomas-smith

May they rest in peace, and may their families find comfort in knowing how deeply they were loved and appreciated by those of us who had the privilege of knowing them.

’77

Life Membership: 75%

Donor Participation: 21.72%

Pres: David G. Paddock

3833 Prince Andrew Ln., Virginia Beach, VA 23452-3912 p: 757-373-0977; e: dgpaddock77@gmail.com

Sec’y: Thom McKee

1202 Shady Creek Rd., Marriottsville, MD 21104 p: 410-489-5080; f: 410-489-5071 c: 202-438-1541; e: magoo1310@verizon.net

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” – C.S. Lewis

More on the importance of friendship, particularly as between classmates, in our next offering. But for now, attention to brief! First up Jim Gould (18th Co.) informed us he was joined in August by Tug McGraw (22nd Co.) and Craig Turley (36th Co.) at Coronado’s Sea N’ Air Golf Course.

Gar Wright (3rd Co.) was supposed to round out the foursome, but somehow the ancient yet intrepid mariner was unable to steer clear of jury duty. Breeze attributed Gar’s absence to either an aversion to ass-whuppins or a genuine sense of duty…or perhaps both! In any event, while Tug shot an 86 and Turls an 83,

Jim carded a best-ever total of 85, a marked improvement he attributes to having attended the 3-day Kip Puterbaugh Golf Academy at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, CA, in the company of Tug and Mark Kozicz (18th Co.). Jim described it as a golf boot camp in which the attendees hit some 400 balls per day, after which his index rapidly fell from a 21 to a 16.5. Hey, he’s no Dave Ziemba (19th Co.), but congratulations are still in order. Though if his index continues its downward trend, Breeze may soon by giving Z strokes!

Speaking of Tug McGraw, the McKees recently had the pleasure of dining with Tug and Carole, along with Bobby Holman (22nd Co.) and his wife Jeannie. Following a round of golf at Bobby’s club in southern PA, the McGraws and Holmans were kind enough to drive south to Frederick, MD and join us for a most enjoyable dinner. We’re embarrassed to confess the only reasonable explanation we can offer as to why we failed to photograph the six of us is advancing age.

And since we’re on the subject of golf, Pete Green (17th Co.) checked in with a photo of the latest Hilton Head get-together hosted by Jane and Pete Hyers (16th Co.). Shown below, left to right are: Gary Beaver (10th Co.), Lynn Beaver, Pedro, Dawn Jordan, Mike Wertz (32nd Co.), Dan Beach (17th Co.), Karen Beach, Jane and Pete, Joe Camacho (14th Co.), Joy Camacho, and last, but certainly not least, Pete Sisa (14th Co.). Jane and Pete are legendary hosts, so we’re certain everyone experienced enjoyable days on the links followed by exceptional evenings spent catching up over plenty of fine food and many a tasty beverage.

Next up, Bob Barnes (22nd Co.) wrote Debbie and he recently circumnavigated* Iceland, with a minor detour to the Faroe Islands, in the company of a number of Boat Schoolers and their wives on board the good ship Sirena. Shown below left to right, bottom to top, are: Bob, Jim Bland (’78), Grant Thorpe (’70), Charles Lewis (’70), Dennis Bostich (’74), Debbie, Kathy Thorpe, Frannie Bostich and Susanne Lewis.

’77 in Hilton Head

The group constituted a great cross-section of communities, including aviation, subs, surface and supply. Though the sun shone 20 hours each day (with twilight the remaining four), mid-July temperatures averaged in the 50s. The ship twice traversed the Arctic Circle, at which point the SIRENA’s crew conducted a much kinder, gentler civilian version of the Shellback initiation.

Bob noted one of trip’s highlights was the sight of USS ALBANY (SSN-753) moored in a remote Faroe Island fjord. Not quite Pattaya Beach or Perth, but we guess any liberty is better than no liberty.

*For those such as Buddy Barker, who, despite having graduated from an institution dedicated to maritime knowledge (hence the motto, Ex scientia tridens!), never gained a meaningful grasp of naval terminology, “circumnavigated” means to have sailed around a body, be it an island, such as Bob circumnavigated Iceland, or the globe, as was the case with Sir Francis Drake.

Moving on, John Geary (32nd Co.) forwarded the following photo from a 32nd Company tailgater at his home in Arnold, MD immediately prior to Navy’s memorable upset of Memphis. Pictured from left to right are: Al Stuart (32nd Co.), George Herning (32nd Co.), Bill Daniels (32nd Co.), Ron Long (32nd Co.), Michael Golda (32nd Co.), John Read (32nd Co.) and lastly John, along with Blossom the Wonder Dog.

And what a game it was!

Finally, we’ll wrap things up with the trio of Doug Isleib (19th Co.), Shawn Morrisey (18th Co.) and Corky Gardner (18th Co.) attending the Temple game.

Looking good, ’77!

—Magoo

’78

Life Membership: 81%

Donor Participation: 45.10%

Pres: Glen Woods e: glenwoods@verizon.net

Sec’y: Vince Balderrama 1320 Homewood Ln., Annapolis, MD 21401 e: canoeu78@aol.com

Website: usna1978.org

This job doesn’t get any easier over time, especially as Father Time catches up to us- and when he shows us the sands have run out on someone’s clock. That is the situation this month as I sorrowfully have to report the passing of three of our ’78 family, John Lyver (6th Co), Ken Halek (27th Co) and Elaine Stalling, beloved spouse of our brother, Jim Stallings (34th Co). Their obituaries can be read in detail on our class website’s “Memorials” page. You can also find them on the Alumni Association’s website. Here is some information on their wonderful lives. Please remember the good times we shared with them and the warmth and love that still resides in us from them having touched our lives. Eternal Father, String to Save.

John Lyver passed away this summer (June 16th) while vacationing in Alberta, Canada, with his wife of almost 16 years, Sally. Some of you may remember John from choir or his playing trombone in Drum & Bugle. After

graduation he serve on USS DUPONT and the USS CARL VINSON. He retired from the Reserve. John’s civilian job was at NASA Headquarters. For almost 25 years he worked in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance as the Nuclear Flight Safety Assurance Manager. He led the nuclear safety reviews of NASA’s Cassini Mission to Saturn, New Horizon’s Mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, and NASA’s missions to Mars, including Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rovers, and Curiosity. He retired from NASA in 2012. John became “Doctor John” when he added a PhD in Computational Science and Informatics at George Mason University (GMU). After “retiring”, he was an Associate Professor (Adjunct) at Northern Virginia Community College teaching physics and astronomy, and at GMU teaching Computational Data Sciences. In 2020, he was recognized as “Teacher of Distinction” at GMU for excellence in on-line teaching. John was 1st Vice Commander of the American Legion Post 1799 at the time of his death and was a proud member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. A strong Christian, John’s heart lay with his God, family, and country. He was involved in many clubs and activities and loved to travel with his wife. John was buried in a private ceremony at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made in John’s memory to either Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA, Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Staten Island, NY, or American Legion Post 1799 in Haymarket, VA. Please remember John in your prayers, as well as Sally and their two sons, John V and Thomas, and two stepchildren, Stephanie and Andrew Redfern.

Ken Halek died suddenly in September. His niece posted on Facebook that he “was taken to the hospital Tuesday [17 Sep] not feeling well. He passed away from a heart attack the same day.” At the time of death, Ken lived in Anderson, NC. As this comes to print, we were still trying to find out more details. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Jim Stallings’ beautiful bride, L. Elaine Stallings, died on September 21st of this year. Her’s and Jim’s story – like many of yours – was a beautiful love story. They first met when they

RIP- John, Ken and Elaine

were 12 years old, and a friendship grew that continued when they had some classes together in high school. A few years later, they reconnected when she caught Jim jogging on a rainy day in Annapolis. It must have been some special rain, as love sprouted and they were married on April 25th, 1981. The rest was history. Elaine was a highly successful businesswoman. Having earned degrees from North Carolina Central University (BS) and a masters from George Washington University (graduating magna cum laude) she made her professional career in the field of Human Resources. She worked her way from management to executive roles in various companies including Fortune 500 companies like Verizon where she was a human resources manager, to local companies like Xomed, Inc. where she was Vice President of Human Resources. Elaine’s true passion was giving back to others and her community. A lifelong philanthropist, she believed that small causes were equally as important as grand ones. Her primary charitable works were in areas of education and the arts, with a particular focus on youth. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that gifts be made in memory of Elaine Stallings to the Mayo Clinic to support Dementia Research at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Please keep Jim, their two sons, Mr. Antonio Walker (Kiran) of Willingboro, NJ, and Mr. Brandon Stallings of Jacksonville Beach, FL; their granddaughter, Arianna Walker and the rest of the family in your prayers.

Our artist, boat-builder, dinghy racer and weightlifter- man of many talents, James Bland (19th Co) dropped a note in August. He provided photo proof that he took an Icelandic Cruise with one of those tours offered by the Alumni Association. His pictures looked like it was a good time- especially if there are fellow grads along. Onboard the cruise were a few Naval Academy shipmates. James provided a photo of the gang, “poised for shore leave on the Faroe Islands.” They sure look like a bunch of liberty risks to me. The gang consisted of Bob Barnes (’77), Charles Lewis (’70), Grant Thorpe (’70), James and Dennis Bostich (’74)

Got a quick note from Mike Shumaker (13th Co.) who visited his middle son, LT Greg Shumaker, and his family in Navy housing in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. Greg is SUPPO on USS MUSTIN (DDG-89). During that June 29 – July 5 trip Mike took his two grandkids to the playground and accompanied them to lessons in swimming and martial arts, fireworks, and to the San Diego Zoo. He also caught up with his 13th Co. roommate, Ernie Sanchez. Ernie is a San Diego resident.

As I close, I send a plea on behalf of Julie and Brad “JB” Richardson (14th Co). Their son, George, is in dire need of a kidney transplant. It is a life and death situation as George is in endstage renal failure. Sixteen years ago, he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called IgA Nephropathy (Berger Disease). There is no cure for IgAN, and he now needs a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, all possible living donors from his immediate family have been disqualified as donors. Our Class President, Glen Woods (13th Co) had put the word a couple of months and many of us have been spreading the word via our respective social media connections. Besides making the plea, we attached a link that explained more about George, his condition, and how to be a donor. I am not sure if the editorial staff will allow us to post it here, but here goes: https://nkr.org/ZPK426. If it doesn’t appear in this column, you can read it on the “Class News” tab on our class website, our Class Facebook page, or just drop me a line. Please spread the word to any group or person you think might know how to help George get a possible donor. If someone is not a match for George, but willing to donate a kidney in George’s name, that would still help as it elevates his name on the national waiting list. I hope by the time this Shipmate comes to your

doorstep that this plea is unnecessary; that George found a donor and is well on his way to recovery. Let’s see what our ’78 family can do to help. Please also keep George, Julie and Brad- and all the Richardsons in your prayer. Since this is a joint month edition (Nov-Dec ’24), I wish all my fellow Marines a Happy Birthday. I also send best wishes to all of you for a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas. How this year has flown by- if we blink, we will find ourselves in 2025!

Semper Fi and Launchin’ Spot Four

’79

Life Membership: 91%

Donor Participation: 17.66%

Pres: CAPT Dave Jackson, USN (Ret.) e: dajaxn79@gmail.com

Sec’y: LCDR John “Wiz” Withers, USN (Ret.) 1886 Woodpoint Ct., Lawrenceville, GA 30043 p: 240-298-1006; e: JDWithers@1979.usna.com

Social Network Links: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wizwithers

Facebook Group: USNA Class of 1979 Website: https://myusna.com/topics/9426/home

Greetings 79ers!

I write this just a few days after returning from our 45th Reunion. The whole event was just about perfect – the weather was beautiful, the game was exciting (a BIG win over Memphis), the food plentiful and the camaraderie was everything you could ask for. The reunion committee did a fantastic job, and already have turned their sights to the 50th. I don’t have any reports from the reunion yet, but I do have some news.

One classmate that never lets grass grow below his feet is Steve Walsh. Every time I hear from him, he’s at this conference or that event,

Liberty Risks

James waiting to go ashore

Steve Walsh and Joe Padula

79/80 CLASS NEWS

across the USA and in other parts of the world. He took time out from his recent travels to drop this:

M Wiz- here is a shot of me and Joe Padula at the Hydrovison conference in Denver, CO. Joe was in Fun One but fell victim to the ac board first semester second class year. He later graduated from NY Maritime Academy and had a good run in the Merchant Marines as a chief engineer and also in the Navy Reserve. Joe is now chief engineer at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydroelectric site in Oregon.

I’m on the board of Ukerhydroenergo, the largest hydroelectric power company in Europe, based in Ukraine, where I spend several months a year. Great to see an old shipmate! SF, Walsh, SL.

Right after Steve sent this to me, Sean Cate emailed that Steve’s name also popped up in a regional Virginia magazine. A recent edition of the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Living magazine listed Steve as a candidate for the Region III Board of Directors. Of course, Sean and Janet voted for him. Good luck Steve!

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to visit your old room at Bancroft Hall? I had the experience once back in 2000 when one of the wings of Mother B was being renovated. Turns out that my old room was converted to a company officer’s office, so of course it looked very different.

Mike Eriksen checked in to let me know he not only had the chance recently to visit his old room, but also to rack out there as well:

M Michael Johnson, Greg Baka, and I attended Blue & Gold Officer orientation at Annapolis this past summer. We shared room 6108 that I once used as a Mid.

Michael Johnson has been a B&G Officer for nearly 30 years and is now leading the entire program as the Chairman, Area Coordinator Steering Committee. He is recently retired from Eaton Corp. and lives in Michigan. Greg Baka has lived in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands for many years. He is currently working for Micronesian Legal Services Corporation. As for me, I retired from P&G Gillette Poland two years ago and now live in Oxford PA.

Being a Blue & Gold Officer has been a great way to stay closely connected to Annapolis by helping young people through the

admissions process. We’re never too old to help recruit the best for USNA!

Thanks Mike! And thanks to all three of you for the great work you do in preparing today’s future Navy and Marine Corps officers.

One quick item that was announced at the reunion – after the untimely passing of our webmaster Stan “Shredder” Clark, Mike Kennedy stepped up and developed the new Class of ’79 website. Check it out at https://myusna.com/topics/9426/home. This will become especially important as we begin our Another Link in the Chain project next summer. If you forget the web address, it will be at the top of each ‘79 column in Shipmate You can also test or email me.

For those of you who attended the reunion, you (or more likely your wives) took photos. Please do me a favor – send some to me. Email, text, carrier pigeon – all my contact information is at the top of the column. As well-attended as this reunion was, there are a lot of classmates who couldn’t make the trip. Seeing photos here is a great way to keep your classmates in the loop.

Kevin Derbin with all his grandchildren

I made a similar request at the class meeting in Mahan Hall, and within a few minutes I received a text from Kevin Derbin with a photo of him surrounded by his 6 grandchildren. Quick, simple, effective. Thanks, Derb! Classmates, that does it for now. Karen and I wish all of you a happy and blessed holiday season. I’ll see you in January.

Wiz…

’80

Life Membership: 96%

Donor Participation: 19.49%

Pres: LtCol Tony Verducci USMC (Ret.) e: Ajverducci80@gmail.com

Sec’y: CAPT Joseph A. Grace Jr., USN (Ret.) 15 Allard Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 p: 504-915-6711; e: joe.grace@1980.usna.com

Website: http://1980.usnaclasses.net

Greetings Classmates, Navy is 4-0, Army is 4-0, what is happening? This month I had the privilege of attending the Navy Memphis game in Annapolis. The Class of 1980 tailgate team was in full swing and set up a great spread for all of us to enjoy.

Special thanks to all who make this happen

A fantastic time was had by all!Great food, great camaraderie, great cigars and wonderful friends! Thank you to all who make this possible – game after game; lot of selfless work. As an update, the Class Council is working to see how we can better support the Tailgate and make it easier for all. If you have thoughts, please share them with Curt Coughlin cogs11@cs.com,me, or you can send any ideas through your Company Reps. If you’re interested in contributing to a Tailgate fund let me know that too! Here are some photos from the games:

B&G Officers Mike Eriksen, Michael Johnson and Greg Baka in Bancroft Hall

Harry brought out the Cigars

Taking care of Bill!

In contrast, Rich Carlquist, rscarlquist@ gmail.com sent in a photo of the gathering that took place for the same game (Bucknell) in San Diego:

M This is a quick note from sunny San Diego where several USNA 80 Classmates got together at the private room of my wife Tasna’s restaurant to watch the midshipmen ring Bucknell’s bell in the season opener.

In all there were about 20 attending the game.Perhaps more impressive than the victory, was the total 196 pushups Chuck Marsh did as he worked his pipes after each score.

So great to see that we are all getting together and keeping the spirit alive and well!

During this month we had the first of several general interest webinars for the Class. In the first webinar Dave Clement provided some information on retirement planning. There is a second session planned that will have occurred before this comes out in print. Beth Leadbetter Gordon has been pulling several great topic together for the Class. Bruno Padovani is going

to be assisting with some of the Zoom Management. If you have a interest in participating or have ideas for sharing please contact her go.navy.lady@gmail.com. Thanks Dave, Thanks Beth!

A short note came in from Tom Paulk, tom.paulk@gmail.com who gathered with a few of his 29th Company brethren.

M Hey Joe,

I twisted arms and cajoled a few Classmates from the infamous 29th Co to agree to a get-together for Navy’s First Game, shown down at Shorebreak Pizza in Virginia Beach. Needless to say, we had a great time -Lots of laughs, and a positive start to Navy’s season. Joining me are Bill Webber, Jimmy Wilson, and Bill Crowe.Crowe-daddy and I live in the same neighborhood, so you’d think we got together ALL the time.... not so fast!

We’re all thrilled that Navy has found a way to win, and win with style! Tom Chip Eckles, chip.eckles@cox.net sent in a note this month.

M Joe,

I retired in 2020 from Northrup Grumman, where I designed and built spacecraft for 24 years. I missed all the remote work caused by COVID. Thank God!!We live in Tempe, AZ in the same house for 27 years. Our three kids are launched, college instructor, librarian and nurse. I am enjoying retirement, doing family history, making jewelry, doing photography and trying to stay healthy.

Cheryl Spohnholtz, sponzie80@gmail.com and some of the Ladies of ’80 are traveling the world:

M Hi Joe

Five ladies from ’80 (me, Stefanie Goebel, Carol Hoffman, Peggy Feldmann, and Barbette Lowndes), a friend,Barbette Lowndes’ daughter and her friend recently completed the Portuguese Camino Santiago pilgrimage walk from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela, Spain on September 14. We walked 101 kilometers over six days, and enjoyed bonding with each other and celebrating our accomplishments.

33rd Herd; Pete Stanford, Bill Nash, Dale Lumme and Joe

The Whitlocks and Gordons with The New Supe, VADM Yvette Davids

’80: From left to right they are Bob (Lori) Cotrrell, Dave Porter, Chuck (Melanie) Marsh, RIchard (Tasna) Carlquist, Bill (Patti) Killea, John Spencer and EZ 25 company mate Mike Bouvier.

’80: Classmates at the Memphis Game

’80: Tailgate gathering photo from the 1st Navy home game in Annapolis

Here’s a photo of us at the end of our journey in front of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

On a more somber note to close out the column, in the last months we have lost two more Classmates. Jeff Briggs, 35th Company, and Mark Sowell, 9th Company.

As recently as the July Column, Dan Nagao had submitted a note about getting together with Jeff and sent a few photos. In his Naval service, Jeff flew F18 Hornets in the Grenada, Beirut, Bosnia and Iraq conflicts. In addition, he was given the great honor of participating in a foreign exchange program with France. He and his growing family lived in Carqueiranne, and later in Paris while he flew in a French squadron and attended French War College. He returned to PA and became a Math and Science teacher.

Mark passed on Sep 4, 2024, and was buried at Joshua Memorial Park in Lancaster CA. Mark was “recruited” for Nuclear Power and served on the USS Enterprise. After completing his obligated service, he returned to his hometown of Palmdale, CA. Mark lost touch with most of his Company Mates and Company Rep Randy Farley found that most had not spoken to him since graduation. His friends Bruce Incze, Kenyon Hiser, and Joel Martinson remember Mark as quiet, steady and smart with an understated sense of humor and a reputation as our most quiet-spoken Classmate. Mike Chapline is also convinced he held the Space Invaders points record!

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmates!

These losses remind us once again how important it is to get together, keep in touch and take care of each other. Life turns on an instant. 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 / teams / zoom / text / visit a Classmate and take care of each other. You never know what a difference you can make. As always, BEAT ARMY, —Joe

’81

Life Membership: 96%

Donor Participation: 25.17%

Pres: Kevin Haney

e: kjhaney2@me.com

Vice Pres: George Basil e: gbasil99@yahoo.com

Treas: Gene Juba e: genejuba@yahoo.com

Co-Sec’ys: Frank Moreman and Bubba Turman e: Classof81Secretary@gmail.com

Webmaster: Patty Crandlemire Whitney Website: www.usna1981.org

Classwide messages: usna1981@yahoogroups.com

Greetings to the Class of ‘81. We hope you are all doing well as you settle down in your easy chair to read another scintillating column from the fingers of your class secretaries. We are going to start with an advertisement. Now hear this, it’s Wreaths Across America time of year. Our Class has been the sponsor of this uplifting event going on 12 years now. The ceremony will be held at the USNA Cemetery on 13 Dec. You can come early, around 0730, to help stage the wreaths and you can donate wreaths by going to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org /MD0011. The MD0011 code automatically provides a third wreath for free if you sponsor two wreaths. Hope to see you there. Now on to the Class news.

Jim Shannon (36) and Mike Mahre (02) sent us some emails highlighting a rugby team banquet held in the Fall of 2023. Why we are just hearing about this now is a mystery. I’m pretty sure the statute of limitations has expired for just about anything you rugby guys got yourself into back in the old days, so it’s safe to let the class know when you have a reunion. On second thought, I was thinking of blurring out the faces of French, Freeman and

Quattrini just to be on the safe side. Anyway, here is what Jim and Mike relayed to us.

M “That picture was taken last fall, Oct 20, 2023 at the annual rugby banquet. The featured event of the evening that brought so many ruggers from the great class of 1981 together was to remember our departed classmate and teammate, Dewey DeWispelaere Several members of Dewey’s family were in attendance including his mother, his widow, and his son for his induction into the Navy Rugby Hall of Fame In Memoriam during the Annual NRAA “With You” Dinner. The team is now a varsity sport (Division 1 national champs in 2023 and runner-up in 2024). Go Navy.”

Switching from the world of rugby to some hard rock, we got this note from Mark Cantrell (34).

M Greetings ’81 classmates! Just wanted to report a noteworthy recent recurring mini-reunion of some musically-inclined classmates— some who first met during Plebe year. We were introduced while participating in Midshipman Modern Music Bands—primarily chartered to provide entertainment for USNA events such as informal Dahlgren dances, service selection nights, International Balls, etc. Bands such as NA-10, Windjammer, Variations, and TRYX formed and rehearsed in the various Bancroft and Dahlgren Hall practice rooms—serving as an outlet and stress-reliever for many mids over the years. Some of the bands were even booked to perform at local high schools, bars, the Officer’s Club, and various local colleges like Hood, U MD, and St. Johns, etc.

At the beginning of first-class year, TRYX was formed by Scott Franklin (12th Co.), Mark Bradley (8), Ben Montoya (11), Mark Cantrell (34), and also included 2 members from ’82, Ken Perry (2) and Darryl Manwaring (20). This group worked hard and was accomplished, tight, and played challenging music from popular artists like Van Halen, Rush,

80s Ladies

Front row: Larry Burt (27), John Theiss (30), Gary Stasco (9), Dewey Meteer (rugby coach back in the day), Jim Shannon (36), Vince Vlasho (30), Chuck French (21), Mike Mahre (02), Dave Ott (27), and John Fisher (27); left to right on staircase: Rick Keller (8), Ted Morse (33), Dennis Murphy (01), Jeff Freeman (24), Dan Quattrini (1), Kent Mills (18).

Kansas, REO Speedwagon, and the Cars. We were well-received and in demand as evidenced by the many USNA and civilian events we were asked to perform at. We’ll certainly never forget performing for the ’81 class graduation party onboard the Annapolis “Harbor Queen.” Playing “Free Bird” full blast at midnight on the Severn River with beer sloshing about the decks was unforgettable!

We all graduated and scattered to the four winds in our various careers, got married, had families, and tried to stay connected as best we could. Many of us stayed in the music and performance business—rocking bars or worship services. Over two decades after graduation, the group gathered in Jacksonville for a successful reunion weekend and at that time we agreed to try to get together more frequently, culminating in performing for our 25th class reunion.

TRYX in 2020; Mark, Ben, Ken, Darryl, Mark and Scott

Our eight subsequent reunions have been at a more frequent and consistent pace, and now most of the group has joined the ranks of full retirement, Medicare, and grandchildren. We have been reuniting at either the Perry, Bradley, or Franklin residences, and this year we met at “Chez Franklin” and performed for a highly successful neighborhood block party in Point Pleasant/Charleston, SC. We play a wide variety of “vintage” tunes from our time at USNA, but also learn new material and more recent tunes. We meet for a few days prior to our performance and rehearse, eat great meals, talk about our kids and grandkids, drink many toasts, and enjoy a few cigars. We all departed Charleston tired, but extremely rewarded and satisfied—already looking forward to our next reunion in 2025. Please see some recent and historical photos and a YouTube link to our performance on 24 August 2024. Be well and stay thirsty ’81…

August 2024 Performance Link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0B21Q1 xuJdnlaH744whIVsnr3Z23Jy3W&si=gNnK_ Zxu8nZE6Sx6

TRYX in 2024; Ken, Mark, Mark, Darryl, Ben and Scott

Now for the sad news of another lost classmate, Tom Jacob (17) in July. Tom was a fleet sailor when he joined NAPS and he retired as a Captain back in 2009. Tom was the lead on our 35th and 40th reunions and he and Megan always had some great eats at their tailgater at the Navy football games. Tom and Megan sat next to Otto and Meg Stutz and Carol and myself (Bubba) for several years at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. We traded lots of high fives and hugs for a lot of years. We sang Navy Blue and Gold dozens of times with both frowns and smiles. Here is an edited version of Tom’s obituary.

Thomas Roland Jacob passed away peacefully on July 29 after a courageous battle with advanced cancer. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tom led a life of service, adventure, and dedication to family and community.

He majored in Oceanography at the Academy, picked subs, and served aboard the USS NATHAN before transitioning to the Reserve in 1986. In 1991, Tom earned a master’s degree in engineering management from The George Washington University. After 34 years of distinguished enlisted and commissioned service, he retired as a Captain in 2009.

In 2005, Tom married Megan, and together they shared a love of travel, embarking on several international trips. Tom also had a passion for attending Baltimore Orioles and Navy football games, spending time at the beach, photography, cooking and grilling, biking, and reading.

In his professional life, Tom worked as a program manager for several defense contractors in Washington, D.C., overseeing missile defense projects and supporting submarine combat system development for the Office of Naval Research. He retired from this role in September 2023.

Tom was also committed to giving back to his community, serving for several years as board president of the Stone Crossing at Piney Orchard’s HOA in Odenton, MD.

Tom had two daughters, Lauren Larsson of San Francisco, California, and Melissa Clayton of Middletown, Delaware.

Tom and Megan

That’s all for now ‘81-ers. We hope everyone’s holidays are relaxing and filled with family and friends. Tell us all about it so we can report it in future columns. Our New Year’s resolution should be to make a greater effort to check on our old roommates, company mates, and classmates to laugh about the old days and make sure they are doing well. Going to close with a teaser. A whole bunch of our female classmates had a reunion in Hawaii at the end of September. You can read all about it come January 2025.

’82

Life Membership: 97%

Donor Participation: 20.04%

Pres: CDR Janeann Treadway Conley, USN (Ret.) p: 410-251-7893; e: Jtcnaples@yahoo.com

Vice Pres: CAPT Matt Moury, USN (Ret.) p: 410-263-7640; e: vicepresident@usna82.org

Treas: VADM Terry Benedict, USN (Ret.) p: 703-913-7183; e: treasurer@usna82.org

Corr Sec’y: Rett Rasmussen 1710 Dana Pl., Fullerton, CA 92813 w: 562-696-8718; c: 562-822-0755 e: rett@rasmussen.biz

Website: http://1982.usnaclasses.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/USNA82

Good Morning, ’82!

At press time Navy Football was undefeated. Fast forward two months and I have no doubt that, with ’82 backing the Big Blue, that the streak is alive and we are looking forward to a resounding whupping of the Woops in THE game. BEAT ARMY!

Pete Brookes (33) submitted the following (after my career high of requiring this storied and award-winning writer to pare it down a bit):

Thomas R. Jacob “Okie” Captain Jack

82/82 CLASS NEWS

M “I met up with 33rd Herd roomie Mike “Shorty” Short in the Bahamas in July at his invitation for some cruising and deep-sea fishing as part of the Boston Whaler Rendezvous on Abacos Island. (He obviously owes me for having roomed with him for three years on 8-4.)

“Mike sailed his boat, Restless Wave, over from Jupiter, FL, for the week-long event. I’m not sure how he made the 200-mile trip without me, considering my recollection of his YP skills—not to mention my C average in Navigation. (As I recall, I was particularly adept at making those anchor-chain swing circle thingees on charts…):

“We had a great time, reminiscing, fishing, snorkeling, and even winning the event fishing tourney. (I don’t want to take credit for the fishing tourney victory, but Restless Wave has never won before…just sayin’.)

“I made the return crossing to Florida from The Bahamas with the S.S. Minnow, er, Restless Wave just to make sure that the good ship and crew made it back home. Strangely, the theme song from Gilligan’s Island kept running through my head: A three-hour tour…a three-hour tour….

“Shorty is mostly retired from a super successful career in business, including time as CFO at several little-known firms such as Seagram, AutoNation, and Universal Studios. He keeps his hand in the numbers these days through a startup, Frostbox, which builds reefers for powerboats.

“I’m now retired from a career in DC foreign policy. I keep busy by playing equipment manager, waterboy, and chauffeur to my 14-year old and his travel sports endeavors as well as scribbling my Brookes Outdoors columns. I’d love to hear from classmates who hunt and/or fish and have outdoor story ideas and may want to collaborate. Fame and fortune can be theirs…OK maybe not, actually definitely not, but they should feel free to be in touch at BrookesOutdoors@aol.com. —Brookesy”

Short already knows how to

Mark Shields (24), my predecessor as your Class Scribe, checked in, as all good former Scribes should do (Gus, Greg, and Ward – I’m talking to you!):

M “Renie and I travelled to the Pacific Northwest recently. We did a two week loop tour of this beautiful region. A highlight of the trip was visiting my youngster year roomie, Jim Sakai (24) at his home in Snohomish, WA.”

and Mark

Steve Kingston (2) reported on happy

M “In August Second Company got together for my daughter Morgan’s and son-in-law Grayson’s wedding in Mount Vernon, Washington state. Fun had by all. Great to get the band back together. Beat Army.”

Dana Moss

answered my call for a cruise memory:

M “I can’t pass up your request to provide a sea story (definition – that which was true, that which was partially true, that which may have been true, or that which is wished to have been true) coming from Youngster Cruise. Entering the Academy as a 21-year-old Marine corporal, I figured I could fly or deploy on ships as a Marine, so I wanted to give the Navy an opportunity to recruit me. Therefore, I applied for a cruise with the Silent Service and was assigned subsequently to SSBN-620 JOHN ADAMS out of Holy Loch.

“Accompanied by Donovan “Doc” Williams (18), Paul Morrisette (28), Doug Cobb (15), and Frank Pursel (27), we boarded ADAMS and found our way into the North Atlantic for a 60-day cruise. As we learned the various routines of a submarine underway, we also learned of an upcoming event that was both highly anticipated by some of the crew and warily dreaded by others – crossing into the Arctic Circle.

33 Herd roomies Mike Short and Pete Brookes on Mike’s boat Restless Wave. “Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the …”

Pete Brookes and friend. Rumor has it Pete is considering learning how to fish.

Mike

fish.

24th Company Youngster year roomies Mark Shields and Jim Sakai in WA.

Renie

Shields along the Columbia River Gorge.

news:

(L to R) Andrew Fuller (2), Steve Kingston (2), LT Grayson Taylor (pilot VP-46), LT Morgan (Kingston) Taylor (USCGA ’16), Dr. Chris Klentzman (2), and Dean Studt (2).

(12)

“As many know from their own experiences crossing certain latitudes and longitudes, celebrating such a time-honored tradition with the naval services is exceptionally important to the good order, discipline, and morale of the crew, but with the location of the submarine being top secret, the exact start time of the event was unknown to us “warm bodies.” However, a lucky break happened on the expected day of the event when I walked past the Quartermaster’s station and observed the Captain pointing to a location on the map, stating, “I want to cross that line at exactly 1300.” Deducing what that meant, I quickly spread the word to my fellow warm bodies so we could all be in hiding at that time (can you imagine trying to find a hiding place on a submarine?).

“Although I will not convey the details of the ceremony, which would qualify by themselves as an epic sea story that is not familyrated, I will say that when the time came to distribute the certificates to acknowledge our new status as a “Blue Nose,” we midshipmen were informed that we needed to see the XO, who was the master-of-ceremonies and a Naval Academy graduate. Fearing the worst, I asked my classmates what they had done during the ceremony to get us into so much trouble. Doc said he threw his “truth serum” (a concoction of the most dreadful mixture of bilge and scullery content combined with every hot sauce known to humanity) on the XO and Paul responded that he physically attacked the XO. I felt a bit relieved knowing that my action wasn’t that bad – I had just taken a large mouthful of truth serum and then spit it on the XO. The blankness of my memory fails to recall what Doug and Frank had done, but they were as equally audacious as the rest of us.

“Well, we dutifully reported to the XO’s stateroom and waited for what was surely going to be the most unpleasant verbal dressing down of our short midshipmen careers. To our joyous relief, however, the XO turned to us, smiled, and said, “I’m glad to see that the Academy is still producing midshipmen with [some intestinal fortitude]” (my memory is a little fuzzy on his exact words, but you get the gist).

“With a happy ending to that sea story, I will say that the cruise produced several other sea stories that might find their way to you in coming years. Go Navy! – Dana”

Your Humble Scribe, Rett Rasmussen (21), had a classmate encounter while on vacation in Montana:

M “I drove the three miles from our family cabin to Cooke City, MT (population 77) to buy a fishing license at the General Store. I was wearing a Navy t-shirt and a gent walking by said “GO NAVY!”, to which I reflexively replied “BEAT ARMY!” He stopped, looked at my ’82 ballcap from our last reunion and said “I’m Class of ’82!” We shook hands and introduced ourselves, he being Chuck Gepford (15). We

took the nearby photo for Shipmate, and Chuck said he had not “yet” submitted anything to Shipmate, so this paragraph is a down payment on Chuck telling his story in a future issue. But it turns out that he and his lovely wife (who was patiently waiting in their car while her hubby was jawing with some guy) had recently purchased a home in Red Lodge, MT, the next town over (65 miles away). We hope to fish and/or have dinner together next summer. It pays to wear your Navy gear - Chuck and I didn’t know each other at USNA, but we’re now fast friends from the bond of ’82.”

Rett Rasmussen (21) and Chuck Gepford (15) meet in Cooke City, MT. Just 4.5 miles outside of the NE Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, it’s worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.

Fill my mailbag! Please email to me at Rett@Rasmussen.biz your best (and family friendly) Spring Break stories. If you submit before mid-January, you’ll likely see it in the March-April 2025 issue. Of course, I’ll gladly accept a picture/paragraph of classmate sightings, vacations, career highlights, and whatever you feel would be of interest to ’82 and the lurkers from other classes who read our column. Bring it on, classmates! Looking good, ‘82! —Razz

DON’T SEE YOUR CLASS or CHAPTER HEADER?

Visit usna.com to look for your POC at: www.usna.com/FindAndConnect

Let your class and chapter officers know you have news to share in Shipmate

’83

Life Membership: 99%

Donor Participation: 17.56%

Pres: Steve Fischer Fredericksburg, VA

p: 540-840-7051; e: slf83usna@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Barbara Bell, Ed.D, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

Treas: Joe Spruil p: 703-579-6275; e: usna1983Treasurer@gmail.com

Sec’y and Shipmate Contact: CAPT Jeff Currer, USN (Ret.) 6119 Dory Lane Ct., Burke, VA 22015 c: 703-579-7846; e: 83shipmate@gmail.com

Communications Director: Mike Philbrook e: michael.philbrookr@1983.usna.com

Facebook: USNA 1983

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/83

Website: http://1983.us

Football Season is in full swing. Once again, come join us at a home game and the ’83 Tailgater. Support the Brigade and catch up with your classmates!

