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Shipmate 2021-2025

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

Jan-Feb 2025

PASSING FLAG TO LINK IN THE CHAIN

At the Council of Class Presidents, Gordo passed our flag to the Class of ’08 carrier so that it can be passed to the Class of 2058.  Thanks to Class of 58 donors and Class of 08 carriers.

                                                                                                  Gordo passed our flag to the Class of ’08

 THE CRUISE OF 1955 ACCORDING TO DAVE AULT

 13 July - foggy all day - Rudely awakened at 0500 - muster at 0515 and then to the job.  It was interesting but we certainly didn’t do anything to warrant getting up so early.  Lucky for me, I posted the Mid Off watch at 0645 so didn’t have to turn to - I hate to do it anyway!  Last day of gunnery today - had the office watch so just sat around.  Broke away for a shower (needed it!) About 1600.  New stripers started taking over.  Bill Hall let me off watch to go see the movie - my first Mickey Spillane show “The Long Wait” - just like his books and sexy, you know?  I hit the rack right afterward - to sleep, perchance to dream?

 14 July -  comme-ci, comme-ca - On watch at 0600; then to quarters at 0800; looked like I was finally settling down to a cruise, when I was asked to work in the office again.  It’s okay with me - no watches, no nothing.  Today was well filled up - I did stand OO messenger from 1200 to 1400 and then went to gun-firing - We finally fired the 40’s.  I was a lot loader - Talk about noise!  I’m beginning to realize what John went through (brother John served on San Jacinto ’43-’45 in the So. Pacific) - Takes but little imagination.  Did a little work afterwards and then to chow, some letters, to work and to bed at 2130.  I want to go home - Only 20 more days until I find out what’s going to happen.  To sleep by the music of J. Gleason - can you believe it!  But that’s what is coming over the system - Oh, home, here I come.

 15 July - C’est BELLE - I’m lying out on the fantail while writing this - it’s 1900 nearly ; we set the clocks back an hour when it is exactly.  It’s rather beautiful out - late sun shining brightly and quite warmly too - The New Jersey is right behind us and the Siboney trails  her with the other ships scattered off our port beam.  There’s water, water everywhere - the PA system is giving out with a great mixture of Glenn Miller, Joni James, Kay Starr and Mario Lanza.  It’s really quite an enjoyable setting - but I’m sort of lonesome - as if I was lacking something - How enjoyable this would be if there were just two of us sailing across this wide ocean - Certainly not an original idea, but still a romantic, wonderful one.  I wonder if I’ve met her yet?  I will though - there must be a mate that fate created me for.

 Up at 0530 - To the office though, instead of the replenishing detail with everyone else.  Not a bad break, I must say.  Today was field day too - another one I escaped from.  How long before my luck breaks?  I didn’t do too much hard labor either - recorded a few grades, ran errands and sat around — Had gun firing and lectures again this afternoon.  We fired at the poor little drone today - instead of the 5” bursts of yesterday.  We did hit it too, but didn’t knock I down.  Maybe later.  We’ll show it who’s boss.  Hit the movie tonight - at the moment I don’t know the name of it - Expect to hit the rack immediately after - It’s such a welcome thought.  (“Far Country”)

 (TO BE CONTINUED)

 CLOSING RANKS 

     Joan MacLean – Wife of Rupert MacLean died on 29 November 2024

            William Schramm 17^th Company died on 10 November 2024

            Gary Minar died on 24 October 2024

            Donald McGarrigle died on 13 October 2024

            James Mount passed away on 2 October 2024

            Theodore Morgan passed away on 21 September 2024

            James Estep died on 20 November 2024

FROM BILL FAY, BEST FRIEND OF JIM ESTEP: Jim talked often of the valuable experience of attending the Naval Academy.  As his best friend, I often heard the stories of life in the military, something I had never experienced. If you are from the Class of ‘58, I would enjoy hearing from you.  [email protected]

NOTE ON JOAN MACLEAN FROM GORDO: Those of you who have been to a Navy home game for at least the past 20 years will remember being greeted by Joan's happy smile. She will be dearly missed.

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

NOV-DEC 2024

■  ARRIVEDERCI IN ASCOLI PICENO – When Ron Eytchlson ,1^st 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.  Ron says their most recent trip in June may be the last, but what an adventure.  

■  ANOTHER RING STORY – This one is from C. Vern Hanna, 24^th Company.  During 1^st Class year spring break Vern went home to Charlston WV traveling by train.  On the way back to Annapolis he took a night train to Washington planing to visit some of the sights before taking aa 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 battalion saying that a relative of theirs had found the ring and recognized what it was.  A week later Vern traveled back to DC to collect the ring.  Proof yet again that God looks over babies, drunks and Midshipmen.

 ■  UNUSUAL ART FORMS – Pat Hanavan, 24^th 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, 20^th Company, and his friend Sally Jones and Nils and Beverly Rueckert, 6^th 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 I and many others were sorry to go in a way, but glad to get out at the same time.  I and many others were sorry to go in a way, but glad to get out too.  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 lettter  from Mom on my arrival – can't wait to get home.

  11 July – Dick'sbirthday – 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 1630said a final goodbye to England – it was a nice country.   I'll come back – though I've  no one to see.  Mom must come some day.  Caught up on this dam 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 till 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 awhile.  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 7^th Company died on 9 September 2024

            Philip Granum 4^th Company passed on 30 June 2024

            John Griffiths  6^th Company, died on 4 April 2024

            John Brophy 5^th Company died on 19 June 2024

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

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

            Tom Rosser 1^st Company died on 31 August 2024

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

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER  2024   

◙  KEEP THOSE 58 FLAGS FLYING! -

  Our Class of 1958 flag was a sensation when it was first flown at the Naval Academy.  Since then it has been flown around the world at all kinds of events and in all kinds of locations (I flew mine at John McCains 2008 convention).  It has flown on ships and even in space with Bruce McCandless.  Now there is a plan to keep the flag flying in memory of the Class of 1958.  Our Class leaders will collect donated flags and pass them to the leaders of the Class of 2008 who will in turn pass them to the Class of 2058 when the time comes.  If you want to participate please contact our Class President Gordon Gerson or our Class Corresponding Secretary (me).

◙   LUNCHEONS (PLURAL) -

  The Washington DC chapter of the Class of 1958 held their May luncheon at the Army-Navy Country Club. On 30 May  The guest speaker was Dr. Chris Rentirow, Captain USN (re), USNA Class of 1989.  He is the Director of 10 Navy Museums including the Museum at the Washington Navy Yard, the USNA Museum and the USS Constitution.  Attending were Fred and Jackie Victor, Beverly Smedberg, Pete and Julie Russell, Kay Powell, Beverly Polski, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Jean LeBer, Bob Lance, Taylor Keith, Marty Hill, Mike and Ellen Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Linda Gamboa, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Joe and Jane Carty, Charlie Brooks, Dan Bellay and Jack and Ann Adams.

Our Classmates in Washington have more luncheons then there are issues of Shipmate so here is a report on the July luncheon.  The event started with a business meeting which I will not report on (I didn't think folks our age still had business meetings, but what do I know?)  This was followed by a guest speaker presentation, but the invited guest speaker was unable to attend (word of a business meeting probably scared him off).  It is hoped that VADM Ed Straw USN (ret), USNA Class of 61 will be able to attend a future luncheon when there is no business scheduled.  Harry Hurst presented a discussion of the Navy football program and the outlook for 2024. Harry noted that several of the best Navy players have turned down offers to transfer to other schools and those offers came with big money.  Attending the luncheon were 23 of the usual suspects.

 Our Class President, Gordon Gerson, continues is his quest to collect swimming medals and ribbons.  In his latest effort at the U.S. National Short Course Swimming Championships tin Indianapolis o he added to his collection. (short course means the pool is 25 yards long, long course means it is 50 M long.}  As you will notice from the photo Gordo swam and scored in a number of different events.

GORDO' SCORES AGAIN - 

◙  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – (continued)

 8 July  - (Still in port in the UK) – Up at 1000 and down for breakfast. H and I then took off for Buckingham, arrived just in time to see the Queen drive off.  Met a local man who gave us a very thorough tour of the things to see – got many pictures – we saw the Palace, Westminster, Margaret's home, St. Pauls, Scotland yard, Parliament, Curiosity Shop, St. James and other things – very interesting and much more  to see.  Went back to the hotel to eat and then window shopping and then back for a tour of WestministerAbbey – much to see.  I certainly hope Mom can see it all.  Oh yes, we went to see Mr. Hill at the wine cellar and he offered to get us tickets to Kismet.  We drank some wine and talked – Dick and David had gotten the last two tickets to Danny Kaye's show at the Palladium but Harlow and I went down five minutes before the show started and got two great seats.It was a great show topped off by the wonderful Mr. Kaye.  It was a great thrill to see him and he certainly was great.  Sang, joked, and kidded around.  Hit Piccadilly afterward and thenate.  Caught the Follies afterwards – quite a spectacularar but there was a noticrable lack of real talent.  We talked with more girls , it's reqally interestin.  But no deals.  Came back to the hotel early and hit the rack after a bath. Mr. Hill did get us tickets, GREAT.

 9 July Sat – Is this London weather?  Up at 0900 and down to eat – had to go to the Bank to straighten out our little exchange troubles  - then to Buckingham for the changing of the Guard – quite colorful and great to watch.  Got much movies.  Said cherrio to Mr. Young, picked up our Kismet tickets, plus two the matinee of the “Kiing and I”.  Went back to eat and then down to old Drury Lane for the show.  It was very good.  After the show we went back and cleaned up and then struck out for the theater – met Dale and Barry who were lucky enough to get tickets to the show – right back of us no less.  We ate in a little cafe and then went back for the show.  It was a great mixture  of singing and dancing, actng and sex.  It was really great to see – headed back for Pickadilly after the show – met a couple of girls – I left Harlow talking with one – My bed wasempty tonight.

 (stay tuned for more of Merry Old England in the next issue of Shipmate '58)

 ◙  CLOSING RANKS

William Pivarnik 16^th Company, died on 18 May 2024

Victor Fredda 10^th Company, died on 4 June 2024

Francis Hasagawa 17^th Company, died on 4 June 2024

Jack Brophy 5^th Company, died on 19 June 2024

Jason Mayhew 22^nd Company, passed away on 5 December 2023

Ann Mayhew, spouse of Jason, passed away on 29 June 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JULY-AUGUST 2024

■  WEDDING BELLS – Bill Withers, 19^th Company, reported the Happy News that he and Marie Johnson were married on April 28^th in Fort Collins.  In June the newlyweds honeymooned on an American Cruise Line cruise along the Maine coast.  As Bill said, you can't keep a sailor from the sea.

  “Sail On, Sail On, O Ship of Love

To a Timeless Place, We Sail On

Where Our Souls Entwine like Celestial Doves

In Eternal Bliss, Forever Free”

“Bill and Marie Withers”

 ■  NOTE FROM VERN HANNA – There were 4 of our Classmates who contributed to the new USNAAA building.  Two of them were Vern Hanna, 24^th Company and Dave Burden, 19^th Company.  Vern and Dave both went into the Supply Corps after graduation.  As happens their careers took different paths both in the Navy and later, but recently Vern was able to contact Dave and they had a very long conversation.  Classmates, shipmates, friends forever.

  ■  USNA SUPERINTENDENT – There have been 59 Naval Academy Superintendents starting with Franklin Buchanan.  The current Supe is VADM Yvette Davids USN, Class of 1989.  She is also a graduate of the Naval War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.  At sea she served as CIC and Comms Officer on the USS San Jose (AFS 7), as Operations Officer on the USS David Ray (DD 971) and as Operations Officer on the USS Normandy (CG 60), as XO on the USS Higgins (DDG 76) and as XO on the USS Benford (DDG 65).  She was Commanding Officer of the USS Curtis (FFG 38), and the USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and was Commander of the Nimitz Strike Group/Carrier Strike Group 11.

“GORDO and the SUPE”

 ■    SUMMER CRUISE, 1955 (continued) –

4 July – Beautiful day.  It's Independence Day and a great way to celebrate it with my first view of my ancestor's homeland.  We did get a glimpse of France, also French radio stations.  Anchored at about 1000 – many salutes to other ships, many places and distinguished guests, twenty-one guns at 1200.  We were underway at that time and tied up at about 1330.  We were full dressed as was everyone else – HMS Victory was in Portsmouth Harbor.  We all “volunteered” for a tea dance on the Siboney.  Is was poor – no pretty girls.  I wasn't feeling like eating either.  Harlow and I finally got out at 1900 and checked on the mail back at the Iowa.  One from Ruthie – sweet reliable Ruthie.  I'm looking forward to seeing her – she isn't overly intelligent in her letters, but is certraintly sincere and loving.  I'll get to see her a couple of times, I know.  Well, we went in to town – had a steak at a little cafe after a short visit to our first English Pub.  Talked with some English Chiefs.  We then looked the town over – was badly bombed, but is on the way back.  Many new stores.  That's how we spent the remaining time, window shopping.  Came back and found letters from dear MN and Ellie.  Wonderful, faithful Ellie too.  She knows what mail means to me.  Finally to bed after the letter reading – watch tomorrow – office, as usual.  Should be an easy duty day.

  5 July – Another beautiful day. An uneventful morning – typed and ran errands.  The big event of the day was the Lord Mayor's party.  Another “volunteer” job which no one looked forward to.  But after they arrived they soon changed their minds.  All the free liquor, beer, strawberries and ice cream one could eat.  The only trouble was that girls were at a minimum.  The party was a “smashing” success – I had to leave at eight and go back and post the watch – At ten I got a standby and went into town for something to eat – a couple of English hamburgers for Bill Hull, the OD and Jim M.  Went to bed right away and slept like a log.

  6 July – Ditto.  Posted the watch at reveille – didn't have to turn to on the damn decks.  Did go to quarters and got hell for being late – no sweat.  Gold brick through the morning and finally hit the beach at 1300.  Hit a couple of pubs, watched some cricket and then went shopping around – didn't buy much – went out to the Pier and saw the monkeys and also hit a dance at the Savoy.  Many girls, but I didn't do any dancing – finally went across the road to the dance at the Pier.  How can you lose at 6 d's?  Still didn't dance – but met a cute little gal with whom I watched the fireworks.  She was affectionate enough and we made a tentative date for 1300 on Sunday.  Went back to the ship and to bed.  London tomorrow.

  7 July – Will it never cease.  Rigged the awning this morning -dammed working first division.  We finished though and looked forward to our trip to the biggest of big towns.  But the usual damn Navy procedure took over.  We sat on deck for one hour and then we sat in the buses for another one before we got underway at 1445.  I swear that I'll never go Navy line!  They're so FUBAR.  It wasn't a bad trip by bus though – beautiful countryside – much like New England.  We got to town at 1800 -had a good meal after getting a room with Dave Shorter and Dick.  Harlow and I again of course.  The hotel doesn't compare with the Madrid's Plaza.  No private bath, etc.  It's nice though and all one needs is a rack.  Harlow and I headed immediately for Piccadilly but ran into the Palace on the way.  And who should be there but “Les Companions de la Chanson”!  They were terrific needless to say – much younger than I had expected.  Their “Jimmy Brown” was of course the hit song of the evening.  A very enjoyable show.  We go to Piccadilly afterwards – very disappointed to find everything closes at 2300 here.  It looked like Time Square with all it's lights but was otherwise dead – met many people we knew and talked with the prostitutes Very much more expensive than in Madrid – not as attractive either.  Harlow and I and Jim C. did go with three girls to a clip joint, but saved ourselves before spending too much.  I hate places like that.  We walked-out.  Harlow went to bed, but Jim met another girl that he seemed attracted to – I thought she was a very poor specimen of the wonderful sex and left him in disgust.  I did catch Marlene Dietrich exit from her Cafe de Paris – quite attractive, but she doesn't look 39 by any means.  Grabbed a taxi and went home to bed – was the last one home as usual.

 ■  CLOSING RANKS -

Sam Werbel, 23^rd Company, died on 1 April 2024

John Potter, 19^th Company, died on 31 March 2024

Pat Greene, 7^th Company, passed away on28 March 2024

George McNulty, 21^st Company, died on 11 April 2024

Robert Mason, 9^th Company, passed away on 5 April 2024

Lou Shane, 16^th Company, died on 13 February 2024

Phil Taylor, 1^st Company, died on 18 May 2024

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MAY-JUNE 2024

  ■  CLASS OF 1958 COLOR HONOREE – The children of Jess and Marge Hernandez recently surprised Jess by arranging with the Naval Academy Museum to create a display honoring Marge, who was our Class of '58 Color Girl, (Honoree is the present title).  The Museum exhibit says it best, “Margaret “Marge” Hernandez, nee Spencer, was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia.  She earned a degree in English Literature from the University of Richmond and later a master's degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University.  While at University of Richmond Marge began dating Midshipman Jesse Hernandez.  Hernandez was the Company Commander of 3^rd Company, the 1958 color Company.  At the Color Parade that June she wore this dress with a large hoop skirt and a white hat with a wide brim and blue and gold ribbons.  While pursuing her own passions, Marge supported and encouraged Jesse throughout a thirty six year Naval career in which he reached the rank of Rear Admiral.  Marge was a founding member of the Navy Arlington Ladies, a volunteer organization who ensures that every person buried at Arlington Cemetery has someone in attendance.  She also volunteered with the Navy- Marine Corps Relief Society and served as a Deacon at her church.  Marge passed away on March 31, 2022 and was later laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  She is remembered for her intellect, kindness, and devotion to family and friends.”

“1958 COLOR PARADE”

■  JOHN MCCAIN ARRIVES IN NORTH VIETNAM – I recently came across a photo of John McCain at the time of his capture in North Vietnam in 1967.  When he ejected from his plane he landed in TrueBach Lake in Hanoi.  The photo shows a number of North Vietnamese (fishermen?) who captured/rescued John.  The beginning of what would be a long ordeal.

“JOHN MCCAIN IN TRUE BACH LAKE, HANOI”

   ■  CALIFORNIA DREAMING (part one) – Chuck Smith sent in a report of a '58 gathering for lunch at the Coronado Golf Course in San Diego in February 2024.  In the picture, from the left, are Mike and MaryAnn Chapple, Chuck and Tamara Smith, Lance Massey, Marty McCullough, Tom Fleming's date Meredith and Tom, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Collette Harshberger, Lori Cook and Madelyn Fenick.

“HAPPY DAYS IN SAN DIEGO”

 ■  CALIFORNIA DREAMING (part two) – Golf is big in California and especially so in San Diego.  Shortly after the luncheon reported above some of the guys took to the links in Coronado.  No report on their scores so the picture was probably taken before they played.  From the left are Mike Chapple, Taylor Keith and Chuck Smith.

“SUNSHINE, WARM WEATHER AND GOLF IN CALIFORNIA”

 ■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – PART VIII (from the diary of Dave Ault, 10^th Company)

  30 June – Poor weather with rain.  PayDay!  $59.00.  It went very fast though.  $22.75 for the London trip and then $20.00 for clocks.  I'm spending it like water now, must stop soon.  Have great hopes of coming back here with Frank in two years so must save the money.  It was a great day except for the weather.  We didn't do any work early, just stood in lines.  Finally did do some firing at GQ, but again not I.  Maybe tomorrow.  The darn things sure do make a racket.  It must be hell during a battle.  I hope I never have to experience it.  No movie tonight.  It's inside again.  It's getting pretty cold as we head north.  The white hats went into blues today and we have inspection in blue service on Saturday.  But not me!  Again Lady Luck is with me and I'm a compartment cleaner.  I'll work tomorrow and Saturday morning, but the rest of it is easy.  This free time is wonderful.  I never realized what I was missing.  I don't like turning out so early though.  Oh, for the life of a Spaniard.  Well, to bed before I start thinking again.

   I July – Rainy, cold.  My first field day, but again I luck out as I also got my first watch.  Compartment cleaner of the smallest compartment aboard ship.  We did work though and got it cleaned up pretty well.  Went to lecture, but gun-firing was cancelled because of the weather.  Hit the hay early – dropped off soon enough.

  2 July – Cold, sunny.  Big inspection day.  Our compartment was of course, excellent.  While others stood at attention, us duffers hit the steel deck down on Broadway for an hour's sleep.  It's so easy to sleep anywhere, anytime nowadays.  Trouble was I couldn't go right to sleep at night.  Yes and I worked this afternoon – stowed the damn refueling gear and painted water ways, etc.  I don't like to work, I've decided.  Did go to my first inside movie - “Rhapsody” with Liz Taylor.   I liked the story, music and Liz – wasn't bad all in all.  Had to fold up my laundry when I came back and then to bed.

