Dec. 22, 2023

In Memoriam: Vice Admiral Michael L. Cowan

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Michael Lynn Cowan, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, on 10 December 2023 at age 78. Vice Admiral Cowan was drafted into the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1971 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in October 2004 as director of Navy Medicine, 34th Surgeon General of the

Dec. 11, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral William E. Newman, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral William Edward “Bill” Newman on 4 December 2023 at age 83. Rear Admiral Newman entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a naval aviator and material professional until his retirement in July 1996 as Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center. His other commands included

Dec. 1, 2023

In Memoriam: Admiral Leighton W. Smith Jr., USN

 It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Admiral Leighton Warren “Snuffy” Smith Jr. on 28 November 2023 at age 84. Admiral Smith entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1958 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in October 1996 as Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, NATO Allied Forces

Nov. 29, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Francis K. Holian, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Francis Kevin “Fran” Holian on 17 November 2023 at age 78. Rear Admiral Holian entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1964 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in September 1996 as Commander, Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet. His other

Nov. 21, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Raymond R. Couture, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Raymond Roger Couture on 30 October 2023 at age 97. Rear Admiral Couture enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1944 and served as a surface line officer and qualified Judge Advocate General until his retirement in September 1986 as Commander, Military Sealift Command Europe

Nov. 21, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Morton E. Toole, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Morton Egner “Jim” Toole on 12 November 2023 at age 86. Rear Admiral Toole entered the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve in September 1954 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in July 1987 as chief of staff of the U.S. Readiness Command

Nov. 20, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral H. James T. Sears, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Henry James Tipper “Jim” Sears in November 2023 at age 86. Rear Admiral Sears entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1964 and served in the Medical Corps with a specialty in psychiatry until his retirement in November 1989 as Commander, Naval Medical Command, and deputy surgeon

Oct. 31, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral George N. “Nick” Gee, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral George Nicholas “Nick” Gee on 1 August 2023 at age 84. Rear Admiral Gee enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in July 1961 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in October 1994 as Commander, Joint Task Force FOUR (JTF-4). His commands included Limpkin (MSC-195),

Oct. 31, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Mark P. Frudden, USN

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Mark Perrin Frudden on 9 January 2023 at age 95. Rear Admiral Frudden entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1946 and served as a surface line officer until his retirement in September 1980 as Commander, Naval Surface Group Western Pacific (CTF-73). His commands included Quapaw

Aug. 31, 2023

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Ronald L. Christenson, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Ronald Lee “Rabbit” Christenson on 24 August 2023 at age 75. Rear Admiral Christenson entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1965 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in February 2000 as head of Aviation Manpower and Training (N889) in the Office of