Last year at this time we were all about our 40th Reunion and the Class of ’83 executed an amazing “Ride Across America” raising funds for Veteran Causes. To continue that cause, the team is gearing up for this October’s event, BamaRama500 (Oct 4-13). The bike trip will go from Huntsville AL, to Scottsboro, Gadsden Oxford, Auburn, Troy, Crestview and end in Orange Beach AL. We look forward to hearing about that journey and the funds raised for Veterans causes. One of the key leaders of this event, Scott Watson, sent the following photo of the “Three Amigos” at Peter Stitt’s “big 66th” birthday celebration. Happy Birthday Peter and I’m sure we’ll see more of all of you after BamaRama500.

Steve Fischer sent a couple of photos in from a summer 8th & I Parade honoring our classmate and Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro The first shot was taken pre-parade and the second was at Center House, adjacent to the parade field.

L-R Peter and Melissa Stitt, Lynne and Scott Watson and Glenn Woodruff Spirit Lake, ID

L-R Steve and Janean Fischer, Terry McAuliffe and Guest, Leanna and Luke McCollum

Brad Jones sent the following update

M “My son, Matthew Jones, was just promoted to CDR. At his wetting down were 4 USNA alumni to include Brad Jones ‘83, Dan Schlesinger ‘02, Maile Jones ‘09 and Matthew Jones ‘10. (Note: that is a lot of Jones…covering a lot of years!) The newly minted CDR Jones has selected for command and will be headed to Whidbey Island for his XO tour in March, with the VAQ-144 “Main Battery.”

Congrats to the Jones family, and we are looking for great things coming out of VAQ-144!

L-R Brad Jones ‘83, Dan Schlesinger ‘02, Maile Jones ‘09, and Matthew Jones ‘10

Last, but not least, Elliott Peterson from my own Phoam’n Fourth Company shared the following photo with three ’83 Classmates at the helm. (I wonder who has the higher Lineal Number?) Regardless of seniority, this sailing team aboard STINGRAY earned a very respectable Second Place that evening! Well done team.

Randy Gross, Elliott Peterson and Harry Keith

That is a wrap for this column. Thanks to all who submitted. I know there so much more going on out there, so please share the news and photos to 83shipmate@gmail.com.

All the best – Jeff “1983 - A Class Act!”

’84

Life Membership: 100%

Donor Participation: 63.83%

Pres: Mr. Brian D. Goodrow e: goodrow2@comcast.net

Vice Pres: Karen M. Halverson e: dkhalvy@earthlink.net

Treas: Mr. Stephen J. Shepherd e: stephenjamesshepherd@gmail.com

Sec’y/Shipmate Contact: Kevin Monahan 428 Santa Mesa Dr., San Jose, CA 95123 p: 408-624-0773; e: kevin_monahan@comcast.net Website: www.usna84.org

One cannot give enough praise and gratitude to the drivers of the Class Reunion: Brian Goodrow, currently writing a leadership, management and negotiating skills text book based on his experiences, Karen Halverson undergoing kick-boxing therapy to deal with her experiences, and Stephen Shepherd, turning to woodworking to keep mind and hands busy after 2 years of shuffling big money between accounts and vendors.

Thank you also to all of the volunteers who gave time and effort to planning and participaing in every part of a Memorable Weekend.

29th Company deployed to The Mediterranean aboard an Avalon Cruiser in early July. They were David and Kathleen Kriete; Tod Ray and son Luke, a massive help parlaying French; Rocky Goins and Lynn Flinn; George and Elisa Zamka; John and Tina Morrow; Mike and Liz Midas

They were fortunate to spend Fourth of July at Normandy and when Taps was played, there was not a dry eye among them. Rocky reports “No July 4th will be the same as we saw yet another example of the sacrifices made by many for our Liberty.”

Rocky is serving as Chair of the U.S.S. OKLAHOMA (SSN 802) Commissioning Committee and as President of U.S. Naval Academy Alumni, Tulsa Chapter. Commissioning Fundraising efforts passed $100,000 mark in late September and when they learned only 5 colleges offer college programs on submarines, they began working with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s office and Oklahoma public colleges to get more colleges to offer courses for underway submariners. Courses range from personal finances to college degrees in engineering and cryptology. The Committee is also working on scholarships for the USS OKLAHOMA’s crew and families through a funded annuity. They engaged an Oklahoma architect to design the interior of the Dining Mess and the Officers’ Wardroom and the initial “Ship Store” opened in October for USS OKLAHOMA gear. Christening is tentatively scheduled for Q1 2026.

https://www.ussoklahoma-ssn802.us

7th Company, Baseball Alumni and assorted P-3 Jocks gathered near Philadelphia for Scott Vogel’s Celebration of Life in

Rear L-R Bill Galinis, Steve Fischer, Luke McCollum

Front L-R: Janean Fischer and Leanna McCollum

L-R

29th Company at Normandy Beach

September. Jon Rees did a wonderful job remembering his bullpen mate Vog’s, who, as Oak remarked, always had the gouge: at school, in flight training and in The Fleet. The picture of All Hands attending would need a coffee table book to see everyone clearly but 7th’s picture sets the tone.

SEA STORIES

A Navy tradition

Stories of action and inspiration. Entertaining and educational. https://www.usna.com/sea-stories

Every Picture tells a story. The story behind the picture below goes something like this...

“Oak, Restriction Muster trumps MIDREGS on this. I gotta look nice. Watch the door anyway and if Battalion or, God forbid, the MOOW walks up here, distract ‘em with your South Boston Charm.”

“I think ya got a point, Sully. Frakey, carry on. Not too much off the top. Trust me…” “Get out there and make us Proud, Oak.” If people who are impressed by a Naval Academy education knew how it really went down…

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

CLASS SECRETARY COLUMN DEADLINES

Mar ’25 2025 Send to: classnews@usna.com

’25

Tom Horn, Andy Litton, Jeff Weber, Gerry Murphy, Marjorie Rawhouser, Lou Anne DeMattei, Mary Green, and Virginia Horn of 7th Company

87/88 CLASS NEWS

’87

Life Membership: 99%

Donor Participation: 48.14%

Pres: Scott Herbener

e: president@usna87.net; p: 410-703-3519

Vice Pres: Tim Wolf

e: vpt@usna87.net

CFO: Chris Dunphy

e: finance@usna87.net

CFO: Steve Rowe

e: comms@usna87.net

CTO: Jason Hardebeck

e: tech@usna87.net

Shipmate columnist: Robert Pinataro

e: rpinataro87@gmail.com; p: 770-722-6373

Website: www.usna87.org

Hello Classmates,

Happy Holidays! I hope this column finds you, your families, and your friends healthy, happy, and enjoying the season.

Mike Cantwell attended the July USNA Entrepreneurs Summit and shared this report.

M Our class was well represented at the inaugural USNA Entrepreneurs Summit in Annapolis on 24-25 July. Jim Matheson, our classmate, and Harvard Business School faculty member, kicked off the summit by leading a workshop on the entrepreneur’s journey. Jim later hosted a panel discussion with Michael Stewart who is currently leading the Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities Office. The previous week, Michael and Jim spoke with Reserve Flag Officers and stressed the importance of innovation and disruptive technologies in Ukraine and the South China Sea. Others in attendance included Mike Cantwell, Tom Schwab, Rich Vitaro, and Wes Huey Go Navy! Beat Army!

~Mike Cantwell

passed away Sunday, 18 August at home in Kansas, after a bravely fought battle with cancer.

Brett was born in Anchorage, AK, and grew up in South Florida. He was a 24th company plebe and graduated with 29th Company, with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He later earned a master’s in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Brett served over 30 years in the Navy, with command tours both at sea and ashore, including command of the Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) Argonauts and the Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9) Vampires, as well the assignment of Commodore at the Naval Test Wing Atlantic at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. After the Navy, Brett joined Textron Aviation Defense in 2017 and rose to become its CEO in 2022.

Brett is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sylvia, his sisters, Heather Hrivnak and Nicki Pierson; and Duffy, a rescued Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mix from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. CAPT Pierson was predeceased in death by his parents, William and Judith Pierson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Brett’s name may be made to the following organizations:

other forms of educational assistance to children of deceased or disabled Society members.

A funeral service at USNA and a reception are being planned for the fall. Details will be shared as they become available.

Please take a moment and join me in remembering Brett. RIP Classmate.

~Scott Herbener

Chris Hodges sent photos from 29th Company’s Celebration of Life Zoom call in honor of Brett. Special guests were Sylvia Pierson, Brett’s wife of 37 years and Scott Herbener, who closed the night with a toast wishing Brett, “Fair winds and following seas!”

Please send your news to rpinataro87@gmail.com with “Shipmate” in the subject line.

’88

Life Membership: 100%

Donor Participation: 15.15%

Pres: Jim Schwab

c: 714-787-6920; e: jschwab@crimstonepartners.com

Vice Pres Ops: Chris Bushnell e: cjbushnell88@gmail.com

Vice Pres Comms: Laura Lee e: lee.laura.s@gmail.com

A sad note from Scott Herbener, President of our Class:

M Dear Classmates, It is my sad duty to report that our Classmate, Brett Pierson, CAPT, USN (Ret.),

Pilots N Paws®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to facilitating an environment in which volunteer pilots and aircraft owners organize to schedule rescue flights, overnight foster care or shelter and other related activities to support adopting animals; Compassion International, a Christian charity dedicated to liberating children from poverty in Jesus’ name through sponsorships and donations aimed at empowering local churches to provide individualized and holistic care, so children are free to learn, grow, play and dream; and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships and

Treas: Sam DiPaola

e: usna88treasury@aol.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/26441334505

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/12437536

myUSNA: Class of 1988

Shipmate submissions: shipmate1988@gmail.com

Zoom link posted on all platforms

Got a note and a great photo from Jim Bartlett (33rd co.)

M Hey, classmates, my wife and I recently had a chance to go to Düsseldorf, Germany to visit with Dan Begeman (33rd co.) and his wife,

L to R: Mike Cantwell and Jim Matheson, sporting a debonair Navy ‘87 Blazer

’87: Brett Pierson Celebration of Life with 29th Company. Attendees included Sylvia Pierson, Lou Gregus, Scott Herbener, Chris Hodges, Jeff Colwell, Eric Holloway, Mike Bell, Steve Sisney, Steve Meyer, Devon Marsh, Mile Lombardo, Keith Peden, Mike Sheerin, Dave Quint, Tom Schwab, Greg Harris, Rob Hallawell, Dan Sammons, Roy Ledesma, Mike D’Ambra, Al Desmarais, Ron Higgs, Walter Sechriest, Paul Lewis, and Scott Herbener.

Lisa (who happens to be my awesome sister). Dan and Lisa’s time in Düsseldorf is coming to an end, as their FEDEX rotation ends this fall. We had a blast and wanted to share a selfie.

Dan Begeman and his wife (Jim’s sister!) along with the Bartletts enjoying their visit together in Germany. Looks like such a good time! Best wishes from ’88 for Dan and Lisa’s next adventure!

Does anyone else have a sister who married a classmate? I’m so curious! What about a vacation in Europe this summer? A great staycation? Let’s see your best photos, ‘88!

David Albritton (32nd co.) was recently inducted to the Defense Information School (DINFOS) Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

DINFOS honors alumni who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions at the highest levels in public service, industry, the military or academia for at least 20 years in public affairs, public relations, journalism, and other related fields.

Dave is the only

Navy Public Affairs Officer

served within Fortune 1000 companies as an independent board director, business unit president, and Chief Communications Officer.

Dave’s family, including his wife, mom and stepfather, three children, three grands, and his sister attended the ceremony along with ’88ers including Mike Tabb (34th co.), Kennon Artis (8th co.) and Anthone Wright (2nd co.)

Congrats on this honor! BZ from ’88!

Make it your new year’s resolution to join the ’88 Zoom Happy Hours. Thanks to an ad hoc team led by Tom Williams (31st co.), we’ve made some requested upgrades to the format, adding “sound offs” to the beginning and helping you connect with classmates, whether you’re looking to hire someone you know and trust, or seeking a job for yourself or someone you know closely (such as your young adult child just entering the workplace).

Want to showcase your work, passion project, or non-profit at our Zooms? Just let me know! Find the Zoom link on all private ’88 social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, and

myUSNA). If you need access or help, drop me a note.

Please take a moment to update your data on myUSNA; it’s the only way we can find you for the reunions! myUSNA will also connect you with your local alumni chapters and other special interest groups (SIGs).

At this time, there is not currently an ’88 tailgater planned for this year’s Army/Navy game, but we can find each other at the stadium through social media. By the way, there’s a great app for precise (within 3 meters) location finding that I’ve used to find friends (and my car) at festivals. Check out this location deny.slides.nation at www.what3words.com. First person to email me where it is exactly gets a free ’88 35th reunion ballcap!

May the magic of the season fill your heart and home with joy.

BEAT ARMY! LL’88

’88: Join in for networking and socializing every other month except July in 2025.

Classmates gather to congratulate David Albritton on his induction into the DINFOS Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Mike Tabb, Dave Albritton, Anthone Wright, and Ken Artis

former

who has

’88: Such a joy to see Dave’s family celebrate with him at his induction into the DINFOS Hall of Fame.

89/89 CLASS NEWS

’89

Life Membership: 100%

Donor Participation: 24.57%

Pres: Denise (Shorey) Willert

Haendelstrasse 8, 46459 Rees, Germany

German p: 49 (0)170 960 4551

U.S. p: 1 757 386 7804

e: denise.willert@1989.usna.com

Corr Sec’y: Scott McFadden

e: scottmcfadden1989@gmail.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: Ingar Grev

e: igrev@1989.usna.com

’89ers!! I think we answered the question “What about ’89!” loud and clear! I hope everyone that attended our 35th reunion had an awesome time (It seems to me like you all did)! I had a great time reconnecting with old friends and making new friends. The memorial service for our fallen classmates was very moving. There are tons of photos, too many to fit here, on our Class of 1989 Facebook page.

A month before the reunion, eight of us met in West Virginia to run a two-day relay trail race. Look for John Hammes’ article elsewhere in this issue.

Our Class President Denise (Shorey) Willert shares her thoughts on the reunion: M Dear classmates,

Well, our 35th Reunion has come and gone and if you weren’t able to attend, you were very missed! It was an epic weekend and I’d be remiss to not thank our wonderful committee one last time for their tremendous work to make it such a success. They include Karen (Somsel) Quilty, reunion chair; Ed Drew, Tony Newpower, Clint Carroll, Ingar Grev, Kristin (Reynolds) Goodrich, Chris Heiser, Kelly Brown, Bob Cady, Edwin Henderson, Mike McGettigan, Kent Berry, Wendy Miller, Brian Caldwell, and Laura Bush. What a team we had and what an event it was!

It is with great sadness that I must let you know of the passing of our beloved Honorary Classmate, Rear Admiral Virgil Hill, Jr., on 6 September at the age of 86. Rear Admiral Hill is best known to our class as the 53rd Naval Academy Superintendent from 1988 to 1991 and was made an Honorary Classmate in 2022. A moment of silence was held at the Temple game on 7 September for Rear Admiral Hill prior to the playing of the National Anthem. He is survived by his wife and our Honorary Classmate Mrs. Kim Hill, along with their children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life was held for Rear Admiral Hill on 30 October at USNA, which I

hope many of you were able to attend. Please keep the Hill family in your thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. We send our love to them.

A short note regarding our Class Gift cycle, which is officially starting this spring — your input counts! We plan to send a survey in another month or so to gauge the interest of the class in various proposed projects. More to follow on this, with many thanks to Jay Crabtree for leading the Class Gift committee. I’m excited to see what we choose to support.

I’m keeping my input short this month so there’s room for YOUR photos and stories. Can’t wait to see them all! Counting down to the 40th — Now’s the Time 89!

With warm wishes, Denise

Cliff Salonga sent in some reunion photos: M Input from 35 year Reunion. Photos from Fun One. The GoatScaping Recon was successful again (Navy beat Temple), bonding with classmates and honoring the Superintendent, Go Navy!

• Goatscaping Crew: Brian Frack, Stephen Stone, JD Myers, Cliff Salonga and Cary Krause

• Pregame with Fun One logo shirts. Cliff Salonga, Brian Frack, Cary Krause, Stephen Stone, and JD Myers

• Superintendent’s Brunch: JD Myers, Cliff Salonga, Brian Frack, Stephen Stone, David Greenheck

• We’re proud of our classmate! My favorite Shipmate cover featuring our very own Vice Adm. Yvette M. (Gonzalez) Davids (I keep my copy at my desk at work!)

Thanks, Cliff Salonga

From Paul Gallagher:

M A couple of ’89er business folks were at the NAVSEA Small Business Round Table at Port Hueneme (PHD) in August and bumped into a classmate. Don’t think any of us will make the journey and be at the reunion this year. Cheers to all our classmates. Thanks. Paul Gallagher (30th), Cliff Salonga (1st) (spoiler alert, Cliff was at the reunion), and Mike Ladner, Dept Technical Director, NSWC PHD (11th)

From Todd Nichols:

M Enjoyed a fun one week Charter with ’89 classmates in Beautiful Mallorca Spain! Lisa and I, and Doug and Laura are continuing on to see Normandy and then Paris. GO NAVY!!!!

In the picture from left to right: John and Linda Coney, Todd and Lisa Nichols, Doug and Laura Brandeen and Joe and Diane Vitelli

And we have another author in our ranks, Joe Navratil:

M Hey Scotty, I finally fulfilled my lifelong dream of publishing a novel! Second Act resurrects Audrey Hepburn through Silicon Valley technology. A deep dive into classic movies, AI and other tech, romance and plot twists abound. You can pick up a copy through my website at https://joenavratil.com.

And, lastly, Kathy Coviello checks in:

On September 11, I connected with William “Bill” Marriott ’79 (CAPT USN (Ret.)) at the Redstone AUSA Chapter Civilian of the Year Banquet in Huntsville- aka Rocket City -where we were in attendance to honor some of the award winners. Bill was the G1 for Army Materiel Command and on my interview panel

when I returned back to Army as an army civilian senior executive after serving at Office of the Secretary of Defense. Kathy

That’s all for this issue! Go Navy! Peace, Scott

’91

Life Membership: 98%

Donor Participation: 15.57%

Pres: Gibson Armstrong p: 717-371-0124; e: gibson@1991.usna.com

Exec Vice Pres: Mike Rapp p: 757-620-0070; e: michaelrapp999@gmail.com

Admin Vice Pres: Ana Kreiensieck p: 703-298-9099; e: ana@1991.usna.com

Treas: Jen Coleman p: 989-600-9671; e: jen@1991.usna.com

Sec’y: Juan Orozco p: 571-529-4447; e: juanorozco91@gmail.com

At Large: Ian Hadden p: 501-313-9597; e: Ian.Hadden@@1991.usna.com

At Large: Craig Benson p: 612-203-4280; e: micra110@yahoo.com

Website: www.usna91.info

Hopefully you are all enjoying the fall and watching Navy Football starting strong. It’s great to see so many of our classmates enjoying Mike Rapp’s ’91 Tailgaters at our home football weekends. I just enjoyed a weekend catching up with Yianis Selinids at William and Mary parent’s weekend, where his daughter is starting her college experience. Always great catching up with classmates.

91 Marine Corps leaders take command. I was privileged to attend LtGen Roberta “Bobbi” Shea’s assumption of command of Marine Forces Command on USS IWO JIMA with LtGen. James Adams and Julie Hansen Shank. It was also great to see LTGen Eric Austin assuming command of the Marine Corps’ Combat Development Command. Both events were well attended by Marine Corps leadership and supported by 91!

91 Represents at Navy Football Games: What a start to the Navy’s football season (as I write this – 4-0). Great to see so many classmates returning to Annapolis for the games and getting together. Don’t forget to stop by the ’91 Tailgater!

1991 Connections:

RDML Randy Peck participated in SNA WEST in San Diego as the Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE, leading Amphibious Warfare in San Diego. Great to see so many aviators supporting SWO events.

Juan and Yianis – could be twins!

91 Celebrates with LtGen Bobbi Shea.

’91 Celebrates with LtGen Eric Austin.

VADM Jeff T. Anderson takes command of SIXTH Fleeth

VADM Jeff “JT” Anderson and Thomas Braden during the C6F Change of Command.

Congratulations to Dan Durn who was awarded the San Francisco Business Times 2024 CFO of the Year (Public Company, Large), for his leadership at Adobe where he

combined its finance and IT organizations into a single team, allowing the business to access data more quickly to make sound business decisions.

’91 Representing during President’s weekend:

Class Email:

Gib is working hard to include all classmates in his periodic class emails. If you don’t get it, to be added, text your email address to Gib at (717) 371-0124.

Message from Gib Armstrong:

The “network effect” explains how recent innovations like cryptocurrency and social media grow in value with wider participation. But for us, the network effect is nothing new. During Plebe Summer, we learned “the strength of the ship is the Service, and the strength of the Service the ship.”

As we approach our 2026 reunion, it’s worth reflecting on the power of our USNA network. Each of us contributes to a legacy that extends beyond our individual experiences, strengthening both the bonds between us and our collective reach in the world. Whether or not we cross paths regularly, the values we share as Naval Academy alumni foster fellowship and support—whether it’s roommates catching up over dinner or something more serious, like ’91 teammates supporting a ’91 family through a serious illness.

As we sail into our middle years, our class leadership, with the support of the Alumni Association, is working to make it easier to stay connected and engaged—and further grow the value of our ties to USNA and ’91.

Reunions are a key way we do that. Our next one is just around the corner, in 2026. We’ll celebrate our past, rekindle old friendships, and make new ones (after 35 years, none of us knows every classmate; it’s not just you!). We’ll swap sea stories and renew that sense of honor and purpose that carried us through our naval careers and still guides us today.

But you don’t have to wait till 2026. Classmates like Vence Harbuck and Ken Barber are planning local events in Florida and Chicago. If you can’t attend, why not organize your own? Reach out to a classmate, pick a time and place to meet. Search USNA’s handy map by “1991” at usna.com/alumni-lookupmap-search (login required) and invite local

Dan Drake, RDML Randy Peck and Mike Dowling catch up in at SNA WEST.

’91 Tailgater at Navy’s victory vs Bucknell.

’91 Tailgater at Navy’s victory vs Memphis.

Congratulations Dan!

’91: Party at the Supe’s House with the Supe: Jim Russo, Jeff Boschert, Gib Armstrong, VADM Yvette Davids, Paul Deidrich, Dawn Diedrich, Mandy Birch, Vence Harbuck, Jody Dowling and Stan Krasovic

classmates. Even if no one else joins, you’ll still have a great time with another classmate and make new memories.

The strength of “our Service” is strong, but like any living system, it requires rejuvenation. Let’s make time to embrace the power of our network and chart a steady course for our remaining years. See you soon!

’92

Life Membership: 99%

Donor Participation: 17.44%

Pres: Donnie Kennedy

Vice Pres: Glen Viado

Treasurer: Joe Zurzolo

Corr Sec’ys: David Ornstein and Brett Odom e: USNA1992ClassUpdate@gmail.com

Website: www.usna92.com ’92,

Delighted to be in your hands for the final time in 2024 as we enter a holiday period of rest, recharging, and planning more class hijinks (er…’92 excellence) for 2025!

Thanks to the outstanding initiative of Tony Gray, we begin this month with a wide-ranging update from the Double Deuce: M August was a month of delight and devastation for 22nd Company:

We celebrated the continued rising wave of our company mate, RADM Milton “Jamie” Sands III, as the new Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command.

On 2 August, Jamie assumed command from RADM Keith Davids ‘90, leading all 10,000+ Navy SEAL, Combatant-Craft Crewmen, and combat support personnel.

Taking command with his trademark wit and charm, Jamie thanked his parents profusely for convincing him to join the Navy by telling him he would be close to his passions of water, fishing, and duck hunting.

Since graduating, Admiral Sands and his SOF operators successfully spent a lot of time in the water, fishing and hunting…just not for ducks.

Surrounded by his classmates, teammates, and beloved wife and daughter, he was quick to thank everyone present, along with many more family and friends watching via livestream.

Like his predecessor, Admiral Sands revered the power of his teams and stated that we don’t get to choose the threats we face. Yet, victory comes from the continued grit and character of our people.

Following the absolute delight of Jamie’s change of command, Double Deuce descended to the cold depths of company mates lost too soon. Mark Zinser left Jamie’s triumphant ceremony for the bedside of Blake Smelley battling terminal illness. Company mates Jeff Dolven and Marvin Reed quickly entered the overwatch pattern travelling hours to Blake’s bedside, with other company mates in pursuit. They spent days in Blake’s hospital room comforting family members and telling sea stories with Blake’s remaining devil-may-care grins and contagious laughs.

{Ed. Note: Please also see Blake’s obituary in the “Last Call” section of this Shipmate.}

great friend, Prowler squadron mate, and our company mate, Les Fierst ’93; only to be followed by a loss of our amazingly admired former 15th company upper classman and mentor, Aaron Johnson ‘90.

Among these heavy seas of triumph and tragedy, we celebrated the entry of Eric Reese’s twins, James and Gineva, into the Class of ‘28.

James, Eric, and

August tested the strength of our past and future 22nd Company cable.

August grit and character of our links formed our infinite might.

In other Class of ’92 news, Eric Reese shared a couple of further class updates and photos:

Jay Antonelli ‘92 led plebe summer PEP during the Class of ’28 Parents Weekend.

Days

RADM Davids and RADM Sand

Blake Smelley, Mark Zinser, and Jamie Sand

after Blake’s passing, Eric Reese notified Double Deucers of the unexpected loss of his

Geniva Reese

Doug Rogers, Jay Antonelli, Eric Reese, and Joe McMullin ’92 classmates celebrated the Class of ’28 Legacy Parents Reception at Fluegel Alumni Center.

Eric Reese, Doug Rogers, Joe McMullin, Chris Johnson, and Donnie Kennedy

’91: Party at the Krasovic’s House: Mandy Birch, Gib Armstrong, David Mann, Tami Murphy, Evan Barnet, Scott Boerman, Grannie Krasovic, Jeff Boschert, Jody Dowling, Vence Harbuck, Marty Boerman, Jim Russo, Dan Murphy, Jensin Sommer, Paul Deidrich and Stan Krasovic

In other class togetherness, while the class lunch at Galway Bay continues to be a monthly highlight under the able leadership of Joe Zurzolo, July of this year brought a special afloat edition thanks to Glen Sharlun, who hosted a ’92 lunch gathering aboard his vessel RADIANT HOPE in Annapolis Harbor.

Joe then followed up by recruiting another strong turn-out to the Galway Bay in August. These lunches normally run on the last Friday of each month, so out-of-area classmates are advised to plan their Crabtown visits accordingly!

Mike Schoffman reports in with some good evidence of ’92 getting far afield: “As part of my annual guys’ trip I was fortunate enough to spend a week off the grid on the main stem of the Salmon River in Idaho with 92ers Leif Mollo, Eric Peterson, Curt Carroll, and Damien Christopher and other friends. Old friends, more good times!”

Presumably all the fish they caught are just out of the frame: Leif Mollo, Eric Peterson, Curt Carroll, Mike Schoffman, and Damien Christopher

’92 – As ever, your entertainment in this space depends upon your participation. Please share your news (or your disreputable old sea stories) to usna1992classupdate@gmail.com

Finish the year strong, ’92!

’93

Life Membership: 98%

Donor Participation: 17.89%

Pres: Bob Kuberski e: bob@usna93.com

Vice Pres: CAPT Colleen C. Salonga, SC, USN (Ret.)

Corr Sec’y: Maj Shogo Cottrell, USMCR

30765 W. 127th St., Olathe, KS 66061

p: 913-220-1193; e: shogo@usna93.com

Treas: CDR Tanya (Wallace) Presser, USNR (Ret.) e: tanya@usna93.com

Shipmate Correspondence: Maj Shogo Cottrell, USMCR

30765 W. 127th St., Olathe, KS 66061

p: 913-220-1193; e: shogo@usna93.com

Website: http://www.usna93.com

A few months back, Rick Radonich planned and announced a mini ’93 reunion for anyone in the Bay area – and looks like their first one was a success:

M We had our first of hopefully many San Francisco Bay Area ’93 local reunions on 14 September. In attendance were Andrew Chacko, John Quarles, Juan Silva, Colin Bowser, Adam Plumpton, Mike Thiel and me along with my wife and Adam’s wife. It was great to see everyone and to hear everyone’s life stories in a more intimate local venue. I would give some updates, but I didn’t take good notes. I do recall a few nuggets however: Andrew has spent something like an additional 14 years in school since we graduated, and Adam actually used his Naval Architecture degree outside of the Navy! Colin was the only lifer, the rest of us got out after our first tour and many of us have been neighbors for years or even decades without realizing it. Turns out that there are more than 30 of us in the Greater Bay Area. Many others wanted to attend but had good excuses like children’s sports; other excuses were not so good. I hope you enjoyed the Giants game Devan. Several people expressed interest in organizing future get-togethers and hopefully we can take turns hosting these a few times a year.

(L to R): Andrew Chacko, John Quarles, Juan Silva, Colin Bowser, Rick Radonich, Adam Plumpton (Not Pictured: Mike Thiel)

’92: Aboard the Radiant Hope: Front row: Shelby Mounts, Jay “Mr. PEP” Antonelli. Middle row: Shannon Murray, Holly Johnson, Glen Viado. Back row: Scott Erb, Glen Sharlun, Andy Olek, Shawn Callahan, Olin Sell, Joe Johnson, Joe Zurzolo, and Mike Mangan.

’92: Donnie and Amy Donegan, Lyn Hammer, Stephanie Murphy, the CMOD, Donnie Kennedy, Jay Antonelli, Scott Wright, Tim Cornell Shannon Murray, and Dan Goodwin

Glad you were able to get that put together Rick! I used to get to tbe Bay area regularly –maybe I can make it to one of your get togethers in a near future. Keep sending me the invites! That’s all for this issue. Please keep those updates coming. Beat Army! — Shogo

’96

Life Membership: 99%

Donor Participation: 14.25%

Pres: Bill Pennington

Vice Pres: Ghislaine (Williams) Stonaker

Sec’y: Cara Albright

e: caramalbright@1996.usna.com

Treas: Nikki Battaglia

Greetings, ‘96!

The last month or so has really flown by… all of a sudden it’s October, leaves are falling, and we have had an exciting football season so far. I would never have predicted, after watching last year, that we’d be sitting on a 5-0 start to the season. The Memphis win was a total barnburner, and it was a great one to be at the stadium for. By the time you all read this, we’ll be done with our class tailgate for the year, so huge shout out to all who have come through the tent, whether it was for one game or all of them. I’m looking forward to an exciting December. After all, we play 10 scrimmages, but one real game every year, right?

I don’t have a ton to share from my inbox this time around, but I do have a couple of really cool pictures and a story from Randy Risher and 10th company from their annual gathering over the summer. Randy writes: M Quick update from some of the 10th Company gang. A group of us have been getting together annually for several years now – usually in Annapolis during football season. This year we decided to take advantage of Jim Adams’ beautiful new lake house on Lake Greenwood, South Carolina in early June. While we were there, we discovered that a nearby town (and Revolutionary War battle site) had a very motivational name! Pictured are Steve “Perch” Perchalski, Randy Risher, Jim Adams, Andy “Skippy” Healey, Chad Thorson and Jeff Rogers. Go Navy!

10th Company in South Carolina

Thanks, Randy! These photos are super cool. I went on a few hikes with a couple of my USNA roommates this summer, but all we managed to come across was a Rte 96 road sign, which is nowhere to this level. BZ!

I don’t have any other class news this time, so I better scurry around and hunt more up for the next issue. Whatever you’ve been doing this fall, please send news to share! I expect there will be some gatherings for both the Notre Dame game (East Rutherford) and the Army-Navy game (DC), so please get lots of pics to share and send them my way. Finally, we officially crossed the two-year mark until our next reunion this fall, so I wanted to remind everyone that our 30th is looming. Ray Schlauch will be our fearless leader of the Reunion Committee this time around, so if you are local, stand by for ways to get involved with both the planning and execution as our event grows nearer.

Happy holidays and BEAT ARMY SIR!!!

—Cara

To order your class, chapter or parent club specific merchandise, visit usna.com/shop

’97

Life Membership: 99%

Donor Participation: 7.01%

Pres: Tom Wagner e: twagner1@san.rr.com

Send news to: LtCol Aaron Shelley, USMCR (Ret.) 1148 Via Jose, San Jose, CA 95120 c: 619-980-8297; e: apshelley@hotmail.com

Hey 97!

While we don’t have any news to share for this issue, I wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. To those of you still in uniform, you have our deepest gratitude for continuing to the stand the watch. Hoping everyone’s 2024 finishes on a good note and looking forward to hearing from more of you in 2025!

Beat Army!

—Aaron

’98

Life Membership: 100%

Donor Participation: 6.40%

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: Alex Savage e: asavage98@gmail.com

’98, Mark Brophy provided us a fantastic update. Keep ‘em coming.

Rick and Adam Plumpto

M Hey Great ‘98,

Since our last Shipmate magazine was sparse on ‘98 news, I thought I’d share a little about what our classmates have been up to lately. This summer, Brad Hipp finished a successful tour in command of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) in Yuma, AZ. Brad and his team had quite a diverse spread of aircraft and programs to manage having multiple helicopter variants, V-22 Ospreys, F-35’s, and MQ-9’s all under one squadron. There was a nice contingent of ‘98ers who made their way to the sunny oasis of Yuma…Brandon Roach (President/CEO of GlobalAg), Sumner Lee (CEO Fuse Integration), Sean Simmons (pain management doctor in Bethesda with amazing hair…yes, I’m jealous), Dustin Byrum (more on him next paragraph…stay tuned), and Doug Seich (program manager at Meta). Brad, Heather, and the boys relocated to Hawaii where Brad is now serving as the PACOM J35.

The very next weekend, Dustin Byrum finished a successful tour in command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) in Beaufort, SC. Dustin and his team were equally as busy managing two F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, two F-35 Lightning squadrons, and an aviation logistics squadron. Another nice contingent of 98er’s made it out to Dustin’s ceremony…Jon Curtis (pilot for American Airlines), Doug Seich, and Brad Hipp were in attendance. If you’ve never been to the MCAS Beaufort O-Club, I highly recommend making a trip just to get a beer there. It’s worth it…Doug’s son has the stitches and a great story to prove it! Dustin, Christine, and the kids are back in DC where Dustin is working as the EA to the Deputy Commandant for Aviation.

However, I think the most impressive thing that happened this summer was the contingent of ‘98er kids who joined the next link-in-thechain with the Class of ‘98+30 (YIKES).

After successfully completing NAPS (Hooyah NAPS!), Ben Ruiz (son of super-human, dynamic duo Bridget and Coleman Ruiz) and Sadie Higgins (daughter of New Hampshire’s most successful and handsome…okay, maybe just successful…orthopedic surgeon Brendan Higgins and his wife Kim) joined Nash Bailey (son of Nate and “Bancroft Hall’s favorite mom” Angela Bailey), and Maddie Palmisciano (daughter of Melissa “The Pride of Columbus” and Matt Palmisciano). I also heard that Rebecca (Schwanbeck) Aten and Jillene Bushnell have kids in the class too! I think there might even be one more that I’m missing. Bottom line, the Class of ‘98 has stacked USNA with the next generation of leaders in the Navy and Marine Corps.

Lastly, every so often I’m lucky enough to run into Katy “Please Don’t Mention Me in Shipmate” (Baldwin) Giles at the Naval Postgraduate School gym. She’s crushing it as a faculty member at NPS and still snatching souls on her bike. I’ve successfully used my excuse matrix to avoid the painful humiliation of unsuccessfully trying to ride with her and the NPS bike club on Friday mornings.

As empty nesters, Nicole and I have two open bedrooms and an open invite for anyone wanting to get away to the Monterey Peninsula. And if you’re ever planning on running the Big Sur Marathon, my house is about 100’ from the finish line (Gabby…)

As always, I’m super humbled to be a part of this amazing class filled with studs and studettes. You all are amazing and don’t you forget it!