  3 July – Cold, cloudy.  This miserable North Atlantic weather – isn't it ever warm?  We're wearing sweater or shirts since those idiotic ROTC's said ours were nonreg.  Those crazy asses!  Today was another lazy one – turned to at 0800 and just cleaned the place up a bit.  Then secured at 1045.  Picked up pounds at noon after a most vivid lecture on VD by the ship's Doc.  Anchor tomorrow.

  ■  CLOSING RANKS

  Buck Belcher, 1^st Company, passed away on 17 October 2023

Robert Lamoureux, 2^nd Company, died on 24 November 2023

Chris Naquin, 10^th Company, died on 28 November 2023

Jack Cresko, 21^st Company, died on 10 January 2024

Charles Graham, 15^th Company, passed on 28 January 2024

Liles Creighton, 14^th Company, died on 2 March 2024

Donald Carty, 20^th Company, died on 7 March 2024

Joanne Coyle, widow of Frank Coyle, 23^rd Company, passed away on 23 February 2024

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MARCH – APRIL 2024

  ■  THOMAS BUELL, USNA 1958, 12TH COMPANY – Admiral Raymond Spruance USN, one of our most famous Naval Officers in WWII lived in Pebble Beach CA in his retirement years and was a member of a local men's club which I currently belong to.  Recently I was asked to give a talk to the club on the life of Admiral Spruance.  I obtained a copy of the biography of Admiral Spruance titled “The Quiet Warrior” and discovered that the author was our Classmate Tom Buell.  As I further discovered Tom was a well known author and historian.  He received the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Distinguished Contribution to Naval Literature from the Naval Order of the United States and the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement from the Navy League.  He also was the author of “Master of Sea Power” a biography of Admiral of the Fleet Ernest King and numerous other articles and books.  Tom passed away in 2002, but left behind a well done legacy.  (“The Quiet Warrior” is a great read if you are interested in WWII in the Pacific.)

 ■  THE WASHINGTON SOCIAL WHIRL – On 30 November 2023 the DC chapters of USNA 58 and USMA 58 gathered for their annual pre Army/Navy football game luncheon.  Harry Hurst (Navy) and Brad Johnson (Army) were the speakers.  Attending from our Class were Jack and Ann Adams, Dan Bellay, Paul and Carolyn Brown, Linda Gamboa, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Harry Hurst, Taylor Keith, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Barbara Polski, and Pete and Julie Russell. 

 Paul Brown presented the following poem which he wrote.

                                        The Great '58

On the 4^th of June 1958 we graduated from West Point and the USNA

     That morning was sixty five very long years ago, that was yesterday

Time flows in one direction only, to the present and future from the past

     If only we could revisit that day so very long ago and make it forever last

We served in the mountains, jungles, heat and rain of South Vietnam

     and sailed underneath the polar ice of the Arctic Ocean for our Uncle Sam

We served our country on land, in the air and under the deep blue sea

     Our goal to keep the USA, the land of the brave and the home of the free

If only we could reverse that flow of time and revisit those years long past

     Joyful times with classmates long ago would be absolutely unsurpassed

May God bless our deceased classmates from the Great Fifty Eight

     their families, wives, children and grandchildren.  May their futures be great

  ■  MORE SOCIAL WHIRLING IN DC– On 8 December our Class Washingtonians gathered at a Crystal City sports pub to view the Army/Navy game.  (The name of the pub and the game are best forgotten.)  On 14 December it was time for the annual Christmas luncheon at the Army/Navy Country Club.  Whitey and Lois Edwards provided festive centerpieces and Polly Mitchell and Dan Bellay provided the music for Christmas carols.

■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – PART VII (from the diary of Dave Ault, 10^th Company)

  27 June - Anchors Away and right on schedule.  It was a sad day seeing Spain disappear.  I have to come back.  Maybe for a little longer stay.  I would make that darn train ride all over again just for one night with her in Madrid.  How long before I'll forget her?  Probably as soon as we hit London or soon after.  What a fool I am!  Last day in the office.  The XO sort of wanted us out.  So did CDR Nash.  It's all right with me though they are darned screwed up.  But must remember they are ROTCs.  We got out at 1600 and didn't go back.  It is great to go out and just be on a blanket until movie time.  Worked on my plane.  Don't see how I can get it home if I finish it.  Guess I won't.  Did practice on my castanets though.  Should have them down pat by the time I get home.”His Majesty O'Keefe” wasn't too bad.  Typical Burt Lancaster at his fair to middling though.  Had a pleasant surprise when I hit the rack.  Letter from Mom.  Very good, long one.  Full of good news too.  Dick's graduation and Sara tied for first in her class.  Hope she keeps it up for three more years.  I think it is just as important and I certainly practice what I preach.  Oh Life, how wonderful you are, especially over on this side of the ocean.  It was a great night of sleep to look forward to.  To bed so early.

  June – A full day of sailing.  It isn't rough at all yet.  Still in the Med.  My first day as a sailor doesn't seem as bad as working in the office was.  Much more free time and am outside all day.  Went to the movie again. “King Richard and the Crusaders”.  Had already seen it, but it was nice to look at Ginny Mayo again.  To bed early again.  Guess it will be a common practice from now on.  At least as long as I stand no watches.  Hope they forgot my name since I haven't gotten any yet.  They are so screwed up they probably have.   Spain is rapidly disappearing.  Africa has come up on the port beam.  Not as clearly seen as when we came in.  We should be out at sea again tomorrow.  Started a letter to MN tonight.  It's going to last a couple of days I guess.  I wish I'd written more often, but then her last letter seemed cooler than previously they have been.  Hope she still wants to come to Maine.  Buenos Noches all.

  29 June – Belle jour.  Up at 0600, turn to at 0615.  Turned in first Cruise Journal assignments.  It doesn't seem too bad as long as one pays attention at lectures.  And that's not too easy on a hot day.  Went through the usual GQ and gun firing.  Free tomorrow.  Was all decked out for a cool evening at the movies when they announced it would be inside.  That finished that.  Went to the rack immediately.  Wrote another page or two to MN.  It is getting to be a diary now.  Must get another one off to Mom and Ruthie, also brother Dick's birthday is coming up.  Graduation congrats too.  It's great to hear that he made it.  Sara too.  To bed real early.  Probably won't sleep all night.

  ■  BETTER LATE THAN NEVER DEPARTMENT – Dianne Hughes the widow of Massie Hughes, 3^rd Company visited Iceland last year with Neta Sharp the widow of Stan Sharp, 1^st Company and

Dianne sent me this picture of the two of them with the “58 IS GREAT” flag.  I misfiled the email, but Dianne followed up and resent her email.  Way to go Dianne.

Diana Hughes and Neta Sharp in Iceland

 ■  CLOSING RANKS

  William Simmons, 7^th Company, passed away on 11 December 2023

Alan Chodorow, 12^th Company, died on 9 January 2024

Harry Konkel, 6th Company, died on 6 January 2024

William Simmons, 7^th Company, passed on 11 December 2023

William Smith, 4^th Company, died on 25 November 2023

Arthur Immerman, 2^nd Company, died on 6 May 2023

Marcia Stephenson, wife of Hap Stephenson, 15^th Company, died on 21 July 2021

Shelia Lanoue, wife of Bob Lanoue, 24^th Company, died on 13 January 2024

Penelope Rogers, widow of Richard Rogers, 20^th Company died on 28 October 2023

Grace Chevalier, wife of John Chevalier, 18^th Company, died on 23 November 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024

  ■  WASHINGTON CHAPTER LUNCHEON – Not sure where, but the when was 28 September.  Harry Hurst gave a talk about the new NCAA football rules, conference make-ups, and Navy's 2023 team. Several Classmates shared memories of Bruce McCandless.  Dan Bellay recounted when Bruce rebuilt his Morris-Minor engine in the NAS Pensacola BOQ. Gordon Gerson remembered when Bruce repaired a faulty space camera during a simulated training mission in the cockpit of a space module and Taylor Keith remembered Bruce always using a fountain pen when taking math quizzes at USNA.  Attending the luncheon were Fred and Jackie Victor, Phil Taylor and his daughter and son in law, Beverly Smedberg, Mike Salmon, Kay Powell, Barbara Polski, George and Anne Ojalehto, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Harry Hurst, Marty and Nancy Hill, Jesse Hernandez, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Linda Gamboa, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Dan Bellay, Jack and Ann Adams and John and Pat Davis (visiting from California).

 Photo # 1

HARRY HURST AND JACK ADAMS

 ■  LARSON AWARD – Our Class of 1958 leaders met with the Acting USNA Supe to present our annual contribution to the Larson Award named in honor of Chuck Larson.

JACK ADAMS, RADM KACHER, GORDON GERSON AND FRED VICTOR

 ■  SECOND CLASS SUMMER – Eileen Giglio sent in a picture from our time at Little Creek in the summer of 1956.  It should be noted that none of the four 58ers in the picture went into the Marines.  Al Lupfer and Tom O'Neill went Navy Air, Joel Gill went Air Force Air and Mike Giglio went Air Force Ground.

 Photo # 3

JOEL GILL, MIKE GIGLIO, AL LUPFER, AND TOM O'NEILL

■  THEN AND NOW – Back when we were Midshipmen the salary for an Ensign was $222/month and we received $111/month or 50% of the salary of an O1.  Now an Ensign gets $3,477/month base pay and Mids get $1,273/month.  Now, before you call to tell me that 1273 is not half of 3477 let me explain that the present policy is that Service Academy students get 35% of the O1 base salary.  So what was then is not what is now.

■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – PART VI (from the diary of Dave Ault, 10^th Company)

  23 June – Up at 0800 and on to that long, hard train ride – I hated to leave Madrid.  It was a great town – I'm going to miss muchacha mia for awhile also – I'll come back some day though – maybe I'll see her again – it was the same train ride back – swapped stories, slept and suffered from thirst.  We made it back okay – went immediately to the ship and to bed – watch at 0800 tomorrow.

  24 June – Back to the routine -the office, ship and all look very uninviting.  Just ran errands and typed all day.  Got off at 2200 and caught the end of a poor movie – then to bed – all in all a very poor day, but then there's liberty tomorrow – Did get off a letter to Mario and Dick and Ellie.

  25 June – hung around the office until 2 o'clock then hit the beach – walked around, looking the city over and also picked up bull fight tickets. 72Pts apiece.  More sight seeing and a little buying then to the arena. I was impressed by my first Toreros de Toros, but didn't enjoy it too much – very bloody and also cruel.  The guy had guts though.  El toro was no little animal.  But as usual he lost – all six times.  I got some movies – should be interesting to the folks at home – After the fight we found Los Caracoles and ate there with Dale Westbrook and a couple of his buddies.  Very good, am glad Dr. H. told me of it.  Went to the Bagdad afterwards and was taken for muchas pesetas.  It was interesting though.  Spanish dancing and singing.  Went to a bar afterwards and teased the girls and then back to the boat.  The last time i'll set foot on Espana for some time I imagine.  I liked it here very much – Madrid especially.  I still have an ache in my heart for the city and one of the girls that walks its streets – I'll be back some day.

  26 June – Belle jour – Last day in Spain.  Posted the watch at 0800 and started a long, mixed-up day.  These ROTCs sure are Fubar .I finally got out by getting Jim Payne to take my watch at 2000.  I managed to get to town finally and just walked around for an hour or two – Met Jim Adkins who was having a little money trouble with a Spanish doll.  Got him squared away, had a few beers, walked the streets – feeling pleasant.  We did talk with mucho chicas, but that's all.  It ended my stay in Spain -(it really ended in Madrid) – I felt a little better when the evening ended than when it began.  We pull up anchor at 0930 tomorrow.

  ■  CLOSING RANKS

  Denny Huff, 14^th, died on 27 July 2023

Bob Lane, 13^th, died on 25 September 2023

Jack Giddens,  10^th, died on 27 September 2023

Stuart Craig, 21^st, died on 28 September 2023

Ivan Nance, 10^th, died on 30 September 2023

Vic Gardy, 16th, died on 6 October 2023

Sam Belcher, 1^st died on 17 October 2023

Ron Fisher, 17^th, died on 31 October 2023

James McNulla, 1^st, died on 7 November 2023

Harold Hunter, 14^th died on 9 November 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2023

■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – Part V (from the diary of Dave Ault, 10^th Company)

LAND HO! 

  18 June 1955 – Oh, the wonder of seeing a new land for the first time!  As Hemingway said, “the hills of Africa are Green” - a beautiful green that really tempted me to get ashore.  I'd like to come back some day.  It looked so rugged and peaceful at the same time.  Spain looked the same upon my first glimpse of it, but for some reason Africa was the land that held my gaze – it must be the mystery and intrigue that are so often connected with that continent.  The Rock of Gibraltar was one of the more interesting sights of the day – and my life as a matter of fact.  After hearing and reading so much of it, it was a thrill to see it.  I got some pictures; they should make interesting showing at home.  I certainly hope Mom can see all of this some day.  I look at it and I wish everyone could see it.  There's so much to go around.  Africa drifted out of sight through the afternoon, but the mountains of Spain were still on the horizon when we hit the rack – made for a very nice sunset over the Mediterranean.  I think I'll come back some day – Had a smoker tonight instead of movies – it wasn't a satisfactory substitution, I didn't think – the boxing was fun to watch, but the other talent was typically amateur.  To sum it up, it's been one of the greater days of my short life – new lands, sights, etc.  I hope to see so many more.

  19 June 1955 – Well, when we got up this morning we were surrounded by water again – the sea is just a little bit bluer and the weather balmier and clearer.  All in all, it's a great sight to wake up to – today was a hectic one – the ROTC's took over for the 2^nd phase.  Tom and I are staying for a couple of weeks and then will go back into the grind of a seaman's life.  We'll work harder, but have more free time when it's over.  I guess it won't be too bad, and we really should get a little Navy out of this cruise.  Well, land, mail and women tomorrow.  I'm all prepared to set out – liberty, Geneva, ID and camera cards.  Also all the other little essentials.  Saw “Student Prince “tonight.  The music was wonderful – I really enjoy Mario Lanza's voice.  Especially when mixed with Romberg.  Very good show – well to bed – I probably will miss a couple of days of this, but will try to catch up – must sleep out tonight to help me think of home.  Goodnight all.

  20 June 1955 – Clear, hot.  Up at 0530, anchored at 0803 – left the ship immediately and set foot on Espana at about 0900.  After a taste of our first Spanish beer we got on the train for Madrid.  We saw some beautiful Spanish country, but the 13 hour train ride was hell otherwise.  We all slept most of the time.  It was terrifically hot and even though we traveled first class it was poor traveling – the Spanish food I go for was not – well we arrived in Madrid at 2400 and went immediately to the Hotel Plaza.  What a joint!  It was really high class, expensive stuff.  Great beds, etc.  After cleaning up, Harlow Manahan and I went out to see the town,  Our first impression was a good one – it looked great!  I'll never get over these European's attitude toward women and sex.  It's really quite different and exciting.  We went to the York club for a show dedicated to the USA Navy and then went roaming the streets again.  Got to bed at 0500.

  21 June 1955 – Up at the ungodly hour of 1300.  Was great to just loll around in bed instead of turning out.  Went on a tour of Madrid today – the Royal Palace, Plaza de la Sol, old Madrid, parks, bull ring, etc.  It wasn't very satisfactory because we didn't see much – too much time was spent in an art museum.  El Greco, etc.  I didn't like it too much.  Well, got back and bought some film – had supper at an american restaurant – food wasn't cooked.  After chow we went on our usual inspection tour of Madrid.  Met a most wonderful little girl via Russ Thorn – made another date for tomorrow – to bed at 0530.

  22 June 1955 – Up at 1300 again – missed the Toledo tour.  Sat around sidewalk cafes, talked with Spanish Midshipmen and also had coffee with a teacher from U. of Colorado – interesting.  Did some window shopping – took mucho pictures.  Harlow and I then went to see “Candleejus” (Limelight) with Charlie Chaplin.  It was in Spanish, but could be understood.  Charlie was pretty funny – sad story though.  After the show we met a few of the guys and went and ate.  Had the usual speech difficulties and had a mess-up to the tune of 100 pesetas.  Afterwards we did our usual girl window shopping.  Along about 11 we got to the Monterey and ordered beer – Chica hadn't arrived – she later walked in and got the usual stares, etc.  I was surprised that she recognized me but she did and we got a table.  She ordered her usual milk.  Mario later came in and we just sat around and talked.  Rat never showed up so we took off together (Harlow later got the dog tags).  I hit the rack early tonight – 0300.  Slept well too.

  (To be continued)  

■  THEN AND NOW – Back when Dave Ault was writing his diary the U.S. Navy had about 890 ships and 299 Admirals.  In 2023 the Navy has 296 Flag Officers, but only about 241 operational USS ships.

  ■  COACH HIGGINS WOULD BE PROUD – Our Class President Gordon Gerson continues to compete in National age group swim meets.  In the 2023 National Long Course Championships he collected 7 medals to add to his impressive collection.  Bravo Zulu Gordo. 

  ■  CLASS LUNCHEON – Our Washington area Classmates gathered for a luncheon in July at the Army-Navy Country Club.  Captain Bill Hamblet, USN (RET), who is the Editor in Chief of the Naval Institute Proceedings, discussed the inception and history of the U. S. Naval Institute.  The Naval Institute was established 150 years ago and, by act of Congress, it has been located at the Naval Academy since its inception in 1873.  Capt. Hamblet discussed how articles of varying opinions are selected and presented and their effect on policy and procedures in our ever evolving Navy.  He gave examples of articles written by junior officers that impacted strategy and policy and then revealed the names of the authors, many of whom reached flag rank.  Attending the luncheon were Jack and Ann Adams, Dan Bellay, John Carty, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Linda Gamboa, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Harry hurst, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Barbara Polski, Bev Smedberg, Pete and Julie Russell and Buff Walter.

   “    CAPTAIN BILL HAMBLET AND JACK ADAMS”

■  CLOSING RANKS

Miles Mixon, 4^th Company, 4 August 2023

Jerry Larson, 18^th Company, 8 August 2023

George Greer, 17^th Company, 12 August 2023

Jack Osborn, 2^nd Company, 12 August 2023

Phil Meurer, 10^th Company, 6 September 2023

Faye Barrett, wife of Steve Barrett, 2^nd Company, 31 January 2023

Alison Williams, widow of George Williams, 2^nd Company, 4 March 2023

Marilyn Osborn, wife of Jack Osborn, 2^nd Company, 12 March 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

OCTOBER 2023

■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – Part IV (On USS Iowa, at sea enroute to Spain)

  15 June 1955 – Beautiful Day.  Went out on the deck this morning and found the old lion of an ocean quiet as a lamb.  Hardly a ripple as far as the eye could see.  We were supposed to have gun firing today, but there wasn't enough wind to get the planes aloft.  It was like that all day.  This is tourist crossing weather I guess, but what am I but a tourist?  On U.S. Government expense no less.  Been typing liberty cards for the troops, 586 of them all together.  It is a pleasant thought to know that we will be using them soon.  Looked at cameras and watches today.   I don't need a camera, but they sure are fascinating things to look at.  I might get a watch before I go home.  They look nice too.  Will check with the home front.  Today was payday.  $59.00.  But then we shelled out $37.10 for the Madrid tour.  I have money.  I might have a couple hundred back home.  But I'm going to enjoy myself first.  It's still hard to believe I'll be in Madrid Spain in a f ew days.  It's a beautiful night, oodles of stars.  Tom and I might sleep out on the fantail.

  16 June 1955 – Another belle jour.  Did sleep out.  Reminded me of home and what I used to do.  Same sky and hard to believe I am 3000 miles from home.  The stars are all the same and the big dipper still points north.  We are going out again tonight.  It looks like a nice night, a little warmer as a matter of fact.  We finally got off the gun firing.  They secured the 5 inchers.  What a racket the 40 mms make.  No one hit the poor little red drone that kept buzzing around.  I could have sworn it was laughing at us.  Well, it was an interesting and noisy afternoon.  I would like to try it soon.  Probably will a week after we leave England.  Hit the movie again tonight.  Quite a movie goer now.  I only stayed for the cartoon.  Mack Sennett's, old cars and all.  I couldn't see watching the “Beast from 20,000 Fathoms”.  Well to bed under the stars again.  It looks like rain later on.  

