April 7, 2025

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral George R. Sterner, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral George Rudolph Sterner on 29 November 2024 at age 84. Vice Admiral Sterner entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in September 1958 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in May 1998 as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). His other

April 7, 2025

USS President: “…one of the finest pieces of naval architecture ever exhibited”

 Editor’s note: On May 10, 2022, Naval History and Heritage Command announced its commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the launch of the first of the U.S. Navy’s six frigates, which began the new United States Navy, including: United States (launched May 10, 1797), Constellation (September 7, 1797), Constitution (October 21, 1797), Congress

March 5, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Everette D. Stumbaugh, JAG, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Everette Don Stumbaugh on 27 February 2025 at age 87. Rear Admiral Stumbaugh enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in March 1955 and served in the Judge Advocate General Corps until his retirement in November 1990 as the 32nd Judge Advocate General of the Navy. He also previously

March 3, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral William J. Finneran, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral William John “Bill” Finneran on 24 January 2025 at age 94. Rear Admiral Finneran enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1952 and served as a naval aviator and in aviation engineering/systems until his retirement in July 1988 as vice commander, Naval Air Systems Command.

Feb. 28, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Mark L. Tidd, USN, CHC (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Mark Luzerne Tidd on 22 February 2025, at the age of 69. Rear Admiral Tidd was commissioned an ensign on 11 May 1981 and served in the Chaplain Corps until his retirement in September 2014 as the 25th Chief of Navy Chaplains. He served with the 2nd Marine Division, deployed to Saudi

Feb. 10, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral James E. McCardell, Jr., USN (Ret.)

I regret the extreme tardiness of this note; however, this was yet another case of Navy Flag Matters and me finding out only very recently. There is no formal system of notification, so if you hear of the passing of a Navy flag officer, please do not assume we already know. I get a lot of notes that say, “You probably already know” when I don’t

Feb. 7, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Joseph T. Horgan, MC, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Joseph Thomas Horgan on 7 August 2024 at age 99. Rear Admiral Horgan enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in December 1943, serving as a corpsman/pharmacist’s mate in the Pacific Theater. Following medical school, he was commissioned as a lieutenant (junior grade) in June 1952

Feb. 7, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Peter G. Chabot, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Peter Gordon Chabot on 27 May 2024 at age 86. Rear Admiral Chabot entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1956 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in August 1990 as inspector general for U.S. Atlantic Command/U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His commands

Feb. 5, 2025

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Nils R. Thunman, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Nils Ronald “Ron” Thunman on 27 January 2025 at age 92. Vice Admiral Thunman entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1950 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in 1988 as Chief of Naval Education and Training. His commands included USS Marysville (EPCE[R]-857),

Feb. 4, 2025

Passing of a Navy Hero: Captain Richard A. Stratton, USN (Ret.), Vietnam War POW

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Captain Richard Allen “The Beak” Stratton on 18 January 2025 at the age of 93. Captain Stratton entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1955, serving as a naval aviator until his retirement in July 1986 as the director of the Naval Academy Preparatory School. In January 1967, he was forced