—Broph

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Log into Online Community at usna.com to update your profile.

’01

Life Membership: 97%

Donor Participation: 9.75%

Pres: Jen (Bohr) Tyll p: 302-528-9306; e: jenbohrtyll@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Amy (Baxter) Laczek p: 240-393-9120; e: laczekaxter@gmail.com

Treas: Adam Borcz e: adamhenryborcz@gmail.com

Sec’y: Jen McCullough e: jennifer.mccollough@gmail.com

It’s time for the Army/Navy game! Hope to see classmates there. Stand by for a meeting spot posted on Facebook for a class picture after 1st quarter. Based on 2001 stats, we will probably have to offer free burgers in order to get a full attendance, but we hope to get a quorum for a quick photo. Please grab the 2001 classmate sitting next to you and bring them to the photo. First up is Matt Myers ’01. Matt was playing poker with four classmates (Seth Stegmaier, George Wisnieski, Sterling Jordan ’01 and Pete Firenze ’01) and he decided to send us a photo. This is Matt’s first time posting in Shipmate. For the Myers children, yes your dad did go to school. Here is the proof. Thank you Matt for sending the photo. Pictures are always welcome. ‘With Matt being the single email input (thanks Matt), I am going to summarize the class social media for those who do not have it.

Classmates Scott Shadforth ’01, Robert Bunn ’01 and Jay Armas ’01 have managed to secure another free degree from the military at the Eisenhower School in D.C. I hear it comes with less payback than USNA.

Pete Firenze ’01, & Matt Myers ’01

Jay Zarra ’01 and his current and future squadron mates after the fly over.

’98:

Jay Zarra ’01 was seen on the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Score board after he did the fly over for the game.

Justin Jordan ’01, Brian Broadwater ’01, Chris Lepore ’01, and Scott Sloan ’01 at the 13th hole celebrating 2001 classmates.

Timothy Dale ’01, Eliza Colquitt Marks ’01, Betsy Garvin Radelow ’01, Melanie Brunmeier ’01 as midshipmen in Bancroft. Love that computer monitor!

contemplate writing those holiday cards and you think about those days when we were way ahead in navy wins, drop me a note on how your 2024 went and it will be in the next Shipmate. More people will read your update in Shipmate than will read your holiday card update. Send it my way. ’Go Navy! Beat Army!

’02

Life Membership: 98%

Donor Participation: 5.49%

Pres: Kate (Kranz) Jordan e: katherine.kranz@2002.usna.com

Vice Pres: Elizabeth (Kreft) Brienza

Treas: Danielle Thomasson

Sec’y: Mike Johnson e: johnson.michael.a@gmail.com

At-Large Directors: Rob Ballard, Lauren Coia Friedman and David Gravseth

Send Submissions to: johnson.michael.a@gmail.com

Class Website: www.usna2002.org

LinkedIn: USNA Class of 2002

LinkedIn Class Website: https://www.linkedin.com/ groups/3900492

Facebook Group: USNA ’02

Please note that ‘02’s Facebook Group is intended only for classmates and spouses. myUSNA:The app “myUSNA” is in the Apple App Store. Also accessible at https://myusna.com

To access the ’02 Group on myUSNA, go to Groups, then Class of 2002.

witnessed and celebrated by many notable USNA alumni as well as a hearty portion of the Goat Locker. King Neptune himself was rumored to have been present.

On the port side of the aisle, Natalie Solon, Allie Inberg, Meghan Vandiver, Michelle Squiers, CDR Colleen (Stephens) Minihan (’02), Mary (Schnurman) Todd (’02), CAPT Stacy (Guth) Arenstein (’02), Sarah (Campbell) Thompson (’02) ensured a steady lash up fit for the most discerning of Surface Warfare Officer.

On the starboard side of the aisle, Nathaniel Thompson (’02), Brendan Cremins (’02), Chris Cisek (’02), Jack Downes (’94), CMDMC Chad Mitchell, Arnold Taylor (‘10), Clay Richardson, OSCS Darnell Jones (Ret.) kept the lines tight for the retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate.

The ceremony was officiated by CDR Mike Todd (Ret.). His words inspired all in attendance to reflect on their own love and safety.

Guests danced the night away with Best Dance Moves awarded to the always vibrant and agile, CAPT and Mrs. Steve Cobos (’02) Honorable mentions on the dance floor go to Marie (Sharpe) Hunter (’01) and Dave Hunter (’03), Katie (Moore) Windland (’02) and Mike Winland (’02), and Mr. and Mrs. Sarah Wilson (’01).

Quite a few 2001 folks played in the “Our Fallen Brothers Memorial Golf Classic”. Scott Sloan ’01 posted a series of photos of Justin Jordan ’01, Brian Broadwater ’01, Daryll Hill ’01 and Chris Lepore ’01 The 13th hole was dedicated to Brian Bourgeois ’01, Ronald Winchester ’01, and Jason McCray ’01. This column would not be complete without an update from our President, Jen Tyll ’01. She would like to thank Aught One’s Maine supporters: Frank Jones ’61, George Philip ’67, Matt Jacobson ’ 84 and Max Heathco ’21. Unfortunately, Melanie Brunmeier ’01 passed away 18 August 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Melanie will be missed for her kind soul, upbeat personality, great conversations, and many other fantastic qualities that made her a great friend and shipmate. We have a current picture of her and also her as a midshipman with some classmates. Many classmates expressed their condolences over her loss. There is an online guestbook at www.twohigfunerals.com ’As you

Virtual Memorial Hall: Thanks to Patrick McConnell for creating and maintaining this for the entire USNA community: http://www.usnamemorialhall.org ’02!

Thank you to Sarah (Campbell) Thompson for this wonderful update on the wedding of Vanessa Solon and Robert Hock: M “After 780 combined demerits and 8.5 years by the Bay, Vanessa Solon (‘02) and Robert Hock (‘02) finally decided to tie the knot at a lovely seaside affair in Virginia Beach, VA on June 8, 2002 + 22. Their vows were

Not to be outdone, George Loranger (’02), Tim Collins (’02), Micah Baily (’02), Daryl Hill (’01), Tim Sweeney (’02), and Justin Busby (’02) lead the vocals serenading Mrs. Hock in Top Gun fashion. The Glee Club would have been proud.

The celebration would not have been complete without a dessert spread only a former Steerage patron could have dreamt up. Not a sweet tooth left unsatisfied. The sweets and dancing were followed by a late-night dip in the waters of the Atlantic to cap off an unforgettable celebration of love.

We wish Vanessa, Rob, and their beautiful children Bradley, Andrew, Morgan, and Bennett a wonderful life together full of laughter, love, and an annual Hock – Solon cannonball run.”

Melanie Brunmeier ’01

’02: All USNA

Congratulations, Vanessa and Robert – and thank you for sharing this, Sarah!

BZ to:

Tara Inverso – for her nomination and service as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) primary member on the State, Local, Tribal, and Private Sector Policy Advisory Committee. Tara also serves at the NRC as Director, Division of Security Operations, Office of Nuclear Security and

Incident Response. Way to go, Tara! And thanks to Club-Deuce company-mate Bill Guheen for the intel.

Captain Alex Armatas – for this article and interview about Alex leading the Blue Angels. Thanks again to Bill Guheen for outstanding intel!

https://www.wavy.com/news/military/ meet-blue-angel-1-capt-alex-armatas/

And thank you to:

Russell Thomas – for letting me know about the “The Battle for Najaf, Part 2: Thunder Road” – the follow-on article to Part 1 which I shared in the last issue of Shipmate

https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck /the-battle-for-najaf-thunder-road/

**Instead of typing in the address, if you Google “Battle of Najaf Russell Thomas”, the above link should come up, as well as Part 1. I can see more QR codes in ClassNotes’ future! : )

When Russell and I were catching up recently, I had skimmed Part 1 of the article on the Battle of Najaf as I was pulling together ‘02’s last Class Notes column, but I had not read the article in detail – and so then I read both Parts 1 and 2 in their entirety, and they put me at a loss for words. I have read our class’s book, although it has been a while, and I have tried to keep up with our classmates and the news in general ever since our Plebe Year

Chow Calls and three articles a day – but all that said, when I read the two articles on the Battle of Najaf, I paused and reflected on how grateful I am that Russell and others came out of that battle alive. Thank you for letting me know about these moving articles, Russell. Captain John Bowman (’02-4) of 28th Company, for a fantastic time at the football game vs. Temple, and for re-connecting me with my USS COWPENS (CG 63) shipmate Alisha Hamilton (’02+1) who just retired (congratulations, Alisha!).

New Feature: Reef Points Adjacent:

An inshore bottlenose dolphin species that inhabits the U.S. east coast was named Tamanend! Passing this info on given Tamanend (formerly referred to as Tecumseh) on the Yard. And who knows, maybe this will make it into Reef Points one day.

ANOTHER New Feature:

When Classes Collide! (Imagine EXPLOSION sound effect here)

Here is me with my next-door neighbor, Captain Mark Dennison, (’02-5), Foreign Area Officer and Senior Defense Attaché to Spain, on a quick trip to Arlington, VA. It may be hard to see in print, but I am wearing SpongeBob SquarePants crocs –my prized father’s day gift from my wife and daughters. Me with my teammate Matt Andrews (’02-6) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Finance, Programming Directorate, in Washington D.C. For the record, I don’t wear my SpongeBob SquarePants crocs at work in the office – only while teleworking at home. : )

’02: Hock – Solon Family

With Matt Andrews, ’02-6

’02: Bridesmaids

’02: Groomsmen

With Mark Dennison, ’02-5

Also me with my instructor Kevin Zach (’02-14) at a DHS-sponsored training at American University in Washington, D.C. Turns out Kevin and I both served on USS COWPENS (CG 63) a few years apart – in the same division – R Division! Rest in Peace to COWPENS, which was decommissioned this summer, along with other vessels as noted in the prior issue of Shipmate. Also Rest in Peace to two COWPENS shipmates: our classmate John Cabigon, as well as Myron Ludvick (’02-2)

With Kevin Zach, ’02-14

John and I reported to COWPENS in ’02+1 together with Steve Carter – as I mentioned in the last issue, John was STRIKE, Steve was COMMO, and I was R-DIVO – and as I remember it, when we first reported aboard, Myron was STRIKE, so maybe John was Assistant STRIKE at first. Then Myron became MPA, before Myron left COWPENS for shore duty at USNA, as I understand it. Like John, Myron was someone I always enjoyed being around. Myron just happened to be a LOT taller than John. : ) Myron and John were both so kind, funny, and good people. I recently learned that Myron is buried at the USNA Cemetery, and I look forward to paying my respects at his final resting place.

Also in a follow-up from our last Class Notes column:

Regarding Rob Ballard’s vision to make the Yard more wheelchair accessible, in particular on the steps between the Midstore parking lot and Chauvenet, to connect the portion of the Yard near the Midstore to Stribling, T-Court, and the rest of the Yard:

The USNA Architect, Sara Phillips, noted that she thinks there is a feasible wheelchair ramp solution from the first floor/terrace level of Michelson and Chauvenet to Stribling, which is what Sara is requesting design development for. Sara also noted that for access up to that terrace level from the Midstore parking lot, individuals in a wheelchair could enter through the ground floor of Chauvenet and then proceed up the elevator. According to Sara, this

will go into further refinement of design, which will include looking at what the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) requirements are.

Thank you to Sarah Phillips for her insights and support on this, as well as to Rob for advocating for a much-needed change to the Yard.

And: the Color Company of the Column (c3) goes to… 6th Company! For Sarah (Campbell) Thompson’s wonderful update on the wedding of Vanessa Solon and Robert Hock. Thanks again Sarah, and congrats Vanessa and Robert!

Until we read again, Mike Johnson ’02 Detachment South Arlington, Virginia johnson.michael.a@gmail.com

’04

Life Membership: 95%

Donor Participation: 5.84%

Pres: Jeff McLean

e: jeffreyjmclean@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Shannon Webb

Treas: Jarrett Berke

Sec’y: Deni Baykan

Comms Officer: Leigh Ross

Philanthropic and Inclusion Officer: Kristen Murdock

Operations Officer: Alexa Hunter

Send Submissions to: classof2004usna@gmail.com

Classmates,

Thanks to everyone that came to the 20th reunion! Thank you to our reunion committee leadership trifecta: Aahron Oddman, Lauren Warren-Zecchin, and Shane Todd. Thank you to our class officer and reunion committee members, our company reps, and everyone that made an effort to be there and celebrate our class. We are in a new era as a class, and I’m excited to stay in closer touch with everyone and keep the class network strong. If you captured any good photos or have any good stories to share coming out of the reunion, we’d love to share them in Shipmate, send an update to: Classof2004USNA@gmail.com.

We have a great update to share from classmate Rob Sarver:

M Aught Four, I hope this message finds everyone in good spirits, enjoying life, and perhaps even relishing some well-earned retirement from service. I’ll be the first to admit that my participation in class activities back in school was practically nonexistent, and who would have thought I’d end up writing for Shipmate? But hey, apparently, there’s a first time for everything! That said, myself and my co-author, Alex Gendzier, have written the definitive guide for veterans transitioning out of the military, “Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Heroes Journey.” We have

dedicated the past five years to this mission, including by interviewing hundreds of veterans, military spouses and others and conducting extensive research. Our book covers every aspect of the transition: critical topics such as the very practical steps needed to take in advance to transition to civilian life, the visible and invisible wounds of war (PTSD, TBI, physical injury, moral injury and other), finding new purpose in life, what it means to be a civilian warrior and navigating the job search process. We have included a dedicated chapter to support military spouses and children, recognizing the broader impact of military service has on families. Former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, Generals McChrystal and Petraeus, Dr. Eric Potterat, many distinguished USNA graduates and others up and down the chain of command, from every branch have endorsed the book. Hachette is publishing it on January 28, 2025 and it is available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other retailers online. We hope this book serves as a useful guide for anyone transitioning out of service or for those who know someone navigating the life-changing shift from military to civilian life.

Our continued best, Rob Sarver and Alex Gendzier

Go Navy, Beat Army! —Jeff

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

’05

Life Membership: 98%

Donor Participation: 5.37%

Pres: LtCol Thomas A. Kulisz, USMC hometown: Alexandria, VA

e: kulisz@2005.usna.com

Vice Pres: CDR Matthew J. Bernhardt, USN hometown: Annapolis, MD p: 619-889-1968; e: mjbernhardt@gmail.com

Treas: Allen J. Murphy hometown: Severna Park, MD p: 410-212-1082; e: allen.murphy.2005@gmail.com

Sec’y: CAPT Reed A. Kitchen, USN hometown: Arlington, VA p: 619-208-0770; e: reedkitchen@gmail.com Website: 2005.usnaclasses.net

Aught Five,

20 years next year! Hard to believe...

As we gear up for our 20 Year Reunion, a quick administrative note.

Please update your contact information on usna.com - this is the primary mechanism we have to pass coordinating instructions for the reunion. Some folks aren’t on Facebook (I’m one of them) and we don’t want anyone left out of the fun.

There have been a few reunion notes (survey, general information, etc.) sent out via email and Facebook so, if you didn’t get those, feel free to connect with Tom or me and we will forward to you.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone next year!

Best wishes, Reed Kitchen

’09

Life Membership: 99%

Donor Participation: 24.22%

Pres: CDR Andrew Poulin, USN

e: andrew.poulin09@gmail.com

Vice Pres: LCDR Art Griffin, USN

Treas: LCDR Cody Forsythe, USN

Sec’y: Micky Matus, USN

e: michaelmatus09@gmail.com

Shipmate Submissions: e: Shipmate09@gmail.com ’09,

Thanks to everyone that attended our 15-year Reunion!! We hope you all had a great time! We’ll share more pics and stories of the reunion in our next issue, but until then we have a few updates from some of our shipmates:

Our classmate Veronica Camiolo (8th Company) wants to remind everyone that “if you are ever in Millington TN, there’s a good number of us stationed here. Go Navy!”

Shout out to our classmate Eric Kettani (7th Company), who partnered with the Naval Academy and his company Paintru to donate this wonderful portrait of our fallen classmate Nate Poloski to the 7th Company wardroom. Well done, Shipmate, and thanks for keeping Nate’s legacy going strong!

Don’t forget to send us your pictures and stories from our 15-year Reunion!

Until next time, please keep in touch via our “US Naval Academy Class of 2009” facebook page or our Class Slack channel: usna09.slack.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & BEST WISHES IN THE NEW YEAR!! —’09 Class Officers

Visit usna.com to look for your POC at: www.usna.com/FindAndConnect Let your class and chapter officers know you have news to share in Shipmate

Would you like to mentor interested students about the opportunities at USNA? Become a Blue & Gold Officer and contact USNA Admissions at 410-293-1813.

Top left to right: Jeremiah Smith, Ashley Wessel (Skahan), Audrey Munji (Oberdorf), Olivia Jones, Veronica Camiolo; bottom left to right - Zach Martens, Claire Born (Geilfuss); missing from the group photo, but not forgotten! Gabby Francisco, Donny Northrup, David Christensen, Tim Boyce, and Desiree Hummeldorf

A portrait of LT Nate Poloski (7th Company), who was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON when he was tragically involved in a fatal accident while piloting his F/A-18 Hornet on 12 September 2014, hangs in the 7th Company Wardroom.

CHAPTER NEWS

Alabama

BGO Area Coordinator: Brian Campbell ’94, USNR p: 251-776-4000; e: Brian.Campbell@1994.usna.com

Alabama is looking for new Blue and Gold officers to support USNA Admissions. If you would like to learn more about serving in a BGO role, please contact CDR Brian Campbell.

USNA Alabama Alumni Chapter

Pres: Greg Hess ’85

p: 205-307-9191; e: greghess8599@charter.net

Vice Pres, Central Alabama: Eric Riddle ’94 p: 469-363-4295; e: ericriddle94@gmail.com

Treas: David Patton ’92 p: 831-917-7750; e: david.patton@live.com

Exec Assist: Rosalyn Bell (son Joseph ’25) e: usna.ala@gmail.com

On Saturday morning, 28 September, over 400 alumni, parents, midshipmen and friends gathered for the first-ever Birmingham tailgate welcoming Navy football to town to take on the UAB Blazers! Hosted by the Alabama Chapter USNAAA and joined by the Parents Club, the event featured visits by the Superintendent and Athletic Director, the Spirit Team, and Bill the Goat. Outstanding breakfast and lunch dining was provided by Saw’s Barbeque, with drinks donated by Coca Cola and Water Way (Morris Hackney ’53)

Gathering at beautiful downtown City Walk Birmingham near Protective Stadium, we enjoyed fellowship with guests from all over Alabama and several neighboring states. We also welcomed members of the USNAAA staff for both the

tailgate and a Friday night social the previous evening. The excitement and enthusiasm of gathering and celebrating Navy football in Birmingham was palpable, and we look forward to future events.

and Greg Hess ‘85

The Chapter is grateful to our sponsors for their generous support: Platinum Sponsor Browning Trail Cameras (CEO Mark Gregory ’92), Silver Sponsors Rocky Ridge Dental (Dr. Roy Smith ’73) and Lockhart Carroll Law Firm (Attorney Hunter Carroll, father of Hunter II ’28), and Bronze Sponsor QED Analytics (Dr. Emily Cook, husband Will Cook ’88). A special

Bravo Zulu to Rosalyn Bell (mom of Joseph ’25) and Carolyn Freeman (mom of Reid ’24) for their hard work, excellent planning, amazing creativity, and outstanding execution to make this event a memorable success!!

[Shipmate apologies for not including the September-October column.]

Members of the Alabama Chapter met at Daniel George Restaurant in Mountain Brook for our monthly second-Tuesday GO NAVY lunch. We celebrated another successful Spring Dinner and discussed the upcoming Navy football game here in Birmingham as the University of Alabama Birmingham hosts the Midshipmen at Protective Stadium on 28 September. Hope to see you next time!”

(L to R) Rosalyn Bell, Bill, Carolyn Freeman

VADM Davids with John Vareen ’00 & Family

VADM Davids, Rosalyn Bell

L to R: John Vereen ’00, Brad Staley ’90, Morris Hackney ’53, Kristin Bakkegard ’88, Harb Moore UNC ’66, Brett Feinstein ’86, Jim McVoy ’49, Kevin Patton ’85 and Greg Hess ’85.

Alabama Alumni Chapter: Navy Spirit Team!! GO NAVY!!

Alabama Alumni Chapter: GO NAVY!! BEAT UAB!!

South Alabama Chapter

Pres:CDR Brian Campbell ’94, USNR p: 251-776-4000; e: Brian.Campbell@1994.usna.com

Sec’y: Ruth Lichtenfeld p: 251-343-6264; e: ruth29@bellsouth.net

Alabama is looking for new Blue & Gold Officers (BGOs) to support USNA Admissions in the state. BGOs are volunteers who serve as reliable sources of information about the Naval Academy, Navy, and Marine Corps. If you wish to learn more about serving in a BGO role in Alabama, please contact Brian.

Arizona

BGO Area Coordinator: Susan Wester e: sjw456@icloud.com

Northern Arizona Chapter

Pres: Charlie Bomberger ’74 p: 928-4999-9605; e: cbomberger74@gmail.com

Sec’y: Juan Segovia ’88 p: 949-235-4083; e: the5Segovias@gmail.com

On 15 August, the Northern Arizona Alumni Chapter had its first quarterly luncheon meeting at the Gurley Street Grill in historic downtown Prescott. The meeting was very well attended with alumni representing classes from 1956 to 1988 and parents of recent graduates and current midshipmen.

At the luncheon, the MyUSNA website (and our chapter’s page) was navigated and shared with the group and the chapter’s local postings

were discussed. More information will be distributed to the chapter members to assist them in setting up their own accounts and we will be using it to post notices and upcoming events. The highlight of the afternoon was a presentation by State Representative Quang Nguyen (Father of Sarah ’21) who shared with us his insights into the local State legislative processes and goings on priorities. It was a great discussion, and we heartily thank Congressman Nguyen.

The Chapter Officers met on 12 Sept to review recent goings on and upcoming events, and to discuss our next Quarterly Chapter Meeting is currently scheduled for 14 November.

The Chapter has also gotten together at our local watering hole, Pudge & Asti’s, to watch each of Navy Football’s victories this season. (See pictures above.) We are currently looking forward to Navy-Airforce on 26 October.

Any inquiries can be directed to our Chapter President, Charles Bomberger ’74, at CBomberger74@gmail.com.

Go Navy! Beat Army!

Southern Arizona Chapter

Pres: John McCarthy ’76 p: 520-241-7943; e: j.r.mccarthy2@gmail.com

Sec’y: Jim Hillenmayer ’73 e: jhillenmayer73@msn.com

Website: http://southernarizona.usnachapters.com

After a summer hiatus, the Southern Arizona Alumni Association Chapter kicked off their fall season with a Happy Hour/Dinner at a new

venue, a local Tucson Elks Lodge. Newly installed Chapter President John McCarthy ’76 welcomed new Chapter members Michael and Margaret Aden and laid out a busy fall schedule for the Chapter, including monthly luncheons with guest speakers and a joint Navy/Air Force alumni gathering to watch the service’s football game. USNA Arizona Parents Club directors Amy Stovall and Alix Shroufe gave a short presentation about the upcoming All Academies Military Ball.

California

Los Angeles Chapter

Pres: Adrian Montecinos ’14 p: 562-587-3690; e: admont19@gmail.com

Vice Pres: George Kiernan ’19 p: 630-917-2064; e: gkiernan21@gmail.com

Treas: Michael Seaver ’83 e: michaelseaver@gmail.com

National Trustee: Brian DeJarnett e: Brian@dejarnett.net

BGO Area Coordinator (LA County/Orange County): CDR Steve Shatynski ’83, USN (Ret.) p: 714-255-6108 e: Stephan.shatynski@wellsfargoadvisors.com

BGO Area Coordinator (Riverside/San Bernardino): CDR Bill Lauper, USN (Ret.) p: 619-840-2846; e: lauperwm@gmail.com

Ahoy Shipmates!

As the endless summer rolls on, the LA/OC Chapter is full steam ahead towards an exciting sequence of events to unite our local Alumni this fall. From our upcoming tiki boat cruise to our iconic Army Navy watch party aboard the USS IOWA, we are pumped to reconnect with Shipmates and cheer on the Mids at these two events. We hope you can join us! If you haven’t, please ensure you have registered with MyUSNA.com as all of our communications are distributed via email.

If you’re interested in joining the OC/LA Alumni chapter or want to help in any way please contact our chapter leadership via MyUSNA.com. We look forward to meeting new Alumni and helping grow our local chapter!

Roll Goats!

Sacramento Chapter

Pres: Terri (Riggs) Maginnis ’82

e: tmaginnis@yahoo.com

Vice Pres: Brian Grubbs ’92

e: bgrubbs1992@gmail.com

Sec’y: Paul Deveaux ’96 e: paul@pauldeveaux.com

Treas: Alan Abbs ’91

e: alanabbs@gmail.com

Area BGO Coordinator: Lauro Aguila ‘81

p: 530-417-1082

e: Lauro.Aguila@bgo.USNA.com

Did you remember to update your contact information with the Naval Academy Alumni Association? We use this information to update mysuna.com, the official communications platform for Parents and Alumni groups and SIGs. We are using mysuna.com to send the monthly

Northern Arizona Chapter

emails about upcoming events and dues reminders. If your information is not current you are missing out on these emails as well as having access to contact all alumni, parents, and alumni associates and find out what is happening in USNA Alumni activities.

According to myusna.com there are 268 alumni located in the Sacramento area; but we continue to have no more than 5-10 alumni attend our events and always looking for ways to attract more members.

Our regular events include monthly breakfast at Black Bear Diner, Madison Avenue at 7:30 AM on the first Friday of each month and third Thursday joint Academies Happy Hour at various locations throughout the area.

Finally, we have football watch parties through Army-Navy (and beyond!) as well as several Parents Club activities that are always enjoyable and keep us abreast of the goings on with Academy life.

San Diego Chapter

Pres: Keith Kitagawa ’92 e: president@usnaaasd.com

Vice Pres 1: Debbie Balsley ’93

Vice Pres 2: Michael Philbrook ’83

Treas: Maurice Caskey '64

Sec’y: Mark Powers ’06 e: secretary@usnaaasd.com

Corr Sec’y: Charlie Carey ’70 p: 619-589-0945; e: cdcarey@1970.USNA.com Website: http://usnaaasd.com

BGO Area Coordinator: Mike Philbrook ’83 e: michael.philbrook@1983.usna.com

Summer has passed although here in San Diego you would hardly know it. October is often one of our hottest months with temps going into the 80s and 90s. It’s fleeting but gives all something to gripe about.

We held an Alumni picnic at Admiral Baker Field in August and the temps were in the 70s. Go figure. It was a great turnout and included everything from traditional picnic food to a bounce house for the kids to keep them busy. Admiral Baker is a great venue for these types of events and the grounds continue to improve each year.

We started October off with a luncheon featuring CAPT (SEAL) Brian “Beef” Drechler, USN (Ret.) who is the Deputy Executive Director & Director of Operations for the new Navy SEAL Museum being established in San Diego. Beef gave the group an overview of where the museum stands and plans to open up later this year. If you are wondering what happened to the National SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, FL - nothing, it’s still there. This is a second museum with the same mission in the 8th largest city in the nation and with the largest concentration of military in the world. Seems like a good fit. Clearly there will be a connection between the new museum, the world class MIDWAY Museum, and the Maritime Museum. If you live in San Diego, just got here, or plan on visiting in the future there is much to see and do. Include these terrific sights and you won’t be disappointed. Beef also answered many questions on SEAL team operations, his career and where he thought SPECAWAR was headed in the future. It was a great presentation.

Santa Barbara Chapter

Pres: Stephen L.A. Callahan ’81

Treas: CAPT Stephen H. Huber ’80, USN (Ret.) BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Greg McGiffney e: Greg.McGiffney@bgo.usna.com

Chapter email: usnaaasantabarbarachapter@gmail.com

Web: http://santabarbara.usnachapters.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santabarbara. chapterusna.9

Instagram: @ usnaalumssantabarbara/ MyUSNA: https://myusna.com/topics/9564/feed

Santa Barbara Chapter 2024 Annual Summer Picnic at Manning Park, Montecito, CA. Great time of food, fellowship, and fun. Thank you everyone for your support.

Colorado

Colorado Chapter

Pres: Pres: Kelly Mayer ’85 president@usnacolorado.com

Sec’y: CAPT Matthew McLaurin ’92 e: matthew.s.mclaurin@gmail.com

Website: http://usnacolorado.com

BGO Area Coordinator (Denver): CAPT Dick Eason ’84, USN (Ret.) p: 720-747-4615; e: dick.eason@lycos.com

September 6th provided the perfect sunny day at the Air Force Academy for the annual Alumni Service Academy Cup golf tournament. It was Navy’s turn to host this year with Tim Tacl ‘09 serving as the overall event organizer assisted by J.D. Cook ’87. This year’s event opened its doors to the Coast Guard Academy and

Alison Park (Parent Club President) & Debbie Balsley ’93 checking in attendees

Chapter President Keith Kitagawa ’92 - Getting the cooking rolling

Beef and “Smelly” Plaskonos ’98

Phil Marsden ’63, Luke Blackwell ’63, Beef ’98, Helois Leosk ’18, & Vern VonSnydow ’63 - The oldest and youngest attendees

Santa Barbara Chapter

Merchant Marine Academy alumni, making it a true Academy Cup alumni event.

With the help of event team members from the Army and Air Force, the tournament raised over $1,400 for a local military veteran charity in the Colorado Springs area. Participation was maxed out once again at 144 players overall for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, the Air Force won the coveted Rindahl trophy for a third straight year. Please mark the date on your calendar for next year’s tournament of 22 August 2025. All are invited to venture out to the front range of the Rocky Mountains and play some high altitude golf. Go Navy!

In August we hosted our first Chapter happy hour in Colorado Springs, and we enjoyed another round of happy hours with fellow alumni in September in Denver, Arvada, Louisville and Castle Rock.

We are hosting our inaugural happy hour event for the Mountain area at Highside Brewing in Frisco on Tuesday, 8 October from 17:00-20:00. Mike Sharp ‘94 at mike@1994. usna.com is leading our Mountain events, so reach out to him with any questions.

We will be organizing our next round of events at various locations around the State in early December so keep an eye on our Chapter website (www.usnacolorado.com) or watch your email inbox for information on those.

We communicate our Chapter activities through three channels: our Colorado Chapter website (www.usnacolorado.com), the myUSNA. com platform (www.myUSNA.com) and our LinkedIn group “Colorado Chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association”. If you are interested in receiving information regarding Colorado Chapter events, please sign up on at least one of these platforms. Alumni may sign up for a free “email only” membership on our Chapter website, or even better join the Chapter as a full member! Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date on myUSNA.com and make the Colorado Chapter one of your groups. Finally, join the group “Colorado Chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association” on LinkedIn. Please reach out to Kelly Mayer ’85 at president@ usnacolorado.com if you need assistance getting set up on any of these platforms. We encourage all alumni in Colorado to consider supporting our chapter activities by volunteering to lead current and new events or consider joining our board of directors. We have an open seat on our Chapter Board and will be holding elections for the Board in the Spring. Please reach out to Kelly Mayer if you are interested in supporting our current Chapter activities or initiating new ideas as an active member of our leadership team.

As a reminder, our Colorado Chapter is registered with the King Soopers and City Market Community Rewards Program. Alumni who are registered with King Soopers/City Market/Kroger can designate the Chapter to receive cash rewards without any additional cost to the grad. Please register your card using this link: https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/ community/community-rewards. Go Navy!

Delaware

BGO Area Coordinator: Daniel Bates e: daniel.bates@bgo.usna.com

Delaware Chapter

Pres: Chris Dierkes ’85

c: 302-540-0940; e: christopherfdierkes@yahoo.com

One of our Delaware Alumni is stepping up for another leadership challenge!!!

Chris Dierkes ’85 and Chris Beronio ’95. Chris Beronio ’95 is running for 8th Representative District and off to a great start! Let’s give him our best!!!

Florida

Jacksonville Chapter

Pres: CAPT Scott Neidhold ’77, USNR (Ret.) e: scottneidholdsr@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Glen Hamilton ’85 e: glenhamilton@cbvfl.com

Treas: Brian Schultz ’85

Sec’y: Jim Beatty ’83 p: 904-329-9609; e: jbeatty@wolf.com.mt

Chapter Trustee: Enochia Anderson ’94

Communication Director: CDR Nels Frostenson ’80, USN (Ret.) e: frostynels@aol.com

50 Year+ Alumni Liaison: CDR Peter Garfield ’60, USN (Ret.) p: 904-314-9691; e: pjgarfield@comcast.net

Website: jacksonville.usnachapters.net

BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Richard O’Sullivan ’77, USN (Ret.) p: 407-687-6877; e: raaos@aol.com

It has been a busy summer and fall for the Jacksonville Chapter. Earlier in the year, we had elections for new Chapter Officers and the new Officers are:

President: Scott Neidhold ’77

Vice President: Glen Hamilton ’85

Treasurer: Brian Schultz ’95

Secretary: Jim Beatty ’83

Chapter Trustee: Enochia Anderson ’94

Colorado Chapter: Service Academy Alumni Golf Tournament

Colorado Chapter: Colorado Springs Happy Hour

The newly elected officers and Board members are committed to providing more events to get Alumni together to cheer on Navy, get reacquainted with fellow Alumni and provide some Community Service.

In keeping with those goals, here’s what’s been happening:

USS CARNEY Briefing on Red Sea operations –the Operations Officer, LT Dennis Morral ’15 and the ASWO, LTJG Haven Vickers ’21 briefed 25 alumni at Culhane’s on Southside on 24 July about the incredible adventures of CARNEY during her deployment where she engaged more targets than any ship since WWII. The innovation, perseverance and professionalism of CARNEY crew left all of us happy that these fine Sailors are on our side. A Senate Resolution has been introduced recognizing the CARNEY CARNE also was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and Combat Action Ribbon. As CARNEY is DDG-64, it was great to see a good contingent of USNA ’64 at the briefing supporting their adopted warship including Richard Burke, Ken Fusch, Bill Natter and his wife Gini. Gini is the unofficial ship sponsor of CARNEY. Among others attending were Tom Barry ’65, Drew Beasley ’71 and his wife Bonnie, Barbara Ives ’80, David Waugh ’83 and his wife Denise, Jim Beatty ’83 and his wife Robin, Mark Lyons ’84, Brett Feinstein ’86, Pat Eliason ’00 and Caleb Isbell ’21

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp game – 20 Alumni and family members attended a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball game on 15 August. A good time was had by all.

Food Farmacy event - 20 Alumni signed up to provide food to Junior Enlisted personnel in the Jacksonville area on 26 August in conjunction with Feeding Northeast Florida, Catholic Charities and BEAM Food Pantry. This twice monthly event provides food to between 150 -200 Military families. Hurricane Helene decided to hit Florida that day and the unsafe conditions caused the event to be cancelled. We will try again on 20 October and hopefully the weather will support us this time.

All Service Academy golf tournament – will be held at Queens Harbor Golf and Country Club on 11 October. Navy hopes to win the trophy again after defeating Army last year and we have opened it up to all the Service Academies. Expect results in the next issue.

Navy Football watch parties have been held throughout Jacksonville during our spectacular early season run. Events have been held at Bottleneck Brewery, Culhane’s on Atlantic, Hoptinger at the Beach and Miller’s Ale House in Mandarin. We all continue to gear up for the Annual Army-Navy watch party at Everbank Stadium on the massive video screens.

The easiest way to get a quick look at upcoming Chapter events is to join our Facebook group at Jacksonville Chapter- Naval Academy Alumni Association. Come out and join us!

Jim Beatty ’83 Chapter Secretary

Southwest Florida Chapter

Pres: Hank White ’68 e: hfwhitejr@aol.com

Sec'y: Doug Backes '70 e: dougbackes@aol.com

Membership-Web Mgr: David Finch '67 e: df121819@aol.com

BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Dennis R. Neutze ’65, JAGC USN (Ret.) p: 305-705-4722; e: dennis.navy65@googlemail.com Website: southwestflorida.usnachapters.net

President’s Comments. My Fellow SWF Chapter Shipmates: Welcome Back to the start of our 2024-2025 “SEASON”. I hope all had or are still having an enjoyable summer and fall with family and friends and that our snowbirds will be looking forward to returning to Southwest Florida in the next few months.