17 June 1955 – What a day!  Yes it rained about 0500.  I woke up soaked.  Spent the rest of the “night” under the Admiral's gig.  It cleared up soon enough though and turned into a beautiful day.  Field day for all hands except Tom and me.  I did work though.  Typed steadily on watch bills.  We are preparing for next phase.  Tom and I have hopes of staying on.  I'll even do my cruise journal if I have to.  I saw Steve Soitez on the Glennon during a high line this morning.  He looks sick.  I sympathize with him wholeheartedly.  Tomorrow is inspection day.  We expect to go by the Rock of Gibraltar at about 1000 too.  Hope I can get some pictures.  Went to see Marlon in “Waterfront” tonight.  The 3^rd time.  I still enjoyed it though.  He is really great.  It's later tonight than it usually is.  We are closing up our first phase and also preparing for inspection.  Looks like tomorrow will be a good day.  Land for the first time in 14 days.

  ■  A LIFE WELL LIVED -  Adrienne McCullough, the wife of Marty McCullough 12^th Company, died on 18 May 2023.  She was born in Chandannagar India in February 1936.  Her parents were David Scott and Phyllis Scott.  At this time India was a colony of the United Kingdom and her father was a business man assigned to a post in Calcutta and Adrienne's early years were in Calcutta.  A very exciting and colorful place to grow up.  When World War II started her father joined the Royal Indian Army Service Corps and the family moved to places like Deolali, Jhansi and Rawalpindi.  Her father was killed in action while working on the Burma Road, one of the most remarkable engineering achievements of all time.  After his death the family returned to Calcutta and Adrienne attended boarding school in Darjeeling, India in the foothills of the Himalayans.  With the end of the war Adrienne's mother married an American executive working in India and the family relocated to Shanghai, China where Adrienne attended the Shanghai American School.  All this and she was only about 10.  With the fall of Shanghai to the Communists the family moved back to India where she attended the Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India.  The next move for this proper young English lady was to England where, although she was English, she had never lived.  There she attended Gateway Girls School before her stepfather moved the family to the Arlington VA in the United States. She finished High School in 1954 and then attended George Washington University.  Worked in a D.C. law firm and then joined American Airlines as a flight attendant.  In 1960 she and Marty were married and this young lady, who had already seen a lot of the world, set off for more adventure as a Navy wife.  During Marty's career in the Navy they lived in Norfolk, VA, Princeton, NJ, Monterey CA, Pax river, MD, Manila, Philippines, Ankara, Turkey and Coronado CA, which is where they settled down after Marty's retirement from the Navy.  She was a gifted and active watercolorist and a Member of the Coronado Art Association for over 30 years.  Also an active member of the Coronado Historical Association.  She was a founder of the Coronado Armchair Travel program which was adopted by the Coronado Recreation Department and also active in the Church.  Before retiring she worked as a Realtor and for a Coronado travel agency (a position she was well prepared for) and as a volunteer for Navy Relief and with the PTA.  And I would be remiss if I failed to mention her proudest achievements as a devoted wife to Marty and loving mother to their 3 daughters.

An active life, a rewarding life, an exciting life, and a life well lived.

“ADRIENNE MCCULLOUGH”

■  CLOSNG RANKS

Richard Brinegar, 8^th Company, died on 19 July 2023

Adrienne McCullough, wife of Marty McCullough 12^th Company, passed away on 18 May 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

SEPTEMBER 2023

■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955, Part III, “at sea in the mid Atlantic enroute to Europe”

  Saturday 11 June – Rainy all day.  Inspection today.  We heaved out and triced up at 0600 and then cleaned EVERYTHING.  Then they (the Capt and Exec) inspected everything even more completely than we'd cleaned it.  They spent two hours alone in the mess compartments.  We got by everything okay with few complaints.  We then started speed runs for the IOWA's quarterly report.  She really shook and trembled.  She got up to 31 knots and then settled down to 25 which they kept up for four hours.  She lived through it.  Late in the evening we were back with the squadron.  All the little red and white lights blinking.  I swear we were just off the coast of somewhere, but that is days away.  I'll be glad when the trip is over and we are home again. Mom Bancroft with her soft racks, real showers and motionless decks would look might nice now.   But it will come in due time and with it home and a little real sleep.

  Sunday 12 June – Clear and warm.  Holiday routine all day today.  That means we did no work at all.  I did hang around and do odd typing jobs.  Took a few pictures this morning.  Beautiful day for it.  Went up to the 011 level.  Sunbathed all afternoon (after the Admiral left via helicopter).  I also got a letter off to MN, dear MN.  How I do hope she can come up for awhile this August and things work out.  I know Mom would like MN.  She is what every mother's boy should have.  Went to the movies for the first time.  It was “Down Three Dark Streets”.  Was pretty entertaining.  An FBI thriller.  Worked til 12:30 after the show and then they screwed us by setting the clocks ahead again.  Oh sleep, where is thy blessed sting?  When I get to Barcelona I'm going to sleep for one whole day just to get in shape for the next three.  Only seven days to go.

  Monday 13 June – Clear then rain.  Another Monday.  Thank God they aren't as blue as they could be during plebe year.  Again I did intermittent typing and loafing.  Al Granger gave me Tom's job of assigning guests for the Admiral.  That means I'll be doing a little work.  I don't think that Tom and I are having too rough a cruise, but the guys in the office do.  We do stay up late and don't have much free time to roam around.  But we don't stand watches or have working parties.  Al says he will try to get us the job for the rest of the cruise.  It's all right with me.  I never was one for manual labor.  Went to the movies again tonight.  “Dangerous Crossing”.  It was pretty good.  Must have been one of Jeanne Crane's first.  Managed to type up the memo for tomorrow by 2300 and get to bed early.  Everybody did for once.  I don't see how Skip is managing to stay alive.  He never sleeps.  They gave him some sleeping pills down at sick bay so now he sleeps at his desk.  I think it is sort of stupid not sleeping when you have no reason to stay up.  I guess he's beginning to think so.  We had a smoke screen laying demonstration today by a couple of destroyers.  Interesting, but not too spectacular.  I liked the sub exhibition better.  Had another high line.  Wonderful how they do it.

  Tuesday 14 June – Overcast, rainy.  Got up weary, but for the first time had an appetite for breakfast.  Ever since I was sick I haven't eaten much.  Today was a little bit better, but I'm still not eating as much as I'm used to.  I sure hope it improves because I would like to enjoy the trip home.  We were supposed to fire the 5”s and the 40 mms at GQ today, but the weather intervened.  Some poor guy who didn't get the word took a blast at a passing plane and sleeve with the after 40 mm mount.  He must have felt lonesome when he heard no other guns go off.  He and his crew are, I imagine, high on the Captains' list.  Another high line, over the stern this time.  What won't they think of next?  Went up on the bow tonight all alone.  I was sort of enjoying thinking of home and all.  I still find it hard to believe I'm here.  We passed close to the Azores today.  Be hitting the home stretch soon.  5 more days.  Getting to bed early tonight.  It's 2200 now.  We are improving down here.  By the time we are squared away the ROTCs will be taking over and screwing up the works again.  I'd be satisfied though, as long as I had the job for another phase or both.  What a free and happy idea.

  ■  MAY LUNCHEON (east coast version)  - The Washington Chapter of the USNA Class of 1958 met at the Army-Navy Country for lunch on 25 May 2023.  Our Class sponsors a fellowship at the Stockdale Center and Dr. Daniel Cervone, who is the current fellow, was the guest speaker at the luncheon.  He was joined by Dr. Ed Barrett, the fellowship permanent director.  Class attendees were Buff Walter and his son, Jackie and Fred Victor, Phil Taylor and his daughter, Beverly Smedberg, Kay Powell, Lynn and Taylor Keith, Harry Hurst, Eileen and Mike Giglio, Jane and Gordon Gerson, Linda Gamboa, Lois and Whitey Edwards, John Carty, Charley Brooks, Dan Bellay and Ann and Jack Adams.

Dr. Cervone and Jack Adams

■  MAY LUNCHEON (west coast version) – The San Francisco group of USNA Class of 1958 Classmates and spouses met at Paradise Valley Estates for lunch in May.  Those attending (from the left to the right in the attached photo) were Jude Potter, Bill Gibson, John Potter, Nancy Bartels, Bruce Bartels, John Davis, Bill Oliver and Virginia Oliver.  (Note: you will observe that fewer Classmates attended the West Coast luncheon, but perhaps that is because it is harder to get to Paradise)

58ers in Paradise

 ■  THEN AND NOW – In June of 1958 the Dow Jones Average was about 469 and a new Chevy Impala cost $2841.  Today the DJA is 3563 and a new Impala is $30,348.  In 1958 an Ensign (01) received a base monthly pay of $222.  Today a 01 is paid $3477/month.  When we were Midshipmen we were paid $111/month.  Today Midshipmen are paid on the order of $1150/month, but just as in our days there they do not receive all of that directly.  Uniforms must be paid for along with tailor shop fees, laundry fees, etc and there is a nest egg waiting at the end of the four years.  They do receive a $75/month stipend during plebe summer which increases to $125/month the remainder of plebe year and increases each year thereafter.   

■  CLOSING RANKS:

  COL. Ricky Davidson, USAF, 4^th Company, died on 17 June 2023

  CAPT. Peter Roder USN, 24^th Company died on 4 June 2023

  James Van Hoose, 10^th Company, died on 25 May 2023

  Barbara Alexander, widow of Richard Alexander, 10^th Company passed away on 30 April 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JULY-AUGUST 2023

■  SUMMER CRUISE 1955 – In our Class of 1958 column in the June issue of Shipmate I included the first part of a diary that Dave Ault, 10^th Company, kept during our youngster cruise in the summer of 1955.  In this and subsequent columns I will continue to incorporate entries from Dave's diary as he wrote it on board the USS Iowa.

  Now for “Summer Cruise 1955, Part II”:

  Monday 6 June – Clear skies again.  We pulled out at 0730, sailing for Spain, scheduled ETA on the 20^th.  We manage to start settling down to a slight routine in the office and get things organized.  It was a pretty day and very smooth sailing.  At about noon we had formed a formation and were on our way.  We were assigned GQ stations today – I'm trainer on Mount 51 – also am pointer on gunnery station 419 – both very interesting jobs.  I hit the sack early again – It's so easy to sleep.  We had a very incomplete tour of the ship today – she's tremendous – 887' long and 108' wide.  That's nearly the length of three football fields.

  Tuesday 7 June – Stormy – rain.  Who says you can't get seasick on a Battleship?  We started getting some swells and I upchucked breakfast – still managed to do some typing.  Felt lousy all day – did not go to dinner or lunch.  “Skip” Furlong, in charge of the Mid'n office, let me secure early and so I hit the sack at 1600 – slept like a dead log – oh, yes, we had a sub exhibition by the USS Tench (SS-417)today – got some movies.

  Wednesday 8 June – Very windy, clear.  Had ourselves some 55 mph winds last night – water breaking over the deck – woke up feeling very poor – comparable to the hang-over after the Army game.  I did try to down some breakfast, but lost it in a short time.  Finally went to sick bay – got some pills but still felt lousy.  They finally took hold though and I got down some supper which is still in the hole.  We had a couple of highline transfers today from the USS Benner (DD-807) and the USS Glennon (DD-840).  It was quite interesting because the seas were so rough.  I certainly feel for the poor guys on the destroyers – they toss and pitch so!  I'm okay now, I think will be able to tell tomorrow.  

Thursday 9 June – Windy, rainy.  Got up feeling okay – no more mal de mer!!  I am beginning to enjoy ship life now.  It wasn't an outstanding day – had a high-line episode again – a second one was postponed until tomorrow morning.  Today we didn't work very hard – lots of spare time.  Had a lecture on engineering organization – refrigeration yesterday and the evaporators the day before.  Got off a letter to mom and Bridie today.  When will they get them?  Find myself thinking of home and next summer – should have big times.  Stayed up in the office to 9:30 tonite.  Am tired.

  Friday 10 June – Rainy – clear night.  Another easy day – field day for all other hands.  We just sat in the office and ate ice cream.  I really felt for the guys holy-stoning, etc.  We have a big inspection tomorrow – all hands are squaring away their gear and sanding the decks – shoe shine party up here in the “office”.  Didn't feel so hot for supper – thought the M de M had come back, so took a couple of pills to be safe.  Didn't eat too much.  We change time again tonight – ahead an hour.  We have got about 3000 miles left to go.  I went out on deck tonight – it's hard to believe we are way out here in the middle of the Atlantic on a ship – and all the lights around are just the ships and not land-ho.  It's a pretty night though – the spray goes up over the side into my face – love it.  Still think I'll go Navy Air though – flying's the greatest.

  note – Dave was onboard the USS Iowa  BB-61 while I was on one of those destroyers that he observed tossing and pitching; (WGS)

  ■  LUNCH AMONG THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS – On March 30^th the DC Chapter of the Class of 1958 gathered for a luncheon at the Army/Navy Country Club.  Our Class President Gordon Gerson discussed the upcoming 65^th Reunion and Harry Hurst previewed the 2023 Navy football team and the new coaching staff.  The following Classmates, spouses, widows and guests attended:  Buff Walter, Fred and Jackie Victor, Bev Smedberg and her daughter Mary Ellen, Ellen Dougherty, Mike Salmon, Pete and Julie Russell, Kay Powell, Barbara Polski, Jess Hernandez, Harry Hurst, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Dan Bellay and Jack and Ann Adams.

  ■  AEGIS AND THE CLASS OF  '58 – It is a very special honor to have a Federal building named after you and a really, really special honor if it happens while you are still alive.  RADM George Meinig USN (ret), Class of '58, is the recipient of that very special honor.  For his work in the development of AEGIS the RADM GEORGE MEINIG INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ENGINEERING CENTER was named in his honor.  The Center is a 50,000 square foot building in Moorestown NJ.

RADM GEORGE MEINIG INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ENGINEERING CENTER 

 ■  PHOTOS FROM THE 65TH

  One of the events at our 65^th reunion was a memorial service at the Academy Chapel.  After the service we gathered on the steps of the Chapel for a picture.

“CLASS OF 58 AT OUR 65TH”

 The 21^st Company held a Company dinner at the Severn Inn during the reunion.  Those attending, from the left, were George McNulty, George Gallagher, Rupe MacLean, Chet Nagle and Gene Porter.

“THE 21st AT THE 65th”

 Reunion factoids – There were 79 Classmates who attended the 65^th.  The Companies with the most attending were the 17^th and the 24^th with 7 each.

■  CLOSING RANKS

  Dick Hanson, 7^th Company, passed away on 13 April 2023

  Frank Bassett, 18^th Company, died on 21 March 2023

  Herbert Stiff, 16^th Company, died on August 2^nd 2022

  Frank Coyle, 23red Company, passed away on 28 March 2023

  Charles Korzinek, 7^th Company, died on 23 January 2023

  Marty Kuhneman, 5^th Company, died on 7 April 2023

  Patricia Bellay, wife of Dan Bellay, 7^th Company passed away on 28 April 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JUNE 2023

■  BRAVO ZULU – A lot of work goes into a USNA Class reunion and that was the case for the 65^th Reunion of the Class of 1958.  The Class owes a special thanks to the following Classmates for all their efforts– Gordon Gerson 11th, Marty Hill 24th, Bruce Wilcox 12th, Dan Bellay 7th, Fred Victor 11th, Harry Hurst 7^th, Jack Adams 4^th, John Carty 23^rd, Mike Giglio 10^th, Rupe Maclean 21^st, Taylor Keith 19^th, Terry Cooper 24^th and Whitey Edwards 17^th.  And a really special thanks to two Class widows for all their help, Linda Gamboa 17^th and Kay Powell 13^th.  Well Done to you all.

■  CRUISE 1955, – In June of 55, following the graduation of the Class of '55, the rest of the Brigade including the new 3/c from the Class of '58 set forth on their summer cruise adventures.  One of our Classmates, Dave Ault, from the 10^th Company kept a diary of his cruise.  Dave is deceased now, but his family has passed along his diary which I will share in our Class column in the form of a serial.

  The Cruise, part I - Saturday 4 June 1955 – Weather clear.  Up at 0430 and down to chow.  Final cramming of gear and then down to the Maine Mast to embark in the P-boats at exactly the scheduled 0600.  Took about 45 mnutes to get out to the USS Iowa where she was anchored in the Bay.  She certainty looked big when we drew alongside.  As soon as I found my rack and locker (both very small) and stowed my gear I was ordered to the Mid Cruise Office and put to work typing.  Mass confusion reigned, but we finally got out watch bills, etc for that night.  While I was busy at work the Iowa weighed anchor at 0730 and headed for Norfolk VA.  We arrived at Norfolk at about 1930 and tied up at pier 7.  We were granted liberty from 2000 to 0100.  I met up with Bob MacGregor and Walt Kopp and we traveled by bus into Norfolk.  We ended up at the Dolphin, a submariners hangout and I managed to reach that pleasant point of not being quite drunk.  At about 2230 I tore myself away from the boys and came back to the ship.  The rack felt great after a long day and I had no trouble going to sleep..

  Sunday 5 June -  Weather clear.  Reveille at 0630 and back to the office.  Did some more typing and then took off for Norfolk at 1000.  Met Lou Shane on the base and we went out to Virginia Beach after a light lunch.  I lost Lou somewhere after we got there and borrowed a pair of trunks from Bernie Ryan and stretched out on the beach.  It was a beautiful place and not too crowded.  Later I met George in the bar out there and we settled down at a table with a couple of pitchers of beer (90 cents each).  Sent off a couple of post cards, played some pool and then we came back.  I tossed Gene Radcliffe for a girl that Bud Kerr had available that night and won.  We three then had a very good supper and the set out for an evening of pleasure.  Gene left early and Bud and I wandered down Norfolk's strip and all I could see were bars.  It's a poor liberty town.  Not many women and mostly all white hats.  I didn't feel much like drinking anymore so we just wandered around.  We later met girls at the Music Box and found they were both engaged and had their fiancées along.  The Music Box was a funny little place.  “Very respectable”.  The entertainers were all drunk which made them all the more entertaining.  We later left Norfolk for the docks.  The bus was full of drunk white hats.  Everyone's last night ashore until we hit Barcelona.

 (to be contnued)

                                                                                                                 USS IOWA

■  CLOSING RANKS

Dick Lawe, 22^nd Company, died in March 2023

Walt Reister, 19^th Company, died on 19 February 2023

Jay Taylor, 1^st Company,  passed away but date unknown

Larry Larson, 16^th Company died on 1 February 2023

Chuck Baker, 11^th Company, died on 5 March 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MAY 2023

 ■  65^th Reunion – Our Reunion in mid April was a great success and all the attendees had a wonderful time. (Disclaimer- I am writing this column in mid-February since submissions for the May issue were due by 21 February.  So once in a while I refer to my crystal ball.)

  ■  California Dreaming – Golf in California is a year round activity and no where more so than in San Diego.  Chuck Smith, 20^th Company, reported that he, Mike Chapple 5^th Company and Taylor Keith 19^th Company enjoyed a round of golf at the North Island golf links.  There was no report on scores or who won.

“Mike, Taylor and Chuck”

    ■  Diplomas and Dilemmas – Russ Henderson, 9^th Company, wrote with an interesting observation about our Diplomas.  His question was, where do they go when we go?  Some of us, perhaps most of us, have a child or grandchild who will say they would like our Diploma.  In some cases because they would really like a part of our history or in some cases maybe to make us feel good.  But what about those of us who don't have a relative to leave it to?  Any suggestions out there?  By the way, the design for our Diplomas was first used at the Academy in 1869 and our Class was the last Class to get those classy Diplomas.  Starting with the Class of '59 the Academy shifted to a much less attractive and much cheaper version.

“ A Class of 1958 Diploma”

■  Closing Ranks:

Charles Korzinek, 7^th Company, passed away on January 23rd 2023

Faye Barrett, wife of Steve Barrett, 2^nd Company died on the 31^st of January 2023

Carol Bernes, wife of Don Bernes, 4^th Company died on January 19^th 2023

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MARCH-APRIL 2023

 65TH REUNION

As I write this column in January the plans are set for our 65^th reunion from 13 to 16 April 2023.  Everyone should have received emails and letters with the details about the schedule, registration, etc.  Reservations hopefully have been made at the Annapolis Westin along with on-line registration for the scheduled events and bags are being packed for the big trip.  The reunion starts on Thursday the 13^th when the out of towners will be arriving.  This is a good day for some sightseeing in Annapolis and making contact with roommates, Company-mates and shipmates.  Friday will be the busiest day of the reunion.  That morning buses will take us to the Academy for a memorial service at the Chapel followed by a group picture.  Then lunch at the Officers and Faculty Club, a presentation by the Superintendent and comments by the President of the Alumni Association followed by a Brigade Parade on Worden Field.  Then buses back to the Westin to get ready for Company dinners/parties that evening.  Saturday starts with another bus ride to the Academy for a tour of Terwilliger Hall, one of the newest buildings on the grounds, then free time to tour the grounds, watch the noon meal formation, visit the Mid store and catch some lunch.  In the afternoon there will be a Lacrosse game at the stadium and that evening our Class dinner at the Westin.  Sunday there will be chapel services for those inclined and brunch in King Hall.  Then it will be time to say goodbye to old friends, and to the Academy where the Severn meets the Bay.

