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

Jan. 21, 2025

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Robert B. Halder, MC, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Robert Benson “Bo” Halder on 6 January 2025 at age 81. Rear Admiral Halder entered the U.S. Navy in December 1968 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in July 1992 as commanding officer, Naval Hospital San Diego. His other commands included Naval Hospital

Jan. 8, 2025

In Memoriam: Admiral James R. Hogg, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Admiral James Robert Hogg on 2 January 2025 at age 90. Admiral Hogg entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1952 and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in May 1991 as the U.S. military representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee.

Dec. 29, 2024

Passing of President Jimmy Carter

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr. on 29 December 2024 at age 100. President Carter entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1943 and graduated with distinction in June 1946 with the wartime-accelerated class of 1947. He served as a surface line officer before transferring to submarine duty

Nov. 26, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Thomas C. “Tom” Watson Jr., USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Thomas Campbell “Tom” Watson, Jr., on 1 November 2024 at age 93. Rear Admiral Watson entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1950 and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in December 1982 as deputy director of planning and resources (J4) on the staff of the Joint

Nov. 26, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Paul L. Foster, SC, USN

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Paul Lowe Foster on 2 November 2024 at age 95. Rear Admiral Foster enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in May 1948 and served in the Supply Corps until his retirement in July 1979 as commanding officer of Naval Aviation Supply Office (NASO), Philadelphia. His previous command as