In light of NOT having a full complement of officers to manage the Chapter’s activities, I agreed to remain as Chapter President (and acting Treasurer) for another year with the assistance of Doug Backes ’70 (Secretary) and Dave Finch ’67 (Membership and Web Manager). [Vice President and Treasurer positions remain vacant] Officer positions run for a two-year period and can be renewed. We are asking some of our local alumni to step forward, join the chapter and a few brave souls assist as new leaders. You may not realize that all your current leaders are baby boomers who graduated back in the middle of the last millennium/century. Time for the gen X, millennials and gen Z alumni to answer the call.

Enough of the recruiting commercial, it’s time to start our chapter’s new “season” in Southwest Florida, so let’s look ahead as to what is planned and what is possible to accomplish with your help. Regards, Hank White ’68 2024-2025 Planned Events.

November: Alumni engagement/happy hour mixer: Thursday, 11/7 from 5:30 to 7:30pm, location TBD – Isaac Phillips (Director of Online Engagement and SIGs) and Lori Coogan (Director of Parent Programs) are coming to town and would love to gather with chapter and parent club members to share the latest on the programs and activities happening at the Alumni Association and also hear from you on how they can better support our chapter, parent club and you. Look for the announcement from them in your email or on MyUSNA for location and further details.

December: Doug has engaged the Audubon CC in north Naples / Bonita Springs for our annual Army-Navy Game tailgater “watch party” on Saturday, Dec 14. (Great food, honor beer, wine and soda bar and a private big screen with great sound & view) All luncheon/ meetings also will be at Audubon due to its capabilities and central Chapter geographic area coverage.

January 15th: luncheon on Wednesday, 15 Jan with emphasis on renewing our connections with local USNA parents club and Navy Blue and Gold representatives. Our speaker will

Jacksonville Chapter: CARNEY

JAX Chapter at Bottlenose Brewery

CHAPTER NEWS

be VADM Walter (Mark) Skinner USN (Ret.), who will be speaking on his experiences and views of current Navy operations from the Red Sea to the western Pacific as well as his experiences in Washington in developing technology and platforms for the new Navy. @ Audubon CC.

February 12th: Our special Valentines Luncheon will be on Wednesday Feb12th. This one is always a favorite with the members and spouses/special guests. “Champagne and Roses” is the theme. Speaker TBD, however, we have invited the Superintendent of the Naval Academy, VADM Yvette Davids ’89 USN for a ZOOM engagement with us. Breaking News! Just today as we submit this article, we received a response from the Supe’s flag aide that VADM Davids has accepted our invitation! Hoping to see you there. @ Audubon CC.

March 12th: Our special Navy Athletics Luncheon will be on Wednesday March 12th. We have contacted the staff of and invited Navy’s Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk to again attend one of our luncheons. We await confirmation of his 2025 spring travel plans in Southwest Florida and will advise as soon as we know the details. @ Audubon CC.

April: TBD

SWF Golf Team: Army is hosting this year’s Tri Service Academy Golf Tournament. Teams are generally composed of chapter members and recently comprised of 8 to 12 players for each team. Army’s rep has indicated he is working to secure course access for February or March. Interested in golfing at a top local course and representing our Chapter? Contact our team captain Bruce Needham ’68 at (theneedhamgroup@aol.com).

To join the chapter or reserve a spot at one of our events please contact our membership and web manager David Finch ’67 at (df121819@ aol.com). All the best and Go Navy, Beat Army!

Tampa Bay Chapter

Pres: CDR Jane Lochner '84, USN (Ret.) p: 301-832-6420; e: jane.lochner@gmail.com

Sec’y: CAPT Chris Heath '72, USNR (Ret.) e: christopherheath.fl@gmail.com

Communication Director/BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Steve Swift ’87, USNR (Ret.) e: sswift@1987.usna.com

Chapter platform - https://myusna.com

Select Groups, Tampa Bay, and request to join this closed group Website: http://tampabay.usnachapters.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/USNAAlumni-TampaSt-Petersburg/120095454740213?sk=wall Chapter LinkedIn pagehttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/3912975/

The last time that I wrote, I referenced Hurricane Debby in the Tampa Bay area. That turned out to be a lawn sprinkler compared to our recent bout with Hurricane Helene. Many families, including Chapter members, and businesses were severely affected, mostly by flooding. Among the victims was our “chapter home” for the last several years, Tate’s Pizzeria. Tate’s suffered major water damage, and it appears

as of this writing that they will not reopen. The chapter found a place to meet in September, but we have not settled on a future regular meeting home. Watch our media pages for more news. Other chapter members, in our best tradition, offered clean-up labor and temporary housing to displaced members and families.

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS

In addition to the big-name storms, we had torrential rains on 4 September, the night of our September chapter meeting, which caused truly unusual and dangerous street flooding. This was critical, as this is our annual working party to stuff and label over 160 mailings to go to school guidance counselors and identified candidates, announcing our Founders Day Candidate Information dinner in October. Fortunately, 16-chapter members were able to reach the location and the mission was accomplished. Particularly laudable was the presence and team effort of four first-timers, Laura Hickey ’15, Ricardo Miagany ’94, George Turner ’88, and Eric Winter ’93. Talk about an initiation!

GO NAVY FOOTBALL!

We have a strong tradition of football watch parties during the season. The group gathers at The Deck in St. Petersburg for spirited support of the Mids. See the article photo below for a sample group shot. The team has started strong with a 4-0 record.

NAVY FOOTBALL IN TAMPA

Navy brought their versatile, tough team to play the University of South Florida (USF) on 9 November in an AAC game. The chapter stepped up with a reception on Friday at the beautiful Florida Aquarium and a tailgate on Saturday before the game. We’ll share outcomes and photos in the next issue of SHIPMATE.

CONGRATULATIONS LAURA HINE

A big congratulations to Laura (Tillinghast) Hine ’97 on her re-election to the Pinellas County School Board in August. Laura serves as the Chairperson of the School Board, which earned an A rating from the state of Florida this past year. It’s also worth noting that Laura won

her highly publicized county election contest by a 2 to 1 margin. It might have been because (as she pointed out) her yard signs were Navy blue and gold!

SERVICE ACADEMY DAYS

We enthusiastically live out our mission, which includes developing and supporting USNA candidates. In addition to our large Founders Day event, we actively support our dedicated BGO’s by attending the various local Service Academy Days. See the photos which highlights one such event.

CHAPTER SHIRTS ARE COOL!

Chapter shirts and other logo merchandise are available online. Orders can be placed individually and shipped to your home. Order here: https//stores.inksoft.com/ USNA_Tampa/shop/home

Two years after sitting in the same seats, MIDN Eliza Long ’27 tells interested high schoolers in Polk County FL about her experience at USNA. Rock star!

L-R: MIDN Eliza Long ’27, Zach Drum ’12, and Steve Swift ’87 provide information to interested youth at Congressman Scott Franklin’s (USNA ’86) Service Academy Day in Winter Haven, FL.

Tampa Bay Chapter: Temple didn’t stand a chance against this Tampa Bay team! (L-R) Perry Dempsey ’72, Shug and Bud Alexander ’56, Gary Polanski ’69, Jane Lochner ’84, Mike Surdyk ’67, Dick Petrucci ’61, and Bryan Dolan ’76; back row: Dave Nygren ’13, Terry Silva ’73, and Eric Winter ’93

MONTHLY MEETINGS

Monthly chapter meetings provide a forum for catching up on USNA news, as well as spirited planning, networking, and socializing. If you are new to the area or have been around a while and just haven’t gotten to a meeting, this is a great way to get to see new and old friends. Mark your calendar for the first WED of each month at 1800. We’ll plan to have a new home by the time you see this issue.

Participants during this period included Don Aiken ’78, Janel Brown ’97, Jon Connelly ’05, Fr. Tim Corcoran ’67, Perry Dempsey ’72, Miller Detrick ’63, Tom Draude ’62, Austin Gullett ’03, Warren Hahn ’60, James Hamm ’84, Chris Heath ’72, Eric Houlihan ’19, Eric Kennington ’88, Duane Lafont ’78, Jane Lochner ’84, Peggy and LaVerne Lovell ’75, Matt Packard ’06, Paul Matthews ’85, Jon Miles ’93, Gary Polansky ’69, Chris Rivera ’92, Erica Ryder ’83, Jose Sanchez ’07, Todd Sawhill ’98, Wyatt Stone ’15, Steve Swift ’87, Dick Tobey ’79, Brian Tsai ’16, Joe Wiendl ’93, and Trent Wolfersberger ’93

Watch for information to sign up for these future events -

- Monthly Meetings on first Wednesday of each month (no sign-up needed) 14 December - Army-Navy football joint watch party. Army is hosting this year.

Our social media links are in our header. Don’t forget to enroll on MyUSNA.com, our new all-service platform, and join the Tampa Bay Chapter – a Distinguished Chapter in 2020-2021-2022-2023.

Have a blessed and happy holiday seasonChris Heath ‘72 Chapter Secretary

Georgia

Atlanta Chapter

Pres: DJ Marzetta ’94

p: 404-996-7019; e: djmarzetta@gmail.com

Sec’y: LCDR John “Wiz” Withers ’79, USN (Ret.) e: JDWithers@1979.usna.com

Website: http://www.usnaaaa.com

BGO Area Coordinator (Atlanta/North Georgia): Deborah Catrini e: deborah.catrini@gmail.com

BGO Area Coordinator (Southern Georgia): Ryan McDonel e: rmcdonel.usna@gmail.com

The Atlanta Chapter wishes all of you the best in this holiday season.

(We’ll be back in January with another chapter update.)

Wiz Withers ‘79 Secretary, Atlanta Metro Chapter

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

Idaho

BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Todd Severance ’92, USN (Ret.) p: 208-620-9436; e: tjseverance1992@gmail.com

Northwest Chapter

Pres: Brad Little ’76 p: 619-459-6352 e: BLittle1052@outlook.com

Treas: William Crumpler ’65 p: 509-447-7956

VA Coord: John Lasher ’69 p: 208-664-6753

Activities Coord: Peter Optekar ’63 p: 208-762-4571

Greetings from the Great Northwest. Fall is finally upon us as we look back on the kick-off of Chapter activities for the year. The season kicked off 8 August, with our first Social dedicated to club business and planning events for the upcoming year. Of course, Football Game Watch Parties are the focus of the fall followed by bowling Thursdays, ski BarBQ’s, Speaker Luncheons and more.

At this writing, Navy is off to an incredible 4-0 start, and we were right there with them with the Northwest Chapter Watch Parties.

Northwest Chapter

CHAPTER NEWS

As you are reading this time will have marched on and hopefully, Navy will continue winning! Could there possibly be an Army-Navy matchup for the AAC championship, followed shortly thereafter by America’s Game? Our inaugural Chapter Luncheon will be in the books, where CDR Matt Rigler, ’04, XO, U of I/WaSU NROTC, will have brought us up to date on Officer Ascension Programs. If the weather cooperates, a few ski days with a BarBQ will be in our future along with some Thursday Night Bowling as soon as the football season ends. Keep your eyes on the Chapter events page at MyUSNA.com for more.

Beat Air Force, Charlotte, Notre Dame, Rice, South Florida, Tulane, ECU and ARMY twice! See you at the Red House!

Southern Idaho Chapter

Pres:: Rick Schellhaas ’68

e: rbschellhaas@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Pete Butler ’86

e: pete@valtrend.com

Sec’y: Rufus Taylor ’66

e: tincansailor980@gmail.com

Treas: Tef Nunamaker ’92

e: tjnunamaker@gmail.com

Idaho Parents’ Club Prest: Trasi Mullin (Cormac ’26)

e: e: idusnaparents@gmail.com

Holiday greetings to all! Welcome to the cooler weather and minimal wildfire smoke. The August social was held at Bear Island Brewery. Bill Previty ’65, Rufus Taylor’66, Rick Schellhaas ’68, Tom Neville ’68, Tom Simmonds ’73, Carol Hoffman ’80, Pete Butler ’86 stopped in for a chat and a cup of cheer. Our quarterly joint service academies social took place on September 25th and was hosted by SIC members. It brought together alums from USNA, USMA and USAFA. SIC members present included Bill Previty ’65, Rufus Taylor ’66, Rick Schellhaas ’68, Jim Perkins ’68, Brad Cougher ’94, Paul Campbell ’98 and Eric Boernke ’03

Here is a quick pictorial look from days past.

CHAPTER SECRETARY COLUMN DEADLINES

Send to: chapternews@usna.com

Southern Idaho Chapter: Three cheers to those we leave behind. Hip Hip; Hip Hip; Hip Hip….HOORAY! Fair winds to the Class of 2024.(Stock photo, Public domain)

Southern Idaho Chapter: Chapter members and Class of 1973 R-2-R riders enjoying festivities enroute to their 50th reunion.

Holiday festivities. ’87 classmates regale each other with old tales being retold anew. (L-R) Roy Ledesma, VADM Fuller, and Jim Matheson.

The Southern Idaho Chapter (SIC) meets monthly. Alumni and spouses/SOs living in or visiting the Boise area are invited to join us. If you would like information about SIC activities, contact Rufus Taylor ’66 at tincansailor980@gmail.com.

Illinois

Chicago Chapter

Pres: Eric Sucharski ’91

e: eric@sucharskilaw.com

Vice Pres: Michael Cortesio ’85

e: mjcortesio@comcast.net

Sec’y: John Killacky ’93

e: j4killacky@comcast.net

Treas: Michelle Lee ’16

e: michelle.lee@bgo.usna.com

Past Pres: Fred Weber ’75

e: Fred.weber@2comm.com

BGO Area Coordinator (Northern IL)

LCDR Drew Thomas ’04 USNR

e: drew.thomas@bgo.usna.com

[Shipmate staff apologies that this submission did not appear in the September-October issue.]

The Chicago Chapter again joined the 786 Club for a luncheon at the Union League Club, to hear Vice Admiral Richard Correll, deputy commander, US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Admiral Correll provided an in-depth talk about

Stratcom’s mission to deter strategic attacks and employ forces as directed, to guarantee the security of our Nation and our allies. His briefing talked about how our nuclear triad is totally prepared and integrated throughout and coordinated with our allies.

The next day, eight alums and family were joined by two sets of parents and a prospective candidate for a beautiful night at the ballpark. This Chapter family event was held on the terrace overlooking home plate at the Chicago Dogs field, where the Dogs came from behind to beat the Gary Railcats. It was a great place to catch up with fellow alums, talk about family activities and meet some of the parents of current midshipmen, while watching a little baseball. A great time was had by all.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Chapter events, to include football game watch parties against Air Force, Notre Dame and Army, a new after work happy hour gathering downtown and our first Founders Day event. Details will be forthcoming, so watch your eMail for details.

Indiana

BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Drew Thomas ’04, USNR p: 317-682-8441; e: drew.thomas@bgo.usna.com

Michiana Chapter

Pres: Maj Michael Rose ’11, USMC 61705 Greentree Dr., South Bend, IN 46614 c: 574-323-3779; e: mgcrose13@gmail.com

Vice Pres/Sec’y: CDR John “Chris” Haizlip ’72, USN (Ret.) 15246 Longford Dr., Granger, IN 46530 p: 574-273-2939; e: CHaizlip@aol.com

Treas: Pat Sloan ’75 e: pfsloanesq@aol.com

Greetings from South Bend, It’s been quiet few months out here in the Michiana area...the leavers are starting to change color and it’s Halloween in a few

George Schmoll ’69, Fred Weber ’75, Admiral Correll, Mike Cortesio ’85, and Len Wass ’64

Southern Idaho Chapter: Boise, Idaho, Veterans Day Parade Marchers

Chicago Chapter: Ken Barber ’91, George Schmoll ’69, Fred Weber ’75, Rusty, Dave Frey ’79, Brian Richards ’05, Alan Montera ’05 and Mike Cortesio ’85

CHAPTER NEWS

weeks. By the time you read this, Navy will have played Notre Dame in the Meadowlands and hopefully still doing well in their conference... will they play Army once or twice?

The electoral votes will be in and a new day dawning...

And breaking news. One of our chapter members was awarded a prestigious “Hall of Fame” award and wall plaque for his meritorious work as a U.S. Attorney, for the Northern District of Indiana. Well done John

Our chapter has kept busy with a few luncheon outings. See the nearby photos.

Iowa

See Minnesota

Upper Midwest Chapter

Pres: Brian E. Ries, ‘93 p: 858-335-7921; e: ries.briane@gmail.com

Iowa Alumni Coordinator: Position Open

Shipmate Contact: Position Open Website: myUSNA.com Chapter Grouphttps://myusna.com/topics/9586/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USNAAlumni UpperMidwest/ BGO Area Coordinator: Ted Olt III p: 563-355-1709; e: tolt@l-wlaw.com

See report in the Upper Mid West Chapter in Minnesota.

Kentucky

Louisville/Southern Indiana Chapter

Pres: CAPT Gregory Reinhardt ’79, USNR (Ret.) 712 Talon Pl., Louisville, KY 40223 p: 502-244-7707; e: greinhardt@1979.usna.com

BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Gregory Reinhardt ’79, USN (Ret.) p: 502-244-7707; e: greinhardt@1979.usna.com

“Getting Ready for Army-Navy in Louisville”

Time to get ready for the Army-Navy Game in December, although a few months away from writing this column. Navy is off to a good start in Football 3-0 and coming off a big win against Memphis.

CLASS and CHAPTER OFFICERS

Please check your CLASS and CHAPTER headers. Send us your updates CLASS officers, email to: classnews@usna.com CHAPTER officers, email to: chapternews@usna.com

Our Army-Navy gathering to cheer on the Midshipmen will take place across the Ohio River in Clarksville at the Ten20 Brewery, owned by John Flodder ’00 and Luke Scoggins ’00. We have the Brewery and Mozzi Pi Pizza all to the Club and the Parent’s Club and Navy Friends. Game time is 3:30PM, so plan to show up between 2:30PM and 3:30PM with your Navy Gear on.

Army-Navy Gamewatch

Date: Saturday, 14 December 2024

Time: 2:30PM – until the playing of “Blue and Gold” and hopefully it is the last song sung!!

Location: Ten20 Brewery, 1400 Main St. Suite 101, Clarksville, IN 47129

Just this Past Month we have quite a few Alumni from Kentucky heading up to USNA for a significant reunion and these are the ones I ran into Eric Gordon ’74, Greg Reinhardt ’79, and others from ’69 and 04. Many more reunions coming up with the Final 2 Home Games at Navy in Oct/Nov.

After the Army-Navy Game in December be ready to participate in the Dark Ages Party in February where we will create special Kentucky Themed and Treats to be placed in Care Packages for the KY Midshipmen at the Naval Academy.

We will collect dues at our Army-Navy Gathering and refresh the rolls.

Remember the Goat IS OLD AND GNARLY and he’s never been to school, But He can take the bacon form the worn-out Army mule; He’s got no education but he’s brimming full O’fight, & Bill will feed on Army mule tonight!

BEAT ARMY!

Maryland

Baltimore Chapter

Pres: Jason Hardebeck ’87 p: 443-269-1599; e: jhardebeck@whoglue.com

BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR Charles Mello e: Charlesmello@gmail.com

Join the Chapter: https://www.signupnow.events/USNA Alumni Chapter_Annapolis/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 1118214745191/ (or search for: Naval Academy Alumni Annapolis Chapter)

Hey Baltimore Chapter. A great time was had by all when the Alumni Association roadshow came to town. We started the evening at Pratt Street Ale House, then went to Camden Yards for the Orioles game. While not the game outcome we wanted, there was a lot of networking and Navy spirit among Matt Ahlert ’03, Jay Blackburn ’19, Torrance Kang ’21, Julie Modlin ’89 and Tim Tenne ’93

If you’re interested in getting involved with the chapter or seeing more events in the Baltimore area, reach out to Tim Tenne ‘93 at timothy.tenne@ t3ideas.com or join the chapter on myUSNA.com/ topics/9487.

Go Navy, Beat Army!

(L-R): Pat Sloan ’75, David Miller ’75, Chris Haizlip ’72... A luncheon meeting in Elkhart, Indiana...posing next to the city’s symbol

(L-R): Dale Szpisjak ’87, Chris Haizlip ’72..A lunch meeting at the Crooked Ewe Ale House.

John Maciejczyk ’76, Hall of Fame Award plaque

Greater Southern Maryland Chapter

Pres: Micheal W. Thumm ’75 e: thummer75@md.metrocast.net

Sec’y: Katie Ellefson ’13

p: 661-992-9190; e: katieelllefson13@gmail.com

Corr Sec’y: Tom Phelan ’79 p: 301-481-0604; e: tphelan57@gmail.com

Website: http://www.navyalumni.org

BGO Area Coordinator: Kevin Schaaff e: Kevin.Schaaff@bgo.usna.com

News

For the Navy vs. Memphis football game, VX-23 did the pre-game flyover with two F/A-18F’s and two EA-18G aircraft out of Pax River.

On 3 Oct, VX-20 Change of Command: CDR Charles Larwood ’04 was relieved by CDR Jessica Barrientos ’05 in a ceremony held at NAS Patuxent River, MD. The incoming Chief Test Pilot is CDR Robert Beauchamp ’07.

Coming Events:

13 Nov 2024: Chapter meeting, Brudergarten (Leonardtown)

11 Dec 2024: Chapter meeting, Brudergarten (Leonardtown)

13 Dec 2024: Eggs and Legs breakfast, location TBD

14 Dec 2024: Army/Navy watch party, location TBD

Please check your e-mail and the GSMC website (www.navyalumni.org)

Minnesota

Upper Midwest Chapter

Interim Pres: Brian E. Ries ’93

c: 858-335-7921

e: ries.briane@gmail.com

Shipmate Contact: Jacquelyn Bengfort ’06 e: jacquelyn@bengfort.com

Website: myUSNA.com Chapter Grouphttps://myusna.com/topics/9586/home

Facebook: www.fb.com/USNAAAUpperMidwest

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/groups/12093884

BGO Area Coordinator: Brad Gawboy ’81, USN (Ret.) e: bradgawboy@comcast.net

From 26 September to 1 October, the USNAAA R.V. Chapter held a “Comearound” at the MacNider Campground in Mason City, IA. Hosted by local alum Joan Platz ’81 and her husband Tim, the attendees enjoyed coming together in camaraderie and touring some of the local businesses and attractions. Brian Ries ’93 joined them as President of the Upper Midwest Chapter to welcome them to the region. R.V. Chapter attendees also included Tom ’70 and Rose Wolfe; Don ’74 and Susan Baldwin; Jonathan (Hoot) ’76 and Janet Wade; John ’77 and Eileen Madaio; Richard (Dick) ’78 and Jenny Findlay; Mark ’81 and Ellen Patton; and Andrew (Drew) ’85 and Talisa Jones

On Sunday, the group toured The Historic Park Inn, the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel. Local alum Michael Spooner ’95 joined them. An unplanned coincidence, but true to

Happy Hour at the MacNider Campground.

Baltimore Chapter: Alumni Association September visit

Greater Southern Maryland Crabfeast 2024—5 bushels!!

Upper Midwest Chapter: Steak Dinner at The Branding Iron

the “when two or three shall meet” theme, Michael was one of Brian’s plebes in Fun One when Brian was a second class.

Michael Spooner ’95, and Brian Ries ’93. This was the seventh of eight planned Comearounds for the R.V. Chapter in their 25th year. Several members left Iowa to head to Colorado for Navy-Air Force.

Missouri

St. Louis Chapter

Pres: Lowell Crow ’84 p: 309-509-0279; e: lowelldcrow@gmail.com

Website: https://stlusna.com

Shipmate contact: John Winkler ’85 p: 314-497-4917; e: jkwinkler@earthlink.net

BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT Kent Higginbotham ’76, USN (Ret.) e: kenth@hbistl.com

We held our Annual Navy/Airforce Football game watch party at Syberg’s in Maryland Heights in St Louis. It was a great turnout with over 20 Naval Academy Alumni and Parents and 10 Air Force Academy Alumni and parents in attendance. We held a squares game to raise money for all service Academy’s Ball in December. Overall, we raised $200 towards the ball. It was a great event with Navy winning the first league of the Commander and Chiefs Trophy. The next Chapter event will be the Army Game at Syberg’s where we will also do

quarter squares again as well as a raffle to raise money for our summer seminar sponsorships as well as win the Commander and Chiefs Trophy.

New Mexico

New Mexico Chapter

Pres: John Scott Kraus ’73 2304 Madre Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 h: 505-296-7409; c: 505-366-7457 e: skraus@aquilagroup.com; or jkraus2304@aol.com

Sec’y: Joseph McGuire ’68 p: 505-857-9679; e sunnymack@msn.com

Vice Pres: Dr. Doug Meints ’77 p: 505-888-6800; e: dmeintschiro@gmail.com

NM Parents’ Club Pres: Sheila Chapman p: 505-419-2633; e: usna.nm.parents@gmail.com

Website: http://newmexico.usnachapters.com

BGO Area Coordinator: CAPT David Swingle e: dswingle@newmexico.com

Navy Week in Albuquerque was celebrated September 9-15, 2024. The strong Navy contingent visiting the City was headed by ADM Stuart Munsch ’85, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval forces, Africa/Commander Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples. More than 50 sailors participated in education and community outreach events throughout the city. Navy organizations represented included Navy Band Southwest, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, United States Ceremonial Guard and Color Guard, Navy Construction Group One, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Phoenix, Navy Bureau of Medicine, U.S. Navy Esports, Navy History and Heritage Command, USS CONSTITUTION and nuclear-power Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS SANTA FE (SSN 763).

Upon graduation from USNA, Adm. Munsch was selected for a Rhodes scholarship and attended Oxford University to earn a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Munsch previously served as Captain of the USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706) from 2002 to 2005. As a previous skipper of

Isotopes’ mascot Orbit supports Navy Week

Greater St Louis Alumni Chapter

New Mexico Chapter: Navy always stands for a good time

the ship, Adm. Munsch joined the City’s Mayor Tim Keller in unveiling a model of the memorial planned for the decommissioned namesake submarine and its crews. The ceremony took place Monday, 9 September at Pascetti Steel Design, charged with building the monument using the submarine’s actual conning tower and fairwater planes positioned in a “surfaced” configuration near the Rio Grande for the education and enjoyment of the public.

A summer in Albuquerque has to include at least a bit of time invested in our National Pastime, baseball. Chapter President Scott Kraus ’73 extended an invitation to Chapter members offering a free matinee ball game at 1105 on Thursday , 12 September against the Las Vegas Aviators. The cherry on top of the offer was that you would be seated in Scott’s former employer’s shared Skybox. Amenities included the choice of a dozen upper outdoor stadium seats or an air conditioned inside club room with the game televised and dedicated wait staff catering to your food and beverage needs should you so desire. After the Navy band opened with the National Anthem, Scott’s guests settled in to enjoy the show. His guests included: Joe McGuire ’68 with brothers-in-law Mark and Frank Tomaszewski (MCPO USN Ret.), E.J. Jewett ’81, President of the USNA Women’s Special Interest Group (WSIG) Linda Postenrieder ’82 with sister Leslie, and Bob Darwin ’72. We were also joined by New Mexico USNA Parents Club members Mike and Sherry Mamawal. As pictured on the previous page, Isotopes mascot “Orbit” saw our Navy logos and also paid us a short visit in support of Navy Week.

New York

Central New York Chapter

Pres: Steve Erb ’68 e: steveerb@windstream.net

Sec’y/Treas: Bob Fegan Jr. ’64 e: bobfegan64@gmail.com

Website: CentralNY.usnachapters.com

BGO Area Coordinator: Tom Ravener e: tom.ravener@gmail.com

Alumni, family and friends are encouraged to attend the weekly Wednesday lunch at 1200 at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, NY. You can call (315-687-3300) to let them know if you will be attending a lunch but calling is not necessary…just show up.

Alumni, family, friends, USNA parents, and others with an interest in the Naval Academy are welcome to join the Chapter at all Chapter functions. Call (315-663-7490) or e-mail Bob Fegan to let us know if you plan to attend a function.

Future Chapter activities will be addressed as they are planned. Next up is the Army-Navy Game Get-together at the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia on Saturday, 14 December; more about that later. We will be working with the host and hostess of the Brae Loch Inn to make the get-together for the game more of a community event.

The Women’s SIG is well represented

CHAPTER NEWS

North Carolina

BGO Area Coordinator: Col Kevin Hart ’75, USMC (Ret.) p: 847-910-4502; e: kevinphart1@gmail.com

Cape Fear Chapter

Pres: Ray Decker ’72

p: 703-939-0202; e: dax24@icloud.com

Vice Pres: Paul Normand ’74 e: paulnormand@mac.com

Sec’y: Steve Yandle ’75 e: sryusna75@gmail.com

Treas: Rick Haley ’72 e: capefeartreasurer@outlook.com

Website: myUSNA.com/topics/9490

Charlotte Chapter

Pres: Christopher “Nix” M. Nickels ’91 e: CHRISNIX@AOL.COM

Email: UsnaaaCharlotte@gmail.com

Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/usna-alumniassociation-charlotte-251965968210794/ Website: Charlotte.usnachapters.net

LinkedIn Group: http://linkedin.com/groups/8344487

Event Recap 8/31: Some chapter members gathered at an Alumni family’s house to watch Navy football beat Bucknell and enjoy BBQ & lake fun. Great day, great event and great win!

Eastern North Carolina Chapter

Pres: Rob Skrotsky ’67 P.O. Box 847, New Bern, NC 28563 h: 252-514-0299; e: robert.skrotsky@1967.usna.com

Vice Pres: Rick Kunkel ’67 p: 910-347-6251; e: rkunkel@ec.rr.com

Treas: Aaron Adams '95

329 ClamDigger Court, Swansboro, NC 28584 P:703-232-6416; e: aaron.adams@1995.usna.com

Website: http://myusna.com/topics/9508

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14196247/

The chapter met at the club aboard MCB Camp Lejeune on Thursday, 22 August. Thirteen members, spouses and guests attended for the buffet luncheon and a really good discussion with Trent Tallman, deputy kennel master at Camp Lejeune military working dogs. Trent once again had more intriguing tales of some of the latest assignments for his security working dog; many of those assignments come through the CIA and have been in the public news. He and his dog were the only canine security team from the US at the Normandy D Day celebrations as the others all came from European bases. An interesting side note, he and the dog were detained by French security when trying to leave and required the US Embassy to intervene and allow his departure. The 22nd annual Founders Day event was held this year on the afternoon of 28 September at the New Bern Golf and Country Club; 25 members and guests enjoyed a really good lunch and great service provided by the country club.

Vintage 1972 Company Mug and New Chapter Mug See photo at the top of this page.

Go Navy!

Your Charlotte Leaders

Cape Fear Chapter: September Chapter Meeting at St. James Country Club - Southport, NC

Charlotte Chapter: Navy Watch Event

Rob Skrotsky ’67 welcomed everyone and noted that the senior class present was Steve White ’65. The junior class was represented by Lexi Axlerod ’18. Attending were Lucy White, Chris Skrotsky, special guest Betsy Conzelman, daughter USMA ’53, Ceil Wasserman (W) ’61, Pat and Andy Beck ’66, Ann and Rick Kunkel ’67, Patti and John Kieffer ’67, Louise and Ron Sirmans ’70, Anne and Tom Crabtree ’71, Jodi and Jay DeLoach ’78, Lois and Bob Dupuis ’79, Linda and Frank Inscoe ’79, and Aaron Adams ’95. After a round of toasts, Rick Kunkel ’67 provided a thoughtful invocation and dinner was served.

As dessert was being served, Rob introduced the chapter’s guest and speaker for the afternoon, Dr. Bob Ainsley, Registrar and Past President, New Bern Chapter, NC Society Sons of the American Revolution, seated at the table between DAR members Ann Kunkel and Betsy Conzelman. New Bern celebrated this year the 250th anniversary of America’s first Provincial Congress and the New Bern Resolves listing the colonists’ complaints with the British parliament, a prelude to the nation’s 250th celebration in 2026. Dr. Ainsley, with an impressive slide presentation, provided the historical context for the events of 1774 in North Carolina, and the local contributions to the Continental Congress that ultimately, as we all revere, declared the United States independence. Dr. Ainsley conveyed well the importance of the 1774 “resolves” and courage of the provincial congress right here in New Bern, the seat of the British North Carolina governor.

After a few questions the luncheon adjourned with the singing of “Navy Blue and Gold”.

North Carolina Triangle Chapter

Pres: CAPT Shaun McAndrew ’93 USN (Ret.) e: shaun.mcandrew.2020@gmail.com

Sec’y: CAPT Bill Coleman ’95 USN (Ret.) e: billcoleman95@gmail.com

Website: www.usnatriangle.com

Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson ’02 was the guest speaker at the Chapter’s quarterly luncheon on Friday, 30 August at the Back then Bar and Grill in Cary. Dr. Robinson shared her journey from rural South Carolina to USNA, the Marine Corps, a successful entrepreneur, speaker and leader of a non-profit organization that was detailed in the July-August 2023 Shipmate.

The golf squad met at Wildwood Golf Course on 23 August and at Lochmere Golf Club on 9 September. Both dates brought great weather and fun. If you are interested in playing

Senior and junior class present,

Guest and speaker

Eastern North Carolina Chapter: The ALumni

North Carolina Triangle Chapter: “Navy & Notre Dame Alumni Networking and Happy Hour Event”

CHAPTER NEWS

with the group, send us a note at usna.triangle@ gmail.com, and we will connect you with the coordinator.

On 25 September, we held a joint networking event with the Notre Dame alumni club. This was the first time we’ve coordinated an event among our two outstanding institutions and look forward to more in the future- including a Notre Dame/Navy watch party. Thanks to Kelli (Hooper) Voesling ’97 for bringing her husband (and Notre Dame NROTC grad), Ed Voesling, who spoke to the group. Ed is the founder and managing partner of the Rivet Group, an executive recruiting firm in Charlotte, NC.

Join us at Compass Rose Brewery in Raleigh, to watch the Army-Navy Game. Check myUSNA for upcoming event registration and to join the paid group.

Follow us on Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/USNAAARTP/. Linked-in: USNA Alumni Association-Triangle Chapter (USNAAA Triangle). Please reach out if you are local to the NC Triangle and are interested in joining the group!

Moran ’81, Warren Schultz ’71 and Bryan Dearolf ’03”

Piedmont Triad Chapter

Pres: Tom Cornejo ’00 e: thomas.cornejo@yahoo.com

Vice Pres: Kevin Hart ’75 e: kevinphart1@gmail.com

Secy: Jerry Adams ’72 e: ixoye49@gmail.com

Treas: Rick Kirkland ’69 e: kirkland2525@gmail.com

Meet-up April 20, 2024

The thrill of USNA camaraderie was strongly felt when seven members of the PT Chapter met 20 April at Craft City Sip-In on New Garden Road in Greensboro NC. This jump-start meet-up was attended by Bill West ’57, Rick Kirkland ’69, Les Nixon ’71, Jerry Adams ’72, Kevin Hart ’75, Norm Cooling ’86 and Josh Fogle ’03; of which two are Blue & Gold Officers. We elected VP, Secretary and Treasurer [listed

above] and affirmed Tom Cornejo ’00 in his finale year in office as President.

We agreed on initial planning for the coming Fall classic Army-Navy football celebration, and we watched the glorious victory of Navy Rugby over Life University. Further we discussed how the PTC could work closer with Blue & Gold Officers to recruit the best North Carolinian candidates to apply to the grand boat school on the Severn River, along with other potential community service opportunities.

We agreed on initial planning for the coming Fall classic Army-Navy football celebration, and we watched the glorious victory of Navy

DON’T SEE YOUR CLASS or CHAPTER HEADER?

Visit usna.com to look for your POC at: www.usna.com/FindAndConnect

Let your class and chapter officers know you have news to share in Shipmate

Dr. Natasha Robinson ’02 and Chapter President Shaun McAndrew ’93”

Bryan Dearolf ’03, Tom Clemons ’82, George Lipscomb ’87, Bill Coleman ’95, Warren Schultz ’71, Chris Bishop (Shaun McAndrew’s husband), Steve Moran ’81 and John Walls ’86

Bill Laughlin ’81, Kevin Hamilton ’94, Tom Clemons ’82, Chris Bishop, Steve

Chapter meeting for election of officers

Meeting at Navy v. UNC Charlotte

Piedmont Chapter: Army-Navy Celebration

Rugby over Life University. Further we discussed how the PTC could work closer with Blue & Gold Officers to recruit the best North Carolinian candidates to apply to the grand boat school on the Severn River, along with other potential community service opportunities.