 ■         Mike Giglio sent a report of a 10^th Company gathering that took place in Alexandria VA in September 2022.  The report and photo of that gathering came to me in late December and now in January I am including it in the column for the March-April issue of Shipmate, but the real message in these Class columns is who is doing what not when.  Those in the picture, from the left, are Bill Hillsman, Bill Garvey, JJ Seeberger, Sally and Dave Sutherland, Eileen Giglio, Walker Venable (Bobs son), Bob Venable, Jake and Dianne McMichael, Bonnie Venable, Micky Hillsman, Mike Giglio and Pat Seeberger.

                        10^th Company Reunion                 

 ■         December 2022 was a very social time for 58ers in the Washington-Annapolis area.  Forget sheltering for COVID, the theme was let's party!  Jack Adams reported on the annual Army-Navy '58 Joint luncheon on 1 December at the Army-Navy Country Club.  Harry Hurst and Bob Orlosky (64) briefed the attendees about Navy's football team and Brad Johnson did the same thing for Army.  USNA 58ers present in addition to Harry were Buff Walter, Jackie and Fred Victor, Beverly Smedberg, Julie and Pete Russell, Barb and Eric Mansfield, Taylor Keith, Eileen and Mike Giglio, Jane and Gordon Gerson, Linda Gamboa, Lois and Whitey Edwards, Carolyn and Paul Brown, Ann and Jack Adams and Dan Bellay who provided the musical accompaniment for the singing of Navy Blue and Gold and God Bless America.

Brad Johnson (USMA 58), Harry Hurst (USNA 58) and Bob Orlosky (USNA 64)

 ■         Rupe Maclean wrote to remind us that Classmates in the Annapolis area gather for dinner on the first Tuesday of the month at the Galway Bay restaurant which we used to know as the Little Campus Inn.  Shown in the picture are those attending the December dinner.  From the left they are Joan and Rupe MacLean, Polly Mitchel, Gordon Gerson, Kay Powell, Jim Corder's daughter, Janet Bouvier, and Julia Corder.

Dinner at the Galway Bay in Annapolis

 ■         On December 15^th our Washington/Annapolis classmates were back at the Army-Navy Country Club for their annual Christmas party and Jack Adams sent in the report and photos.  Polly Mitchell and Dan Bellay provided the music before lunch and for the singing of Christmas carols after lunch.  Whitey and Lois Edwards provided the center pieces for each table.  Those attending were Mike and Eileen Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Marty and Nancy Hill, Linda Gamboa, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Bob and Sheila Lance, Bill and Pat Dougherty, Polly Mitchell, Dan Bellay, George and Ann Ojalehto, Jack and Ann Adams, Kay Powell, Pete and Julie Russell, Bev Smedberg and Barbara Polski.

Polly Mitchell

Dan Bellay

 ■         CLOSING RANKS

William Byman, 2^nd Company passed on 12/13/22

Clyde Morris, 6^th Company, died on 1/14/23

Henry Miller, 6^th Company, died on 12/9/22

William Omberg, 6^th Company died on 1/18/23

Shane Daniels, 8^th Company passed on 11/24/22

John “JJ” Seeberger, 10^th Company, died on 12/23/22

Vince Panala, 13^th Company, passed on 12/31/22

Jim Higgins, 17^th Company died on 11/4/22

Barbara Ann Fuller, widow of Gran Fuller 22^nd Company died on 12/2/22

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023

■  65^th REUNION NEWS – Registration for our 65^th Reunion will be different from past reunions.  This time we will be registering on-line.  As soon as the schedule and the prices for events are settled the Class will be notified and registration will start (this will be when those computer savvy grandkids will come in handy).  In addition to the All Hands notification all the information for registering will be available on our Class of 1958 web site (1958.usnaclasses.com/default.htm).

  If you have your '58 name tags from previous reunions be sure to bring them with you to the 65th.  Disposable name tags will be available, but the old ones are really cool.  I'm referring to the name tags, but the same holds for those of us in the Great USNA Class of 58 who will be at the reunion.

  When you arrive at the Westin Annapolis there will be a Check-in/Hospitality Room where you can check-in and enjoy some hospitality.  The plan is to keep a listing there of all those who have checked-in to help us make contact with roommates, Company Mates and Class friends.

  On the Saturday morning of our reunion we will have an opportunity to tour the Terwilliger Center for Student Athletes which is a privately funded 25,000 square foot addition to Ricketts .  The primary donor was Ron Terwilliger, Class of 1963, who donated $15,000,000 for the building.  An additional $10,000,000 was also donated, mostly by other Academy graduates.  This is an outstanding facility and you don't want to miss this tour.

  In the past our reunions were in the fall and always included attending a Navy football game.  This time we will have the opportunity to attend a Navy Lacrosse game.  The game will be against Lafayette and it should be an exciting game and fun to watch.

  ■  – The normal suspects were augmented by a 10^th Company Reunion of Classmates from around the country and Dan Bellay was the after lunch speaker.  Those attending were; Jean and Buff Walter, Jackie and Fred Victor, Sally and Dave Sutherland, Pat and JJ Seeberger, Mike Salmon, Kay Powell, Barbara Polski, Dianne and Jake McMicael, Barbara and Eric Mansfield, Harry Hurst, Mickey and Bill Hillsman, Jesse Hernandez, Eileen and Mike Gigio, Jane and Gordon Gerson, Bill Garvey, Linda Gamboa, Lois and Whitey Edwards, Charlie, Brooks, Kan Bellay, and Ann and Jack Adams. 

  NOTE: Not that we need another reminder of getting older, but it was noted that Mike Salmon is the 9^th longest continuous member of the Army-Navy Country Club.  (I wonder who the other 8 guys are?)

  ■  SECNAV – At the Navy – Notre Dame football game Gordon and Jane Gerson visited with the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, USNA Class of 1983.  The SECNAV is also a CDR USN (ret) who served 22 years on active duty.

■  HOME IS THE SAILOR, HOME FROM THE SEA – Jim Clement, 19^th Company, may very well have logged more sea time than anyone in our Class.  For 20 years he has been giving lectures on board cruise ships. 200 cruises so far including 45 to Alaska, 31 Panama Canal transits, 12 cruises around Cape Horn, 10 summer cruises to Norway and about 3 per year to the Caribbean to mention a few.  Tough duty but someone has to do it.  Pictured below are Jim and his buddy Goofy on a Disney cruise.

  Insert photo # 2

 ■  – Jim Higgins and Bill Oliver met 68 years ago when both were assigned to the 17^th Company and they have been friends ever since.  In March of 2022 Bill and Virginia Oliver visited Jim and Betty Higgins for what turned out to be the last time.  Jim passed away in November 2022 at the age of 90.

 Insert photo # 3

 ■  CLOSING RANKS:   

Bill Fohrman, 11^th Company died on 23 September 2022

Marty Donahoe, 21^st Company, passed away on 21 August 2022

David Wier, 13^th Company, passed on 26 July 2022

Stanley Chiocchio, 2^nd Company died on 6 November 2022

Wayne Pulling, 13^th Company died on 26 March 2022

Terry Magrath, 24^th Company passed on 20 October 2022

Pete Jokanovich, 12^th Company, died on 6 November 2022

Jim Kenney, 6^th Company, died on 1 October 2022

Jim Higgins 17^th Company died on 7 November 2022

Pauline Grocki, wife of Chet Grochi, 6^th Company died on 27 September 2022

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022

■  BIRDS HAVE TO FLY, FISH HAVE TO SWIM – One of life's mysteries is why Gordon Gerson, our Class President, went into the Air Force instead of the Navy given that water is his natural habitat.  I say that because Gordo continues to amaze with his swimming prowess.  At the 2022 National Masters Swimming meet he was the National Champion in the 100 Meter Breast Stroke.  And he had 3 seconds and a third in other events in the 85-89 age group.

“Gordo with more medals for his collection”

  ■  WASHINGTON CLASS OF '58 CHAPTER LUNCHEON – At the July luncheon the guest speaker was Wes Huey, USNA '87, who is the Executive Director, Enterprise Strategy and Communications for the Academy Alumni Association and Foundation.  Wes is also a son-in-law of Chuck and Sally Larson.  He spoke about a program implemented in 1997 wherein Naval Officers are selected for “permanent” teaching positions at the Academy.  The Naval Academy is authorized to have up to 55 of these Permanent Military Professors who are active duty officers at the rank of O5 and O6.  If those selected have a PhD fine, if not they will be sent to school to obtain one.  They commit to then serve as Professors at the Academy up until their statutory retirement.  The program also authorizes 12 PMPs at the Naval Postgraduate School and 8 at the Naval War College.  There is also a Permanent Military Instructor (PMI) program for O4s who have a Masters degree.  Those attending the luncheon were Jack and Ann Adams, Dan Belay, John Carty, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Linda Gamboa, Gordon (alias the Fish) and Jane Gerson, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Jess Hernandez, Taylor Keith, Sally Larson, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Rupe MacLane, Kay Powell, Pete and Julie Russell, Mike Salmon, Beverly Smedberg with son Braden, Fred and Jackie Victor and Alice Wiedemann.

  ■  STATISTICAL DATA FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 1958 (part I) – I know there are those of you out there in readership-land who have been waiting 64+ years for this information so here you are:  

There were 1211 new admissions in the Class of 1958, 7 ex-midshipmen readmitted with our class, 3 turned back from the Class of 1957, 9 more subsequently turned back (whatever that means), 6 ex-midshipmen readmitted with the class of 1959 and advanced to our class and 3 ex-midshipmen readmitted with the Class of 1960 and advanced to our class.  That is a total of 1239, but 2 of those ex-midshipmen readmitted with our class were then advanced to the class of 1957 so the “input”  in our class after all that moving around was 1237.

  By June 4^th 1958 there had been 21 discharged, 188 others honorably discharged (deficient in studies), 26 honorably discharged (physical reasons), 2 resigned (for conduct), 80 resigned (voluntary), and 4 resigned (voluntary but also deficient in studies).  16 turned back, (15 of which were for deficiency in studies and 1 for a health reason).  337 lost along the way which means we graduated 900, but wait, there was one other Classmate who was in the hospital and he was turned back to the Class of 59 so we graduated 899 who were awarded diplomas and the degree of bachelor of science.

■  STATISTICAL DATA FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 1958 (part II) -  So what happened to the 899 of us who graduated?  Turns out 13 were physically disqualified for commission and were honorably discharged and 1 was in Bethesda Hospital pending commission at a later date.  5 of the Class were foreign nationals and were commissioned later in their own Navies.  The rest of us were commissioned as Officers and Gentlemen on June 4^th as follows:

Ensigns (line)              587

Ensigns (CEC)            10

Ensigns (Supply)         28

2^nd Lt. Marines            70

2^nd Lt. Air Force          185

■  CLOSING RANKS

  Dick Keefe, 4^th Company, passed away on 22 April 2022

  Bruce Holmberg, 18^th Company, died on 31 July 2022

  Charlie Pinkham, 4^th Company, passed away on 14 September 2022

  Zack Pate, 24^th Company, died on 4 September 2022

  Wayne Scott, 16^th Company, died on 12 September 2022

Ron Johnson, 23^rd Company, passed away on 2 September 2022

  Paul Westphal, 1^st Company, died in September 2022

  Alice Criswell, widow of Phil Criswell, 4^th Company, died on August 1^st 2022

  Sandra Day, widow of Chapin Day, 23^rd Company, died on 21 January 2022

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

SEPTEMBER 2022

■  YOUNG AND INNOCENT – Gary Minar, 20^th, sent this story.  It was the spring of 1958 and Bruce McCandless, 19^th, told Gary he had learned about a training flight a couple of the Navy pilots stationed at the Academy were going to take to Bermuda in one of those UF amphibians they flew us in around the Annapolis area.  And the pilots were willing to take along a couple of Mids so Gary and Bruce flew to Bermuda for the weekend.  When they got to the plane for the return trip the big “boat” hull was being filled up with boxes.  With the extra weight it took a long run for the plane to get up on the step and into the air, but it did and in due course arrived in Norfolk to clear customs.  The customs inspector was an older guy who had his problems getting up the ladder and into the plane and never really did a search.  So when the plane returned to Annapolis there were a lot of happy folks waiting for their boxes.  Gary and Bruce never knew what was in the boxes, but Bermuda was a duty free port and the booze there was very cheap so???

“Bruce McCandless in Bermuda circa 1958” 

  ■  OLDER AND NOT SO INNOCENT – This one comes from Bud Manazir, 12^th.  Bud and his wife Paula were on a trip to Hawaii to celebrate their anniversary in May and were at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for dinner.  Bud noticed that this distinguished white haired gentleman in front of him at the hostess desk was wearing a service academy ring.  So Bud spoke up and asked about the ring and the young man with the distinguished white haired gentleman said it was a Naval Academy ring and as he walked away he looked back and said his dad was Class of '58.  Surprise!  The DWHG was Tom Jacobs of 7^th Company fame and he lives in Hawaii. 

“Bud Manazir and Tom Jacobs (with the hair)”

■  MORE FROM THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY – Far, far from Honolulu our Classmates in the Washington DC area gathered for a luncheon.  Our Class President Gordon Gerson serves on the Alumni Association of Class Presidents and represents the Classes from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. As a result he is very up to date regarding what is happening at the Academy and with the Alumni Association He shared his insights at the luncheon about the new Terwilliger Center for Student-Athletes at the Academy, the proposed expansion of the columbarium, and the construction of the new Alumni Headquarters for the Alumni Association.  Attending the luncheon were Buff and Jean Walter, Bev Smedberg, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Pete and Julie Russell, Kay Powell, Jess Hernandez, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Linda Gamboa, Dan Bellay and Jack and Ann Adams.

  ■  WEST COAST PRE-REUNION – Bill and Mickey Hillsman made the trip north from California to Oregon to visit with 10^th Companymate Jake McMichael and his wife Dianne.  The visit was in the end of April and Bill shared the picture of the happy foursome at this mini-reunion.

“The Hillsmans and the McMichaels”

 ■  SPEAKING OF REUNIONS – Hopefully, as you read this in September you will have made your travel arrangements and your reservations at the Westin Annapolis for the BIG 65^th.  Getting to Annapolis and getting around Annapolis are two different things however.  Transportation in and around Annapolis at our reunions is always a major concern when the planning is being done for the reunions.  The Class will be providing transportation to and from the Westin for Class events including events at the Academy, and Company/Batt parties on Friday night.  The actual schedule for this transportation is a work in progress and has to wait until all the events are planned and the number of attendees is determined.  To help with the transportation planning we need information on those who may not be getting around as well as before and may have special needs. If, for example, you use a walker or a wheelchair or even a cane to get around please contact Rupe MacLean at [email protected] or Dick Buss at [email protected] and let them know your situation.

“58 is Great”

  ■  CLOSING RANKS

  Peggy Brooks, the wife of Charlie Brooks, 17^th Company died on 17 May 2022

  Jay Gallo, 14^th Company passed away on 18 May 2022

  Jim Campbell, 11^th Company died on 19 May 2022

  Roger Stallkamp, 16^th Company died on 23 May 2022

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JULY – AUGUST 2022

■  65TH REUNION NEWS – In the Class column in the June issue of Shipmate I suggested that it is time to make your reservations for the reunion.  The dates are 13-16 April 2023 and our Reunion Hotel is the Westin Annapolis.  The phone number for reservations is 888 627-8994 and the online reservation address for reservations is: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1651531010237&key=GRP&app=resvlink  For questions about the Westin Annapolis or about making reservations contact Mike Giglio, 10^th Company, at [email protected] or 703-751-7956.  

■  MORE REUNION NEWS - Now for those who may have forgotten let me comment on the weather in Annapolis in April.  The average daily high temperature is 65-68 degrees F and the average daily low is 48-45 degrees F so think cool and breezy.   April is also the wettest month in Annapolis with a 36% chance of rain on any given day. So, next April when you come to the 65^th Reunion, bring a sweater and/or jacket and don't forget the rain gear.  

■  COST PER GRADUATE – In an earlier class column I reported on how much a Midshipman is paid these days which is about 10 times what we were paid.  But that amount is only a small part of what it costs the taxpayers for a brand new Navy/Marine Officer after 4 years at Annapolis.  According to the Academy PAO the cost for the Class of 2020 was $438,740 per graduate.   

■  JUNE 4TH, A DATE TO REMEMBER – Byron Brooks was an enlisted naval aviator (NAP) in the Navy prior to WWII.  He was in Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5) aboard USS Yorktown.  On a flight over the Atlantic his plane went down and he was lost at sea.  The date was June 4^th 1941.  William Lawe was also an enlisted man in the Navy.  He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) on board USS Hornet as a gunner on a TBF Avenger.  During the battle of Midway his plane was shot down and he was killed.  The date was June 4^th 1942.  Their sons, Paul Brooks and Dick Lawe both attended the Naval Academy with the Class of 1958.  Moreover both were together in the 22^nd Company and both graduated with our Class.  The date was June 4^th 1958.  Paul and Dick both went on to become aviators.  Paul in the Navy and Dick in the Marines.  Four men, separated by years yet united by love of Country, by fate and by a date to remember; June 4th.   

■  WASHINGTON CHAPTER LUNCHEON – Once again Classmates and spouses in the Washington area gathered for an enjoyable luncheon.  The speaker for the event was Professor Claude Berube who is the Director of the USNA Museum.  Besides managing the museum the Professor teaches classes in history and elective courses such as hands on war gaming, the War of 1812 Naval Tactics (which includes a sailing event), courses about naval battles using ship replicas, etc.  If you attend our 65^th you might find a visit to the museum very interesting and worth the time.  Attending the luncheon were Jack and Ann Adams, Dan Bellay, John Carty, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Linda Gamboa, Gorden and Jane Gerson, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Kay Powell and Bev Smedberg.

“JACK ADAMS AND PROFESSOR BERUBE”

■ WHEN DID WE BECOME MIDSHIPMEN? - Most of us, if asked that question, would say 28 June 1954, but in fact only 923 of the 1221 in our Class were sworn in on that day.  There were 24 more “swearing in ceremonies” for the other 298 members of our class before our final Classmate took the oath on 17 August.  Sometimes it was only a ceremony for 1, but sometimes it was a significant number such as on 6 July when the number was 83.  Anybody out there among the 298 who can explain why they missed the big day on 28 June?  

■  CLOSING RANKS  

Jim Hocker, 5^th Company, died on 26 February 2022  

Jay Taylor, 1^st Company, died on 14 April  2022  

Dick Keefe, 4^th Company, died on 22 April 2022  

Dave Ault 10^th Company, died on 8 May 2022  

Alex Martella, 13^th Company, died on 1 May 2022  

Kent Lawrence, 16^th Company, died on 12 May 2022  

Richard McKelvey, non-grad, died on 5 April 2022  

Becky Caldwell, widow of Bob Caldwell 18^th Company, passed away on 31 March 2022  

Sarah Withers, wife of Bill Withers 19^th Company, passed away on 27 April 2022  

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JUNE 2022

■  LOST BUT FOUND – It was 1982 and George McNulty, 21^st Company, was in Dublin, Ireland to attend a business meeting (he was a civilian by then).  He had taken off his Class ring to get cleaned up for dinner and forgot to put it back on.  Later when he went to look for the ring it was no where to be found.  Fast forward to 2020 and I received an email asking me for George's contact information.  I forwarded the request to George and it turned out the inquiry came from a man who was a 15 year old boy back in 1982.  He had come across the ring back then and gave it to his mother who put it aside where it remained forgotten until the mother died.  The family came across the ring going thru the mother's things and decided to try to find the owner which was how they came to contact our Class Secretary (me).  George's daughter contacted the young man, who was now over 50, in Ireland and in due time the ring was sent to George.  Our rings don't change size, but sometimes our fingers do so George sent the ring off to Jostens where they resized and polished the ring and replaced the stone which had been damaged in the process.  So 40 years after it was lost the ring is back on George's finger where it belongs.

A RING TO REMEMBER

   ■  REUNION NEWS -  Our 65^th reunion will be different from previous reunions in several ways.  This time we will gather in the Spring (13-16 April 2023) instead of the Fall so no football game.  Another difference will be the hotel where we will be staying.  This time it will be The Westin Annapolis.  The Westin is located on West Street at Westgate Circle.  The room rate is $169/night with 13% state and local taxes in addition.  Parking is an extra $25/night for self-parking (I am referring to us parking the cars not the cars parking themselves).  Reservations can be made by contacting Marriott reservations (they own Westin hotels) at 1-888-627-8994.  Reservations opened for booking on May 1^st 2022.  Be sure to let them know you will be attending the USNA Class of 1958 reunion to get that special rate.  100 rooms have been reserved for us and they will be held until March 17^th 2023.  One other difference with this reunion.  The crowd will be older, more mature, more wiser, etc.

 ■  58 BY THE NUMBERS – In the summer of 1954 there were 1221 of us sworn in as Midshipmen in the USNA Class of 1958.  During our 4^th Class year 14 additional Midshipmen were either turned back or readmitted to our Class.  215 were separated by the end of that first year, 118 due to academic deficiencies, 19 who were physically disqualified, 61 who resigned, 5 who turned back and 12 for other reasons.  So by June of 1955 there were 1020 in our Class.  During 3^rd Class year we added 3 and lost 62 and the total in the Class was down to 961 by June 1956.  A year later the number was 909 and at graduation in June of 1958 we were 899 strong.

 ■  CLOSING RANKS -

 Tom Barry, 8^th Company died on 3 March 2022

 Ted Driggers, 18^th Company died on February 26^th

 Dan Ziegler, 11^th Company passed away on 21 February 2022

 Sam Swart, 3^rd Company died on March 4^th 2022

 Charles Collins, passed on 7 February 2022.  He started with the Class of '58, but was a non-grad.

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MAY 2022

■  REUNION – Just a reminder.  Our 65^th reunion is less than a year away.  It will be 13-16 April 2023 to be exact so start your planning.

“Reunion Time”

 ■  HOW OLD IS OLD? - If you are starting to feel old these days just remember you probably aren't the oldest '58 Classmate.  That honor goes to Marty Kuhneman 5^th Company who was born on July 7^th 1932.  And, yes that is right, Marty will soon be turning 90.    Actually we have 7 Classmates who will turn 90 this year.

■  CHAPTER NEWS – We often get reports from the Washington DC Class of '58 Chapter and sometimes we also hear from the San Francisco area Chapter, but we don't often hear from the New Zealand Chapter.  I'm referring to Art Bass, 2^nd Company who has been living in NZ since 1980.  After graduation Art served on two DDs and then had a tour as the Chief Engineer on an ice breaker which led to a visit to NZ which led to Art meeting his wife to be Gaynor (Art recalls that 85% of the bachelors on board applied for marriage licenses in NZ).  Following that tour Art resigned his Regular Commission and started a second career working for the Navy as a civilian and also serving in the Reserves.  In 1980 he retired and moved to New Zealand where life has been an exciting adventure.  Presently Art and Gaynor live on the North Island overlooking the sea.  Next time you are in NZ drop in and say hello.

■  SUPER SPREADER – Pete Gatje, 24^th Company, hosted a family reunion over the holidays.  Isn't it nice to see smiling faces instead of a bunch of masks?

“The Gatje family”     

■  CLOSING RANKS

 Leroy Haenz, 20^th Company, died on 21 September 2021

Stephen Guthman, 13^th Company, died on 24 January 2022

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MARCH – APRIL 2022

As 2021 came to an end our Classmates in the Washington DC area participated in a three- part celebration.  The common theme was the Army-Navy football game.

■Before the game – The Washington DC 58ers gathered with USMA class of 58 grads for the annual Army-Navy Classes of 1958 luncheon.  The luncheon was held at the ANCC on the 2^nd of December in advance of the Army-Navy game.  Brad Johnson USMA '58 and Bob Orlosky USNA '64 presented information on the two teams.  At that time Army was listed as a 9-point favorite, but both Brad and Bob declared the game would be closer.  Attending from the USNA class of 1958 were Buff Walter and his son, Fred and Jackie Victor, Phil Taylor and his daughter and son-in-law, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Linda Gamboa, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Paul and Carolyn Brown, Dan Bellay and Jack and Ann Adams.

“Brad Johnson and Bob Orlosky”

 ■ During the game – On the 11^th of December about 40 Class of 1958 classmates, spouses and friends gathered at the Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington VA to watch the game and have a good time.  Pictured below left to right are: 1^st row – Marty Hill, Joan MacLean, Nancy Hill, Ann Adams and Kay Powell; 2^nd row – Barbara Mansfield, Lynn Keith, and Eileen Giglio; and 3^rd row – Eric Mansfield, Taylor Keith, Rupe MacLean, Jack Adams and Mike Giglio.

“Christmas comes early in Arlington”

 ■  After the game – 41 Classmates and spouses in the Washington DC area turned out for the annual Class of 1958 Christmas luncheon at the Army-Navy club and to celebrate Navy's victory over Army.  Good food, nice holiday decorations and music to sing carols by presented by Polly Mitchell and Dan Bellay. 

“Polly Mitchell and Dan Bellay”

 Note: There have been lots of changes at the Naval Academy since the Class of 1958 graced the halls of Mother Bancroft.   If you have any questions about the Academy in 2022 drop me a note, an email or call and I will try to find an answer.  I'll start this with a question of my own.

 ■What are Midshipmen paid in 2022? - When we were Midshipmen we received $111/month which was half the base pay of an Ensign.  In 2022 the Mids are paid 35% of the base pay of an O1, but that amounts to $1217/month.  (That adds up to more than $58,000 over 4 years in addition to tuition, room and board).  Everything is not free however.  From their pay Midshipmen are charged for uniforms, books, and a variety of other charges.  Some examples are life insurance ($25/month for a $400,000 policy), barber shop ($26.55/month for males and a few dollars more for females), laundry and dry cleaning ($76.10/month), tailor shop ($30.65/month), Midshipmen activities ($30-$40/month depending on Class), USNA Athletic Association ($288/year), etc.  In terms of actual cash the plebes get $125/month, 3/c get $225, 2/c get $325 and 1/c get $500.  And of course most Midshipmen will graduate with a nice nest egg the Academy has saved for them.  For more information there is a Commandant of Midshipmen Instruction titled “Midshipman Stipend and Annual Budget Book” that you can find on the internet.

■Closing Ranks:

Les Troolin, 20^th Company, died on 1 December 2021  

Leroy Haenze, 20^th Company, died on 12 September 2021  

Frank Herrin, 11^th Company, passed away on November 10^th  

John Goolsby 12^th Company, passed away on November 25^th  

James Hoerle 20^th company died on December 24^th.  

Jan Cook 15^th Company died on November 25th

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022

■  10TH COMPANY STRONG

  The 10^th Company held their annual reunion from 19 to 24 September 2021.  21 Classmates, wives and widows attended.  Mike and Eileen Giglio hosted an Austrian themed buffet dinner to begin the week.  (Mike didn't report on the menu, but I'm guessing it was something like Wiener Schnitzel, beer, Goulash, beer, Spaetzle, beer, Tafelspitz (boiled beef) and more beer.  But everyone doesn't drink beer in Austria so probably there was wine and schnapps as well. Prost!)  Most of the week was spent in the Alexandria area, but on one day everyone went to Annapolis where an inurnment ceremony was held for Lee Meador and Betty Sutherland at the Columbarium followed by lunch at the Severn Inn.  Those attending (L to R in the picture) were Eileen and Mike Giglio, Margareta MacGregor, Pat Doss, Shirley Ford, Bill Hillsman, Jake McMichael, Mickey Hillsman, Pat Seeberger, Sally Sutherland, Kay Powell, Dave Sutherland, Bonnie Venable, Dave Ault, Bob Venable, Bill and Alice Garvey and Dianne McMichael and Norine Ault kneeling in front.  Harlow Manahan and Polly Mitchell missed the picture.  As Mike noted; “memories of years gone by and a new reminder to treasure.”

“10^th Company Reunion”

  ■  GREATER DC CHAPTER LUNCHEON

  Another very enjoyable chapter luncheon was held on September 30^th at the Army-Navy Club.  Rupe MacLean spoke about executing the “American Loop”.  This is a boat cruise north along the east coast of America, up the Hudson river, across the Great Lakes, through canals to reach the Mississippi river, down to the gulf, around Florida and up the inter-coastal waterway to home.  Rupe did the planning, purchased a 43 ft cruiser and was set to go, but health issues prevented execution of the plan.  However ift makes a great story and as Rupe's son said “a great adventure trip, just 10 years too late”.  Attending the luncheon were Jackie and Fred Victor, Julie and Pete Russell, Kay Powell, Barb and Paul Polski, Barb and Eric Mansfield, Joan and Rupe MacLean, Taylor Keith, Marty Hill, Jess Hernandez, Eileen and Mike Giglio, Jane and Gordon Gerson, Lois and Whitey Edwards, John Carty, Dan Bellay and Ann and Jack Adams.

If any of our Classmates has made the American Loop trip or a similar adventure please send me your story to share.

“Jack Adams with Joan and Rupe MacLean”

  ■  TRADITION AT THE ACADEMY

  In a previous Shipmate column I commented on changing traditions at the Academy.  Ralph Buck 23^rd Company, wrote to share his thoughts on the subject.  Ralph noted that tradition can be defined as a set of beliefs and values or as an established ritual and both definitions apply to what we think of as the traditions at the Naval Academy.  Ralph also pointed out that traditions can change and should be changed if they alienate or disrespect a part of the community.  For example if a community changes new members may feel excluded by an old tradition.  But don't cancel or change a tradition if everyone in the community is included and it affirms the core values of the group.  Instead honor and celebrate it because there is real beauty and value to be found in tradition.  Thank you Ralph for your input.

  Note: In years past change in society was slow sometimes happening over generations, but now changes in the world we live in are constant and rapid.  In this brave new world it can be hard to hang on to traditions that we have lived with and cherish. 

  ■  FAREWELL SERVICE

  Chuck Smith reported that he, Lance Massey, John Davis, and Mike Chapple attended the funeral Mass for Joe Fenick in El Cajon California on 21 October 2021.  They are pictured below with Joe's widow Madelyn Fenick.  Tom Fleming represented the Class of '58 at the service at Miramar National Cemetery which was held on 26 October 2021.

“Madelyn Fenick with Lance Massey, John Davis, Chuck Smith and Mike Chapple”

  ■  CLOSING RANKS

  George Kenefick, 1^st Company, died on 10 October 2021

  Kenneth Mitchell, 10^th Company, died on 29 August 2021

  Curt McGaffin, 14^th Company, died on 2 October 2021

  Joe Fenick, 7^th Company, died on 4 October 2021

  Davis Matheny, non-grad, died on 14 September 2021

  Gail Moran, widow of Michael Moran, 24^th Company, died on 29 August 2021

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

■  MOLLIE HEMINGWAY – Bill Hemingway, 18^th Company, wrote to report that his daughter-in-law, Mollie Hemingway, was a 2021 winner of the Bradley Prize which is awarded in recognition of her extraordinary talent and dedication to restore, strengthen and protect the principles and institutions of American exceptionalism. Mollie is a senior editor of the Federalist (an online magazine), a senior journalism fellow at Hillsdale College and a Fox News contributor.  She is also the author of the national best-seller Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court. Her latest book Rigged: How the Media, Big Tech and the Democrats Seized our Elections went on sale in October.

Mollie Hemingway

  ■  COM58 AND SECNAV – The new Secretary of the Navy is Carlos del Toro a retired Navy Commander and a member of the USNA Class of 1983.  He was born in Cuba and came to the United States as a young boy.  Gordon Gerson came to know SecNav while both were serving as Class Presidents and they recently met again at a Parade at the Academy.  Gordo did not which of them was the honored guest at the Parade?

The Secretary of the Navy and our Class President

  ■  POINDEXTER CLAN – John sent the picture of his family gathered to celebrate he and Linda's 63^rd Anniversary.  Two of the four sons in the picture graduated from the Academy.  Mark was Class of '85 and Tom Class of '92.  Another son, Alan, who did not attend the Academy was a Navy Aviator and also a NASA Astronaut with two missions in space.  Alan was a Navy Captain and Dean of Students at the Naval Postgraduate School when he died in an accident.

The Poindexter Clan

  ■  DC CHAPTER LUNCHEON – Have you ever wondered why our Classmates who attend luncheons in the DC area refer to themselves as the GREATER DC CHAPTER?  Are they referring to the number of attendees or the geographical area or is it something else that is “greater”?  I wonder?  Anyway their most recent luncheon was in July (for the latest up to date news be sure to read our class column).  The guest speaker was Captain Donald Kennedy who spoke about the actions the Academy had to take to deal with the COVID problem.  On-line instruction last year, graduating the Class of 2020 (5 separate ceremonies), inducting the Class of 2024, bringing the Brigade back to the Academy, etc.  Attending the luncheon were Jack and Ann Adams, Dan Bellay, John Carty, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Paul and Barbara Polski, Kay Powell, Mike Salmon, Phil and (son) Tim Taylor, and Buff, Jean and (son) Rich Walter.

Captain Donald Kennedy and Jack Adams

■  MORE HEMINGWAY NEWS – Bill and his wife Kathy celebrated their 58^th wedding Anniversary on 6 July.  He noted that he and Bill Bauer, who also celebrated his 58^th wedding Anniversary this last summer, were both in the 18^th Company and both went into the Marines.  SEMPER FIDELIS

  ■  KEEPING IN TOUCH – Gene Porter, 21^st Company, attended a vintage boat show in Idaho and decided to visit his old roommate Marty Donahoe who lives in Salt Lake City.  Marty resides in a senior living center, but is in pretty good shape.  They had lunch, talked about the old days and enjoyed each other's company which is the way it should be.

Marty and Gene

  ■  CLOSING RANKS

  Ray Hardy, 13^th Company, died on April 1^st 2021

  Mary Hardy, Ray's widow, died on May 8^th 2021

  James Corder, 3^rd Company, died on May 21^st 2021

  John Wells, 19^th Company,  died on July 21^st 2021

  Ted Smedberg, 19^th Company, died on August 7^th 2021

  Russ Mowery, 21^st Company, died on August 9^th 2021

  Carl Triebes, 8^th Company, died on August 28^th 2021

  Ken Mitchell, 10^th Company, died on August 29^th 2021

  John Daniel Haney, 16^th Company, died on September 14^th 2021

  JD Peters, 13^th Company, died on September 20^th 2021

  Ray Bumgardner, 22^nd Company passed away on December 31^st 2020

  Nancy Stremic, widow of Tony Stremic, died on July 28^th 2020

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

OCTOBER 2021

■  CLASS ATHLETIC LEGENDS

  In the last couple of Class columns I have listed 4 of our 6 Classmates who were nominated as Class of '58 Athletic Legends.  Here are the final 2 from that list:

  Tony Stremic, 20^th Company

          *  Wrestling Team (co-Captain)

          *  Undefeated in wrestling meets

          *  Football Team

          *  Most Valuable Lineman, 1958 Cotton Bowl

          *  2^nd Team All American

  Al Swanson, 21^st Company

            *  Basketball (team Captain), Football Team, Track Team

          *  7 Ns, 6 N stars

■  CLASS ATHLETIC LEGEND (2021 VERSION)

Gordon Gerson, 11^th Company, our Class President participated in the 2021 National Short Course Masters Swimming Championships.  The meet was held in Greensboro, North Carolina from 21 to 25 July.  Gordo came in first in both the 100 Backstroke and the 200 Backstroke, and third in the 50 Backstroke.  He also finished 5^th in 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke and 6^th in the 50 Breaststroke.  WAY TO GO GORDO!!!

“National Swimming Champion”

  ■  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

  Bill Bauer, 18^th Company, and his bride Judy celebrated their 58^th Wedding Anniversary on 6 July 2021.  Is 58 great or what?

"Bill and Judy Bauer”

 ■  EARLY WARNING!!!  HERE COMES '58

  By 1959 those of us who went into Navy Air had moved on to Advanced Training.  Several of the Class were assigned to the S2 pipeline and expected to be assigned to Anti-Submarine squadrons flying the S2F.  But the Navy had other ideas and 6 of the 58ers received orders to Airborne Early Warning Squadron-12 (VAW-12) home-based in Quonset Point RI.  The reason was that VAW-12 was receiving the E2 which was the S2 with a very big radar antenna on top.  The six were Mike Woodbury, Hugh Palmer, Mike Frawley, Dave Stubbs, Jack Dittrick and Fred Victor who provided me with all this information.  VAW-12 was unusual in the sense that the Squadron had 40 aircraft that were divided into 4 plane detachments which were assigned to Atlantic Fleet CVAs and CVSs.  The E1s and later the E2s would go on to become an important element in early warning and vector control of carrier fighters and attack aircraft and our six intrepid airmen from the Class of '58 played a vital role in implementing these advances in carrier aviation.

“E1s in Formation”

■  CLOSING RANKS

  James Lyons, 6^th Company, died on 30 June 2021

  Ralph Carestia, 20^th Company, died on 8 July 2021

  Frank Gamboa, 17^th Company, passed away on 8 July 2021

  James Silldorff, 5^th Company, died on 1 January 2020

  William Geoghegan, non-grad, died on 14 June 2021

CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

SEPTEMBER 2021

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY

  In recent issues of Shipmate I have outlined the deaths of our Classmates who died in the line of duty.  There were 28 of them and the last of the 28 to report on was CDR Jack Hoel USN, 6^th Company.  Jack died on 11 September 1974.  At the time Jack was the Commanding Officer of the USS John Calhoun (SSBN-630) Blue crew.  He was returning to his ship from a trip to Washington DC when the Eastern Airlines DC-9 he was traveling on crashed on approach to Charlotte, NC.

  Of the 28 Classmates who died in the line of duty 20 were USN Officers, 5 were USAF Officers and 3 were Marine Officers.  22 of the 28 who died were pilots or flight officers.  3 of the 28 were killed in action (KIA). 

  ■  CLASS ATHLETIC LEGENDS

  Each Class President was asked to present the names of outstanding athletes from his Class.  In the last issue of Shipmate I described the achievements of Harry Hurst and John Griffiths.  Here are the achievements of 2 more.

  Ben Montoya, 5^th Company

            * Starting pitcher for the Academy Baseball team for 3 years

            * Captain of the Baseball team 1^st Class year

            * Three N's, two N-stars

            * Retired Rear Admiral

            * Served on the Academy Board of Visitors for 5 years including 2 years as Chairman

            * Selected in 2008 by the USNA Alumni Association as a Distinguished Graduate

  Ned Oldham, 6^th Company

            * Captain of the Academy Football team

            * Starting midfielder for the Lacrosse team

            * Scored all 14 points against Army in 14-0 victory in 1957

            * Halfback on offense, safety on defense

            * Selected for 3^rd team All American in Football

            * Honorable mention All American in Lacrosse       

  ■  HONORING BEN MONTOYA (PART II)

  Mike McLane 6^th Company recently visited the Submarine Museum in Groton Ct. and as he was looking at some of the new exhibits he came across a large picture of Ben Montoya.  Mike was surprised because this was a Submarine Museum and Ben had been a Civil Engineer Corps Officer.  Turns out this was an exhibit about the contributions of hispanic/latino Officers and Ben made a very large contribution to the Navy during his active duty career and in retirement.

RADM Ben Montoya USN

  ■  WEDDING BELLS

  Bud Manazir, 12^th Company, happily reported his marriage on the 22^nd of May 2021 to the beautiful Paula Jane Jacobs and is looking forward to introducing her to the Class at our 65^th reunion.

Bud and Paula Jane Manazir

  ■  IN THE WORDS OF JACK ADAMS, “HALLELUJAH!!!”

The DC Chapter of the Class of 1958 gathered on 28 May for the first get together in over a year and over 30 Classmates, spouses and friends were present.  The guest speaker was RADM Samuel Cox, USN (ret), Class of '80, who is the Director of the Naval Historical and Heritage Command and Director of Navy History and Curator of the Navy.  He gave an inspiring presentation explaining how history can provide real lessons for current policy makers.  In his talk he linked Classmates from the Class of '58 and parents of Classmates to historic events and noted how our Class's continuing supportive efforts for the USNA Museum is so important.