We want to thank Craft City for their excellent meet-up hospitality. We are excited about further news next month here in Shipmate

Last Fall, we traveled to Charlotte to meet and watch the UNC-Charlotte vs Navy football game. Tom Cornejo ’00 brought his family and Jerry Adams ’72. Fortuitously, we ran into Anthony Bruce ’91, who drove all the way from Columbia SC for the game. Josh Fogle ’03 also brought his family for this grand time.

Later last Fall, we again gathered for the Army-Navy game. Tom Cornejo ’00 brought Jerry Adams ’72, but reluctantly a win was not forthcoming this year.

We send a special thanks to the Cape Fear Chapter President, Ray Decker ’72, for his excellent advice to help us develop a road to mission and vision for the future of PT Chapter.

USNAA&F report more than 40 alumni in the PTC. We would welcome all those to contact our new Chapter secretary, Jerry Adams ’72, via gmail, usna.com, Linkedin, Facebook or X : @ixoye49.

North Dakota

Upper Midwest Chapter

See Minnesota Pres: Brian E. Ries ‘93 p: 858-335-7921; e: ries.briane@gmail.com

North Dakota Alumni Coordinator: Position Open

Shipmate Contact: Position Open

Website: myUSNA.com Chapter Grouphttps://myusna.com/topics/9586/home

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ USNAAlumniUpperMidwest/

BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Mary Plumb Email: mary.plumb@yahoo.com

See Minnesota for the Upper Midwest Chapter

Ohio

Columbus

Pres: Dave Goins ’84 e: dgoins84@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Justin Shineman ’91 e: justin.shineman@gmail.com.

Sec’y: Motisola Bowman ’95 e: bmotisola@gmail.com

Treas: Jim Waddell ’71 e: jbwaddell@columbus.rr.com

Shipmate Contact: Motisola Bowman ’95 e: bmotisola@gmail.com

Parents’ Club President: Russelle Hoslinger e: napccousna@gmail.com

Chapter email: USNAAACbus@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ groups/12356597/ Instagram: USNAAACbus

BGO Area Coordinator: Carla Dowling-Fitzpatrick e: dowlingfitzpatrick@sbcgolbal.net

On 18 September, the Columbus Chapter welcomed Jeff Webb ’95, President & CEO of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation and TJ Grady ’96, Executive Vice President – Engagement and Communications to our Annual Founders Day Dinner at Brookside Golf and Country Club. Jeff and TJ provided updates on both the Alumni Association and current events at USNA. It was an honor to have them visit the Chapter. Special recognition was given to:

Justin Shineman ’91 for his work with our monthly Joint Service Academy Networking Breakfasts and for assuming the role as Chapter Vice President.

Matt Edic ’92 for his volunteer effort as our myUSNA.com wizard and presentation of a sword to an outstanding Ohio State NROTC graduating midshipman

Mike Milenovic, retiring Columbus Sea Cadets Squadron leader for his many years of outstanding leadership

Website: https://columbus_usnachapter.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ 100549757152451/ Twitter: @USNAAACbus

The Army-Navy Watch Party will be hosted for the second time at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in downtown Columbus on 14 December. Watch your email for registration information. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than last, and as of this writing both Navy and Army post a 4-0 record,

the first time both teams have been 4-0 since 1946. Congratulations to Hilliard’s Blake Horvath and the entire Navy team for such a great start to the season. Make plans to join us for a very memorable event and BEAT ARMY!

Remember to check the Columbus Chapter page of myUSNA.com regularly for up-to-date Chapter news and events.

Oklahoma

BGO Area Coordinator: Mike Whaley e: mwhaley@ossaa.com

Oklahoma City Chapter

Pres: LTJG Zac Swindell ’21 e: zacswindell@gmail.com

Hey OKC Alumni Association!

Just reaching out to introduce myself! I am Zac Swindell ’21. I am originally from Piedmont, OK and recently returned to Oklahoma City to fly the E-6B Mercury out of Tinker AFB. After many years of service to the chapter, Braden is passing me the controls, so thanks to him for his hard work.

Looking forward, I am very excited to plan some events in the near future, build engagement within the organization, support current mids,

Columbus Chapter: Alumni gather for the Founders Day Dinner

CHAPTER NEWS

and forge a closer working relationship between the Alumni Association, USNA Parents Club, local active duty Navy community, and the regional BGO Network. My vision is to develop the OKC Chapter into a close-knit community for local alumni, a support group for future and existing mids, and a network for alumni who are new or returning to OKC.

One thing I know for sure is I will not be able to do it all by myself, so I am looking for people who are interested in helping lead the chapter! If that’s you, please reach out, and we will find a place for you. Any level of involvement would be extremely helpful and appreciated.

I am so excited to be back in Oklahoma and invest in this organization! Standing by for comments, questions, or concerns.

Thanks and Beat Air Force, Zac Swindell ’21

Tulsa Chapter

Pres: Pres: Rocky Goins ’84

e: rockygoins@hotmail.com

Vice Pres: Patrick Hamilton ’87 e: patrickhami@gmail.com

Sec’y and Treas: Kasey (Cregge) Carradini ’84

e: kcarradini@hotmail.com

Website: http://tulsa.usnachapters.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USNA-Alumni-TulsaChapter-2202431113307009

Our Tulsa Chapter hosted “Service Academy Day” at the Tulsa Driller’s last Home Game. We received a special invite to the field to watch the fireworks up close and personal. To showcase the construction of the USS OKLAHOMA (SSN 802), we invited Vice Admiral Jeff Trussler, USN (Ret.) as our special guest. Vice Admiral was the Chief of Naval Intelligence and Deputy CNO. Upon retirement, Admiral Trussler was the highest ranking native American in the military and currently is the Co-Chair of the USS OKLAHOMA (SSN 802) Commissioning Committee Board of Advisors. Representing our chapter at the game; left to right: Shea Ferrell ’86, Rocky Goins ’84, Kasey Carradini ’84, George Carradini ’84 and Jason Nerio ’05. Not pictured

Charleston Chapter: Front Row (Left to Right): Mimi Flatley Kiteley (married to Rex Kiteley ’91), Cara Flatley Brophy ’90 (married to RADM Rich Brophy ’91), Pat Flatley, RADM Jim Flatley ’56 (90 Years Old); Second row: Joe Flatley, Nancy Flatley, Kate Flatley Redmond, Seamus Flatley ’83, Dave Shimp ’76, Fuzzy Knight ’53 (95 Years Old); back row: Rick Stein ’82, John Common ’64, Dennis Simon ’77, Jeff Gordon ’83, Bernie Magdelain ’67

is Bob Sise ’08, who we hear an unofficial, unsubstantiated rumor is in the costume, and Jim Farrell ’99 and Alyssa Farrell ’99. Vice Admiral Trussler is famous for his thumbs up positive leadership.

Oregon

Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter

Pres: CDR John Adams ’69, USNR (Ret.) e: john.adams@1969.usna.com

Vice Pres: CDR Mike Carmichael ’69, USNR (Ret.) e: mikec@1969.usna.com

Treas: CDR Ted Scypinski ’90, USNR (Ret.) e: ted.scypinski@flir.com

BGO Area Coordinator: Gillian Richards e: jill@teamrichards.net

Website: oregon.usnachapters.net

September was a slow month for the Oregon/ SW Washington chapter. Our luncheon was a purely social event. Present were Doug Ballard ’74, Scott Fitzpatrick, ’80, Butch Bewick ’62, Jack Kohl ’65, Charlie Voigtsberger ’83, Tim Myers ’64 and Doug Bomarito ’68. October will be much more active with our annual

USNA birthday dinner and a planned trip arranged by our West Point Alumni friends to visit the “B” reactor at the Hanford Reservation in Eastern Washington.

South Carolina

BGO Area Coordinator: Ryan Blacklock e: ryan.blacklock@2004.usna.com

Charleston Chapter

Pres: CDR Rick Stein ’82, USNR (Ret.) 784 Preservation Pl., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 p: 843-856-6591; w: 843-557-7021 e: USNA_AA_Charleston@Comcast.net

On Monday, 16 September, The Charleston Chapter held its Monthly Meeting. Our Speaker was CAPT Mike Bosse ’74, USN, MC (Ret.), who spoke on the history of Navy Hospital Ships. In Attendance were: Fuzzy Knight ’53; John Common ’64; Ray Setser ’65; Frank Bryant ’66; Bernie Magdelain ’67; Jim Welsch ’67; Al Olsen ’72; Mike Bosse ’74; Ray Donahue ’74; Ron Malec ’74; Denny Simon ’77; Glen Morris ’80; Rick Stein ’82; Tom Hodgson ’83; Greg Shore ’84; Pat Hunkler ’89; and Kyle Fortney ’14

Navy Watch Party – Beat Air Force!

See photo above.

The Charleston Chapter meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 12 Noon in Mount Pleasant. No reservation required.

Low Country Chapter

Pres: Dave Igyarto '74 e: igyartodp@icloud.com.

Vice Pres: Harry Gardner '95 e: combatadj@hotmail.com

Sec’y: Tim Johnson ’02 e: tim.w.Johnson@outlook.com

Treas: Tom Cavanaugh '69 e: tomcusna69@gmail.com

Greetings from the Low Country and early happy New Year from all of us here in southeastern South Carolina and northern Georgia. A plug to check myUSNA.com and sign up for the SC Low Country Chapter group. That will get you the most updated information on our events.

Tulsa Chapter

We have the following in the works for the chapter at the end of 2024. Some of these have not been fully confirmed yet with the venues, thus all start times are still TBD as of the chapter news deadline. Visit our group page on myUSNA.com for final details and RSVPs.

We had a great chapter event at the Hilton Head Airport in September. Thanks to Jon Rembold ‘95 for the behind the scenes tour!

November 8 - Paris Island Golf Scramble

November 9 - Veterans Day Flag Placement, Beaufort National Cemetery (typically followed by lunch, location TBD)

December 14 - Army Navy watch party, R Bar Bluffton, SC

South Carolina Midlands Chapter

Pres: Randy Brooks ’69

p: 803-318-2823; e: RBrooks47@sc.rr.com

Programs/Comm: Ed Tilden ’71

e: aetilden@gmail.com

Treas: Randy Herald ’70

e: Randy.herald@usa.net

Website: www.usnasc.org

On Thursday, 26 October 2024 at noon, the SC Midlands Chapter met at Seawell’s Restaurant for its first meeting since COVID effectively shut us down. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and food despite the heavy rain outside.

Captain Randy Brooks ’69, USN (Ret.) presented from his book The Jumpin’ Joey: Life and Challenge on an Iconic Old Tin Can concerning how the USA and USSR just barely averted a major nuclear holocaust during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 including several incidents that have just recently been revealed. The book is about the USS JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, JR , (DD-850) which stopped the first ship trying to cross the quarantine line during the crisis. The book was written for landlubbers as well as those with more detailed knowledge about Tin Can sailors, who served on these unsung work horses and heroes of many battles throughout naval history. A book signing followed the presentation. We had twenty in attendance including Bob Johnstone ’66; Debby and Randy Brooks’69 with guests Christy and Abby Westbrook, Jay Jackson, Byron Sistare, and Kevin Chapman;

Kathleen and Randy Herald ’70; Chris Osier ’71; Polly and Ed Tilden ’71; Tim Kana ’71; Margie Welch and Marc Stanley ’74; Ken Roey ’78; Craig Augenstein ’87; Steve Townsend ’88; and Philip Mingtze Yeh ’01

The Midlands Chapter will meet again at Seawell’s on Tuesday, 19 November 2024 at 1130 and Thursday, 16 January 2025 at noon. All USNA alumni, parents, and friends in the Columbia, SC area are invited to join us. An email invitation with all the details will be sent via myusna.com for everyone to RSVP. A Holiday Social is scheduled for Sunday, 15 December 2024 at the home of Julie Lumpkin and Tim Kana ‘71. Details for this gathering will be disseminated in November.

South Dakota

Pres: Brian E. Ries ‘93 p: 858-335-7921; e: ries.briane@gmail.com

South Dakota Alumni Coordinator: Position Open Shipmate Contact: Position Open Website: myUSNA.com Chapter Grouphttps://myusna.com/topics/9586/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ USNAAlumniUpperMidwest/

BGO Area Coordinator: Sharon Holt ‘00 P: 605-390-3430; e: holtsharonl@aol.com

See Minnesota: Upper Midwest Chapter for the update.

Tennessee

Chattanooga Chapter

Pres: Jay Lapoint ’89 517 Lytle St.; Chattanooga, TN 37405 p: 423-421-3794; e: jlapoint@ymail.com

BGO Area Coordinator: CDR Richard Cataldi ’69, USN (Ret.) p: 865-966-4677; e: cdrcataldi@tds.net

Working with our West Point guys to put on a joint event again this year. We will again do it at the VFW in East Brainerd. Thinking a pot luck. If interested, let me know, with a headcount, at jlatpoin@ymail.com. There is also an event created on our myusna chapter page where you can RSVP. I will send more details as we develop them.

I am still looking for some help in managing our chapter. Will be great if someone wants to step up.

Go Navy Jay

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

P.O. Box 461564, San Antonio, TX 78246-1564

e: info@alamogoats.org

Website: http://www.alamo.usnachapters.com

Facebook: Alamo Chapter NAAA

BGO Area Coordinator: Eric Montgomery ’04 p: 410-507-2832; e: eric.montgomery@2004.usna.com

The area service academies held the annual golf tournament 28 September at Ft Sam Golf course. Navy did not fare well overall (Army won the trophy) but we had a great time and some new players showed up. Larry Carpenter ’77 coordinated the event for Navy this year under the leadership of West Point alumni. We play using a modified Callaway format which I cannot explain fully but it levels the playing field. To give you an example here are the results for our three teams: TEAM KIEHL gross 73/net 59 for 9th place; TEAM DRISKELL gross 67 net 62 for 13th place; TEAM CARPENTER gross69 net 58 for 5th place.

Finally, the Alamo Chapter gives a rousing BZ to Jim Kiehle for organizing the USNA portion of this event for at least the last 10 years or more.

Dave Driskell ‘63 Secretary, Alamo Chapter NAAA

MyUSNA

MyUSNA is where your chapter can strengthen bonds, form new ones and where your events can get to the next level.

John Bird ’77, Tony Beaulieu ‘74, Tony DeStefano (guest of Tony), Partial of Jim Kiehle ’62.

Low Coutry Chapter:Hilton Head Airport

CHAPTER NEWS

North Texas Chapter

Director at Large: Daryl Smith ’88

Pres: Jamey Cummings ’93

e: pres@usnaaa-ntx.com

Vice Pres of Programs: Carrie Murdock ’99

Vice Pres of Membership: Ty Rose ’06

Treasurer: Greg Colandrea ’90

Sec’y: Frankie Delgado ’95

e: secy@usnaaa-ntx.com

Website: www.usnaaa-ntx.com

BGO Area Coordinator: Tom Eschenbrenner

p: 972 740 4060; e: eschenbrenner@gmail.com

The North Texas Alumni Chapter sadly reports the passing of one of its former Directors, Dave Miller ‘65. A heartwarming memorial service, planned by Dave himself, was held on 27 Sept. Several alumni were in attendance among them were: Mike Malone ’65, Leon Chester ’65, Jim Huff ’65, his spouse Jeanette, Gordon Peterson ‘65, John Wroten ’65, his spouse Leahray, Rick Lottie ’69, John Gorman ’64, Jim Bethmann ’77, his spouse Lyn, Mark Lambright ‘74 and Frankie Delgado ‘95. Appropriately, the service closed with the singing of several verses of the Navy Hymn. The chapter will deeply miss Dave. His smile and his annual Navy football prediction presentation were something we all looked forward to seeing. Rest easy shipmate.

The Chapter is hosting an Army-Nave game watch party on 14 December the 14th as well as the annual Blue Chip dinner before Christmas! We hope you will join us! See our myUSNA NTX Alumni group to sign-up and for the details! We wish you a blessed holiday season and a Happy New Year! BEAT ARMY!

Texas Gulf Coast Chapter

Pres: Dan Hanley ‘10

e: dhanley@2010.usna.com

Vice Pres: Luke Schamel ‘10 e: luke.schamel@2010.usna.com

Treas: Rich Bulger ‘69

e: rlbulger69@gmail.com

Corr Sec’y: Tom Phelan ’79 p: 301-481-0604

e: tphelan57@gmail.com

Website: http://txgulfcoast.myusna.com/ Facebook: @USNAAATXGC

Email: txgulfcoast.usnachapters@gmail.com

BGO Area Coodinator: Don Link e: cdr.dlink@gmail.com

Houston Shipmates! By the time you’re receiving this, Navy football is on its way into the final

stretch of Army Navy prep. Join us and the Houston West Point Society at Community Field House in Spring, a new venue for us. RSVP on our website. As always, it’s going to be BIG. Also coming up, look out for the annual Smith-McCool lunch, in January, where we honor the highest merit of order, graduating Midshipman from our area.

United Kingdom

BGO Area Coordinator: Wes Turbeville ’01 e: bgoarea501coordinator@gmail.com

United Kingdom Chapter

Pres: Tim Fox ’97 e: timfox97@hotmail.com

Vice Pres: Cody Nissen ’11

e: cnissen.mba2018@london.edu

Sec’y: Lisa Aszklar (Wife, Henry ’81) e: lisa.aszklar@gmail.com

Board of Directors: Tony Cox ’89 e: tony.cox@gboutdoorfires.co.uk

Chris Robinson ’98 e: naples98@gmail.com

Greetings from London, crossroads of the world! Autumn is well underway here in Old Blighty, and just around the corner lies the penultimate event of the UK Chapter’s year: the Army-Navy Game Watch! This year, the game takes place on 14 December, and our Game Watch will again be held at Passyunk Avenue (home of the greatest cheesesteak — and Ground Zero for all things USNA-related — this side of the Atlantic).

Dave Miller ‘65 at the May 2022 Alumni Luncheon

Gulf Coast Chapter: Recent “Clear Lake Area” no-host lunch at Laurenzo’s El Tiempo Cantina (Roland Laurenzo ’69).

Gulf Coast Chapter: Recent Navy football Watch party at Wakefield Crowbar.

United Kingdom Chapter: (L to R): Sarah Rollings ’98, Chris Robinson ’98, Tim Fox ’97, Yeoman Warner Emily Lewis-Garwood, Cody Nissen ’11, Windsor Frinell ’05, Jason Stone ’04, and Scott Graham (West Point ’93 and Chapter President of the West Point AOG UK group). Not pictured: Ilda and Ed Welsh ‘71

Similar to last year, we will gather at the Leake Street location (postal code SE1 7NN, Tube stop Waterloo Station), to cheer on what we would humbly argue is the greatest football team in the American Athletic Conference. The festivities start at 1800, and kids, family, and friends are all welcome! Please RSVP to Tim Fox ’97 with a head count prior to game day (timfox97@hotmail.com).

This summer, the UK Chapter continued to draw alumni visiting from the U.S., including Class President Tom Wagner ‘97, whose son, Tom Jr., was playing in an international rugby competition in Scotland.

And during their “grand tour” of the British Isles early this summer, Mike Herbert ’97 and his girlfriend, Brittany, capped off their travels with a visit to London to spend some time with Mike’s former roommate, Tim Fox.

In late August, the UK Chapter sponsored an after-hours tour of the Tower of London, headed up by Yeoman Warder Emily Lewis-Garwood, who gave an excellent presentation.

In its June 2023 report, the BBC said that Emily is a 25-year veteran of the Royal Army Medical Corps and as such, she is the first combat medical technician (and only the fifth woman) to win a coveted billet as a Yeoman Warder (AKA Beefeater). The current qualifications for the ceremonial position include a minimum of 22 years in the armed forces and attainment of the rank of Warrant Officer or equivalent.

Tower officials admit there is some question about why the Yeoman Warders are nicknamed Beefeaters, but their daily ration of meat is probably the source of the moniker. As quoted to the BBC, in 1813, the 30 men on duty were allowed a total of 16 pounds of veal, 18 pounds of mutton, and 24 pounds of beef, each day — hence the moniker “Beefeaters.” The term certainly is easier on the ear than “Muttoneaters” or “Vealeaters,” don’t you think?

Until next time, BEAT ARMY!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best Wishes for the New Year from your Alumni Association and Foundation.

Virginia

Central Virginia Chapter

Pres: Bill Murray ’83

e: whmurray34@gmail.com

Vice Pres and Treas: Patrick Hamilton ‘10 e: j.p.hamilton9@gmail.com

Sec’y: Ed Borger ’80 e: ed828borger@gmail.com

BGO Area Coordinator: Nancy Brooks e: nbrooks421@gmail.com

On Wednesday 9/25, Central Virginia Chapter members gathered for Happy Hour at Hogwaller Brewery on East High Street in Charlottesville, hosted by our new Vice President and Treasurer, Patrick Hamilton ’10

Attendees included: Jack Renard ’55, Kevin Moore ’68, Mike McDermott ’75, Tammy and Gary Jones ’75, Brian Pooler ’79, Will, Callie, RoyAnn and Bill Murray ’83, Patrick Hamilton ’10, and NEWCOMERS - Kathy and Greg Heruth ’84 (residents of Lake Anna, recently retired from NRO), and Chris Abbott ’00 (resident of western Albemarle, pilot for United Airlines).

On Friday 9/27, Mark Metcalf ’76 hosted a talk on Chinese Seapower at the UVA Center for East Asia Studies.

The speaker was Toshi Yoshihara, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, and he was accompanied by his

UK Chapter President Tim Fox and Class of ’97 President Tom Wagner

Brittany, Mike, and Tim outside Waterloo Station Tube stop

Central Virginia Chapter: Happy hour attendees: Jack Renard, Brian Pooler, Bill Murray, Patrick Hamilton, Kevin Moore, Chris Abbott, Tammy and Gary Jones, Mike McDermott, Will Murray, Kathy and Greg Heruth

Central Virginia Chapter: Class of 2028 Appointees, Owen Bradley ’28 and Hailey Hodson ’28, front and center - joined by parents, alumni and guests

wife, Susan (Fink) Yoshihara ’86. https:// eastasiacenter.as.virginia.edu/index.php/ chinese-sea-power

Dr. Yoshihara presented a very sobering assessment of the PRC’s capabilities and China’s commitment to challenging and neutralizing American influence in the western Pacific.

In addition to UVA NROTC midshipmen, others in attendance included Kevin Moore 68, Mike McDermott 75, Bill Murray 83, and Navy veteran, Albemarle resident and recent Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Neil Wiley.

Our next Chapter event is the All-Services Golf Outing at Greene Hills Club, Wednesday, October 16.

Contact Golf Captain CB Morgan to sign up: cboggsm@yahoo.com

[Shipmate Note: the September submission was inadvertently left out. It is printed in full below. Shipmate apologies for this oversight.]

September-October Shipmate update.

On Sunday, 23 June, the Central Virginia Chapter gathered for lunch at Burton’s Grill in The Shops of Stonefield in Charlottesville, Virginia to celebrate our two appointees to the Class of 2028, Owen Bradley ’28 of the Covenant School, Charlottesville, Virginia and Hailey Hodson ’28 of Western Albemarle High School, Crozet, VA.

As our guests, Owen’s parents, Matthew and Miriam Bradley and sister Orla joined son Owen as well as Hailey’s parents, George and Tralyn Hodson who joined daughter Hailey to celebrate the occasion of their appointments as members of the latest class to join the Brigade.

Members of the USNA Parents Club were also well-represented by the attendance of Kevin and Molly Kennedy, parents of current midshipman Ryan Kennedy ’27; Stuart and Lisa Foster, parents of current midshipman Sydney Foster ’26 and Nathan and Melody Smith, parents of current midshipman Stephen Smith ’25.

Megan Farabaugh Toth ’19 was represented by her parents, Michael and Karen Farabaugh who reported Megan is doing great based in Jacksonville, FL preparing for her PPC board as a P-8 Poseidon pilot with her squadron that is currently on deployment.

Dave Bennett ’78, recently retired from the FBI and living in Richmond, Virginia, introduced our two 2028 candidates, Owen Bradley ’28 and Hailey Hodson ’28 to the Another Link in the Chain program. He stressed ALITC with its 50-year span exists to form bonds and relationships between the class of 2028 and members of his counterpart class of 1978 providing physical presence and moral support from Induction Day to Commissioning and beyond. 1978 will attend milestone events throughout 2028’s four years at the Academy forging the strong bond that will create Another Link in the Chain between these two great classes.

The local Blue and Gold Officer contingent was represented in strength for this event and has undergone some recent changes. Don Aldridge, NCSU ’71, father of Brent Aldridge ’15 and Emily Aldridge ’15, is retiring from his position as Area 207 BGO Coordinator and turning over to Nancy Brooks ’86. Also supporting the BGO org in attendance was Mat Cantagallo, U of Florida ’99 and wife Amee, Michael Cathy ’67 (also retiring), Mike McDermott ’75, Ed Borger ’80, Nick Rausa ’09, and Patrick Hamilton ’10

Last but not least, the great Central Virginia Chapter hosted the luncheon and was represented by their president, Bill Murray ’83 who acted as emcee throughout the two-hour event. Rounding out the chapter with their attendance was Jack Renard ’55, Joyce and John Clamon ’60, Michael Cathy ’67, Judy and Frank Mueller ’67, Steve Hill ’74, Mike McDermott ’75, Gary Jones ’75, Charlie Watkins ’77, Richard Maurer ’77, Casey Donlon ’78, Ed Borger ’80, CB Morgan ’83, Nancy Brooks ’86, Stewart Chang ’89, Nick Rausa ’09, Caroline and Patrick Hamilton ’10 and Camille Ray & Nick Co ’17

Congratulations, Owen Bradley and Hailey Hodson! Bravo Zulu, Dave Bennett! And thank you to all for being able to join in the celebration. Bill Murray ’83

Hampton Roads Chapter

Pres: Bill Daniels ’77 Website: www.usnahamptonroads.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ USNAHamptonRoads

BGO Area Coordinator: LCDR David Lannetti ’81, USN (Ret.) p: 757-423-8602; e: dlannetti81@gmail.com

What better way to start this column than with a resounding, “GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY! With the 2024 Blue & Gold football squad steaming full speed ahead at 5-0 after thrashing Air Force on 5 October, local alumni and other USNA supporters have been gathering in significant (and loud) numbers for every game at Shorebreak Pizza and Taphouse on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach to enjoy great food, drinks, service and spirited football-watching! SPREAD THE WORD!!! We are gearing up for our annual ArmyNavy Party and silent auction at Shorebreakan event that promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Central Virginia Chapter: Class of 2028 Appointees joined by Central Virginia Chapter members

Bill Murray, Neil Wiley, Susan Yoshihara, Toshi Yoshihara, Mike McDermott, Mark Metcalf, and Kevin Moore

Central Virginia Chapter: Dave Bennett ’78 presents his ALITC speech to the gathering”

Class of 2021 well-represented at Navy-AF Watch Party In September, to achieve additional exposure for the chapter, we ventured outside our normal area of focus as Chapter President Bill Daniels ’77, Dick Enderly ’71, Steve Nimitz ’76, Renee Reedy ’81, and Kelly Goffigan ’00 manned a booth at the Fleet Maintenance & Modernization Symposium (FMMS) 2024, an event designed to provide information and networking opportunities for those involved in maintenance and modernization efforts in support of naval ships and craft. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting a number of people who stopped by to talk and ask us what we are all about!

Also in September, our monthly Networking Breakfast coordinator Steve Nimitz ’76 orchestrated a field trip to Norfolk’s Pru & Louis Ryan Resilience Lab where Virginia’s former First Lady, Mrs. Pam Northam, in her capacity as Education and Public Relations Associate for the Elizabeth River Project, provided an outstanding tour of the facility and an overview of that organization’s efforts to restore the health of that historic urban river.

In October Mr. Stephen Lippert, Mission BBQ’s Director of Operations for the Hampton Roads Market, talked about Mission BBQ’s history, how it has grown into the veteran-focused business it is today, its organization, and how it handles its superb outreach and support functions. For several years, Mission BBQ has provided unwavering support to our chapter events — food for our annual chapter picnic and golf tournaments, sponsorship for our Plebe Recognition and Superintendent’s Dinners, and valuable items for our Army-Navy silent auction. And as a special bonus, Stephen brought breakfast for the attendees to enjoy (cheesy eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, etc.). What a deal!

In November we were joined by Mr. Tony Sparagno, Corporate Relations Manager for the Virginia Arts Festival, the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia. Tony enlightened us on the organization’s

newly released 2025 event schedule, including Norfolk’s always-popular Virginia International Tattoo held each spring.

Army-Navy and our not-to-be-missed party is just around the corner, and as I write this column a bowl game bid is a near certainty! For the latest updates on those events; future Chapter initiatives and events, including our Dark Ages Happy Hour in January; and USNA news and updates, check out our website under the Hampton Roads Group at myUSNA.com. And don’t forget our LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook pages!

Dick Enderly ‘71

Quantico Area Chapter

Pres: Ryan Steenberge '10

e: ryan.steenberge@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Ryan Steenberge ’10 e: ryan.steenberge@gmail.com

Treas: Ron Diefenbach '00

e: qacusnaaatreasurer@yahoo.com

Sec'y: Nancy Springer ’87

e: nancy.a.springer.nancy@aol.com

BGO Area Coordinator: Jim Ripley ’74

e: james.m.ripley@gmail.com

Website: Quantico Area Chapter | myUSNA.com

Quantico Area Chapter (QAC) enthusiastically welcomed a recent graduate to kick off our signature breakfast speaker series. On 2 August, nine chapter members gathered at the Hampton Inn, Dumfries and on Zoom to hear a recent midshipman’s perspective on the status of the Academy from ENS Christopher Bryant ’24 ENS Bryant service selected Submarine Warfare, following in the footsteps of his father, CAPT Rich Bryant ’88 and brother, LT Rick Bryant ’20

The chapter sponsored a trip to Marine Barracks Washington, “The Oldest Post of the Corps”, to watch a Friday Evening Parade on 16 August. Seeing the precision of the Silent Drill Platoon brought back fond memories of the first time we saw them while Midshipmen.

Kaila Julia ‘12 cheering front and center at Hampton Roads Navy-AF Watch Party

Hampton Roads Chapter: Elizabeth River Project’s Pam Northam (far left) leads a tour with Hampton Roads alumni

Quantico Area Chapter: QAC’s guest ENS Christopher Bryant ‘24 (second from the left), with the breakfast attendees.

CHAPTER NEWS

President Ryan Steenberge ’10 and family along with Antoinette McCann ’96, Wes McCann ’96 and their daughter. Missing from the photo but also attending were Brian Proctor ’93 and his wife. And, of course, Chesty the 16th.

On 6 September, 23 members converged on the Hampton Inn, Dumfries to hear a presentation by Dr. Lauren B. MacKenzie. Dr. MacKenzie is currently serving as the Professor of Military Cross Cultural Competence at Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Her presentation forced all in attendance to apply some critical thinking and reaffirmed that you are never too old to learn new things.

QAC established a team and participated in the Quantico 24-Hour Walk/Run for Charity, supporting the Semper Fi and America’s Fund. The members supported each other and all the runners through the heat, darkness, and rain.

The Chapter has many events planned throughout the fall and winter so, if you are in the area, reach out and join us.

Washington

BGO Area Coordinator: Darin Perrine e: dperrine@mailbox.org

Puget Sound Chapter

Pres: Alan Schrader ’92 e: usnaaa.psc@gmail.com

Sec’y: Mike Mathews ’75 e: mjmathews7501@gmail.com

Website: https://myusna.com/topics/9554

The Puget Sound Chapter supported the Washington Parents Club to host Second Class Midshipmen Parent’s Weekend in September. The Stribling Walk Gazebo served as the venue. The event was a huge success and extended to nearly all Washington State Midshipmen, encouraging socialization across

their USNA Classes. Each received a bounty of Washington State products and other gifts from the Parents Club, greatly benefitting morale at the start of the new academic year.

QAC

Quantico Area Chapter’s guest Dr. Lauren MacKenzie (center), with the breakfast attendees

Quantico Area Chapter: Ryan Steenberge ’10, Brittany Steenberge ’10 and their family, Bob Taylor ’74 and his daughter Kelsey, Nancy Springer ’87, Steve Ritacco ’73 and Rob Tidwell ’94. Congrats to Rob for running over 74 miles. Support the Semper Fi and America’s Fund.

Here in the Bremerton area, the Chapter hosted an informal social event at the Oxford Suites in Silverdale on 5 September. This was the first opportunity to gather area alumni since our August picnic and the turnout was large and enthusiastic. Additional socials will be announced in the upcoming months and football season is providing huge incentives with Navy at 4-0 as this report went to press.

We coordinated viewing events for Navy-Air Force in October and Army-Navy in December. Look for chapter emails announcing details or contact us to ensure you get the gouge! All alumni are welcome so mark your calendars, particularly for Army-Navy on 14 December. BEAT ARMY!

Wisconsin

BGO Area Coordinator: Mr. Leonard Green e: leonard.green.a@gmail.com

Wisconsin Chapter

Pres: Jeff Reagan ’88

p: 414-803-5947; e: j.m.reagan84@gmail.com

Vice Pres: Craig Walker ’83 p: 262-424-2637; e: craigwalker@wi.rr.com

Sec’y: Rob Grasse ’88 p: 262-424-9029; e: rgrasse1@wi.rr.com

At Large: Chris Adams ’75 p: 414-553-0892

Website: www.myusna.com

Wisconsin Naval Academy Parents’ Association (WISNAPA) Presidents: Lisa & Chad Stigler

Vice-Presidents: Steve & Katie Kotansky e: wisnapacontact@gmail.com

Website: www.myusna.com

Wisconsin Blue and Gold Officer Coordinator

BGO Area Coordinator: Mr. Mark Germano p: 847-624-5142; e: Mark.Germano@bgo.usna.com

The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association Wisconsin Chapter is pleased to provide this Wisconsin All Service Academies’ Ball report for 2023 for Wisconsinites’ reading pleasure: Lisa and Chad Stigler (co-Presidents of the Wisconsin Naval Academy Parents’ Association (WISNAPA) chaired the formal soiree that was held on 30 DEC ’23 throughout Milwaukee’s iconic Discovery World Science and Technol-

ogy

Museum on Lake Michigan’s beautiful shoreline. Over 250 Alumni, Parents, Midshipmen, Cadets, Sponsor Families, Blue and Gold Officers, and guests gathered on the Promenade from 5:30 to 7:00pm for socializing, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The Great Lakes Exhibit and the Aquarium was open for viewing for all participants. In-Focus Photography was available to take professional photos to commemorate the event. Guests moved to Pavilion from 7:00 to 9:00pm for the Program and gourmet Dinner where our keynote speaker, Retired Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink ’77 (former Chief of the United States Navy Reserve, a current resident of Oconomowoc, WI, and proprietor of the local MSI General Construction Company) regaled all with career anecdotes and inspirational mentorship. Following dinner, the celebration moved to the Pilot House for an evening of dancing overlooking Lake Michigan with the live band, Déjà vu from 9:00pm to midnight.

Annapolis Sponsor Mom Martha Blair and CDR Rob Grasse ’88, and LtCol Kathy Grasse

Ava Ulatowski ’26, Martha Blair and Tim Rauh ‘25

KeyNote Speaker VADM Dirk Debbink ’77 and Ava Ulatowski ’26

Ava Ulatowski and proud father Greg Ulatowski tear up the dance floor.

Wisconsin Chapter: 24 of 44 Wisconsin Midshipmen and their families/guests enjoyed the Ball

All Wisconsin Alumni and WISNAPA Alumni are cordially invited to join the reverie during this year’s 2024 Ball to be held on 28DEC24 in the Milwaukee area and sponsored by the Wisconsin West Point Parents’ Association (WWPPA). Further details and a QR code appropriate for ordering tickets may be found here: https://www.wwppa.org/ball Details of the venue, guest speaker, hotel accommodations, and entertainment are forthcoming. Kathy and I hope to see you at this can’t miss event of the year!

Finally, this issue marks the inaugural “Network with Wisconsin Alumni” public

service announcement that introduces this audience to Alumni in Wisconsin who are primed to support the entire USNA family here in the Badger State. This edition’s distinguished mentor is Harry Dorman ’83:

Harry Dorman, LUTCF, CLTÇ

LPL Financial Advisor

ANCHOR Insurance

Financial Services, LLC

1500 N Casaloma Dr., Suite 411 Appleton, WI 54913

920-882-1307

920-882-1061 fax

Harry.dorman@lpl.com

Harry Dorman, FIC, LUTCF, CLTC

Anchor Health Insurance, LLC

Helping you navigate the health insurance systemSM

Medicare Master, LLC

Helping you master your Medicare ChoicesSM

Veteran Owned Business

1500 N Casaloma Dr., Suite 411

Appleton, WI 54913

920-882-1307

920-882-1061 fax

www.medicare-Masters.com

Harry@Medicare-Masters.com

Forward for Freedom! (ala BB-64 USS Wisconsin) Aloha, Rob Grasse ‘88

SHARED INTEREST GROUPS

NAMA

Naval Academy Minority Association

Pres: RADM Julius S. Caesar ’77, USN (Ret.) e: executive-director@usnama.com

Vice Pres: LCDR Valerie Mansfield ’92, USN (Ret.) e: deputy-director@usnama.com

CoS: CDR Calvin Bumphus ’97, USN (Ret.) e: chief-of-staff@usnama.com

Treas: C.J. Willis ’75 e: treasurer@usnama.com

BGO Coordinator: Vacant e: bgo@usnama.com

Shipmate Contact: CDR Jessica Anderson ’08, APR e: communications@usnama.com Website: www.usnama.com

EVENTS

Upcoming Events:

It’s Army-Navy season again! NAMA will be partnering with USNA STEM for another STEM event. We look forward to seeing you at an ArmyNavy tailgate and networking event so keep an eye on your socials! We love to collaborate with our members and make memorable events for future leaders. BEAT ARMY!

Looking for somewhere to give for Giving Tuesday? Head over to our website or donate via social media to NAMA so we can continue to help young leaders learn more about STEM careers and the opportunities offered at USNA. Keep an eye out for information on the 2025 USNA Alumni Leadership Forum and Gala! NAMA offers many resources and is an excellent way to GIVE BACK to the institution that shaped us into the leaders we are today and in the future. We do so by partnering with other organizations like The Motherhood of the Brotherhood and the MD Parent’s Club. Join NAMA today and get involved! We look forward to seeing what great work we can do together!

Past Events:

NAMA members recently supported USNA’s INSPIRE Program. The opportunity to talk to perspective students and their parents about the benefits of USNA and a military career is always rewarding, and we look forward to collaborating with INSPIRE again.

NAMA partnered with the MD Parent’s Club in hosting a Navy vs. Air Force watch party, and also raised money for the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis during a Homecoming tailgate.

NAMA partnered with the Naval Academy Foundation to establish the Naval Academy Minority Affairs Fund (NAMAF). Your donations support on-campus visits for students and Centers of Influence, scholarship funding for STEM and NASS, Gospel Choir travels and Midshipman activities.

Visit usna.com/give or follow the directions on the NAMA website, https://www.usnama.com/ donation-selection/ to donate today.

Run to Honor

Pres: Steve Swift ’87 p: 813-787-6098; e: president@runtohonor.com

Vice Pres: Pat McConnell ’02 e: vp@runtohonor.com

Treas: Jan Kennedy

Sister of John Kennedy ’79 e: treasurer@runtohonor.com

Sec’y: Shannon Webb ’04 e: secretary@runtohonor.com

Website: www.runtohonor.com

RuN* To Honor had a busy and meaningful couple months, participating in both the 48th Annual Annapolis 10-Miler and the Travis Manion Foundation 5K. These events brought our USNA community together, offering a chance to honor our fallen heroes while connecting with fellow alumni, families, and friends.

On 24 August and 25th, RuN* to Honor volunteers hosted a booth, offering a place for participants to gather, share stories, and learn more about our mission. That Sunday, participants hit the pavement for the Annapolis 10-Miler, a race that’s starting to become a RuN* to Honor tradition. With its scenic views of Annapolis and the Yard, it was the perfect backdrop for supporters to come together and run in memory of those USNA Alumni that paid the ultimate sacrificed. Our runners and volunteers represented RuN* To Honor with pride, and the sense of camaraderie was palpable throughout the event.

and Christine

Just a few weeks later, on 15 September, Shannon Webb ’04 and Christine Grady, wife of TJ Grady ’96, represented RuN* To Honor at the Travis Manion Foundation 5K in Annapolis. This event, part of a national series, is dedicated to the memory of Travis Manion ‘04 and other fallen heroes, encouraging all of us to ask ourselves, “If Not Me, Then Who?” Shannon and Christine did an amazing job carrying the torch for RuN* To Honor, running in memory of their fellow service members and keeping our mission alive.

Shannon Webb ’04

Grady (wife of TJ Grady ’96) representing the Travis Manion Foundation Annapolis 5K

These events are just a snapshot of the incredible work being done by RuN* To Honor, and we’re so proud of everyone who participated. Looking out for the next Shipmate issue for a recap of the Marine Corps Marathon that occurred the end of October and the Honor Our Fallen Heroes Ceremony occurring 16 November.

Thank you to all who continue to show up and make this possible. We’re stronger together, and we can’t wait to see more of you at future events! ***

Check out our website and sign up for our email list at: www.runtohonor.com

Follow and Share with us at: www.face book.com/runtohonor

Learn the stories behind the names in Memorial Hall at: www.usnamemorial hall.org

Find RTH gear at: http://runtohonor gear.com

To Honor!

USNA Pride

Pres: Christopher Goodale ’17

Vice Pres: Rob Beer ’90

Sec’y: Caroline Bilbray-Kohn ’24

Treas: Lucas Beltran ’20

Outreach Officer: Timmy Fitzgerald ’10

Since our founding in 2022, and guided by our four core values of Inclusivity, Positivity, Community, and Character, the USNA Pride SIG has worked to create inclusive friendships, serve as a platform of representation, and build a network of mentorship among our members.

It has been an eventful two years! We’ve continued to engage with each other in so many creative ways:

* Featured twenty alumni over eight virtual Our Story events. These open-mic style events have allowed members to connect across distances to learn about the rich stories within our ranks.

* Continued the cherished tradition of recognizing 25 members of the Class of 2024 by awarding them their first Ensign shoulder boards or Second Lieutenant Bars at the Firstie Recognition Lunch in April. Distinguished Guests included The Honorable Shawn G. Skelly, VADM Yvette Davids ’89 (Superintendent), CAPT Forman (Deputy Commandant), Jeff Webb ’95 (President and CEO of USNAAA), Paula Neira ’85, and CDR Terry Borja ’09, amongst many other spectacular attendees.

* Featured Rob Beer ’90, LtCol Sarah Pezzat ’02, Maj Audrey Callanan ’08, LCDR Andrew Knudson ’09 and Michael Reindl ’13 in another DADT panel hosted on the Yard by USNA Alliance, our midshipman counterparts within the Brigade.

SHARED INTEREST GROUPS

* Our very own Paul Angelo ’06 became a published author!

* Attended Brunch and a Show where 8 of our members got together to see Mamma Mia.

* We walked in our first Annapolis Pride Parade March!

* Completed our first ever Elections, where Rob Beer ’90 was elected Vice President, Caroline Bilbray-Kohn ’24 was elected Secretary, and Timmy Fitzgerald ’10 was elected Outreach Officer. A HUGE thank you to our outgoing members Isabel Krause, Ally Annick, and Adam Schuman for their dedication to founding the SIG and making it what it is today!

* Included in the Modern Military Magazine of America’s summer issue: “The Cadet & Midshipman Issue”.

The future of the SIG is bright, and we continue to grow each year! Thank you to our wonderful SIG members. Please join us in expanding this safe space to anyone who needs it, and reaching LGBTQIA+ Alumni and Allies from every graduating class.

Here’s to many more years of PRIDE! Upcoming Events: USNA Pride will join the Knights Out tailgate at this year’s Army/Navy Game. Email usnapride@gmail.com if you’d like to stop by!

For alumni interested in joining the SIG, getting involved in our event planning, or running for our board, please email our leadership team at usnapride@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram at @usnapride.

USNA Women

Pres: Linda “Postie” Postenrieder ’82 p: 415-235-9413; e: post82@whidbey.com

Vice Pres: Maegen Nix '97 e: maegen.nix@vt-arc.org

Treas: Sarah Self-Kyler '99 e: sarah.selfkyler@gmail.com

Sec’y: Cecily Walsh '01 e: cesstay@yahoo.com

Outreach: Holly Johnson '82 e: Holly.Johnson@1982.usna.com

It’s that time of year again when you pull out your USNA gear for the Army/Navy Game! Speaking of Army-Navy, it’s time to meet up at Fedex Field for a photo! We will call a short truce with the Army for an all-service academy alumnae photo. Please join the women alumnae of USNA and our peers of West Point Women for a group photo at the Army/Navy Football Game on the main concourse at Section 107 by Smashburger at the end of the 3rd quarter. We hope to see you there!

WSIG members joined USNA Lean In Circles this fall. We have many opportunities to engage with midshipmen. Please reach out and we can put you in touch with these opportunities (WSTEM, NAFAC (TBD April), Senior Advisors, NAWN Book Club, Speed Mentoring, Ladies of the 80s Panel, etc). This can be done on Facebook, Instagram, email, or WSIG on myusna.com.

The healing/health program area led by Stef & Jill has been providing fantastic opportunities both in person and online. We funded eight spots for the 2024 Renewal & Recovery Retreat offered by Rooted Within and we hope to continue similar support in the future. Look for more opportunities to join these events in 2025.

Did you know that WSIG has a trustee on the Alumni Association Board of Trustees? Maegen Nix serves in this role providing a voice for the SIGs.

So a lot is coming in 2025. We are calling for volunteers who would like to run for our board during our Spring Annual Gathering. We have opportunities on the board and on the committees. The alumnae from all the service academies have been starting the process to celebrate 50 years of women. We will begin fundraising in 2025 so we can support the 50 years of women events such as the 2026 Athena Conference, tailgates, the NAMA conference, and many more events. Please join our team as we plan these events. We are looking for folks who can help with media, communications, and fundraising.

If you haven’t been following social media, you are missing out on all the awesomeness of the current Supe. I am not sure when she sleeps because she seems to be at every event on the yard.

Hope to see you at Army/Navy after 3rd quarter for the group photo!

Distinguished Chapter Award Nominations are Open

Is your chapter organizing amazing and unique activities and programs that make it an exemplar chapter? The Distinguished Chapter Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon the most engaged chapters. Chapters are encouraged to submit nominations to be considered for the 2024 award.

Submissions will be accepted through 15 January, and winning chapters will be announced at the Volunteer Leader Summit in late March 2025. https://www.usna.com/chapterclub-recognition-award?

LAST CALL

Otto Wallace Walter ’46 14 August 2024

Manuel Dupkin II ’47 3 October 2024

Robert Hurley McKinney ’47 29 September 2024

Paul George Miller ’47 6 11 September 2024

Lionel Eugene Ames Jr. ’48 CAPT, USN (Ret.)

19 January 2023

Richard Louis Beatty ’48 14 May 2024

Kenneth Kelty ’48 10 March 2023

Donn Curtis Sells ’48 26 August 2022

Gerald Hugo Weyrauch ’48 CDR, USN (Ret.)

10 January 2022

John Anderson Bacon Jr. ’49 10 September 2024

Bob Thomas Hight ’49 8 September 2024

John Boydston Stetson ’50 CAPT, CEC, USNR 19 August 2024

Richard Clayton Dietz ’52 6 CDR, USN (Ret.) 1 September 2024

James Frederick Link ’52 Lt Col, USAF (Ret.)

21 September 2024

Victor Kingsland Macomber ’52

29 August 2024

Jimmy Lee Smith ’52 Maj, USAF (Ret.)

31 August 2024

“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.”

Phillip Hawley Avery ’53 5 September 2024

Melvin Munroe Holley Jr. ’53 24 August 2024

Herbert Robert Tiede ’53 Col, USMC (Ret.) 5 September 2024

Raymond Lee Williams ’53 CDR, SC, USN (Ret.) 19 September 2024

John Freeman Harvell ’54 Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) 15 July 2024

Ralph Averil Millar Jr. ’54 8 August 2024

David Joseph Perault ’54 6 CDR, USN (Ret.) 12 September 2024

Don Roger Ray ’54 Col, USAF (Ret.) 2 October 2024

William Lee Pryor III ’55 13 August 2024

Carl Herman Sanders Jr. ’55 CDR, USN (Ret.) 9 September 2024

Bruce Hamilton Dolph ’56 5 August 2024

John Flock Magagna ’56 29 September 2024

Douglas Vernon Rigler ’56 22 August 2024

Gordon Leary Vogt ’56 23 August 2024

Dwight Porter Allen Jr. ’57 17 April 2024

David Adams DeLo ’57 28 August 2024

Andrew Stephan Massimino ’57 CDR, USN (Ret.) 24 August 2024

Marvin Oliphant Morris ’57 26 September 2024

Richard Byron Nygaard ’57 6 CAPT, SC, USN (Ret.) 11 July 2024

James Patrick O’Neill Jr. ’57 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 19 August 2024

James Richard Poole ’57 6 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 26 September 2024

John Dale Rosselott ’57 28 August 2024

Paul Toivo Saari ’57 7 March 2023

Thomas Gladding Jr. ’58 6 19 June 2024

John Brittian Griffiths ’58 6 4 August 2024

—Laurence

Binyon, 1914

John Larry Gaither ’59 3 October 2024

Gilford Glenn Rowland Jr. ’59 18 August 2024

Leon Ervin Everman ’60 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 5 September 2024

James Clarence Householder ’60 31 August 2024

William Squires Manning ’60 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 30 September 2024

Thomas McCarthy ’60 31 August 2024

Morris Bennett Williams ’60 LT, USN 20 July 2024

Alfred Lothar Cheaure ’61 26 August 2024

Virgil Lusk Hill Jr. ’61 6 RADM, USN (Ret.) 6 September 2024

Milton Haddon Jones ’61 LCDR, USN (Ret.) 20 September 2024

Richard Anthony Spangler ’61 1 July 2024

Stephen Thomas Werlock ’61 LCDR, USN (Ret.) 9 April 2024

James John White ’61 8 March 2023

Robert Harold Champion ’62 22 September 2024

Garrett Vance Coleman ’62 4 February 2024

6 Obituary appears in this issue

This list consists of alumni deaths we have learned of since our last issue. Full obituaries will appear in Last Call if/when families send them in.

Robert Eugene Fulghum ’62 CAPT, USNR (Ret.)

3 September 2024

Phillip Henry Harrington ’62 CAPT, USN (Ret.)

25 August 2024

William Reginald Carmichael Jr. ’63 CAPT, USNR (Ret.)

22 August 2024

Larry Michael Hopkins ’63

5 October 2024

Donald Edward Jacobs ’63

4 October 2024

Peter Lee Rollosson ’63

4 August 2024

James Harry Stewart ’63 6 27 August 2024

Peter Klaus Bowden ’64 LCDR, USN

12 March 2020

Paul Richard Dow ’64 CDR, USN (Ret.)

25 August 2024

Dennis Charles Lyndon ’64 27 August 2024

Wilson Geoffrey Weed ’64 CAPT, USN (Ret.)

28 February 2024

Nicholas Woodfin Glover ’65 6 12 September 2024

David Lee Miller ’65 16 September 2024

Samuel Thorne Nicholson ’66 CDR, USN (Ret.) 9 September 2024

Richard Joseph Schwering ’66 4 October 2024

Laurance Lee Trice ’66 21 September 2024

Mark Gregory Berner ’67 10 September 2024

David Charles Gompert ’67 21 August 2024

Richard Bradshaw Hudson ’67 LtCol, USMC 16 June 2024

Paul Edward Kanive ’67 6 CDR, USN (Ret.) 18 August 2024

Adam Karl Llewellyn ’67 CDR, JAGC, USN (Ret.) 30 July 2024

Larry LeMoyne Morris ’67 CDR, USN (Ret.) 24 September 2024

Bernard Bruce Racely ’67 LCDR, USNR 19 September 2024

Robert Louis Beckis ’68 5 September 2024

Stephen Hamilton Ries ’68 6 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 7 February 2024

Craig Ward Elmore ’69 30 September 2024

Robert Duncan MacIver ’69 6 ENS, USN (Ret.) 26 May 2023

Larry Lamont Cochran ’70 5 September 2024

Thomas Martin Storey ’70 8 October 2021

Jon Dennis Terry ’70 Maj, USMC 2 July 2024

James Wallace Garrow ’71 6 September 2024

Warren Anthony Grossetta ’71 12 April 2024

John Daniels Blosser ’72 6 September 2024

John Frederick Stephens ’73 6 2 August 2024

John Albert Grizzle ’74 9 October 2023

Donald Richard Batze ’75 6 20 August 2024

Lester Robert Keller Jr. ’75 7 June 2024

Keith Raymond Nostrant ’75 CDR, SC, USN (Ret.) 21 September 2024

John Bennett Parrett ’76 11 September 2024

Curtis James Shaffer ’76 6 3 September 2024

LAST CALL GUIDELINES

Dennis Sirlester Jerry ’79 6 May 2024

Robert Raymond Plass III ’79 15 February 2022

Mark Daniel Shell ’79 CDR, USNR (Ret.) 5 October 2024

Mark Allen Sowell ’80 4 September 2024

Gerald Eugene Whitney ’82 20 August 2024

Brian Keith Belcher ’83 6 LCDR, USN (Ret.) 25 September 2024

Patrick Kirby Orr ’87 22 September 2024

Brett Matthew Pierson ’87 6 CAPT, USN (Ret.) 18 August 2024

John Jacob Lapina Jr. ’91 9 October 2023

James Blake Smelley ’92 6 CDR, USN (Ret.) 15 August 2024

Lesley John Fierst ’93 CAPT, USNR (Ret.) 15 August 2024

Dominique Baissou Neal ’99 LtCol, USMC 2 September 2024

Melanie Jessica Brunmeier ’01 18 August 2024

There is no cost and no timeline, however we have a have a maximum limit of 400 words. Submissions will be edited for style and a draft will be returned for family approval prior to publication—please be sure to include contact information. Obituaries may be emailed to: obits@usna.com (preferred) or USPS mailed to: Shipmate Obituaries 301 King George St. Annapolis, MD 21402

Questions regarding obituaries, please contact: Timothy Elizabeth Woodbury 410-295-4064 or obits@usna.com

CHARLES WILLIAM BURLIN JR. ’44

Commander Charles W. Burlin Jr., USN (Ret.), passed away peacefully on 25 July 2024, at the age of 102.

Born on 12 December 1921 at Walter Reed U.S. Army Hospital in Washington, DC, he was the son of Charles W. Burlin Sr., USA, and Eva J. Harlan. Raised in a military family, Bill lived across the U.S. and the Panama Canal Zone before graduating from Upper Darby High School outside Philadelphia in 1939.

In 1940, Bill was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1943 amid World War II. The day after graduation, he married Margaret H. “Peg” Burlin at the Naval Academy Chapel. He then embarked on a distinguished Navy career, serving on SKATE during the perilous Operation Barney in the Sea of Japan and later piloting combat missions during the Korean War. A rare triple-qualified officer in submarines, lighter-than-air and flight, Bill’s service took him around the globe.

After retiring in 1965, Bill and Peg settled in North Chatham, MA. Bill was deeply rooted in Cape Cod, where his grandfather, a Swedish immigrant, first purchased property in 1897.

In retirement, Bill worked as a senior research engineer at United Aircraft Research Labs and served on the Cape Cod Economic Development Commission and Coastal Advisory Board. He was an avid traveler, woodworker, fisherman and author, publishing his memoir, A Navy Life Bill also actively participated in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, contributing to research on healthy aging.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Peg, in 2012; and his brothers, Colonel Robert B. Burlin, USA, and Richard H. Burlin. He is survived by his three sons, Charles W. Burlin III, David S. Burlin ’69 and John R. Burlin; four grandsons, Matthew D. Burlin, Michael A. Burlin, Wil H. Burlin and Carl A. Burlin; and two great-grandchildren, Oswald Leo “Ozzie” Shames-Burlin and Iris Lilla Shames-Burlin.

A memorial service will be held at the USNA Columbarium at a later date. Memorial donations in Bill’s name may be made to the First Congregational Church (www.chathamcongregational.org) and Friends of Chatham Council on Aging (www.friendsofchathamcoa.com). H

PAUL GEORGE MILLER ’47

“PG” Miller died on 11 September 2024. He was 101 years old.

Born and raised in Louisville, KY, he earned degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of 1947), Purdue University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Following his graduation from USNA in 1946, he served a year on the cruiser DAYTON, then attended graduate school at MIT, and then flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1950. He was electronics officer for VP-24 for a year and then spent three years as a project test pilot at Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center. From there, he reported to the Navy Department, Bureau of Aeronautics, in Washington, DC, heading the New Techniques Section of the Electronics Division. Paul resigned from the Navy in 1957 and joined a little start-up computer company in La Jolla, CA, that was acquired by Control Data Corporation in 1963. He moved to Minneapolis and in 1970 became president of Control Data Marketing. In 1975, he moved to Baltimore to be president, CEO and board chairman of the Commercial Credit Company until he retired in 1983.

Paul first met Doris Kahl Ingram in Annapolis at a Naval Academy tea dance for Midshipmen. They were married in the Naval Academy Chapel in 1979. She predeceased him almost 40 years later, in 2017. He served two terms on the Federal Reserve District Bank in Richmond, VA; was a director of the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company; and founded and served as chairman and CEO of several start-up computer and software companies. After retirement, he served 10 years on the Baltimore County Planning Board.

He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Baltimore Country Club. PG is survived by his sons, George and Randolph; stepdaughters, Dorian Filbert and Susan Ingram; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held in Towson, MD, on 22 September 2024. Interment will be at his family’s plot in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Corydon, IN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to The Manor Conservancy (www.themanorconservancy.org). H

GIRARD WELLINGTON MOORE JR. ’48

“Jerry” Moore Jr., 98, passed away on 24 July 2024 in Miami, FL. He was welcomed into heaven by his Savior and is dancing on heaven’s golden streets with his wife, Beverly. Born in Charlottesville, VA, he was the son of Girard and Dorothy Moore. He graduated from Knoxville High School in Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee before being accepted to the Naval Academy.

Jerry graduated from USNA with the Class of 1948A, on 6 June 1947. Those with better grades (upper half) graduated in three years in 1947. Jerry deployed to Shanghai, China, and Tokyo, Japan, during his first stint in the U.S. Navy on DULUTH (CL-87). While there, he was dispatched to Nagoya, Japan, to gather hydrographic information on the harbor. He separated from the Navy on 11 July 1950. During the Korean War, Jerry was recalled to active duty and taught navigation and nautical astronomy to officer candidates at Naval Training Station, Newport, RI. His second stint in the Navy was from 15 June 1951 to 21 May 1953.

Jerry married Beverly Peters on 21 July 1951 in Summerville, SC. After the Navy, they moved to Miami in 1953 and lived there until each of their deaths. Jerry was a stockbroker with Goodbody & Company and Merrill Lynch, and a tennis player. In his 40s, Jerry was ranked #1 in the State of Florida on the tennis circuit. After being a stockbroker, Jerry became a tennis instructor full-time. He started Moore and Sons in the 1970s, selling tennis rackets, etc. In 1976, Jerry started Kings Courts Tennis Club, teaching tennis full time. He quit tennis in 2015 at the age of 89.

Jerry and Bev were members at Riviera Presbyterian, Kendall Presbyterian and Christ Fellowship churches. Jerry was an elder and deacon and sang in the choirs with Beverly. Both were faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Jerry is survived by his three sons, Girard W. “Jeff” Moore III (Gail) of Melbourne, FL, John Moore (Kelly) of Palmetto Bay, FL, and Colonel Christopher L. “Hawk” Moore, USAF (Ret.) (Jill) of Viera, FL; grandchildren, Wesley Moore, Marshall Moore (Alyssa), Michael Moore (Katie), Kinsey Simmons (Jonathan), Heather Moore, Laurel Cheromei (David), Camellia Moore (Jason Elliott) and Logan Moore (Jenna); and nine great-grandchildren, Kai, Caleb, Joshua, Kiley, Jackson, Sunny, Lily, Levi and Lucy.

Jerry’s long life was celebrated at East Ridge at Cutler Bay on 2 August 2024. H

RICHARD CLAYTON DIETZ ’52

Commander Richard C. Dietz, USN (Ret.), passed away on 1 September 2024, just a few weeks before his 95th birthday.

Following graduation with the Naval Academy Class of 1952, “Dick” proudly served 22 years in the Navy. He completed flight training in Pensacola, FL, and served with honor in the ASW community. From 1962 until his Navy retirement in November 1974, he was based at NAS North Island in Coronado, CA, holding command of VS-38 and completing three deployments to Vietnam.

Dick then began a second career in public service as a budget analyst for the County of San Diego. He retired from the county’s Chief Administrative Office of Financial Management in 1994.

Dick’s love of flying led to a long association with the San Diego Air and Space Museum, where he served on the board of directors for 24 years.

In 2008, Dick headed a West Coast reunion for the Class of 1952, attended by classmates from around the country.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce; their son, James; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

The Dietz Family H

JEAN MAURICE MARCHAND ’52

Lieutenant Colonel Jean M. Marchand, USAF (Ret.), 95, of Longmont, CO, died peacefully at his home on 11 August 2024.

Jean was born in Brooklyn, NY, on 12 June 1929 to Rene and Jeanne d’Arc Marchand. Jean’s youth was a scene out of “Spanky and Our Gang” or the “Little Rascals,” hopping on trolley cars, playing stick ball in the street, picking apples off the neighborhood trees and fruit carts and getting yelled at in Italian or Hebrew.

Jean grew up on Avenue “P” and married the girl down the street (his best friend’s sister), Anne Marie Schuck, in 1952 right after he graduated from the Naval Academy. Jean had a 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanical engineer. His military service saw them living in Arizona, Morocco, Texas, Ohio, New Mexico and a solo tour to Vietnam. Along the way, they had four sons, of whom he was immensely proud. Jean received his master’s degree at Texas A&M and a PhD degree from Arizona State University. Jean retired from the service in 1973. In 1974, he became the Loveland Public Works director, working with the best colleagues anyone could ask for. After his cherished career at Loveland, Jean became a professor at Colorado State University School of Industrial Construction Management. He retired from CSU when Anne became ill with cancer.

After Anne’s death in 1993, he remarried fellow Kiwanis colleague, Sally Bacco, in 1994. They had a loving, 25-year adventure together traveling to the East Coast, Italy, Germany and Ireland. She passed away in 2019.

Jean is survived by his sons, Gregory Marchand (Carolyn) of Louisville, CO, Jean Pierre Marchand (Louise) of Sarasota, FL, Kenneth Edward Marchand (partner, Dewette) of Albuquerque, NM, and Richard Dennis Marchand (Arla) of Louisville, CO; sisters, Louise Magistro, Cecile Lanier and Annette Hastry; brothers, Thomas Marchand and Bob Marchand; 17 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Jean was predeceased by

his wife of 40 years, Anne; his second wife, Sally; and his brother, Paul. A Rosary and Celebration of Life was held in Loveland, CO, on 20 August 2024. A Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Boulder, CO, on 21 August, followed by burial at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Fort Collins, CO.

Memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School (www.school.shjboulder.org). H

DAVID JOSEPH PERAULT ’54

Commander David J. Perault, USN (Ret.), passed away peacefully on 12 September 2024.

After growing up in the Northeast, “Dave” was appointed to the United States Naval Academy and graduated as a member of the Class of 1954.

Following graduation, Dave was assigned to ALGOL (AKA-54). In August 1955, he entered flight training at Pensacola, FL. After receiving his Wings (and his call sign, “Wahzoo”), he remained at Pensacola as a flight instructor until September 1958.

Dave then reported to VF-174 at Cecil Field, FL, for qualification in the F8U Crusader. In March 1959, he joined the famous “Jolly Rogers” of VF-84, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, VA, and made several subsequent deployments to the Mediterranean aboard INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62). In May 1962, he returned to VF-174 for duty as an F8 Crusader instructor pilot. In March 1965, he joined the staff of Commander Sixth Fleet, based at Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, as the anti-air warfare officer for Sixth Fleet Operations.

In December 1967, he reported to VF-124 at Naval Air Station Miramar (then home to the Top Gun combat pilot school), San Diego, for duty as a flight instructor, before leaving to attend the Armed Forces Staff College. He then joined the “Fighting Checkmates” of VF-211 as squadron executive officer in June 1970, eventually becoming commanding officer and making two deployments to Vietnam aboard HANCOCK (CV-19).

In July 1971, he reported for duty at the Pentagon. He served in the National Military Command Center, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the State Department Operations Center from June 1973 through January 1977.

Commander Perault retired in February 1977. His family moved to Bryce Mountain Resort at Basye, VA. There, he pursued a hobby of designing and building homes, and enjoyed golfing and playing bridge.

Dave is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, the former Mary Porter “Penny” Riera; daughters (and spouses), Mary Porter (John Murray), Suzanne Jones (Chris) and Perry Baltasar (George); son, David Perault (Leann); eight granddaughters, Kara, Kylie, Kensey, Carter, Reese, Riley, Regan and Macy; and two grandsons, Baylor and Tye; along with an ever-increasing number of great-grandkids.

The family is planning services and inurnment at the Naval Academy Columbarium at a future date, to be followed by a reception at the Naval Academy Club. H

JESSE WALTER BUCKELEW ’56

Colonel Jesse Buckelew, USAF (Ret.), passed away on 2 July 2024 in Rancho Mirage, CA. He was 92 years old.

Born on 1 October 1931 in Yuma, AZ, to Emmett Harvel Buckelew and Ada Mary Adkinson, Jesse enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 at the outbreak of the Korean War. During training as an aviation electronics technician, he was awarded an appointment to the Naval Academy. After his graduation from USNA, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

During his first assignment stationed as a missile operations officer at McCoy AFB, Strategic Air Command, Jesse married Ellen Taylor. While training for deployment overseas, he was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology, graduating in 1958 with a master’s degree in electrical engineering. Over their 26-year marriage, Jesse and Ellen served at Wright-Patterson AFB, Vandenburg AFB, Space and Missile Systems Center, Buckley AFB and Sunnyvale Air Force Station. The couple had three children.

In 1960, Jesse was assigned to the Satellite Control Network Vandenberg Tracking Station and then to the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects (SAFSP), where he was to remain until his retirement from the Air Force in 1979.

In the 1960s, Jesse was a project engineer on the Corona program, with responsibility for the command, telemetry and electrical power systems. The Corona satellites flew from 1960 until 1972, with 95 successful flights, and photographed more than 750 million square miles of the Earth’s surface. The Corona Program revolutionized the collection of technical intelligence and Washington’s ability to understand its Cold War friends and enemies. Jesse later participated in the development and deployment of two more Advanced Satellite Reconnaissance programs, Hexagon and Gambit, serving as operations officer and commander of Gambit and Hexagon targeting operations.

After retirement, Jesse worked for TRW in Redondo Beach and Aurora. He remarried in 1986 to Donna Myers and was an active volunteer with the Palm Springs Police Department and Palm Springs Art Museum. He was also a championship senior league softball player.

Jesse was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Donna; his brother, Second Lieutenant Michael Clark, USMCR; his stepfather, Henry Clark; and his first wife, Ellen.

He is survived by three children from his first marriage, Jesse Walter Jr., Melissa Anne and Michael Scott; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Services were held on 19 July 2024 at Santa Barbara Cemetery.

The Buckelew Family H

FRANKLIN DAVIS MCMULLEN JR. ’56

Commander Franklin D. McMullen Jr., SC, USN (Ret.), passed away on 27 November 2023 in Leesburg, VA, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 91 years old.

Frank Jr. was born on 4 November 1932, to Franklin Davis McMullen Sr. and Corinne (Johnson). Franklin Sr. moved to Austin, TX, as a young lad, and Corinne was born in Austin, daughter to Frederick Johnson and granddaughter to Charles Johnson, who emigrated from Sweden and settled in Austin in 1858. Charles built the family homestead overlooking

the Colorado River just west of town, which was sold to the American Legion in 1921.

A fourth generation Texan, Frank was raised in Austin, graduated from Austin High School in 1950, enrolled at University of Texas in Austin and completed two years there before his acceptance to USNA, where he graduated with the Class of 1956, 11th Company. Bad eyesight thwarted his intention to begin Navy flight school, and he was ordered to Athens, GA, for Supply Corps training, where he took with him his new bride, the former Carolyn Rice of Ohio.

He enjoyed an honorable career at various duty stations across the U.S., Hawaii and Japan, and served with the Seventh Fleet aboard the Fleet Flagship, SAINT PAUL (CA-73) and SPERRY (AS-12). He completed two tours in Vietnam (1966-1969) while stationed at Yokosuka, Japan. Back Stateside, he did a tour with the Office of the Naval Inspector General before retiring from active duty in 1976.

He then launched a second career with local Washington, DC, consultancies, Booz Allen Hamilton and CACI, where he supported various DOD Navy contracts.

In 1993, he fully retired to Fayetteville, PA. He and Carolyn settled into a routine of golf, gardening, travel, class tailgates at Navy home football games, Spring Fest Navy Lacrosse events, Army/Navy games, reunions with classmates and many visits with friends and family, including their sons and their growing families.

He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn in 2017; his sister, Helen Hale; and brother-in-law, William Hale. He is survived by his sons, Mark of Leesburg, VA, and Matthew of Alexandria, VA; granddaughters, Taylor, Nora, Sofie and Camille; grandsons, Luke and Eli; four greatgrandchildren, Caden, Abbott, Levi and Indie; and three nieces, Linda Hale, Leslie Hale and Liza Salzmann.

On 11 June 2024, he was inurned at the Naval Academy Columbarium with military honors, joining his wife, Carolyn.

The McMullen Family H

RICHARD BYRON NYGAARD ’57

Captain Richard B. Nygaard, SC, USN (Ret.), of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away peacefully on 11 July 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and unwavering strength. He was 89 years old.

“Dick” was born on 12 January 1935, the son of Norma Jean and Donald P. Nygaard in the small town of Alcester, SD (population 750).

Graduating with honors from Alcester High School, Dick proudly earned an appointment to the Naval Academy, where he graduated with the Class of 1957’s 20th Company. As a midshipman, he was a member of the concert band, chapel choir and glee club, where he eventually met the love of his life, Sandra Barnum, when they were singing the Messiah together.

After a June Week chapel wedding, he and Sandy began a distinguished 25-year adventure in the Navy Supply Corps. His career took them to duty stations in Athens, GA, Naples, Italy, Washington, DC, and Lawrence, KS, where he earned a double master’s degree in petroleum engineering and business management. From there, it was back to DC, then across the country to China Lake, CA, and up to Oakland, where he assumed the supply officer job on SAN JOSE. He finished his naval career as deputy supply officer of the Norfolk Naval Station, and in 1985, began his second career as a logistics and contract director with Mancon, finally retiring in 1998.

In retirement, Dick and Sandy led an active life, spending their winters at their Cayman Island condo and summers in their motorhome, traveling throughout the United States and Canada. Known as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dick enjoyed spending time with his family more than anything else. He loved watching Navy football games with his son, Steve ’80, and spent countless hours with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, regaling them with stories of his and Sandy’s RV adventures. Probably his greatest joy, however, was sharing their Cayman Island home, swimming and snorkeling with his sons and grandchildren.

Captain Nygaard was predeceased by his wife, Sandy. He is survived by their sons, Steve and David Nygaard; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He and Sandy were inurned at the Naval Academy Columbarium on 30 September 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USNA Foundation, 1957 unrestricted fund, in memory of Richard Nygaard, U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation, P.O. Box 79169, Baltimore, MD 21279-0169; (www.usna.com/give). H

JAMES RICHARD POOLE ’57

Captain James R. Poole, USN (Ret.), passed away peacefully on 26 September 2024 at his home in Alexandria, VA, under hospice care for Parkinson’s.