  Those attending were Buff and Jean Walter, Fred and Jackie Victor, Mike Salmon, Pete and Julie Russell, John Rohrbaugh, Kay Powell, Eric and Barbara Mansfield, Roger and Kathy Lyons, Bob and Shelia Lance, Marty and Nancy Hill, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Bill and Pat Dougherty, Charlie Brooks, Dan Bellay, Jack and Ann Adams plus guests from the Class of '80.

Jack Adams and RADM Samuel Cox

  ■  MEANWHILE BACK AT HILTON HEAD

  Lee Polhill, 19^th Company reported that he, Pete Westphal, 1^st Company Pete Berg, 18^th Company, George Stubbs, 17^th Company and Bill Pendley, 3^rd Company met for lunch at Hudson's on the Dock on Hilton Head Island.  Since this is not the first time this group has gathered at Hudson's I decided to do a little research.  Turns out that Hudson's started out as an Oyster Factory in 1912 and evolved into the present day restaurant.  They serve about 450,000 oysters a year and 70,000 lb of shrimp so they must be doing something right.  If you want to find out what keeps bringing them back you can order Hudson's Cookbook and/or Hudson's Seasoning on line.

Pete B., George, Pete W., Bill and Lee from the left

■  CLOSING RANKS

 Jack Petit, 7^th Company passed away on the 11^th of June

 Mike Cunningham, 18^th Company died on 21 June.

JULY-AUGUST 2021

■  THEN AND NOW

            THEN – In 1970 the Class of '58 participated in the Annual Homecoming activities at the Academy.  On Friday the 9^th of October we joined other Alumni for a reception in Dahlgren Hall and dinner in the Mess Hall and on Saturday attended the football game.  Then on that Saturday night we had our annual Class Homecoming dinner party.  The party was held at the Royal restaurant on West Street with drinks and light hors d'oeuvres followed by a roast beef dinner.  The cost was $10 and that was for a couple, but did not include drinks.

            NOW – Our Class leadership is starting to think about our next Class reunion which will be our 65^th and will be held in the spring of 2023.  It just takes a bit longer to organize things these days.  Oh, and don't expect dinner to pay $10 (per couple) for dinner this time.

  ■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY  

LCDR Guy (Sam) Houston USN, 12^th Company, died in November 1969 serving with Carrier Air Wing 3 on board the USS Saratoga while deployed in the Mediterranean.  Sam was participating in flight maneuvers at the time of the accident.

  LCDR Keith Rasmussen, USN, 24^th Company, died on October 19^th 1971.  Keith was piloting an E-2B over the Sea of Japan when his plane collided with an A-7.  All five members of Keith's crew perished in the crash. Both planes were operating from the USS Midway and entering the landing pattern at the time of the collusion.  

In the January-February 2021 Class column I reported on the death of LT Bruce Wilhelmy in 1966.  Dick Buss, a Companymate of Bruce from the 20^th Company, sent in some additional information regarding Bruce and the fatal accident.    At the time of his accident in 1966 Bruce was doing an acceleration run at 28,000 feet when the wings came off the plane.  Investigators determined that an exhaust leak had caused Bruce to lose consciousness from carbon monoxide fumes and the plane went out of control at high speed.

  Dick also noted that Bruce received the Distinguished Flying Cross for obtaining low level photos over Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

  ■  CLASS ATHLETIC LEGENDS

  The Alumni Association has asked Class Presidents to present names of outstanding athletes in their classes.  In the next several columns I will list our Classmates nominated for this honor.  Let's start with:

  Harry Hurst, 7^th Company.

            * Plebe football, basketball and baseball

            * Varsity football

            * 3 N's, 2 N stars

            * AP back of the week for gaining 137 yards on 9 carries for 2 touchdowns against William and      Mary

            * Set Navy record for three touchdown receptions in one game.  Never broken in 62 years.

            * 1958 Cotton Bowl Championship team (leading ground gainer and all-purpose yard gainer)

               Played both offense (halfback) and defense (safety)

            * Honorable mention All-American

  John Griffiths, 6^th Company

            * Varsity Tennis and Squash, Captain of both teams

            *  Squash All American twice

            *  Never lost a match to a Cadet

            *  6 N's, 5 N stars

            *  In 1957 Navy won the National Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association Championship                       and John played #1 for Navy.  He was ranked #4 in the Nation and voted All American.

            *  In 1958 John won the Maryland State Men's singles Championship and was invited to play in        the National Men's championship

■  CLOSING RANKS  

Ronald Kirk, 9^th Company.  Died on 17 September 2020  

Kenneth Gebhart, 14^th Company.  Died on 29 April 2021

  Byron Nelson, 19^th Company (non-grad).  Died on 8 April 2021

  Bert Concklin, 24^th Company.  Died on 23 December 2020

  Joseph Paull, 6^th Company.  Died on 19 March 2021

  Catherine Morgan, wife of David Morgan 1^st Company.  Died on 15 May 2021

  Sandra Pidgeon, widow of Robert Pidgeon, 2^nd Company.  Died on 1 May 2021

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JUNE 2021

IN THE LINE OF DUTY  

In 1969 we lost two more Classmates in aircraft accidents.  In both theses cases they were victims of circumstances outside their control.

LCDR Alan Hospes, USN, (2^nd Company), died on the 31^st of July 1969.  At the time Al was assigned to VA-36 and stationed at NAS Cecil Field.  On the 31^st he was flying an A-4C on a training flight when fate intervened.  During a practice bombing run the engine flamed out and Al ejected however the chute did not open.  

CAPT Wilbur Wright, USAF, (18^th Company), died on October 9^th 1969.  At the time Will was an electronics warfare officer with the 93^rd Bombing Wing stationed at Castle AFB.  He was a crew member on B-52Fs and at the time of his death he was on a training flight.  The plane was conducting night time practice touch and go landings and overran the runway, crashed and exploded on impact.  All 6 crew members perished in the crash.  

■  CLASS OF '58 WEBSITE  

If you haven't checked lately I recommend you visit our Class Website.  It is full of information of interest.  The Website was created by Poj Walters and Fred Victor around the time of our 45^th reunion and is now maintained by Fred Victor, 11^th Company, and he does an outstanding job.  The Home page has current information such as the names of recently deceased Classmates and wives.  You can click on a name there and access an obituary for that person.  At the left of the Home page is a list of other sections of the Website you can visit.  News/Events is especially useful in the run up to reunions for example.  Also in this section is a link to the comprehensive guidelines for preparing and administering obituaries that Terry Cooper put together a couple of years ago and is still relevant today.  Shipmate has our Class of '58 columns from Shipmate.  Photo Gallery has pictures (surprise).  Roster has an up to date Class roster.  Binnacle List has reports of Classmates who are ill.  Last Call has obits for deceased Classmates and wives.  Board of Trustees lists your Class Officers and Company Reps lists the Company Representatives and Assistant Company Representatives.  Links for '58ers and Fleet Link have links to other websites of interest.  One important note about the website.  Fred does a great job and deserves a lot of credit, but he depends on all of us to provide him with the information that goes into the website.  For example, if you move, change your phone number or email address be sure to let Fred know. Also, any info and/or pictures from trips or special events in your lives that you would like to share would be welcome.   

Our Class of '58 Website address is http://1958,usnaclasses.com/default.htm.  

■  THE ONLY THING THAT IS CONSTANT IS CHANGE  

That observation was made by an ancient Greek philosopher by the name of Heraclitus.  Another example of how right he was is June Week at the Naval Academy.  Only now it is called Commissioning Week and it takes place in May.  So let me ask for an opinion poll.  Can you think of a good reason for the changes?  Does there need to be a good reason for changing a tradition?  Is tradition a good thing in the military?  Send your opinions to [email protected].

■  CLOSING RANKS  

Arthur Ridley, 4^th Company, died on 5 March 2021  

Patricia Gladin, widow of Jack Gladin, 23^rd Company, passed away on 25 February 2021  

Mary Sue Jones, widow of Bob Jones 3^rd Company, died on 22 February 2021  

Juanita Medlock, widow of Chuck Medlock, 7^th Company, died on 5 December 2020

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MAR-APR 2021

■  HHI LUNCHEON

  A small group of 58ers gathered in December for a Christmas luncheon.  The location was Hudson's on the Docks at HHI.  Now perhaps you have not been to Hudson's on the Docks or do not know what or who HHI is?  Well, HHI refers to Hilton Head Island and I will guess that Hudson's is a bar/restaurant owned by Mr. Hudson.  Since it is on the Docks it is probably near the water, but I am guessing that based on the photos on the wall in the picture.  Attending the luncheon and also in the picture were George Stubbs (17^th) and Lee Polhill (19^th) in the front row and Bob Mason (9^th) and Bill Pendley (3^rd) in the back row.  Tom Grimm, Pete Berg and Pete Westphal were unable to attend. 

“Hudson's on the Docks at HHI”

 ■  HOSPITAL POINT?

  I suspect that most of our Class would venture to say that Hospital Point has that name because the Naval Academy Hospital is located there.  However, that is no longer actually true.  The name of the point is the same, but the Hospital is no longer there.  The old hospital building is still there but it is no longer a hospital.  The USNA Alumni Association has some offices in the building as does the United States Naval Institute.  Across the Severn River at the Naval Support Activity there is a modern medical facility and the Sick Bay in Bancroft Hall is much enlarged from what it was during our days as Midshipmen. 

  The first hospital at the Academy was built in 1846 but it was poorly built and in a bad location.  That building was replaced in 1852 with a new facility adjacent to the Officer's Club.  In 1868, after the Civil War, when the Academy returned to Annapolis, land was purchased north of College/Dorsey Creek and in 1871 a new hospital was built.  Designed by RADM David Porter it was very modern for the day, but it had to be closed in 1876 because of a prevalence of malaria.  The building, then known as Porter's Folly, was used for storage.  In 1903 Congress appropriated a large amount of money for rebuilding the Naval Academy facilities and a new hospital was opened in 1907.  In 1939 and again in 1941 new wings were added and this was the building we knew as the Hospital.  In 2017 the hospital function was moved across the Severn.   An ever evolving Academy in a changing world.

“The Naval Academy Hospital that we knew”

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY

  LCDR Robert Kornegay USN (13^th Company) died on March 15^th 1967 in a plane crash.  At the time Bob was assigned to the Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake.  He was on a flight to Quonset Point as part of the crew of a Douglas A-3B Skywarrior.  The plane was making a fueling stop at Lockbourne AFB in Ohio when it crashed short of the runway during a GCA approach.  All three members of the crew were killed.

  LCDR Alexander Lupfer USN (10^th Company) died on 13 May 1967 as the result of the crash of the TF9-F jet he was piloting.  At the time he was a flight instructor flying out of NAS Kingsville Texas.  Alex had served in 5 different fighter squadrons in the fleet, had deployed to Vietnam and saw combat, had studied aeronautical engineering at the NPS in Monterey and had two years experience as a flight instructor prior to the crash. Alex was a very experienced and well qualified pilot, but sometimes events happen that are out of the control of even the best aviators.

  ■  FLAG OFFICERS AND GENERAL OFFICERS (continued)

Phil McNall, 15^th Company, was another of our Classmates who rose to Flag rank.  Phil's first tour was on the USS Estes (AGC-12).  He then went to the Supply Corps School and transferred from surface line to the Supply Corps.  Later he would go to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and earn a Masters degree in operations analysis.  That was followed by a tour as the aide to the Commander of the Naval Supply Systems Command.  Then back to sea on the USS New Orleans (LPH-11).  His first command was the Fleet Materials Supply Office, then Naval War College and duty as the Supply Officer on USS Nimitz (CVN-68).  He served as Commanding Officer of the Supply Center in San Diego, followed by a tour as Supply Officer for the 7^th Fleet.  His final tour was as Commanding Officer of the Aviation Supply Office.  Phil retired in 1988 and dropped his anchor in San Ramon California.  In his retirement Phil worked as a professional golf instructor (does that count as work?) and as a defense industry consultant.  RADM Phillip McNall USN (ret) passed away on 28 November 2020.

RADM Richard Pittenger USN (ret), 17^th Company, grew up with a love for the sea which was a bit strange for someone born in Nebraska.  But Dick's family moved to Washington State when he was young and he smelled salt air.  As a school boy he was a Sea Scout/Sea Cadet and when he graduated from High School he joined the Navy Reserve.  In the Reserves he applied for an appointment to the Academy and was accepted.  During his career in the Navy Dick had a lot of sea duty and loved every minute.  His first ship was the USS Dupont DD-941.  His other seagoing tours were USS Norfolk, DL-1, USS Farragut, DLG-6, USS Pledge, MSO-492 as Commanding Officer, USS Perry, DD-944 as XO, USS Connole, FF-1056 as Commanding Officer and DESRON 26 as Commander.  During his career Dick became one of the Navy's leading experts in ASW.  That focus started with his earliest shipboard assignments and continued during his career.  At the Naval Postgraduate School he earned a Masters degree in underwater acoustics.  Later during duty with the staff of COMCRUDESLANT he was the ASW officer on the staff and developed the concept of an “ASW Squadron”.  The USS Connole was a part of that Squadron which won several Fleet awards during Dick's tour as CO.  During his final years on active duty Dick served as the Director of ASW programs for the CNO and as the Oceanographer of the Navy.  After retiring from the Navy Dick went to work for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution where he was in charge of the WHOI fleet of research vessels, both surface and sub-surface, and served in that capacity for 14 years.

“RADM Richard Pittenger”

■  THE REST OF THE STORY

  In past Class columns I have written about the careers of Classmates in the years following graduation, but I have not written about Classmates who did not graduate although I am sure many of them had distinguished careers.  In this column I would like to highlight the career of one such Classmate.  His name is Reginald Vachon and he died in December 2020.  I learned of his life from reading his obit and I feel the rest of his story is worth sharing.  Although he did not graduate from the Academy Reggie did go on to earn a BS in engineering, a MS in nuclear engineering and a PhD in mechanical and aeronautical engineering.  He also earned a law degree as well and was a member of the Alabama State Bar and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court.  He was an engineer with NASA and with the Army and was a retired US Army Colonel.  During his life he founded several engineering companies and was a registered engineer in six States, as well as in Europe and Asia.  He worked internationally in Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Russia.  Reggie was also a distinguished academic and was a chaired professor of mechanical engineering at Auburn, an adjunct professor at Purdue and a recipient of the Outstanding Teacher award from the ASEE.    In 2019 he was awarded the ASME Medal for eminent and distinguished achievement in engineering.  During his career he served as President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Chair of the American Association of Engineering Societies, President of the Pan American Academy of Engineers, Vice President of the Union of Pan American Engineering Societies and Vice President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, and the list goes on.  (Note: if you knew Reggie during his time at the Academy or in late life and would like to share your memories please contact me.) 

 ■  CLOSING RANKS

  Tom Powell, 13^th Company, died on 9 December 2020

  Bob Slaven, 1^st Company, died on 3 December 2020

  Chapin (Chip) Day, 23^rd Company, passed away on December 23^rd 2020

  Phil McNall, 15^th Company, died on November 28^th 2020

  Robert Pidgeon, 2^nd Company, passed away on 30 December 2020

  Ernie Luders, 3^rd Company, died on 8 January 2021

 David Eller (non-grad) died on 15 December 2020

  Reginald Vachon (non-grad) died on 24 December 2020

CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JAN – FEB 2021

■  WASHINGTON DC NEWS FLASH – The Class of '58 DC Chapter held a luncheon on 29 October.  Attending were Buff Walter, Ted and Bev Smedberg, Pete and Julie Russell, Paul and Barb Polski, Taylor Keith, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Frank and Linda Gamboa, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Dan and Pat Belay and Jack and Ann Adams.  The guest speaker was Dr. Marcus Hedahl an Associate Professor and the current Stockdale fellow at the USNA Stockdale Leadership and Ethics Center.  Dr. Hedahl spoke about today's leadership precepts and how they are presented to the Brigade of Midshipmen.

“Dr. Hedahl and Jack Adams”

 ■  THE ADMIRAL CHARLES LARSON AWARD FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP – Each year the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership presents the USNA Class of 1958 Admiral Charles Larson Award for Ethical Leadership to a member of the faculty or staff at the Naval Academy who has demonstrated integrity, service and leadership while upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior.  This year the Award went to Ms. Sarah White the Deputy for Facilities and Construction at the Naval Academy.

“Ms. Sarah White receiving the Admiral Charles Larson Award

for Ethical Leadership”

 ■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY – In recent Class columns I have been looking back at the stories of our Classmates who died in the Line of Duty.  The next name on that list is Captain Leonard Reynolds USAF, better known as Pete, from the 22^nd Company.  Pete went into the USAF after Graduation and at first became a launch control officer in the Air Force missile program.  Later he went into flight training and was first in his class.  On 8 July 1964 he was piloting an F-105D and collided in mid-air with a KC-135 refueling plane over California.  Pete did not survive the collision.

It would be almost 2 years before we lost another Classmate and that was Lt. Christopher “Bruce” Wlhelmy, USN from the 20^th Company.  Bruce went Navy Air after graduation and in 1962 he was flying RF-8 Crusaders with VFP-62.  When the Cuban missile crises happened Bruce distinguished himself as one of the pilots flying high speed, low level missions over Cuba.  On 17 February 1966 Bruce was assigned to the Navy test pilot program at Pax River and fate intervened.  He died while he was flying a T-28 and during an extreme test the plane crashed.

■  FLAG OFFICERS – I suspect that if someone checked they would find that the person whose picture has appeared in the most issues of Shipmate would be none other than RADM John (Jack) Adams USN (ret), Class of 1958.  Jack Adams, 4^th Company, is the President of the Class of '58 Washington DC Chapter of the Class and in almost every Class column I report on luncheons of the very active DC Chapter and those reports include pictures of Jack with the guest speaker du jour.  So now that you know what he looks like, let me highlight his distinguished career.  Jack went Navy Air and earned his Wings of Gold in December of 1959.  He was assigned to VS-32 where he flew the S2.  Shore duty followed at NPS Monterey and in Washington DC including duty as an Aide to an Admiral which is always exciting.  Then sea duty on USS Randolph CVS-15 for two years, shore duty at the Naval War College and back to sea with VS-24 on USS Intrepid.  Jack's first command was VS-22 where he flew the S-3A.  That tour was followed by a tour as Chief Staff Officer at VS-WING ONE, then duty at NAVOP05 in Washington before returning to VS-WING ONE as Commander.  In 1981 he was given Command of the USS Sylvania AFS-05.  In 1983 he served as Commander of Service Squadron Two and was promoted to Flag Rank.  As a RADM Jack served as the 81^st commandant of the Washington Naval District, had a tour with the Joint Chiefs and then served as Commander ASW Wings Pacific.  His final active duty tour was as Commander Naval Bases, San Diego.  During his active duty career Jack flew 50 different types of military aircraft and made arrested landings on 16 different aircraft carriers.  He also traveled to all seven continents during his Naval career and, in his words, “had an absolutely splendid time”.  As you might expect Jack followed his distinguished Naval career with a distinguished career in the private sector.  In his spare time he served on the Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees, on our Class of 58 Board of Directors, as Vice President of both the Navy League and the Association of Naval Aviation, and as a Director of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Residence Foundation and the list goes on.

RADM Jack Adams, USN (ret)

■  CLOSING RANKS -

  Ronald Daringer, 16^th Company, died on 26 October 2020

  Dick Tillman, 1^st Company, passed away on 15 October 2020

  Bob Stibler, 18^th Company passed away on 12 November 2020

  Tom O'Neill, 22^nd Company died on 13 October 2020

  (Check our Class of 1958 web site for more details on their passing)

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

■  CLASS LUNCHEON??  IN WASHINGTON DC?? 

The Washington Chapter of the USNA Class of 1958 was able to resume luncheons in August.  Deciding that if one guest presentation is good then two must be better, the leadership scheduled a double header.  First up was our Classmate Harry Hurst.  He discussed the talent on the Navy football team and was articulate, witty, and entertaining as usual.  Harry gave an optimistic forecast for the upcoming season (note: this was before the BYU game).  On a more serious note, our Classmate Taylor Keith gave a scholastic report on the history of Hatuey Beer.  (Hatuey was brewed in Cuba and served to us in Gitmo on our Midshipman cruises.)  Taylor reported that once there was a native Chief in the Caribbean named Hatuey who fought the Spanish in the 16^th Century.  He ended up being caught by the Spanish on the island of Cuba and was burned at the stake in 1512.  History does not report if he was caught because he had been drinking too much beer, but for some reason Bacardi named a beer in his honor and made Hatuey Beer from 1927 until the late 1950's.  (Craft beer and ale with the name Hatuey are still being brewed and are available in the U.S.) 

The following Classmates and guests attended the luncheon:  Buff Walter, Phil Taylor and son, Ted and Bev Smedberg, Pete and Julie Russell, Paul and Barbara Polski, George Ojalehto, Rupe and Joan MacLean, Sally Larson, Taylor and Lynn Keith, Alice Weidmann, Harry and Peg Hurst, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Frank and Linda Gamboa, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Charlie and Peggy Brooks, Dan and Pat Bellay and Jack and Ann Adams.  The Master of Ceremonies and the two speakers are pictured in a Class of '58 version of “The Masked Singer”.

“Taylor Keith, Jack Adams and Harry Hurst”

  ■  FLAG OFFICERS AND GENERAL OFFICERS

In this column I would like to highlight two of our Classmates who both became Naval Aviators and rose to Flag Rank through the Patrol Squadron (VP) community. I refer to Jesse Hernandez and Bill Pendley. Something else they share was that they both had been in the 3^rd Company.

  RADM Jesse Hernandez, 3^rd Company, received his Wings of Gold in December 1959 and reported to VP-46 at NAS North Island in San Diego.  His tour in VP-46 was unusual in the sense that during that time the Squadron went from P5Ms to P2V-5Fs, to P2V-7s, to P3As (the first Squadron on the West Coast with the P3s).  His next tour was to Pax River for Test Pilot School and the Naval Air Test and Evaluation Center.  During this time Jesse flew 25 different aircraft.  (How did he remember where the on/off switches were in so many different planes??)  Further tours included Flag Lieutenant for COMCARDIV 6, a tour in VP-50, VX-1 in Key West, back to Pax River, then VP-46 as XO and CO.  In 1982 he had Command of Patrol Wing 10 and in 1985 was selected for Flag and served as Commandant of the Washington DC Naval District followed by a tour as Commander Patrol Wings Pacific.  Jesse's final tour was as Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan.  Well done.

“RADM Jesse Hernandez, USN”

  RADM William Pendley, 3^rd Company, received his Wings in February 1960 and reported to VP-45 at NAS Bermuda.  He then attended American University and earned a Masters in International Relations and was a PhD Candidate (ABD).   Bill's next tours were on the USS Essex as Assistant Navigator, Armed Forces Staff College, and back to VP-45.  Then OPNAV in Strategic Plans and Policy followed by yet another tour with VP-45 as XO then CO.   Next was a tour as COMPATWING 11 Operations Officer then back to Washington as Executive Secretary to the CNO.  After being promoted to Captain, Bill had a tour as Commander Patrol Wing 11.  Next was Washington at OPNAV followed by a tour on the Staff of CINCPACFLT.   After promotion to Flag rank he was Commander Patrol Wings Atlantic Fleet from 1983 to 1985.  After another Washington tour at OpNav Bill was sent to Korea as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Senior Member United Nations Military Armistice Commission.  His final tour was as Director Strategic Planning and Policy at CINCPAC.  BZ!

“RADM William Pendley, USN”

  ■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY

  In our last column I wrote about two of our Classmates who died in the line of duty in 1961 and both involved accidents in F8U Crusaders. 

  In June of 1963 we lost yet another Classmate flying an F8U.  LT. Donald Meyer USN, 4^th Company, died in an accident near Hawaii while operating from the USS Hancock, (CV-19).  The accident happened at twilight when Don was attempting a carrier landing.  According to eyewitness reports the visibility was poor and Don dropped below the flight path, was unable to recover and wave off and crashed into the fantail of the Hancock.

  In January of 1964 CAPT. Carl Larsen USAF, 16^th Company, died in an accident in Osan, Korea.  At the time Carl was stationed at Kadena AFB, Okinawa.  On the 23rd of January he was piloting his F105D Thunderchief and crashed while landing at Osan AFB in Korea.  According to USAF records the cause of the accident was a stuck throttle which caused the plane to overrun the runway.

  ■  CLOSING RANKS

  Jim Sheenan, 1^st Company, passed away on 14 September 2020

  Barry Howard, 4^th Company, died on 17 July 2020

  Newt Moore, 1^st Company, died on 30 June 2020

 Al Rachap, 12^th Company, passed away on 27 June 2020

  Rosemary Adkins, wife of Jim Adkins, 9^th Company, died on 3 September 2020

  Betty Farnan, widow of Dick Farnan, 20^th Company, died on 31 August 2020

  Note:  Obits for deceased Classmates and spouses may be found on our Class Website: 1958.USNACLASSES.COM

Note:  In the July-August of Shipmate I reported the death of Charles Bowne, but misspelled his name as Browne.

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

OCTOBER 2020

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY  - In our Class column in the September issue of Shipmate I wrote about the loss of two Classmates, James Moore and John Paul Price, in 1961.  Both were flying F8U Crusaders at the time of their deaths and sadly that pattern continued the next year.  FIRST LT Alexander Longdon USMC, 7^th Company, was killed on 14 September 1962 when his F8U Crusader collided in mid-air with an Air National Guard F86 near Dallas Texas.  

In 1962 the Navy introduced the P3A Orion into the fleet.  The first Squadron to get their Orions was VP-8 and they took delivery of their first P3A in August of 1962.  Just a few months later LT Theodore White, 16^th Company, was lost at sea, along with 13 other crewmates, when his VP-8 P3A crashed on 30 January 1963.  The accident happened at night, about 500 miles from land in the Atlantic when the plane was operating at about 500 ft altitude during a training exercise.  

■  FLAG OFFICERS AND GENERAL OFFICERS – Referring back to the September 2020 Class column again you will/may/perhaps recall I wrote about the careers of General JB Davis USAF, 14^th Company, and LTGEN Terry Cooper USMC, 24^th Company.  Terry passed on an interesting bit of history that took place in 1990.  Then LTGEN JB Davis was Commander of US Forces Japan and then MAJGEN Terry Cooper served as JB's Deputy Commander.  At the same time ADM Chuck Larson, 8^th Company, was CINCPAC and RADM Bill Pendley, 3^rd Company, was on his staff.  And RADM Jesse Hernandez, 3^rd Company was in Command of Patrol Planes in the Pacific and RADM Jack Adams, 4^th Company, Commanded Naval Bases San Diego and was dual hatted as Commander Maritime Defense Zone, Sector California.  Simply put the Class of 1958 was pretty much in charge of the Pacific for that brief period in time.  The photo shows JB and Carol Davis, Chuck and Sally Larson and Terry and Bettie Cooper at JB's quarters at Yokoda AFB during a visit by Chuck and Sally to Japan.  

“Class of '58 Flag Officers and their Ladies”

    ■  REFLECTIONS – In 1983 a writer for the Norfolk Ledger-Star named Pete Rowe did a series of articles about the USNA Class of 1958.  He interviewed 13 of our Classmates reflecting on their careers in and out of the Navy.  Steve “Whitey” Edwards, 17^th Company, was one of those 13.  In 1983 Whitey had retired from the Navy as a Captain and had taken the job of Commandant of the Maine Maritime Academy. At the time his reflections on his career were; “How many people did we touch?  How many lives did we affect?  Is it enough to command an aircraft carrier as opposed to making a lot of money or sculpting a beautiful statue?  I had an absolutely super career, absolutely great.  The wife loved it.  I loved it.  I went into it with a goal – command destroyers.  Did it.  When not doing it again at 45 I decided to do something else.”  So recently I asked Whitey to comment on those reflections some 37 years ago.  He said he still remembers that his Navy career had been a blast.  “Lots of sea duty, which was by choice.  Didn't join the Navy to drive a desk.”  He served on 6 destroyers, was XO of 2 and CO of 2.  The USS Lester and the USS Semmes.  Whitey spent 4 years at the Maine Maritime Academy after he retired from the Navy then moved to the DC area and had a very rewarding career of 15 years working for GE on Navy projects.

  Another of those 13 Classmates was John McCain, also from the 17^th Company.  John retired from the Navy in 1981 as a Captain and by 1983 was just getting going in his political career.  In 1982 he ran for the seat of retiring Congressman John Rhodes of Arizona.  A year later speaking to Mr. Rowe, he recalled that “there was 115 degree heat in July and August, but I knocked on 16,000 doors.”  John won the nomination and was elected in November of that year.  In 1983, looking back on that election, he reflected; “For once, I was correct.  People want someone to represent them who understands the issues, can articulate the issues and get things done.”  Later, after rising to the pinnacle of public life John wrote in his book Faith of My Fathers that “Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.”  The photo is John and his family on stage after he accepted the nomination for President at the 2008 GOP Convention.  John died in 2018.

“2008 GOP Convention”

  ■  LEGACIES  - Jim Adkins, 9^th Company, was pleased and proud to advise us that his grandson James Newton Adkins IV was inducted into the USNA Class of 2024.  That means he will graduate 66 years after his grandfather did.  But that is not all of this story.  Jim's son is the Class of 1986 and Jim's granddaughter is Class of 2014.  This is a Navy Blue and Gold family for sure.

  ■  GOOD QUESTION FOR REEF POINTS  - Jack Adams, 4^th Company, was recently asked a question by the widow of a Classmate.  She was donating her late husband's Naval sword and had noticed what appeared to be a six pointed Star of David engraved on the sword near the hilt and asked Jack why that would be.  He checked and sure enough his sword had the same symbol.  So Jack contacted RADM (ret) Sam Cox, Class of 1980, who is the Director of the Naval History and Heritage Command and the Curator of the Navy.  His report is that it is a Six Pointed Persian Star not the Star of David.  To prove they meet specifications U.S. and British military swords are required to have the Persian Star together with the word “proved” etched on the blade as a guarantee of the quality of the steel.  The origin of the symbol is unknown, but dates back to the Persian empire as a symbol for Damascus Steel.  Note: I can say from personal knowledge that not all Naval Officer's swords have the Persian Star symbol.  In late 1959 I received my Navy wings in Corpus Christi Texas and moved to Coronado California to join a VP Squadron.  During the move my sword was either lost or stolen and I had to buy a replacement.  The one I bought at the Navy Exchange was made in Japan and has no Persian Star.  Not being sure of the quality of the steel I wisely avoided sword fights during my career.

■  CLOSING RANKS

Daniel Leonard, 24^th Company, passed away on June 27^th 2020.  

Joseph Hutchinson, 8^th Company, died on 30 June 2020.

William Newt Moore, 1^st Company, died on 30 June 2020.

 Eric Thacher, 16^th Company, passed away on 1 July 2020.

 Russell Vreeland, 2^nd Company, died on 1 July 2020.

Barry Howard, 4^th Company, died on July 17th 2020.

SEPTEMBER 2020

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Looking back at the list of Classmates who died “in the line of duty” there were two who died in 1961.  Both were Naval Aviators flying F8U Crusaders and both were flying from the USS Independence at the time of their accidents.

LTJG James Moore USN, (3^rd Company) died on April 6^th 1961.  Jim was assigned to VFP-62, a Photographic Recon Squadron and was flying the F8U-1P Crusader.  At the time of his death he was engaged in a night carrier qualification exercise on board the USS Independence.  His plane crashed into the sea following launch from the carrier when one of the wings on his aircraft folded.

LTJG John Paul Price USN, (6^th Company) died on 22 August 1961.  John was assigned to Fighter Squadron VF-84 and was also flying the F8U Crusader.  At the time of his accident John was deployed to the Med on board the USS Independence and crashed while attempting to land on the carrier.

■ FLAG OFFICERS AND GENERAL OFFICERS

In the July-August 2020 issue I introduced a segment in our Class of '58 column celebrating our Classmates who achieved Flag rank.   In this issue I would like to briefly highlight the careers of two General Officers from the Class of 1958.  One in the Marines and one in the Air Force.

LtGen Matthew T. Cooper, USMC (24^th Company) served on active duty for 35 years.  During his career Terry had 20 years in Command tours.  He served two combat tours in Vietnam, Commanded two Marine Corps Divisions, was Commanding Officer of Camp Pendleton and also Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Officers School at Quantico.  After his retirement in 1993 he became the President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and served in that role for 15 years.  The Headquarters for Toys for Tots is named the Cooper Building in his honor.  He has also served as a Trustee of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and on the Board of Directors of the Naval Mutual Aid Association.  In 2011 Terry was selected as a Naval Academy Distinguished Graduate.  Semper Fi.

“LtGen Matthew Cooper, USMC (ret)”  

General James Davis USAF (14^th Company) was one of our Classmates who earned 4 Stars.  After graduation JB obtained his Air Force wings and was assigned as a KC-97 pilot.  He yearned, however, to fly something faster and in 1967 underwent F4 Phantom training.  In January of 1968 he was assigned to the 13^th Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Thailand and by September of that year he had flown 100 combat missions over North Vietnam.  That tour was followed by duty at SHAPE in Europe then back to the States to attend the Armed Forces Staff College.  In 1979 he was given Command of the 474^th Tactical Fighter Wing.  By 1988 he was Commander of U.S. Forces in Japan and concurrently served as Commander Pacific Air Forces.  His final duty was as Chief of Staff for SHAPE.  JB retired from the Air Force in 1993. A great career in the Wild Blue Yonder.

“General James Davis, USAF (ret)

■  COMPANY OFFICERS REDUX

Pete Westphal (1^st Company) passed on some information about one of our more well known Company Officers.  I refer to Captain Perrich, USMC, known to our Class as Bonzo, the Company Officer of the 3^rd Company.  Pete went into the Marines after Graduation and in 1966 he was the CO of B Company, 3^rd Engineer Battalion with the 4^th Marines in Chulai.  LtCol Perrich was the CO of the 1^st Battalion, 4^th Marines and Pete's engineers supported the 1^st Battalion in their combat operations.  Pete saw LtCol Perrich many times at his Command Post and went along on a number of the combat operations.  By this time Bonzo had mellowed and when Pete told him he had been considered a terror at the Academy he admitted that he had worked at it.  Bosco, as his friends called him, made full Colonel and was considered a good Marine recognized for his intellect. 

■  REFLECTIONS

In 1983 the Ledger-Star was the afternoon paper in Norfolk Va.  In October of that year they published a 3 part series about the USNA Class of 1958 written by Pete Rowe a staff writer on the paper.  It was 25 years since our graduation, a time to reflect on both the past and the future.  Mr. Rowe interviewed 13 of our Classmates for his article.   

One of those Classmates was Hollis Holthaus (4^th Company), the son of a pharmacist in Nebraska.  Hollis went Navy Line, but as he neared 20 years service he found himself with repeated tours in communications billets and that was not what he wanted.  As he told Mr. Rowe, “My interest in the Navy was in ships.  I wasn't interested in boondoggle communications.”  At the same time a tumultuous personal life had left him divorced and shattered.  As an Officer he never held command at sea and drifted from destroyer to diesel sub to spy ships to communications.  In a communications billet at the White House he said that he had “dealt with Christian telecommunications people and found most were very naive”.  So Hollis retired in 1978 as a Commander and recognizing his calling elsewhere he moved to Los Angeles and helped establish the U.S. Center for World Missions, streamlined fund raising for World Vision, a relief organization and became the executive director of the Union Rescue Mission which feeds and houses hundreds of the poor and homeless.  And that was where he was in 1983.  Later he would go on to become the executive director for the Chicago Christian League, another large rescue mission.  Hollis found satisfaction in serving the homeless and needy and said “But for the grace of God I could have been one of those men”.  He died in 1993.

“ Hollis Holthaus, LA Skid Row, 1983”

Pete Gatje (24^th Company) was another of those interviewed in 1983.  At the time he was a Captain and told Mr. Rowe that he had hopes to attain Flag rank, but that would not come to be.  Pete had earned his Navy Wings after graduation and later became a Restricted Line Officer with a specialty in oceanography and meteorology.  He retired in 1986 following a tour as Commanding Officer of the Naval Oceanography Center in Norfolk VA.  After retirement he worked for ST Systems as a Systems Engineer.  Like many of our Classmates he had found a new career with a Company that had links to the Navy.  He also became a Park Ranger for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and as a Supervisor had responsibility for maintaining over 1000 miles of trails, but hiking the trails of the Appalachians was a hobby for Pete and keeping the trails open was his way of saying thank you. 

899 of us graduated on the 4^th of June in 1958 and in our careers and personal lives there have been 899 different stories.

■  CLOSING RANKS

 Jim Corder, 3^rd Company, died on 21 May 2020

 Floyd Hissong, 14^th Company, died on 23 May 2020

 Don Leo, non-grad, passed away on 9 March 2020

 James Lott, non-grad, passed away on 15 June 2020

 Patricia Salmon the wife of Michael Salmon, 8^th Company, died on 25 May 2020

 Arden Polhill the wife of Lee Polhill, 19^th Company, died on 10 June 2020

 Correction:  In the July-August issue of Shipmate I incorrectly reported the death of Charles Browne.  It should have read Charles Bowne, 8^th Company.

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JULY-AUGUST 2020 ISSUE

■  FLAG OFFICERS AND GENERAL OFFICERS – The Class of 1958 had 25 graduates achieve Flag rank during their careers.  These include 18 U.S. Navy Flag Officers and 2 Flag Officers in the Navies of other countries, 2 General Officers in the Marine Corps and 3 General Officers in the U.S. Air Force.  One of those Classmates is VADM Ron Eytchison USN (ret) 1^st Company.  After graduation Ron served on a Destroyer prior to attending nuclear power and submarine training which was common in those days.  After duty on both an SSN and an SSBN he was selected for graduate school which was not so common among Submarine Officers.  And to make it even more unusual, as an Olmsted Scholar, two years of the graduate education was spent at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.  After that it was a series of tours ashore and at sea including Command of the USS Skate (SSN 578).  Subsequent tours included Command of Submarine Squadron Six, and a multi-hatted tour as Commander Submarine Group Eight, NATO Commander Submarines Mediterranean, Commander Submarine Force U.S. Sixth Fleet and Commander Area ASW Forces U.S. Sixth Fleet. His final active duty tour was as the Director of Strategic Target Planning where he was responsible for targeting all strategic nuclear weapons.  Following his retirement Ron worked 13 years as an executive and consultant in the civilian nuclear power industry.  Well done Ron.  There is one more achievement that Ron can take great pride in.  He can still wear his uniform!  In the attached photo Ron is administering a virtual swearing in oath to new Ensigns who graduated from Georgia Tech.

          VADM Ron Eytchison in his Dress Whites

■  THE REST OF THE STORY -  At the Academy Pat Hanavan, 24^th Company, received the Marine Corps Association Prize.  So he went into the Corps, right?  Well, actually not.  Instead he joined the Air Force and became a pilot.  In the Air Force Pat had some very interesting assignments including flying the C-7A Caribou in Vietnam.  The C-7A is a twin engine STOL cargo plane capable of landing on unimproved runways on the order of 1000 ft which is about the length of an aircraft carrier.  During his career in the USAF Pat received a PhD in Engineering from UCLA and became a registered Professional Engineer (PE).  When he retired in 1978 he joined the faculty at the University of Texas in San Antonio.   Pat's expertise as a PE was in Software Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering.  As an engineer his work took him to many countries that I am sure were more enjoyable than Vietnam.  Pat also found the time to earn a Master of Arts degree in Theology along the way.

     C-7A Caribou

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY

LTJG James Wood USN, 24^th Company, died on September 12^th 1960.  Woodie was flying an AD-5 from Moffet Field in California on a night flight and went missing off the coast.

LTJG William Flynn USN, 21^st Company, died on 21 December 1960.  Bill was 3^rd pilot/navigator on the crew of a P2V from Patrol Squadron Seven.  The Squadron was deployed to NAS Argentia, Newfoundland and Bill's plane went missing on a night flight while participating in a Fleet training exercise.

■  WHERE THERE IS THE WILL THERE IS A WAY – Mike Cunningham, 18^th Company, and Dorothy Hanners, his friend and companion of 10+ years were enjoying each other's company when along came the COVID-19 situation and talk of quarantine, stay at home, etc.  So Mike took action and asked Dottie to marry him and she said yes.  This was in early February and the wedding was set for 17 March.  The location would be the old Court House in Orange Virginia.  At 10:30 the morning of the 17^th Mike received a call from the Magistrate who told him the Court House had been closed because of the virus.  Time for Plan B!  After a discussion the Magistrate offered the parlor in their home.  Offer accepted and it is now Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham.  Congratulations to the bride and groom.