“Jim” was born on 13 March 1935 in Cleveland, OH, to Commander James Selby Poole and Gladys Evelyn Taylor. He entered The Ohio State University in 1952 and received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1953. Following graduation with the Class of 1957, Jim indoctrinated incoming members of the Class of 1961. His first sea duty assignment was as gunnery officer aboard O’HARE (DDR-889). He attended Submarine School in New London, CT, before reporting to ARGONAUT (SS-475) and serving in a variety of billets leading to his submarine qualification. He then served in TORSK (SS-423) as weapons officer and operations officer prior to attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he received an electrical engineering degree. He next served on FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN-657) during its commissioning and completed two POLARIS deterrent patrols before becoming the XO of GRAMPUS (SS-523). After a staff tour at ComSubLant in Norfolk, VA, he served as XO in CAMDEN (AOE-2) before assuming command of NORTON SOUND (AVM-1) in Port Hueneme, CA, where he participated in the first at-sea tests of the AEGIS weapon system. This began an eight-year tour of duty with the AEGIS program in Arlington, VA, and as Navy technical representative at the RCA Moorestown, NJ, facility. He completed his active-duty career as the Deputy for Operations at the Naval Academy in February 1985.

Jim continued to support the Navy as a consultant working for Advanced Technology, Inc. in Arlington, VA, for three years and establishing Poole Enterprises, Inc. He retired in 1996.

Jim loved his naval career, Navy football, golf and the love of his life, Ginger.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia “Ginger” Gillen Poole; sister, Heather Pollock; his first wife, Doris Mae Davies; their two children, Mark Poole ’82 (Beth) and Ruth Poole (Dr. Richard Henshaw); grandchildren, Mark Jr., Christopher (Alex) and Elizabeth (Christopher); great-grandchildren, Henry, Christopher, Charles and James; and two nephews, Zackary (Max) and Taylor (Lydia).

A remembrance service was held in Alexandria, VA, on 26 October 2024. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on a date yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choosing.

Go Navy Beat Army! H

THOMAS GLADDING JR. ’58

“Tom” Gladding died of natural causes, peacefully at his home in Casselberry, FL, with his family by his side, on 19 June 2024. He was 88 years old.

A native of Roslyn, NY, Tom attended Roslyn Heights Elementary and graduated from Roslyn High School in June 1953. He then attended the Severn School in Severna Park, MD, for a year of postgraduate study before obtaining a Naval Reserve appointment to the Naval Academy. Tom was assigned to the 17th Company Plebe through Second Class years. He was transferred to the 13th Company First Class Year and graduated in June of 1958. He served in BEXAS (APA-237), BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31) and on the staff of the Fifth Naval District staff. This was followed by a tour in ST. PAUL (CA-73), including a deployment to the Vietnam gun line and duty at Naval Station, Adak, AK, and Fleet Training Center, Newport, RI. Tom left the Navy to obtain his master’s degree from Penn State on a Department of Education Fellowship. He then spent several years as an instructor in marine technology at Wilmington Technical Institute (NC). In 1978, he was appointed as an electronic engineer at the Naval Training Device Center in Orlando, FL. He worked as a project engineer, project manager and safety engineer on both Navy and Army trainers and facilities for the next 22 years. He retired to enjoy his family in 2001.

Tom was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, the former Thelma Anne Hall of Annapolis (2009); his oldest daughter, Laura Anne Gladding (2007); and son, Thomas Sanford Gladding (2019). Surviving family includes his daughter, Mary Lee Gladding; and son, Scott Andrew Gladding; as well as his grandchildren, Tyler Gladding and Lauryn Gladding (and their mother, Kelli Gladding).

Graveside memorial services with full military honors were held on 5 July 2024 at All Faiths Memorial Park in Casselberry, FL.

TG Jr. ’58 H

JOHN BRITTAIN GRIFFITHS ’58

John B. Griffiths of La Jolla, CA, passed away on 4 August 2024.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Cuthbert A. Griffiths ’19, John attended the Naval Academy, where he played tennis and squash. Highlighted in the USNA newspaper while going into his Youngster Year for the squash team, it said “even as a sophomore, he is bigger than any member of the Navy football team.” He finished the Academy as a two-time squash All-American, helping the team win its first NCAA Squash Championship in 1957.

Following graduation with the Class of 1958, John entered the Navy. He served five and half years, first on a destroyer, then transitioned to submarines. In 1963, he left the service as a lieutenant, having helped commission the Navy’s third ever nuclear submarine.

John then transitioned his career to the private sector. First, he graduated from Harvard Business School. Then, he worked in private consulting, followed by executive positions in oil equipment and in environmental remediation.

He made a wonderful impact on many people, while always learning, teaching and mentoring. “Big John” is gone, but his impact on his family, friends and community will last for generations. He will be so missed by all those he loved, and all those who loved him.

John made great contributions through many endeavors in business, sports, his community and his church. With all of his personal accomplishments, he was most proud of the life he built with his wife.

John is survived by his adored and beloved wife of 63 years, Donna Lee (Truog) Griffiths; their four children (and spouses), Christina Griffiths (Michael Payan), Margaret “Megan” Alapi, John “Brittain” Griffiths Jr. (Michele) and Kent Griffiths (Ruth). John’s favorite moments in retirement were spending time with his eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, Austin, Alex, Benjamin, Catherine, Laura, Cristina and Nelson.

He was predeceased by his father, Captain Cuthbert Ambrose Griffiths, USN (Ret.) (1971), his mother, Marion Claire (Gudgeon) Griffiths (1991) and his son-in-law, Nelson Alapi (November 2023).

Rest in Peace, John. H

JACK ROBERT FLIKEID ’59

Commander Jack R. Flikeid, USN (Ret.), passed away on 8 August 2024 in Suwanee, GA, his home for the past three years. He was 89 years old.

Born and raised in Park Ridge, IL (a suburb of Chicago), he initially attended the University of Illinois, where he joined the U.S. Navy Reserves. His father then enrolled him in a prep school in Minneapolis, MN. At USNA, his sports pursuits included handball and boxing, and he was a coxswain for the Navy crew team, an interest he continued later in his life. He graduated with the Naval Academy Class of 1959, a member of the 17th Company.

Upon graduation, he picked up his first destroyer, WILKINSON (DL-5) in Long Beach, CA. He then went on to WALKE (DD-723). Next, he commanded WANDANK (ATA-204), a Navy auxiliary tug, where among other activities, he rescued the Japanese freighter YEIJI MARU and received a commendation from the Japanese government. He completed his ship duty on DEWEY (DDG-45). Jack was then offered an opportunity as an exchange officer with the British Royal Navy in London and Portsmouth, England, where he and his family spent four years.

Beyond the Academy, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. While in school at GW, he also served as a physics instructor at Annapolis. His medals and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (w/Gold Star & Combat V), Navy Achievement Medal (w/Combat V), Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (4 Stars), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal.

After his retirement from the Navy, Jack went into government contracting, where he rose to CEO of a computer services company.

After his second retirement, Jack and his wife, Frances, moved to Warrenton, VA, where he served as a regional director for Habitat for Humanity.

Jack was a 60-year Freemason. He was a devoted husband and father. He loved his dogs and his faith.

Predeceased by Frances in 2016, they are survived by two sons (and their spouses), John Erik Flikeid (Stephanie) and Robert Christian Flikeid (Karen); grandchildren, Jack William Rolland Flikeid, Caroline Flikeid Bristow (Kaleb) and Davis Christian Flikeid; and great-grandchildren, Tristan and Beau Bristow.

Interment took place at the Naval Academy Columbarium on 17 September 2024.

The Flikeid Family H

ALBERT MAXWELL AMES ’60

Lieutenant Albert M. Ames, USN (Ret.), 87, passed away on 20 June 2024 in Sarasota, FL. Born in Manhattan and raised in Oceanside, NY, “Al” was the son of Jack and Sadye Ames. In high school, he played baseball, wrestled and was fond of golf and fishing. He joined the Navy, where after rigorous testing, he was admitted to the Naval Academy. At Annapolis, he was a bright student and continued wrestling. His favorite subject was mechanical drawing, in which he excelled and was one of the best (won second place in a competition).

Al always had a dream of flying. After USNA, he attended flight school and became a pilot. He was an excellent officer, captain of the crew and was highly respected by fellow officers.

In 1965, after spinal disease, Al was medically discharged. He became a successful stockbroker, flight instructor, manager of a small airport, builder, farmer, etc. He then found a job he really loved—a film producer of commercials and documentary films in Manhattan. His late wife, Camille, was a director and stylist in their company. Al loved his job as it presented a good opportunity to meet many remarkable people, including celebrities. Al was also fond of writing movie scripts, so to master his skills, he attended The Actor’s Studio in Manhattan.

Upon retirement and after the death of Camille, Al moved to Anna Maria Island, FL, and married Lioudmila “Lu” Victor Ubodoeva. He loved movies and as a member of the Director’s Guild of America, voted for the best picture for the annual DGA Awards. He also loved fishing (had two boats), gardening, cooking (he was a great cook and graduated from cooking school in Florence, Italy) and travelled a lot with Lu.

He was very altruistic, favoring charities dealing with climate change and preserving wildlife.

Al was a kind man and took people’s misfortune to heart. In 2004, following the tsunami in Thailand, he went there with fellow Americans, working hard to rebuild villages, schools and hospitals.

He was proud of his Navy career and always said that it was a great honor to serve his country.

Al is survived by his wife, Lu; sister, Marcia; stepson, Marco; and loving cousins, nephews and nieces, with whom he had very strong ties. He will be missed and cherished.

He will be buried at sea.

Memorials in Al’s name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. H

SIBLEY LOGAN WARD III ’60

Captain Sibley L. Ward, USN (Ret.), of Coronado, CA, died on 23 July 2024 with his wife, Susan, by his side.

“Sam” was born to a Navy family, in Bremerton, WA, in 1939. He graduated from Coronado High School in 1956 and from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1960. He and his high school sweetheart, Susan Schade (daughter of Vice Admiral Arnold F. Schade ’33), married that June. Upon commissioning, he began training in the Navy Nuclear Power program. In 1967, he attended Harvard and received a master’s degree.

Sam’s Navy career included: Regulus missile submarine patrols while serving on HALIBUT; Baltic Sea Cold War patrols as engineer on SKATE; and as executive officer on HAMMERHEAD. As XO, he navigated to the North Pole with periscope celestial navigation and was awarded his first (of six) Legion of Merit for doing so. He assumed command of ARCHERFISH, where he was respected and beloved by his shipmates. Later, he was commodore of the DevRon 12 Submarine Squadron, and then commanding officer of the Submarine School in Groton, CT. He concluded his 26-year naval career as the first submariner to be chief of staff of a surface carrier group (CarGru 12).

Upon retirement, he had a successful career in business, eventually retiring as Vice President of Program Managers with SAIC in San Diego, CA.

Sam was active in the Episcopal church, serving as a leader of stewardship and planned giving, as well as senior warden in three different parishes, including Christ Church in Coronado.

Sam remained committed to the Navy community until his death and was an active member of the Naval Submarine League Pacific Southwest Chapter, also serving as president for many years.

An avid singer, Sam enjoyed many years in the San Diego Master Chorale, and served as president for several years. His rich baritone was always appreciated.

Sam is survived by his wife of 64 years, Susan Schade Ward; their children, Rita Fucella (Joe), Rebecca Ward, Renée Farnham (Austin) and Rodney Ward ’91 (Erica); his sister, Laurie; brother, Keno; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held on 7 September 2024 at Christ Church in Coronado, CA, followed by interment in their memorial garden.

In memory of Sam, please consider donations to the following organizations that he faithfully supported: the Coronado Hospital Foundation (www.sharp.com/give/coronado-foundation) and the Naval Academy Foundation (www.usna.com/give). H

ALFRED LOTHAR CHEAURE ’61

Captain Alfred L. Cheaure, USN (Ret.), 85, passed away on 25 August 2024 in Cary, NC, with his family by his side.

“Al” was born on 11 June 1939 in Zwittau, Czechoslovakia, to Margarette Knoedl and Alfred Cheaure. During WWII, the German government discovered the family to be of Jewish ancestry and they were incarcerated. After the war, they lived in Austria. In 1947, the Jewish community assisted in the family’s passage to America, where they became naturalized citizens in September 1948.

Al graduated from Garfield High School in 1957 as class president and was selected to attend West Point and the Naval Academy. Al’s military

career began at Annapolis, where he excelled academically and was selected as Ninth Company Commander for a semester.

After graduating in 1961, his class was offered direct entry into Nuclear Power Submarine School. He then served on LAFAYETTE (SSBN-616) and WILL ROGERS (SSBN-659). He attended Harvard Business School for a master’s, graduating with honors (1971). He reported to PLUNGER (SSN-595) as XO and in 1974, was appointed as CO of SWORDFISH (SSN-579) in Hawaii. Under his leadership, SWORDFISH received the Golden Anchor Fleet Award. He served on ComSubRon 15 in Guam. In 1980, he returned to USNA as Third Battalion Officer (1981-1983) and Deputy Commandant. His next assignment was ComSubPac Hawaii (1983-1984). In 1984, Al was selected to command ComSubRon 1 in Hawaii. Following his change of command in 1986, he went on to serve as Deputy Oceanographer.

In addition to his Gold Submarine Dolphins, Al’s decorations include the Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Achievement, Navy Expeditionary and National Defense Service medals, along with other service awards and commendations. Al also received his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Following his Navy retirement in 1988, Al went to work for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on a global-warming oceanography research project.

In 1996, Al became president and CEO of the American Kennel Club, overseeing the transition of dog registrations to digital format, the implementation of DNA for registrations and development of their website. Al retired in 2003 but continued his love of dogs and the sport of dogs.

Al was predeceased by his parents; sister, Sylvia; and dear “Aunt” Vesta. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Patricia (née Gehrke); sons, Greg (Marcella), Mike (Sarah) and Tim; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Interment was held at the Naval Academy on 29 October 2024. H

VIRGIL LUSK HILL JR. ’61

Rear Admiral Virgil L. Hill Jr., USN (Ret.), died peacefully on 6 September 2024, in Lancaster, PA.

“Virg” was born in Shelby, NC. He graduated with distinction from the Naval Academy, Class of 1961.

He reported to his first submarine, BARB (SSN-596), in 1963. In 1964, Virg married the former Kimberly Jordan, whom he met on a blind date to the 1962 Army-Navy game.

He was subsequently assigned as engineer officer on THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN-618), and as the first XO of L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN-686). In 1976, Virg took command of HAMMERHEAD (SSN-663).

In 1980, he reported to the Office of Naval Intelligence in DC, as Director of Special Projects, responsible for one of the nation’s most significant intelligence collection programs. He earned the Legion of Merit, and a commendation by the British First Sea Lord for supporting the Royal Navy during the Falklands War.

In 1983, he took command of Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in New London, with responsibility for the squadron and developing tactics for the entire submarine force. His initiatives in submarine warfare and tactical computer programs were recognized with the Legion of Merit.

In 1985, Virg was selected for flag rank, and assigned as Director, Attack Submarine Division, in the Office of the CNO.

In 1987, Virg assumed command of Submarine Group Five in San Diego. His responsibilities included 25 attack submarines and three

LAST CALL

submarine squadrons. He was selected for two-star rank, and became the 53rd Superintendent of the Naval Academy in August 1988.

During his tenure, Virg oversaw a complete restructuring of the academic curriculum, and what was at the time the Academy’s largestever fundraising campaign, culminating in the construction of Alumni Hall. For his efforts, he received the Navy’s highest peacetime award, the Distinguished Service Medal.

In 1991, Virg took command of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force at Norfolk, responsible for test and evaluation of all new ships, submarines, aircraft and weapon systems proposed for introduction in the Navy.

Following retirement in 1993, Virg served as President, Valley Forge Military Academy. In 2000, Virg moved to Ambler, PA, where he taught at Villanova University’s School of Business as a Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Ethics. In 2016, Virg and Kim moved to Lancaster, PA. Virg is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kim; their children, Scott and Kelly; and granddaughters, Olivia and India.

A memorial service was held at the Naval Academy Chapel on 30 October 2024. H

GEORGE EDWARD MORROW ’61

Captain George E. Morrow, USNR (Ret.), 86, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on 6 July 2024.

George was born on 15 March 1938 to William R. Morrow Sr. and Adeline (Genovese) of Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School (1956) and joined the Navy. He received a SecNav appointment to attend the Naval Academy, where he was in the 17th Company and earned a BS degree in naval science. He was commissioned into the U.S. Navy upon graduation in 1961. He earned a master’s from the University of Maine at Orono College of Education (1973).

George valiantly served in Vietnam as a RVN advisor (August 1967-February 1969). His awards include the Bronze Star w/Combat V; and he served on KENNETH D. BAILEY, SPRINGFIELD and HARRY E. YARNELL

George worked for over 30 years at SupShip in Bath, ME, where he was Ship Superintendent and oversaw all aspects of ship construction or repair. He worked on various ships and classes, including SAMUEL B. ROBERTS and ARLEIGH BURKE-class guided missile destroyers. He earned numerous awards, including the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

George met Alice Freeman at SupShip and they were married on 22 June 1984.

George was a lifelong, loving and devoted Catholic, husband, father and grandfather remembered for always striving to do the right thing regardless of it being hard or unpopular, being a master of shipbuilding and repair, and having an amazing memory and wonderful sense of humor.

George was a member of Knights of Columbus Sekenger Council #1947 (Brunswick, ME) for 37 years, was a Fourth Degree Honorary Life Member, attending meetings at St. Thomas the Apostle Council #15154 (Homosassa, FL). He was also a VFW life member (Post 3381) and American Legion (Unit #155) member. He was extremely patriotic and always exercised his right to vote.

George was predeceased by his parents; Alice, his wife of 36 years; and his brother, William R. Morrow Jr. He is survived by his children, Paul and Jean; grandchildren, Maribelle and Kirk; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on 29 July 2024 at St. Benedict Catholic Church (Crystal River, FL), followed by burial with full military honors beside Alice, on 6 August 2024 at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery (Wallagrass, ME).

In lieu of flowers, please honor Captain Morrow by requesting a Catholic Mass or consider donations to the Knights of Columbus (oegagne@icloud.com or kofc15154@gmail.com). H

EDWARD ABERLE RUCKNER JR. ’63

Commander “Ned” Ruckner Jr., USN (Ret.), died peacefully on 15 June 2024 at Hospice House of Williamsburg, VA, with his family by his side.

Ned was born on 5 January 1941 in Baltimore, MD, to Rear Admiral Edward A. Ruckner Sr. ’32 and Rosa (McGill). He attended Boys’ Latin School in Maryland and the Kent School in Connecticut, and was a 1963 graduate of the Naval Academy.

A Surface Warfare officer, Ned served aboard several ships including LONG BEACH (CGN-9), MULLENIX (DD-944), PUTNAM (DD-757) and FORRESTAL (CV-59). He attended Destroyer School in 1967 and was awarded a Master of Science in Operations Analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1972. He also served on the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, and in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs and Logistics.

After retirement, Ned worked for a defense contractor in the Washington, DC, area for many years. He and his wife, Pam, retired to Williamsburg, VA, in 1998 and enjoyed 26 years of travel and special times with family and friends. His chief hobby for over 60 years was model railroading.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Pam; son, Edward A. “Ted” Ruckner III (Jennifer); daughter, Sarah R. Newland (Jim); sister, Rosa R. Halbert; and five grandchildren, Taylor, Hannah, Sifa, James and Bennett.

A memorial service was held on 29 June 2024 at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg. His remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Those who wish to make a charitable donation in Ned’s memory are asked to consider The Hospice House of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188 (www.williamsburghospice.org). H

CRAWFORD WARICK SCOTT ’63

“Rick” Scott passed away on 11 May 2024 in Dallas, TX. He was 82 years old.

Rick was always a hard worker and excellent academic. As a junior in high school, he was selected as one of 26 students to spend a month at the John von Neumann Mathematics Seminar at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. This experience nourished his love of science and mathematics that would continue throughout his life. Rick joined the Naval Academy in 1959, where he spent four years working hard and learning everything he could about sailing, radio and electronics.

After graduating with the Class of 1963, he spent seven years at Stanford University in California earning his master’s and PhD degrees in electrical engineering. It was there that he met and married Jackaline “Jackie” Lawson in 1966. Their son, Keith, was born in 1968. After Stanford, Rick was stationed in Charleston, SC. During his time with the Navy,

Rick served on two submarines, BLENNY and SEAHORSE, being one of the few officers to serve on both diesel and nuclear subs. In 1972, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for his work on SEAHORSE

In 1974, Rick left the Navy as a lieutenant commander and joined ESL, an engineering company in Sunnyvale, CA, where he worked on a number of projects, including several in the areas of signal collection, signal processing and reconnaissance. In 1986, Rick transitioned from Sunnyvale to Los Angeles to work for TRW as their director of technology. There, he oversaw much of TRW’s internal research and development program, which included work with universities and joint agreements with Sony and Fujitsu in Japan. In 1992, he left TRW to work as director and chief scientist for Rockwell’s Communication Systems Division in Richardson, TX.

Rick retired from Rockwell in 1995 and moved to a farm in Sulphur Springs TX, where he and Jackie enjoyed life until 2020, when, just as COVID was breaking, they moved to an assisted living facility in Dallas, TX. Jackaline died in January of 2024 and in April, Rick entered hospice care and died on 11 May. Like everything Rick did, his dying was a deliberate act, and he was comfortable and in stunningly good spirits to the end.

The Scott Family H

JAMES HARRY STEWART ’63

James H. Stewart passed away on 27 August 2024 in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He was 84 years old

Born in Williamsport, PA, “Jim” was the son of Harry and Vera Stewart. In high school, he played basketball, baseball and football. His achievements resulted in becoming elected to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (West Branch Valley Chapter). He attended Columbian Prep School for a year and reported to the Naval Academy in 1959. At Annapolis, he enjoyed football with great memories and success. Go Navy, Beat Army!

Upon graduation with the Class of 1963, he was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy. He coached plebe football, then reported to Flight School. Serving as a flight instructor landed Jim as a P-3 patrol plane commander.

Following his naval service, in 1969, Jimmy (AKA “Stu”) served as an airline pilot and flew around the globe with National, Pan Am and Delta airlines.

Upon his retirement in the summer of 2000, Jim and his wife, Linda, remained in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Exercise, playing golf, watching sports (especially Navy football) were his joys. He was always very grateful for the path the Naval Academy was able to pave for him and his lifestyle.

Jim was predeceased by his parents; and his oldest son, Christopher (2019). He is survived by his wife, Linda; her sons, Patrick and Fred; and granddaughter, Haley. Jim is also survived his sons, Doug and Roger; as well as six grandchildren, Cameron (34), Tyler (32), Briana (30), Joanna (32), William (4) and Emma (3).

Services will be held at the Naval Academy Columbarium at a future date.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Naval Academy Foundation (www.usna.com/give).

The Stewart Family H

DANIEL CRIM LAVERY ’64

Daniel C. Lavery of Granada Hills, CA, passed away on 10 August 2024 in Panorama City, CA. He was 84 years old.

“Dan” was born in Chicago, IL, to Richard J. Lavery and Hilda Crim Lavery on 18 January 1940. Dan’s father was a career naval officer, so Dan and his siblings lived in many different locations throughout their school years, attending schools on the East Coast, West Coast and Japan. Dan graduated from Jordan High School in Long Beach, CA, in 1958, then attended Duke University for two years before being admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Dan graduated from Annapolis with the Class of 1964 and served as a naval officer as a flight and ship navigator from 1964 to 1968.

Dan was honorably discharged from the Navy and enrolled at University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco in the fall of 1969 and graduated with honors in 1972. Among his most notable cases, Dan filed the Chavez v. Fitzsimmons Civil Rights lawsuit, which ultimately settled with an agreement that the Teamsters would no longer attempt to represent agricultural field workers. It is still honored to this day. After leaving the United Farm Workers (UFW), Dan was awarded a Reginald Heber Smith scholarship to pursue further training in Civil Rights litigation at Howard University. Dan quickly joined the ranks of UFW lawyers. After leaving the UFW, Dan continued with a distinguished legal career representing workers and victims of Civil Rights violations.

Dan was a devoted father who loved coaching and supporting his kids’ sports teams. He loved animals and enjoyed the companionship of his many dogs over the years. He will be greatly missed by his latest labrador retrievers, Domino and Snickers. He also enjoyed his friendships and looked forward every year to participating in the Feeble Olympics, a week of sports activities that ended in a party to watch the Super Bowl together. Dan was very proud of his memoir, All the Difference, which chronicled his life as a military brat, naval officer, peace activist and Civil Rights attorney.

Dan is survived by his wife, Joan Lavery; their children, Aleksey, Sean and Brette; grandchildren, Orion, Everest, Phoenix, Wren and Rhys; and his sister, Valerie Sadd. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard J. “Chip” Lavery Jr.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Brain Foundation (www.americanbrainfoundation.org), which promotes and invests in research to defeat brain diseases and disorders. H

BERNARD AUGUSTINE MAGUIRE ’64

The Honorable Bernard A. Maguire of Wilmington, NC, passed into eternal life on 30 November 2023. He was 81 years old. Born in Philadelphia, PA, on 12 September 1942 to Bernard and Rita (Meehan) Maguire, “Bernie” grew up in the Northeast Village. He attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1964 (20th Company).

Upon completing Sub School and earning his Dolphins, Lieutenant Maguire served on both diesel and nuclear submarines. Bernie also attained his MBA at the University of Pittsburgh in 1970.

He had a long and successful career in private and public service, including his consulting company, VPA Corporation, and a foray into

LAST CALL

government work where he was appointed by President Reagan as the first Associate Director of FEMA.

He was an innovator, creating management protocols in nuclear power plants across the country. He also developed National Preparedness Policy for the entire United States. He was a diligent volunteer for his church, grandchildren’s schools, local municipal golf course, neighborhood watch and as a youth soccer referee. He even sat as a judge for three Miss America Pageants.

Bernie showed his gratitude for his education at USNA by committing his spare time in service as the Class of 1964 class vice president, then president for many years. He was also on the USNA Board of Trustees and a dedicated Navy football fan. He was particularly proud of two USNA projects: he helped create the Class of 1964 Memorial Scholarship Fund, which helped finance the college tuition of the children of deceased classmates; the other project was the class’s sponsorship of The Ethics for the Junior Officer, a book that prepares new USNA officers for ethical and leadership challenges typically encountered in the service.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Rita; his in-laws, William and Concetta (Pinciotti) Formica; and his sister, Anne Maguire.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce; their children, Brad (Kate), Mark (Shelly), John (Wendy) and Megan; and ten grandchildren, Matthew, Madeleine, Samuel, Sydney, Joseph, Molly, Mary Catherine, Lucy, Zoe and Natalie.

Bernie’s family was blessed with his unending graciousness, positive outlook and good humor, supported by his faith throughout his battle with corticobasal degeneration.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joe’s Prep (www.sjprep.org), whose motto “Men for Others” helped shape Bernie’s life; or the Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026 (www.brainsupportnetwork.org). H

NICHOLAS WOODFIN GLOVER ’65

Nicholas W. Glover passed away on 12 September 2024 at his home in Charleston, SC.

“Nick” was the son of William Ferguson Hutson Glover Jr. and Floride Morrison Glover, both of McClellanville, SC.

Nick graduated from Winyah High School in Georgetown, SC, and entered the Naval Academy after high school. He graduated from USNA in 1965 as a member of the Fifth Company, and after completing his service obligation, he pursued a business career.

Nick became the youngest vice president of R.J. Reynolds and was also a senior vice president of RJR International. During his tenure with RJR, Nick lived for several years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and traveled worldwide. After RJR, he joined 13-30 Group, which owned Esquire magazine and a number of specialty magazines. 13-30 Group restructured into Whittle Communications and Nick was their founding president/ CEO. Nick stayed with them for about ten years before semi-retiring.

During this time, he and his wife, psychologist Dr. Kathleen Broughan, spent some time power-cruising on the East Coast. Nick also picked up horse riding from his wife and they became founding members of the Tennessee Valley Hunt. Nick became an avid horseman and enjoyed foxhunting. He and Kathleen enjoyed several additional years of travel and then purchased a sailboat and spent about five years cruising the west coasts of the U.S. and Mexico before going through the Panama Canal and bringing her to the Chesapeake Bay.

Nick and Kathleen then moved to Charleston, SC, where they founded Lowcountry Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (LEAP), a non-profit organization that works with troubled children and families and with military individuals to help them overcome emotional trauma. Most recently, Nick had been working with a start-up company (PEC360), helping them structure a business to reach out to patients in need of medical help.

Nick is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their menagerie of dogs and horses; his sons, Nick Jr. of Charleston, SC, and John of Hendersonville, NC; and grandsons, Nicholas Woodfin “Woods” Glover III and Alexander “Xan” Glover of Charleston, SC.

Nick always gave graduating from the Naval Academy most of the credit for whatever successes he had in life. So, in lieu of flowers, Nick would appreciate a donation to the Naval Academy Foundation (www.usna.com/give) or to Lowcountry Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (www.leapinsc.org/donatetoleap).

Services were held on 20 September 2024 at Prince George Winyah Parish Church in Georgetown, SC, followed by burial in the church cemetery. H

JOHN LEO GRADY ’65

Commander John L. Grady, USN (Ret.), of Mount Pleasant, SC, entered peacefully into eternal rest on 13 August 2024, with his five children at his side. He was 83 years old.

John was born on 5 September 1940 in Johnstown, PA, the eldest of four sons of John Leo Grady and Mary Cavanaugh Grady. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, John was in the Second Company during First Class Year, completed Temple University Medical School, and was an ophthalmologist for almost 50 years. John gave the gift of vision to patients from as far away as Egypt and Ethiopia while a Navy doctor before settling into his 30-year private practice in Mount Pleasant.

John will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his strong Catholic faith, his sense of humor, his patriotism and his passion for the game of golf. He enjoyed golf trips with friends to Scotland and Ireland and was a founding member of Bulls Bay Golf Club, where he played rounds and socialized for more than 20 years. In addition to being proud to score his age, John holds the club record for most holes in one: eight between 2004 and 2024. He was also one of only two club members to boast a sweep of aces on each of the course’s five par-3 holes. When not on the links, John could be found sharing stories and jokes in the company of his children and his friends at favorite spots around town.

John is survived by his five children (and their spouses), Mary (Jim), Kathleen, John Jr. (Jennifer), Joe (Caroline) and Bridget; as well as his brother, Kevin; his former wife, Barbara; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary; brothers, Dennis and Michael; his wife, Jane; and son-in-law, Lee Smith.

A funeral service celebrating his life was held on 24 August 2024 in Mount Pleasant. John will be buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Donations on John’s behalf may be made to the ALS Association (www.als.org). H

GEORGE EDWARD HURLEY JR. ’65

Commander George E. Hurley, USN (Ret.), died on 4 July 2024.

Born and raised in an Irish family in Boston, MA, George, played hockey and was captain of the golf team at Stoneham High School. He also caddied at Bear Hill Country Club, where he met his future wife, Alice. George graduated from Stoneham High as “Class Sweetheart” and “Best Dressed,” and throughout his life, he was an avid Boston Red Sox fan.

George entered the Naval Academy at 17 years of age and was a member of the varsity golf team. During his First Class Year, he was a member of the 31st Company.

After graduation, George entered flight training and was a search and rescue helicopter pilot for two tours in Vietnam. He later served as commanding officer of HS-6 and earned advanced degrees from the Naval War College and The George Washington University. He was the Navy’s Chief Test Pilot for Rotary Wing (1983-1985) and was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, having at least 20 “first in flights.”

After his military retirement, George graduated from the University of San Diego Law School in 1988, where he was also an editor of the Law Review. He was an attorney for 30 years, specializing in commercial real estate and estate planning. He served on the California State Bar Executive Committee, as president of the La Jolla and South Bay bars, and as a small claims court judge. He was a board member for the American Cancer Society and North Island Federal Credit Union.

With all his accomplishments, he was most proud of raising two strong daughters and coaching youth hockey. George dedicated his life to service, both to his country and others, and he is remembered as a kind and generous person, a true gentleman and an exceptional golfer.

George is survived and missed by his wife of 55 years, Alice; their daughters, Jennifer Hurley (Dan Gaff) of Livermore, CA, and Cynthia Hurley of Coronado, CA; and his sister, Sue August of Arlington, VA.

A Funeral Mass was held on 27 July 2024 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Bonita, CA, followed by a reception.

Donations in George’s memory may be made to: Workshops for Warriors (www.wfw.org); Sister Servants of the Sacrament (www. usasjs.org); or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org). H

PAUL EDWARD KANIVE ’67

Commander Paul E. Kanive, USN (Ret.), passed away on 18 August 2024 in Houston, TX.

Born on 25 February 1944 in Texarkana, AR, Paul came to the Naval Academy via North Platte, NE. His older brother, Robert Kanive ’66, provided welcome support during Plebe Year. “The Knave’s” time at Navy was characterized by a strong determination to succeed academically, hilarious adventures while on liberty and a great sense of humor. Paul’s laughter was heard throughout the Eighth Wing, 4th deck.

After graduation and a tour in GURKE (DD-783), Paul reported to flight school and began a distinguished career as a Naval Flight Officer. He was a proud member of the VF-114 “Aardvarks,” flying F-4 Phantoms from KITTY HAWK (CV-63) and the “Vigilantes” of VF-151 during two extended cruises on Yankee Station. He flew 309 combat missions, accumulating over 3,000 flight hours and 720 carrier landings. His awards include the Air Medal (20 Strike/Flight and 4 Individual) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (2).

In July 1971, he married Nancy Ann Sleeper and together they celebrated 53 years of marriage.

His Navy career continued with several prestigious assignments including a master’s degree in economics; the Armed Forces Staff College; the Naval War College; Deputy Director for the International Naval Staff College; and USCinCEur Airborne Battle Staff Director at RAF Mildenhall, England.

After retirement from active duty, he joined United Airlines as a fleet technical instructor for the Boeing 737 and 777.

Upon his retirement from United in 2005, he and Nancy relocated to Houston to be near family, and to support Nancy’s love of her American Saddlebred equestrian competitions. He enjoyed peaceful hours sailing his Cape Dory 27, WILD OATS, on Galveston Bay. His sharp wit and knowledge of the sea were on display when he authored his book, Navy Trivia

Paul’s 33rd Company classmates knew that he spent much of his later life valiantly battling a rare form of blood cancer. He did so with his characteristic good humor and sarcasm. Over 25 years, Paul selfadministered more than 600 infusions, often joking with his pals about having to close his eyes because he hated needles.

Paul is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy, a registered nurse who helped him survive his disease for all those years; their daughter, Kelly Stoltz of Houston, TX; son, Paul Jr of Bozeman, MT; and five very special grandchildren, Ben Stoltz, Brooke Stoltz, Mark Stoltz, Danielle Heidt and Roan Kanive. H

STEPHEN HAMILTON RIES ’68

Captain Stephen H. Ries, USN (Ret.), died unexpectedly in Virginia Beach, VA, on 7 February 2024 of pancreatic cancer. He was 79 years old.

A native of Iowa City, IA, “Steve” was a Navy junior who attended the Bullis School prior to his appointment to the Naval Academy. During his Second and Third Class years, his father, Captain Herbert H. Ries ’43, USN, was Deputy Commandant.

Upon graduation, Steve served as gunnery and weapons officer aboard two destroyers, then moved to the amphibious forces for multiple department head tours. From 1974-1977, Steve was a member of the USNA Brigade Officer Staff, where he was a company officer, as well as the officer in charge of the Plebe Class of 1977 and the first female midshipmen admitted to the Academy.

He served as flag secretary to Cruiser Destroyer Group 8 in Norfolk, VA, before attending the Armed Forces Staff College. He was XO of MANITOWOC (LST-1180), followed by joint duty at the National Military Command Center in Washington, DC. Returning to sea, he took command of SUMTER (LST-1181) and participated in several NATO exercises. Subsequent commands were aboard TRENTON (LPD-14) and LA MOURE COUNTY (LST-1194).

Steve earned his MBA from The George Washington University during his tour in DC and after retiring as a captain, returned to GWU to receive a Ph.D. in higher education administration. He became a dean at Troy University (Mid-Atlantic) and also taught several cohorts of MBA students. He accepted a position as a senior analyst at Analytic Services in Arlington, VA, consulting with the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Steve was a lifelong runner and while a company officer, he started the USNA Distance Running Club. He accompanied and participated

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with midshipmen members in many races, including the Boston Marathon and JFK 50 Miler. Another highlight was heading a team of U.S. military runners to participate in the World Military Running Championship in Senegal.