“Mike and Dottie Cunningham”

■  CLOSING RANKS

  Charles Bowne 8^th Company, died on 23 April 2020

  Lawrence Reid, 3^rd Company, died on 27 April 2020

  Ed Jackson, 5^th Company, passed away in January 2020

  Robert Flynn, 10^th Company, passed on 4 May 2020

  George Myers, 16^th Company, died on 14 April 2020

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JUNE 2020 ISSUE

■  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY – The Washington DC/Annapolis Chapter of the Class of 1958 celebrated cupid's day with a luncheon.  Present were Buff Walter, Jackie and Fred Victor, Julie and Pete Russell, John Rohrbough, Paul Polski, George Ojalehto, Rupe MacLane, Jean LeBer, Marty Hill, Eileen and Mike Giglio, Jane and Gordon Gerson, Linda and Frank Gamboa, Lois and Whitey Edwards, Terry Cooper, Pat and Dan Bellay and Ann and Jack Adams.  The speaker was Dr. Joe Thomas the Director of the USNA Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership and he spoke about the means used to impart ethical leadership principals to today's Midshipmen.

“Dr. Thomas and Jack Adams”

■  WHEN EVER TWO OR MORE. . . - Two members of the 17^th Company were able to rendezvous for lunch and fellowship.  Eric and Barbara Mansfield and Charlie and Peggy Brooks got together in Vero Beach while vacationing in Florida.  Peggy is from Vero Beach and she and Charlie visit there almost every year.  Eric and Barbara have a condo a couple of hours south of Vero Beach and so it came to pass.

“Charlie and Eric”

 ■  HONOR FLIGHT ELIGIBLE – Glen Smiley, 5^th Company, joined the Navy Reserve in June of 1953 after graduation from High School.  In August the Korean War Truce was signed and Glen became a Korean War Vet before he joined us at the Naval Academy.  Because of that service Glen became eligible to participate in an HONOR FLIGHT trip to Washington.  These are all expense paid trips to Washington DC for vets of WWII and the Korean War.  In Glen's case 26 vets and 27 “guardians” travelled from Denver, but Honor Flights originate from many cities.  In Washington they visited various memorials and monuments as well as the Capitol and everywhere they went they were cheered, folks wanted to shake their hands, etc.  Glen is probably not the only Classmate we have who is a Korean War Vet  If you are one of those look into getting on an Honor Flight.  Check it out on www.honorflight.org.  In the photo Glen is kneeling, handsome guy at the far right of the front row.

“Denver Colorado Honor Flight”

 ■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY – By 1960 those of us who had gone to flight training had earned our wings and were in Fleet Squadrons.  More flying hours in more demanding aircraft and more demanding situations equaled more accidents.

 Massey Pierce, 15^th Company, was assigned to Utility Squadron 7 (VU-7) in San Diego.  The primary job for VU-7 was to tow targets for Fleet training exercises.  Massey died in an aircraft accident on 15 June 1960 at NAAS Brown Field.

 Theodore Graver, 2^nd Company was assigned to a Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron based at Quonset Point.  On 19 July 1960 Ted was killed in a helicopter accident in Georgia while enroute from Mayport Florida to Quonset Point.

 Just over 2 years after graduation and we had lost 5 Classmates, 4 of them in aircraft accidents.

 ■  CLOSING RANKS

 James Fredericksen, 10^th Company, died on 18 February 2020  

William Graham, 12^th Company, died on 8 March 2020

 Robert Ellis, non-grad, passed away on 1 February 2020

 Marion Raczek, non-grad, passed away on 1 February 2020

 Loyd Shelton, non-grad, died on 8 March 2020

 Don Leo, non-grad, died on 9 March 2020

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

APRIL-MAY 2020 ISSUE

 ■  NOTHING ENDURES BUT CHANGE – I'm sure all of us remember the thousands of meal formations we attended, marching to the Mess Hall, going to our assigned tables and having the stewards serve us family style.  Well, most of that has changed.  At today's Naval Academy meal formations are limited to Monday-Saturday noon meal and only the Companies that form up in the Forecourt actually march to the meal (I suspect that is to provide a show for the tourists).  Instead of a formation for breakfast the Midshipmen attend Quarters.  Most of the meals are optional and during those meals the Midshipmen do not have assigned tables so that is different from when we were seated in Company areas at assigned tables.  At most of the meals the Midshipmen are also given options regarding what they want to eat. Oh, and I almost forgot.  The upperclass can keep food in their rooms.  For example 1/C can have small refrigerators in their rooms as well as coffee makers.  No stoves yet, but TVs are okay.  In some ways life at the Academy is like it was 60+ years ago and in other ways it is like life at any other University.

  ■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY – A couple of issues ago I started a discussion of our Classmates who died in the Line of Duty.  There were 28 of them and in this issue I will discuss what happened to Robert Stannus and John Mason the 2^nd and 3^rd of that group to die in the line of duty. 

  Dick Stannus was in the 9^th Company and after graduation he went Navy Line and was detailed to the USS Bexar (APA-237).  On a deployment to WESTPAC the Bexar encountered typhoon Ellen on 9 August 1959 and two Marines were washed overboard by the heavy seas.  Dick was the OOD and because he was an excellent swimmer he volunteered to go in the hazardous waters to rescue the men (conditions were too rough to launch a small boat).  Dick did rescue one of the Marines, but he and the other Marine were both killed. Dick was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his valor.

  John Mason was in the 4^th Company.  John always wanted to fly and after graduation he went into the Air Force.  He died on 14 December 1959 when his F-86 Sabrejet crashed.  At that time John was in what those of us who were Navy pilots called advanced training.  In John's case he was training to be an interceptor pilot.

  ■  LATITUDE 22+ THE ROADHOUSE CABO – I'm not sure of the details, but it seems that a detail from the 18^th Company visited an establishment of some repute in Cabo San Lucas.  There is photographic evidence proving that Bill “uno” Hemingway and Bill “dos” Bauer were there.

“Bill Hemingway, Jake the 1078 lb Blue Marlin and Bill Bauer”

MERRY CHRISTMAS – I know some of us are still sending out our Christmas Cards so it should be no surprise that I am still reporting on Class Holiday festivities. Our Class Washington DC Chapter had a Holiday luncheon (latitude unknown) with 52 folks present.  Dan Bellay and Polly Mitchell provided the music and there were reports of singing and dancing and a good time enjoyed by all.

“Dan Bellay and Polly Mitchell”

 ■  ALUMNI CHAPTERS – If you are one of those who only read our Class of '58 column in Shipmate you may not be aware that there are a number of USNA Alumni Chapters in various locations.  There are 6 Chapters in California for example and even some outside the U.S. such as in the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tokyo, the UK and Spain.  There is even an RV Chapter for Recreational Vehicle fans.  I know that because Tom and Kay Powell, 13^th Company sent me a picture of the two of them dancing at an RV Chapter gathering in Key West. (What is this about all these 58er's dancing?)

“Tom and Kay Powell in Key West”

 ■  WEST COAST CHAPTER LUNCHEON – Our West Coast Chapter, San Francisco Bay Branch, gathered for lunch in January in beautiful Tiburon by the Bay.  Those attending were Keith and Diane Featherston who were the hosts, Bill and Virginia Oliver, Phil McNail, Bruce and Nancy Bartels, Barbara Allard and John Potter. The location was the Harbor Light Restaurant.  (This is a high class place and I can tell because there are no Blue Marlins hanging around.)

                    “58ers at the Harbor Light Restaurant”

■  CLOSING RANKS  

George Jenkins, 10^th Company, passed away on 7 February 2020

 Robert Warren, 8^th Company, died on 1 February 2020

Myron Kandra, 22^nd Company died on 23 January 2020

 Richard Cordova, 17^th Company, passed away on 4 February 2020

 Paul Tucker, 22^nd Company, died on 17 January 2020

 Jim Fredericksen, 10^th Company, died on 18 February 2020

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

MARCH 2020 ISSUE

■  ARMY-NAVY DC LUNCHEON – Every year graduates from the USMA and USNA Classes of 1958, who live in the Washington DC area, gather prior to the Army-Navy football game to enjoy a nice lunch, renew old friendships and harass each other with claims how THEIR team is going to win THE game.  The luncheon is held, of course, at the Army Navy Country Club and so it was on 5 December.  After lunch Harry Hurst presented the case for the Naval Academy.  He described the changes in Navy's coaching staff and the resulting impact on the Navy team.  He described the strengths and weaknesses of our team and cautioned that Army was a 5 win and 7 loss team and therefore would be highly motivated because a win would allow them the keep the Commander in Chief trophy, go to a bowl game and chalk up a 4^th straight win over Navy.  Brad Johnson presented Army's case.  He noted their problems with injuries to key positions and how close most of their losses have been, but also pointed out that season records do not matter much when it comes to the Army-Navy game.  Since Navy was the host at this luncheon they ended the day by serenading the USMA crowd with a rendition of “The Goat is Old and Gnarly”.  Navy was well represented by Jack and Ann Adams, Dan and Pat Bellay, Paul and Carolyn Brown, Whitey and Lois Edwards, Frank Gamboa, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Mike and Eileen Giglio, Harry and Peg Hurst, Taylor Keith, Jean LeBer, George Ojalehto, Paul and Barbara Polski, Tom and Kay Powell, John Rohrbough, Pete and Julie Russell, Phil Taylor, Fred and Jackie Victor, Buff Walter and Bruce Wilcox.

So, what happened on December 14th?         ***NAVY 31 – ARMY 7***

■  WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR COMPANY OFFICERS?   

The most distinguished of our Company Officers turned out to be a U.S. Army Officer and a West Point graduate.  I am referring to Alexander Haig who was the Company Officer for the 11^th Company.  He went on to become a 4 star General, served as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, was Secretary of State for President Reagan and White House Chief of Staff for Presidents Nixon and Ford.

  Captain Robert Gordon Hunt was the Company Officer for the 17^th Company.  Captain Hunt graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1949.  In 1950 he was serving in Korea as a 2^nd Lieutenant in charge of a Motor Pool Company.  When the Chinese attacked there was chaos and a general retreat.   2^nd Lt. Hunt took his trucks across the frozen Chosin Reservoir to rescue the wounded left behind in a field hospital.  For his actions he received the Silver Star.  He retired from the Marines as a Lieutenant Colonel.

  ■  JOHN MCCAIN QUOTATION – In his years as a POW John had time to reflect on many things and in later years he wrote down some of those reflections. In one of his books he wrote “It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy”.  Good advice for our children and grandchildren.

  ■  ARMY-NAVY GAME CELEBRATIONS – Back in Washington our DC Chapter Classmates gathered at the Giglios home to enjoy the game.  The official report was that both the game and the party were “great”.  Out west in San Diego our Classmates gathered at Miramar to watch the game and enjoy each other's company.  In the picture, L to R, are Al and Ann Skiles, Jan and Lore Cook, Tom Fleming, Chuck and Tam Smith, Pete Nystrom, Doree and Pete Hekman, John Washburn, Madeline and Joe Fenick.  Chuck Smith also reported that the plan for 2020 is for gatherings in Coronado in March, Rancho Bernardo in June, Coronado again in September and back to Miramar in December.  If you are going to be traveling in the vicinity of San Diego in any of those months please contact Chuck Smith.

“Watching Army-Navy in San Diego” 

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY – In the January-February 2020 issue I wrote that 28 of our Classmates had died “in the line of duty” following graduation.  In that column I detailed what happened to Ensign George Fennell and Captain Paul Klinedinst, the first and last of our Classmates to die in the line of duty.  In this column I would like to look back at what happened to 3 Classmates who were killed in action (KIA).  One was a Marine Officer, one a Navy Line Officer and one an Air Force pilot.  All three were killed during the Vietnam conflict.

  Captain Edward Browne, USMC, 5^th Company (KIA 27 July 1967) – Ed died in enemy action in Quang Tri province while serving as Commanding Officer of “D” Battery, 2^nd Battalion, 12^th Marines.  He was killed by incoming counter battery fire while trying to rescue some of his men.  He was our first Classmate killed in action.

 LCDR Carl Jerrold Peterson USN, 11^th Company (KIA 2 April 1969) – Carl was Operations Officer on USS Ogden (LPD-5) from 1966 to 1968 and participated in 8 major amphibious assaults in Vietnam.  In 1968 he could have rotated home, but volunteered instead for duty with the riverine forces in Vietnam and was given Command of Patrol River Boat Squadron 57.  On 2 April 1969 he was embarked on one of his Squadron Patrol Boats when it was hit by an enemy rocket.  Carl was mortally wounded and died from his wounds.

 LTCOL John Wayne Held USAF, 3^rd Company (declared KIA on 21 August 1975) – John was a member of the 604^th Air Commando Squadron.  He was flying a Cessna Dragonfly aircraft (A37-A light attack jet) on a combat mission in Phuoc Long Province on 17 April 1968 when his plane was hit by ground fire.  John ejected, but was not heard from again.  On 21 August 1975 he was declared officially KIA.

 ■  UPDATE REGARDING GEORGE FENNELL – In the January-February 2020 issue of Shipmate I reported on the death of George Fennell, the first of the Class of '58 to die in the line of duty.  I have recently learned that on 7 December 2019 the USNA Alumni Association dedicated a “Walk of Honor” in Pensacola for 42 USNA graduates who died in the Pensacola area.  George Fennell was one of the 42 so honored and a brick in his name is part of that walk.

“George Fennell honored in Pensacola Walk of Honor”

  CLOSING RANKS  

Tony Stremic, 20^th Company passed away on 19 November 2019

  Jack MacKinnon, 9^th Company died on 22 November 2019

 Dave Allard, 7^th Company passed on 30 November 2019

  Allen Keith Sewell, non-grad died on 14 November 2019

USNA CLASS OF 1958 SHIPMATE COLUMN

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 ISSUE

■  IN THE LINE OF DUTY  - In the years after graduation we had 28 Classmates die “In the line of duty”.  In upcoming issues of Shipmate I will be looking back at those who died in service of their Country. 

  Our first Classmate to die after graduation was Ensign George M. Fennell Jr. USN, 22^nd Company.  George came to USNA from Brooklyn with an ambition to become a Naval Aviator.  At the Academy he won the Jack Cobb Moore Award for the highest mark in the Naval Aviation Course and graduated with distinction.  Following graduation George reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training.  On Sunday September 21^st 1958 George died in an aircraft accident in the line of duty.

  The last Classmate to die in the line of duty while on active duty was Captain Paul Richard Klinedinst, Jr. USN, 24^th Company.  Paul also came to the Academy from New York State and graduated near the top of the Class.  He served in submarines and was the Commanding Officer of the USS James Monroe.  In 1980 he was the Executive Officer of the USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16).  On January 13^th 1980 the Gilmore was moored at Santa Stefano Island and was getting underway to transit to Genoa.   Paul was killed while observing the casting off of lines when a large, 10 inch, mooring line parted.  

  ■  10TH COMPANY REUNION – In October twenty two Classmates, wives and widows of the 10^th Company gathered in Williamsburg, Virginia for their 15^th annual reunion.  In addition to seeing old friends and telling tall tales the group had outings to Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Battlefield.  All this was followed by nightly Happy Hours at the Embassy Suites Hotel where the picture was taken.  In the picture Left to Right are: 1^st Row, Alice Garvey, Bill and Mickey Hillsman, Pat and JJ Seeberger, Jean and Harlow Manahan and Eileen Giglio.  2^Nd Row, Marvis Giddens, Margareta MacGregor, Pat Doss, Dianne McMichael, Bonnie Venable, Mike Giglio, and Norine Ault.  3^Rd Row, Jake McMichael, Jack Giddens, Bill Garvey, Wes and Jeanne May, Dave Ault and Bob Venable.

 “10^th Company Reunion”

■  HERE A BEAR, THERE A BEAR, EVERYWHERE A POLAR BEAR - Pat Hanavan, 24^th Company, and his daughter Cindy travelled to the Hudson Bay in October to see for themselves what is happening with the polar bears.  Out they went in a Tundra Rover, or the “food truck” as the bears think of it.  On their outing they saw about FIFTY polar bears so I think Al Gore can relax.  The picture shows Pat and Cindy in the Tundra Rover.  Look close and you will note one of the polar bears admiring the “58 is Great” flag.

“Pat Hanavan, daughter Cindy and unnamed polar bear”

 ■  PARADISE REVISITED – Once a year the 58ers in the San Francisco Bay area migrate to Paradise Valley Estates for a luncheon and so it was on the 23^rd of October.  Dave and Barbara Allard and Bruce and Nancy Bartels, who live at PVE, hosted the event.  Also present were John and Jude Potter, John Gardner, Phil McNall, Bill and Mimi Schramm, Bill and Virginia Oliver and Dave Woodberry with his daughter Marjorie Woodberry.

  ■  OCTOBER IN WASHINGTON DC – The 58ers in the DC/Annapolis area gathered for their October luncheon and the guest speaker was Dr. Claude Berube who is the USNA Museum Director and also a History professor.  He gave a very interesting presentation about programs and projects at the Academy Museum involving Midshipmen and historical research.  He also spoke about the need to restore and protect museum artifacts of historical significance, such as the 58 flag Bruce McCandless took into space.

  Those attending were Buff Walter and his son Scott, Pete Russell, Tom and Kay Powell, Paul and Barb Polski, Taylor Keith, Harry and Peg Hurst, Jess Hernandez, Clivie and Nancy Goodwin, Mike Giglio, Gordon and Jane Gerson, Frank and Linda Gamboa, Dan and Pat Bellay and Jack and Ann Adams.

“Dr. Berube and Jack Adams”

■  COMPANY OFFICERS? - Whatever happened to our Company Officers?  I thought that would be an interesting subject to report on, but turns out it is not an easy subject to find information about.  The Academy does not even have a record of who the Company Officers were back in our days at USNA.  The subject came up when Glen Smiley, 5^th Company, wrote with a story about an experience he had with Capt. Parrish, USMC during 1^st Class year.  Turns out Glen and his roommate Cleve Puckette were relaxing in their room when there was a knock and in walked Capt. Parrish, the Officer of the Day.  During his inspection of the room he notices a coffee cup on the desk with coffee residue in the cup and it was against regulations to have coffee in your room.  The Captain then announced “somebodys been drinking coffee!”, but does not ask Glen or Cleve who.  Instead he starts to really check for the source of the coffee.  He looked in the lockers, behind the books, in the shower, under the sink, under caps and hats, within folded uniforms, in the pockets of b-robes, in the shoe rack, etc.  Glen is in a panic because not only is there coffee supplies, but also an electric grill for grilled cheese sandwiches another no no.  The Captain felt under the pillows and the mattresses, looked behind the radiator and out the window and finally gave up and left the room.  A minute later he came back and said “Mister Smiley, after graduation I want you to tell me where you hid your coffee” and left.  So my question is, what happened to Capt. Parrish and his fellow Company Officers in the years after we graduated?  If you know please let me know and where did you hide the coffee Glen?

■  ARMY? NAVY? - Bob Adams grew up in a military family.  Two of his great grandfathers went to West Point.  His father and a grandfather graduated from the Naval Academy.  And that grandfather was Vice Admiral William Smedberg, the Supe when we were at USNA and the father of Ted Smedberg '58 which makes Bob Adams Ted's nephew.  So Bob goes to the Naval Academy and graduates with the Class of 1973 and then goes on to become a SEAL.  But the story doesn't end there.  In 1987 Bob accepts a commission in the Army and a scholarship to medical school and becomes a doctor.  In 2006 he retired from the Army as a Colonel.  The unanswered question is, does he cheer for Army or Navy??

■  CLOSING RANKS

William Brown, 22^nd Company died on 13 October 2019

Stan Dargis, 4^th Company died on 9 October 2019

  Sinkler Warley, 20^th Company died on 3 October 2019

  Ernest Merritt, 19^th Company died on 30 August 2019

 Ronald Brence, 23^rd Company died on 23 October 2019

 Ralph Neely, 3^rd Company died on 24 October 2019

  Dick Farman, 20^th Company died on 1 September 2019

  Owen Kirkley, 1^st Company died on 20 August 2019

  Barbara Detjen, widow of Richard Detjen, 9^th Company passed on 5 May 2019

  Marlene Prince, widow of William Prince, 9^th Company passed on 13 June 2019

  Frances Nutting, widow of Roger Nutting, 16^th Company passed on 23 September 2019

  Annette Thornton, wife of Bob Thornton, 20^th Company passed on 20 September 2019

  Jarvis Girard, Non-Grad, died on 7 November 2019

  Marlys Girard, wife of Jarvis Griard, passed on 22 October 2019