Steve and his high school sweetheart, Betsy Peery, were the first couple in the Class of 1968 married in the USNA Chapel upon graduation and shared almost 56 years together. He is also survived by their daughters, Susanne Meyerholz and Amanda Kann; and three grandchildren, Carlie Meyerholz, Ries Kann and Tyler Kann. H

JOHN ERNEST RUSS III ’68

Lieutenant Commander “Jack” Russ, USNR (Ret.), passed away suddenly, yet peacefully, on 24 May 2024 at his home in Poway, CA. He was 78 years old.

Jack was born in Washington, DC, where he and his three older sisters were raised by their mother. He graduated from Ballou High School and attended the University of Colorado for one year on a NROTC Scholarship before accepting an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1964…a decision he often questioned during his Plebe Year. While at Annapolis, Jack ran crosscountry and skippered racing boats for the Navy sailing team.

Upon graduation and commissioning with the Class of 1968, Jack was sent to Flight School and earned his Wings as a NFO in F-4 Phantoms. During his time on active duty, Jack served aboard HOEL, where he completed a deployment to Vietnam in 1971-1972. In 1973, he married Adell Baldwin of San Diego, CA, whom he had met while visiting his mother over Christmas leave during Flight School. In 1976, Jack resigned his regular commission and entered the Naval Reserve, retiring in 1990.

Jack’s civilian career encompassed a multitude of public and private sector positions in the energy industry. He served as an adjunct professor of economics and statistics at San Diego State University for over 30 years, and most recently served on the San Diego redistricting commission.

His three sons followed in Jack’s footsteps, all becoming military officers…in the Army. Several years before he passed, Jack was invited to West Point to co-lecture an economics class for a week. As the final session closed, Jack thanked the cadets and the professor for the opportunity, then pulled a Go Navy, Beat Army hat from his briefcase, placed it proudly atop his head, and made a speedy exit.

Jack enjoyed sailing and working around the Poway home he and Adell shared. His most favorite times were with his family—especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Adell; three sons (and their wives), Nate (Elsie), Jon (Kate) and Andrew (Jessica); and six grandchildren, Emilia, Jayce, Olivia, Elizabeth, Josephine and Mitchell.

He was laid to rest on 7 June 2024 at Miramar National Cemetery with military honors.

He will always be a beloved husband, father and proud Papa. H

THOMAS JAMES BELICHICK ’69

A Navy icon beyond his class, Tom Belichick departed this life on 17 May 2024, four days before his 77th birthday. His friendships with classmates, offered so easily and faithfully, will remain always in memory across our years.

“Chick” was born to a multi-generational legacy athletic family in Youngstown, OH, on 21 May 1947 with talents well beyond his football achievements, which locally described him as a “fearless and devastating player.” Highly pursued at Struthers High School by college athletic programs, his accomplishments in art, academics and leadership were attributes prized by our United States service academies. These talents earned him recruiting visits by Navy’s best known gridiron heroes and he chose to join the incoming USNA Class of 1969. A leading plebe team scorer as a fullback, Chick incurred the first of repeated knee injuries that would restrict his service subsequent to graduation.

Completing his service in logistic support of our fighting forces in Vietnam at Clark AFB, Chick grew tired of conventional pursuits in San Diego and took his engineering talents to Northern California, where working alone in the wilderness, he reconstructed and operated an 1849 gold rush mine. When the gold market lost its luster, he sold his mine and turned his attention to more “conventional” pursuits in heavy equipment construction, residential building, remodeling and consulting before retiring to Rockport-Fulton, TX.

In Fulton, his artistry and craftsmanship in shaping wood and copper topped the productive employment of avocational talents, while he also pursued adventures with his SEAL classmate, Craig Gillaspie ’69, scuba diving and living off the land on the beaches of Mexico. He also proved to have superb seamanship skills (who’d have thought!) piloting his twin-screwed cabin cruiser in Gulf waters and beyond.

In Fulton, Chick met and married Karen; their partnership lasting for decades. They moved to the Texas Hill Country, near Kerrville, where Chick worked their additional “ranch” acreage in Mountain Home, drawing again on the heavy machinery skills he found such satisfaction in employing in his beloved wild natural environment.

Karen nursed and nurtured Chick through his battles with cardio ailments and a stroke, always supporting a life in which he refused to accept defeat, returning to the endeavors and nature he loved. She welcomed with him the many friends, products of his generous and gentle friendship, somehow never at odds with his fierce competitive spirit.

You were one of a kind, Great Friend…

John Hilburn ’69 H

ROBERT DUNCAN MACIVER ’69

Ensign “Bob” MacIver, USN (Ret.), and his wife, Anita, passed away within a month of one another (26 May) and (24 June) in 2023 in Dallas, TX. They were 77 years old.

Bob was the son of World War II naval officer, Ernest MacIver and his wife, Melzia. By the age of two, the family was living in Dallas. Anita was also a Navy junior. Her parents were John L. Counihan ’32 and his wife, Frances (Weathersbee). Captain Counihan retired after a final tour as commanding officer of NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco. Both Bob and Anita were outstanding students through high school, and they eventually met

while Bob was attending the Naval Academy. As a midshipman, Bob was known for his exuberant personality, which resulted in his being selected as head cheerleader for the 1968-1969 season. After graduation, he and Anita were married in Pensacola, FL, and Bob started flight school.

He was selected for jets after primary training and proceeded to Meridian, MS. In March 1970, he was in a horrible automobile accident. He was bedridden for several months, and after he was stabilized, he was moved from Bethesda to the Dallas VA, eventually moving into a home where they spent their remaining years. He remained a paraplegic, but over time he regained his ability to speak and those who knew him said he was a brilliant conversationalist and an entertaining personality. He was medically retired from the Navy as an ensign. Anita remained with him and cared for him, but she eventually had a stroke, which forced them both into assisted living.

Predeceased by their parents, Bob is survived by his brother, Gregory of Aurora, CO; and Anita is survived by a sister, Sheila Counihan Coutant of Wilmington, NC. They had no children.

For over 50 years, Bob made the best of his situation and had a rewarding life; and Anita’s life was happy, dedicated and heroic. May God grant them peace, serenity and everlasting love.

They are both buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. H

JAMES FRANCIS KENNEY ’70

Commander James F. Kenney, USN (Ret.), passed away on 10 July 2024 in Canton, GA. He was 77 years old.

Born in San Diego, CA, “Jim” was the son of Leslie (a Navy veteran) and Mary Kenney. A graduate of St Paul’s High School in Santa Fe Springs, CA, he was an award-winning football player. He attended Bullis Prep prior to coming to the Naval Academy in June 1966.

Jim was a hard-working Midshipman and a proud member of the 28th Company. He excelled in company sports and was an outstanding player for the Academy’s Rugby Club Team. “Buddha” had a unique sense of humor and was always there to help his Classmates succeed.

Graduating with the USNA Class of 1970, he was commissioned as a Navy ensign. Ten days later, he married his high school sweetheart, Barb Fink.

Jim earned his Wings of Gold in December 1971 and was an exceptional helicopter pilot. His first fleet tour was flying S-3 Sky King helicopters in numerous search and rescue missions from RANGER (CVA-61) deployed to Vietnam.

Next, he spent a year in Dayton, OH, attending the Air Force Institute of Technology, earning a master’s degree.

Jim then transitioned to flying CH-53D Sea Stallion mine countermeasure helicopters in Virginia Beach, VA. As a result of his superb professional performance developing effective tactics, he was assigned as the Seventh Fleet Staff’s Mine Warfare helicopter officer embarked on BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) in Yokosuka, Japan.

After the Navy, Jim and Barb lived in Northern Virginia, where he worked for the General Scientific Corporation for 23 years, retiring as Vice President of Naval and Aviation Operations. Upon his full retirement, he and Barb relocated to Canton, GA, to be closer to family. Jim greatly enjoyed his family, golf, biking and Army-Navy football.

Predeceased by his parents, Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara; their children (and spouses), Scott (Jennifer), Ryan (Micaiah) and Jill Kenney August (Kevin); treasured grandchildren, Brendan, Blake, Elleson, Finley, Caelan, Rory, Isaac and Alix; and his brother, Leslie Kenney.

Services were held in Canton on 9 August 2024, followed by interment at Georgia National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The Kenney Family H

JOHN FREDERICK STEPHENS ’73

John F. Stephens succumbed to cardiac arrest on 2 August 2024 in Naples, FL.

He was born 16 January 1951 in Deadwood, SD, to John and Gale Stephens (both of whom were in the American International Schools program). Consistent with their profession, John saw a good bit of the world in his early childhood, most notably Pakistan. He concluded his high school years in Colorado, graduating from Longmont High in 1969. Inducted with the Class of 1973 at the Naval Academy, John was a fine student and active participant in both Navy football and wrestling. He opted out after his Youngster Year, but maintained contact with his Company Classmates, frequenting the reunions and Navy football games. John continued his studies at Lehigh University, where he resumed participation in wrestling and graduated in 1974 with a BS in economics. He continued his education with graduate studies at Penn State.

In 1977, John and Tish (the love of his life) were married, and in 1984, their son, Sean, was born. A year earlier, John began his 29-year career in project development and investor finance in the Energy Division of GE in Schenectady, NY, which included a lot of foreign and domestic travel. It was the defining profession of his life.

He eventually retired in 2012, though continued in related endeavors with Samsung, and in consultancy through his LLC, Stephens Power & Infrastructure Associates. In recent years, he was Senior Advisor in Energy for Marathon Capital, based in Chicago, IL. John and Tish have been residents of Naples, FL, since his 2012 GE retirement.

John enjoyed golf, was an avid reader, and loved history and travel. Beyond family, he remained particularly connected with his GE colleagues and his Naval Academy classmates. He was a good husband, father and friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

John was predeceased by his parents and brother, Terry. He is survived by his wife, Tish; their son, Sean; daughter-in-law, Kim; twin granddaughters, Anastasia and Caelynne; and sister, Linda and brother-in-law (and dear friend), David Taylor. H

DONALD RICHARD BATZE ’75

Donald R. Batze passed away on 20 August 2024 in Orlando, FL, after a long and heroic fight against cancer. He was 75 years of age.

Born and raised in Friant, CA, he was the son of Richard and Priscilla Batze. Following graduation from Sierra High School, Donald studied for four years at Fresno State and the University of Missouri.

Donald reported to the Naval Academy in 1971, where his classmates quickly knew him as “Doc.” Due to his prior college career, he held the distinction of being the oldest member of the graduating class, referring to himself as “WOM” (World’s Oldest Man). At Annapolis, Donald majored in English and served as a “three striper” on the regimental staff. He was considered the most literary scholar of

the Company, known for toting around historical and philosophical novels that were not associated with the curriculum. He proudly boasted that he would not let the Academy get in the way of his education! His classmates elected him as their honor representative all four years at the Academy; a testament to their respect for his integrity and good judgment.

Upon graduation with the Class of 1975, Donald served in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer with shipboard duty as legal officer on OKLAHOMA CITY and engineer on JOHN A. MOORE. He also served at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, where he was the Pacific Command’s maintenance representative.

Donald’s civilian career continued to serve the U.S. Navy in sales and management with Dresser Rand, managing compressor and steam turbine assets for the Pacific Fleet; and, with General Electric, managing power plant control systems. He finished his career as a sales manager for General Electric.

In retirement, Donald lived in Nampa, ID, and resumed his lifelong hobbies of fishing and birding. He relocated to Orlando, FL, in 2021.

Predeceased by his parents and brother, William, Donald is survived by his wife, Candice; their daughters, Kimberly (Thomas) and Tiffany (Thibauld); grandchildren, Molly, Dylan and Bentley; his sister, Elinor; and brother, Warren.

Donald was a devoted husband to Candice for 42 years, and a proud father and grandfather. He was a cherished friend to his Classmates, always available for spirited conversation and good advice. Even during his long sickness and up to the last few days of his passing, he ensured you left all conversations and visits uplifted.

Services were held at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA, on 26 September 2024. H

JOHN ALVIN DAVIS III ’76

It is with great pride that we remember Dr. John A. Davis III, who passed away on 10 June 2023, at MD Anderson in Houston, TX, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.

Born in New London, CT, John was the son of Commander John A. Davis Jr. ’46 and his wife, Agnes Barr Davis. He graduated from Kinkaid High School in Houston, TX, and then followed his father’s path by attending and graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of 1976, Seventh Company).

After serving honorably in the Navy, he earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and his MD from the University of Texas at Galveston. He became a board-certified emergency physician, practicing in both Knoxville, TN, which he dearly loved, and Houston.

John was the talented author of the military novels, Crisis Blue and Crisis Black. He also co-founded Five Vital Signs (5VS), a company developing lifesaving medical biosensors for the military, for which he earned the support of the U.S. Air Force, furthering his lifelong commitment to serving those in uniform.

Predeceased by his parents, John is survived by his wife, Diane; sisters, Heidi Barnes and Doreen Owen (Phil); brother, Arthur Davis (Heather); niece, Catherine Barnes; and nephews, Nick Barnes, Austin Barnes, Luke Davis and Hunter Davis; as well as his cousins, Kevin, Bobby, Jeff, Billy and Tom Barr.

John was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on 25 November 2024 beside his father, Commander John A. Davis Jr., USN (Ret.), reflecting their deep friendship and shared legacy of service. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at (doreendavisowen@gmail.com).

The Davis Family H

CURTIS JAMES SHAFFER ’76

It is with incredible sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Curtis James Shaffer on 3 September 2024, at the age of 69. He passed in his sleep at home in Malvern, PA, following many years of suffering with A-Fib.

“Curt” was born in Sewickley, PA, on 8 October 1954. He graduated from Great Valley High School in 1972, and as quarterback of the football team, set a passing record that stood for many years. Carrying forward his high school team name of “Patriots,” he became a lifelong patriot, spending his entire adult life in service to his country. Curt graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1976 and was commissioned into the Marine Corps.

As a marine aviator, he flew nuclear-ready A-6 and A-4 jets. As a participant in NATO war games in the North Sea in 1981, Curt was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for saving his plane, himself and his navigator when all reference and navigational systems malfunctioned.

After leaving the Marines, he continued to serve his country as a strategic defense contractor for the Department of Defense and other government agencies, specializing in defense technology and intelligence. In 1994, he and his team were awarded a Presidential Commendation for discovering/saving several thousand refugees fleeing the Rwandan genocide. This mission deeply impacted him for the remainder of his life.

Curt loved to laugh and he laughed often. He had a never-ending stream of stories from the Academy, his escapades as a Marine pilot and his encounters later in the Middle East and Africa.

His family will deeply miss his stories, his sense of humor, his love of country and especially his steadfast, unending love for his children and grandchildren.

Predeceased by his father, James B. Shaffer (2004), he is survived by his mother, Sandra Shaffer; sister, Karen Shaffer Hampton; daughters, Amanda Shaffer Shope, Julie Shaffer MacMinn and Kayla Shaffer; son, Andrew Shaffer; and grandchildren, Emma Shope, Jack Shope, Lily MacMinn and Danny MacMinn.

A memorial service honoring Curt’s life was held on 10 October 2024 at the Naval Academy Chapel, followed by inurnment and military honors at the Naval Academy Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in his memory to Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 (www. t2t.org); or to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development Department, 875 N Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203 (www.nmcrs.org). H

THOMAS MICHAEL SMITH ’76

Our friend and classmate, Tom Smith, passed away peacefully on 13 July 2024, in Gilbert, AZ. He was 69 years old.

Tom was born in Jacksonville, FL, and grew up in a Navy family, so he was from many places. He attended F.W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, VA, and graduated from Pensacola Catholic High School in Florida. He excelled in academics and track and field.

He entered the Naval Academy with his classmates and was assigned to the 30th Company on 6 July 1972. He was a good student and an even better friend and classmate.

Following graduation, Tom returned to Pensacola for basic and multi-engine flight training, earned his Wings and reported as a P-3 pilot in Jacksonville, FL, and later in Brunswick, ME. He later returned to Jacksonville as an instructor pilot.

Tom attracted good people to him, and his resting facial expression was a smile. In December 1981, he was the victim of a horrific traffic collision, which he barely survived. He recovered from a coma and although disabled, the ever-present smile remained as he started years of rehabilitation.

He did not have to do it on his own though. He had true angels on his shoulder, especially his parents, Pat and Ken ’52 (who predeceased him in May 2024 and February 2018), brother, Gregg ’77, Tom and Connie Verploegen, and Lori Stegner, who remained with him throughout his life. Tom’s family and mates are eternally grateful. We are also grateful that several of Tom’s friends and 30th Companymates were able to visit with him at his 10th and 20th reunions, and at the various rehab and assisted living facilities, most recently in Gilbert in February 2024.

Tom will always be remembered for his kind nature, wry sense of humor and his intense pride in his Navy career and of having served his country well!

Fair winds, clear skies, and following seas, Tom! You helped make us all better and we will miss you.

Please visit (https://tomsmith76.com) to view and share photos of Tom’s life. H

THOMAS ROLAND JACOB ’81

Captain Thomas R. Jacob, USNR (Ret.), passed away peacefully on 29 July 2024, following a courageous eight-month battle with cancer.

The Odenton, MD, resident was 67.

“Tom” was born on 31 July 1956 in Milwaukee, WI, to Elizabeth Ann and Robert Henry Jacob. The family moved frequently due to Robert’s Air Force career, eventually settling in Oklahoma City. Tom graduated with honors from Del City High School in Oklahoma City (1975). He enlisted in the Navy and completed boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station. Tom later attended the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, RI, followed by his appointment to the Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1981. He excelled at USNA, where he majored in oceanography.

Following graduation in May 1981, Tom married the former Beth Hackman and they lovingly raised two daughters together in Bowie, MD. They later divorced in 2003.

He completed Nuclear Power School, followed by Submarine School. He reported aboard NATHAN HALE in 1983 as a strategic weapons systems officer. He transferred to the Navy Reserve in 1986, retiring in 2009

with a total of 34 years of naval service. Tom earned a master’s degree in engineering management from The George Washington University in 1991.

For several years, Tom worked as a systems engineer for defense contractors in DC, most recently at the International Systems Management Corp. His responsibilities included overseeing missile defense programs and supporting submarine combat system development for the Office of Naval Research. He retired in September 2023.

Tom loved the Navy and cherished his friendships with several former USNA classmates, chairing the planning committee for the Class of 1981’s 35th and 40th reunions. He loved traveling, attending Orioles baseball and Navy football games, as well as photography, reading, cooking, grilling, the beach, biking and his beloved pet cats.

Tom is survived by his wife, Megan Mitchell Jacob; daughters, Lauren Larsson (David) and Melissa Clayton (Chuck); their mother, Beth Barbier (Louis); granddaughter, Alice Larsson; his mother, Elizabeth McCraw-Lewis; siblings, Deborah Earle, Saundra Young (Ron), James Jacob and Sheryl Edwards (Kerry); and two uncles, several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Tom lived life fully, including serving his country, giving back to his community and spending time with family and friends. He touched endless lives with his kindness, generosity and wisdom. He will be greatly missed.

A funeral service with military honors was held at the Naval Academy Chapel on 15 October 2024. H

BRIAN KEITH BELCHER ’83

Lieutenant Commander Brian K. Belcher, USN (Ret.), passed away peacefully on 25 September 2024 in Mystic, CT. He was 63 years old. Born in Texas City, TX, Brian was the eldest son of Ed and Ann Belcher. A standout student, he received a full scholarship to MIT and a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, choosing the latter. He was a member of the Class of ’83, 19th Company. During his time at Annapolis, Brian was involved in the Men’s Glee Club, Drum and Bugle Corps and various musical productions. His sharp mind and good humor earned him the nickname “Belch,” while his “never studying” persona belied his natural brilliance. Brian graduated with a BS in Marine Engineering and entered the Nuclear Submarine Force.

While awaiting orders, Brian met Patricia Schulz, a Navy nurse, in California. They reconnected after he completed his submarine officer training in Idaho Falls, ID. They were married nine months later and had three children together.

Brian’s naval career took him across the country, serving on both coasts and in Washington, DC. He served aboard fast attack submarines, including PLUNGER and ALEXANDRIA, and later as an instructor at Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa, NY. He completed 20 years of honorable service at ComSubRon 12 at Naval Submarine Base New London, CT.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Brian pursued his passion for teaching, earning certifications in tech ed and science and teaching high school physics at Plainfield High School. Eventually, he returned to his engineering roots, working at Electric Boat until his health began to fail.

Brian was known for his quick wit, gentle spirit and deep love of music. His guitar was a constant companion, especially at family gatherings. A member of AA and Celebrate Recovery for over 31 years, Brian lived a life marked by service and kindness, always ready to support others.

LAST CALL

Brian is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia; their daughters, Elizabeth Belcher (Lu) and Rebecca Ostermann (Jonathan); son, Jason Belcher (Luci); and six grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Pop Pop,” Huxiue, Quinn, Anji, Jude, Luke and James. He is also survived by his father, Ed; sister, Shari Smith; and brothers, Mark and Eric. He was predeceased by his mother, Ann.

In keeping with his wishes, Brian will be buried at sea.

Donations in his memory may be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org) or to your local library.

The Belcher Family H

BRETT MATTHEW PIERSON ’87

Captain Brett “Banya” Pierson, USN (Ret.), of Andover, KS, passed away on 18 August 2024 from a military service-related cancer, Grade 4 Glioma.

Born in Anchorage, AK, Brett loved to share stories about his humble beginnings, underscoring that the military was his ladder to success.

“My story started in a single-wide trailer in South Florida,” Brett said in an interview. “It was just my mom, my sister and I. We needed to find something fun to do that cost no money. And we went to an airshow. At that airshow, I saw the Blue Angels fly and had a dream of becoming a Navy jet pilot. — It happened!”

Encouraged by his mother, he applied to the Naval Academy.

Brett graduated in 1987 with a BS in aerospace engineering and earned a MS in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Brett later commanded the VFA-147 “Argonauts” and VX-9 “Vampires” and served as commodore of Naval Test Wing Atlantic.

He was also a Level 3 Acquisition professional; U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (TPS) Class 108 graduate; U.S. Air Force TPS director of curriculum standards and T-38 Talon/F-16 Falcon instructor; and Irregular Warfare Branch Chief in the J-8 Warfighting Analysis Division, serving as special advisor to General Stanley McChrystal.

While his operational aircraft included the S-3 Viking, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, his career featured more than 650 carrier arrested landings and 4,400 flight hours across 85 type/model/series aircraft.

He joined Textron Aviation Defense in 2017 as a senior defense, special missions, and commercial flight test and demonstration pilot; progressing to vice president of Light Attack and Scorpion Aircraft in 2018; vice president of Defense Strategy and Sales in 2020; and president and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense LLC in 2022.

A Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) Associate Fellow, he served on the local section and national board.

In addition to Sylvia, his Ring Dance date and wife of 37 years, Brett is survived by his sisters, Heather Hrivnak and Nicki Pierson; and Duffy, a rescued Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mix.

Celebrated as a man of honor, Brett was trustworthy and forged deep friendships, casting Liberty’s lamp far beyond our shores. Services took place at the Naval Academy Chapel on 22 November 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Pilots N Paws (www.pilotsnpaws.org); Compassion International (www.compassion.com); or the SETP Scholarship Foundation (www.setp.org/foundation/scholarship-foundation). H

JAMES BLAKE SMELLEY ’92

Commander James Blake Smelley, USN (Ret.), passed away peacefully on 15 August 2024, in Wenatchee, WA. He was surrounded by family, friends and USNA classmates. He was 55.

“Blake” was born on 5 May 1969 in Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated from Central Private High School in 1987. He was an Eagle Scout and excelled in football and power lifting. He attended LSU for one year before joining the Naval Academy Class of 1992 (15th and 22nd companies). When Blake wasn’t procrastinating doing his EE homework, he was setting land speed records in his ’89 Corvette.

Blake was everyone’s best friend, had an infectious laugh, never met a rule he didn’t want to break and miraculously got the last Navy pilot slot on service selection night. He was a champion of all things Southern and introduced his Yankee friends to the finer points of Louisiana cuisine, LSU Tiger football, Waylon Jennings, Mardi Gras king cakes and the correct pronunciation of New Orleans “N-awlins.”

After graduation, Blake attended Flight School in Corpus Christi, TX, and Pensacola, FL. His first fleet assignment was flying the SH-60B Seahawk at NAS Mayport, FL. Following his first tour, Blake was selected for a Prowler transition. He went through jet training in Kingsville, TX, and then reported to NAS Whidbey Island, WA, where he did his department head tour in the EA-6B Prowler. He had several staff tours, but his true love was flying. While on the VAQ staff, he got checked out in the FA-18 Super Hornet, which was the highlight of his aviation career.

Blake was a man of many interests and talents. He loved all machines, from cars to boats, to planes, to trains. When he wasn’t tinkering on his old Jeep, or riding his Harley, he could be found sailing his 23’ Sea Sprite, PAPER MOON, on Puget Sound. Blake loved to cook Cajun and was Tony Chachere’s biggest fan. Blake may also have been the world’s biggest train enthusiast and was always working on his next model train project. Blake is survived by his son, Nathan (14), who wants to attend USNA and be a fighter pilot; and his aunts, Phyllis and Mary.

He will be laid to rest in Baton Rouge next to his parents, Jimmy and Jennie, at a future date.

Godspeed, Blake, and laissez les bons temps rouler! H

OBITUARY GUIDELINES

Please note that we have a maximum word limit of 400 words. Obituaries may be submitted electronically (preferred) to obits@usna.com, or via U.S. Mail to: Shipmate obituaries, 301 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402.

If you have any questions regarding the submission of obituaries to Shipmate, please contact Timothy Elizabeth Woodbury (410-295-4064 or obits@usna.com).

Dear Classiﬁed Advertisers,

Thank you for choosing Shipmate for your promotional needs this past year.

I hope to continue serving you in 2025. Contact me with any changes or updates that you may want. If you are considering placing a classiﬁed, I look forward to assisting in getting your classiﬁed ad started in one or all six Shipmate issues — your choice!

Please review the Insertion Order below for the details. Shipmate classiﬁed ads are offered as a service to our alumni and/or their spouse and provide a great advertising value and exposure to our very special readership.

Plan your marketing strategy for the new year! I look forward to working with you whenever you decide to promote your business or service to fellow alumni.

Have a joyous and healthy holiday season, Maria O’Shea (maria.oshea@usna.com)

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. Ads are accepted camera-ready and electronically; jpg., tif. or PDF formats. (300 dpi) Any classified ad may occupy one column width (2.5 inches) by a maximum of up to 8 inches of column length.

Classified ad rates are $77 per inch for black and white and $100 per inch for color. A $50 set up fee is charged if ad is designed for advertiser. Life Members are eligible for a 25% discount—reducing the cost to $60 per inch for black and white and $70 for color. Please select the issue(s) in which you wish to run, or specify: RFN -“Run Until Further Notice.”

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Payment information must accompany order. Email Insertion Order and ad files to: maria.oshea@usna.com

USNA Alumni Association mailing address: Attn: Maria O’Shea 301 King George Street Annapolis, MD 21402

Call me with your questions: 410-295-4074

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE

Jeff Webb ’95 President/CEO

VOLUME 87 • NO. 6

Publisher Jeff Webb ’95; jeff.webb@usna.com

Editor Jimmy DeButts; jimmy.debutts@usna.com

Editorial

Assistant Editor

Anne Sharpe; anne.sharpe@usna.com

Design and Production

Art Director/Production Manager

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Assistant Production Manager/Classes Editor Maria O’Shea; maria.oshea@usna.com

Chapter, SIGs and Classes Editor

Sandra Stansbury-Spadaro sandy.spadaro@usna.com

Obituaries Editor

Timothy Elizabeth Woodbury timothy.woodbury@usna.com

Copyeditors

Captain Andrew Wilson ’77, USNR (Ret.) Kat Braz

Contributing Editor

Captain David Poyer ’71, USNR (Ret.)

Contributing Photographers

Captain Laura Hatcher ’92, USN (Ret.)

Debbie Latta and Kelly Eskelsen

Contact Shipmate

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S For Secretary use only, please

CONTACT US

U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation

301 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402 Main Phone 410-295-4000 Foundation Development 410-295-4100 Athletic & Scholarship Dev. 410-295-4095

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 and Foundation, 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 six times a year (January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October and November-December).

Copyrighted 2024 by the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc., 301 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 $10 each. Periodicals Postage Paid at Annapolis, MD, and at additional mailing offices.

All editorial matter should be addressed to Jimmy DeButts, p: 410-295-4085, jimmy.debutts@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, 301 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402-1306; p: 410-295-4062; alumni@usna.com.

410-295-4090

Kara Fagley Executive Administrator for the President 410-295-4092

ENGAGEMENT

TJ Grady ’96 410-295-4041

Executive Vice President, Engagement and Communications

Nancy Murray 410-295-4049

Sr. Director, Alumni Engagement and Outreach

Isaac Phillips ’19 410-295-4036

Director, Online Engagement and SIGs

Wendy Owen 410-295-4017

Director, Class Programs

Lori Coogan 410-295-4038

Director, Parent Programs

Carrie Carroll 410-295-4062

Membership/Records Assistant

Debbee O’Donnell 410-295-4052

Member Services Coordinator

Kathleen Rohrs 410-295-4044

Member Services Coordinator

Amy Garwood 410-295-4015

Director, Alumni Travel

Wes Huey ’87 410-295-4023

Executive Dir., Strategy and Legacy Programs

Gwenn Dennis 410-295-4091

Director, Memorial Affairs

Mike Lowe ’98 410-295-4106

Dir. Alumni Support & AA Revenue Generation

Service Academy Career Conference

Tonya McGinnis 410-295-4022

Director, SACC

Melissa Nelson 410-295-4021

Assistant Director, SACC

COMMUNICATIONS

John Schofield 410-295-4080

Executive Director of Communications

Emily Lucht 410-295-4047

Director, Digital Communications

Jackie Furton 410-295-4073

Art Director

Heather Payne 410-295-4033

Creative Director of Communications

Grace Doerfler 410-295-4018

Graphic Designer

Jimmy DeButts 410-295-4085

Editor

Anne Sharpe 410-295-4078

Assistant Director, Communications

Maria O’Shea 410-295-4074

Assistant Production Manager

Sandra Stansbury-Spadaro 410-295-4076

Communications Specialist

Sarah Trimmer 410-295-4077

Digital Communications Coordinator

Hannah Munnelly 410-295-4053

Comms & Digital Engagement Strategy Lead

Timothy Elizabeth Woodbury 410-295-4064

Memorial Affairs Manager

FLUEGEL ALUMNI CENTER

Don Kennedy ’92 410-295-4063

Senior Director, Events and Facilities

Scott Gaiser ’05 410-295-4068

Dir., Real Estate and Facilities Maintenance

Elizabeth Beedenbender 410-295-4166

Dir., Enterprise Operations, Fluegel Alumni Center

John Cooper 410-295-4031

Facilities Manager

John Taylor 410-295-4029

Facilities Assistant

Cyndi Morgan ’93 410-295-4024

Facilities Worker

Bridgette Lundfelt 410-295-4030

Associate Director, Event Sales and Marketing

Laura Cylc 410-295-4014

Events Coordinator

Kylie Freeburger 410-295-4081

Events Coordinator

Danielle Milanette 410-295-4054

Events Coordinator

Judy Buddensick 443-994-2511

Partnership Marketing Liason

TREASURY

AND OPERATIONS

John Coppola 410-295-4040

Executive Vice President/CFO

Lisa Strobel 410-295-4051

Executive Director, Finance

Tim Smith 410-295-4059

Director, Financial Reporting

Mikayla Owens 410-295-4129

Director, Investment Reporting & Special Projects

Linda Reyes 410-295-4056

Director, Revenue Specialist

Janet Douglas 410-295-4057

Staff Accountant

Patricia “Patty” Ratigan 410-295-4028

Staff Accountant

Andrea Wabo 410-295-4155

Staff Accountant

Dawn Beach 410-295-4177

Payroll Manager

Gladys Sanchez 410-295-4112

Accounts Payable Specialist

Gift Administration Team

Darlene Jackson 410-295-4131

Director, Gift Administration

Elvira Reyes 410-295-4116

Senior Gift Manager

Erica Miller 410-295-4125

Gift Administrator II

Jodi Reilly 410-295-4114

Gift Administrator II

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Garrett Keating 410-295-4087

Director, Information Technology

Jordan Bailey 410-295-4060

Sr. Assoc. Dir., Enterprise Network and Security

Denise Clark 410-295-4079

Associate Director, Data Services

Derrick Planz 410-295-4067

Associate Director, Software Developer

Rick Clark 410-295-4088

Associate Director, Information Technology

Sean Henson 410-295-4083

AV Technician

Dustin Tripp 410-295-4086

Security Specialist

Ryan Haddaway 410-295-4089

Help Desk Technician

Ashley Norfolk 410-295-4084

SQL Application Developer

Umar Gbadamosi 410-295-4082

SQL Database Engineer

HUMAN RESOURCES

Dr. Joy Jones 410-295-4048

Executive Director, Human Resources

Tom Cloutier 410-295-4050

Senior Manager, Human Resources

Nan Hooe 410-295-4045

Benefits Specialist

DEVELOPMENT

Bill O’Connor 410-295-4101

Executive Vice President

Abby Repko 410-295-4103

Exec. Administrator/Principal Gift Administrator

Tonya Grant 410-295-4108

Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations

Rachel Johnson 410-295-4109

Asst. Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations

Major Gifts

Michael Hoffman 410-295-4184

Vice President, Development

Ashley “AJ” Bauer 410-295-4160

Managing Regional Director of Development

Mariah Sakellaris 410-295-4187

Assistant Director of Regional Development

John Maconi 410-295-4185

Regional Director of Development

Dean Castaldo 410-295-4052

Managing Regional Director, Development

STAFF AND ASSISTANCE

DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED

Chelsea Clute

410-295-4123

Regional Director of Development

Ted Ahrens 410-295-4183

Regional Director of Development

Lexxie Monahan 410-295-4128

Regional Director of Development

Anissa Kossakowski 410-295-4182

Regional Director of Development

Misie King 410-295-4178

Admin. Manager of Development

Ashley Register 410-295-4178

Admin. Coordinator, Regional Development

Prospect Development and Research

Annie Ferry 410-295-4120

Analyst, Research & Portfolio Management

Mary Barto 410-295-4190

Analyst, Research & Portfolio Management

Paula Whisted 410-295-4189

Director, Research & Portfolio Management

Planned Giving

Jennifer Macris 410-295-4105

Assistant Director, Planned Giving

Mikala Ragin 410-295-4117

Administrative Coordinator, Planned Giving

Annual Programs

Gabrielle Kulcsar 410-295-4147

Executive Director, Annual Giving Programs

Dan Quattrini ’81 410-295-4167

Director, Class Legacy Gift Programs

Megan Farmer 410-295-4188

Director, President’s Circle

Sara Brown 410-295-4130

Coordinator, Class Giving Programs

Karen Hicks 410-295-4119

Coordinator, Class Giving Programs

Donor Relations and Stewardship

Natalie Brianas 410-295-4102

Exec. Dir., Donor Relations and Stewardship

Travis Galaska 410-295-4111

Sr. Assoc Dir., Donor Relations and Stewardship

Hannah Geib 410-295-4127

Assoc. Dir., Campaign Operations

Nicolle Teixeira 410-295-4181

Director, Donor Engagement and

Strategic Partnerships

Sarah Jane Dunaway 410-295-4124

Assoc. Dir., Development Communications

Jamie Janette 410-295-4113

Coordinator, Donor Relations and Stewardship

Megan Kowalski 410-295-4107

Senior Development Writer

Strategic Advancement Resources

Adriana Bitoun 410-295-4150

Executive Director of STAR Team

Beth Spicer

410-295-4149

Director, Info. Management and Reporting

Joshua Henrietta 410-295-4154

Asst. Dir., Info. Management and Reporting

Stephanie Reuer 410-295-4153

Assistant Director, Gift Funds Compliance

FOUNDATION ATHLETIC AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Don Hughes ’88 410-295-4096

Vice President

Tracey Cook 410-295-4164

Director

Mariola Baker

Assistant Director

QUICK REFERENCE

410-295-4098

Death Notifications obits@usna.com 410-295-4064

Class Ring Information classrings@usna.com

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Donate 410-295-4115

Membership Updates 410-295-4000

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U.S. Naval Academy Athletics 410-293-2700