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

Nov. 4, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Bernard J. Smith, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Bernard John “Bernie” “B. J.” Smith on 1 November 2024 at age 83. Rear Admiral Smith enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1959, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1965, and served as a naval aviator until his retirement in July 2000 as the first commander of Navy Warfare

Sept. 30, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Mark W. Balmert, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Mark William Balmert on 13 September 2024 at age 70. Rear Admiral Balmert was commissioned in December 1977 from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at the University of Notre Dame and served as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in

Sept. 23, 2024

In Memoriam: Robert L. Hanley, USN – Last Living Survivor of USS Houston (CA-30)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Robert L. “Bob” Hanley on 12 September 2024 at age 102. Enlisting in the Navy before the war in January 1941, Hanley was a seaman second class aboard heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30), lost along with light cruiser HMAS Perth in a valiant battle against overwhelming odds in Sunda Strait, Dutch

Sept. 11, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Virgil L. Hill Jr., USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Virgil Lusk “Hap” Hill Jr., on 6 September 2024 at age 86. Rear Admiral Hill entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1957 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in September 1993 as Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). His commands

Aug. 28, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Danelle M. Barrett, USN (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Danelle Marie Barrett on 26 August 2024 at age 57. Rear Admiral Barrett entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at Boston University and was commissioned an ensign in August 1989, serving as an information professional until her retirement in October

Aug. 22, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Richard L. Becker, USNR (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral Richard Lee Becker on 23 July 2024 at age 81. Rear Admiral Becker was commissioned an ensign in 1965 and served as a special duty officer (public affairs) until his retirement in July 1996. He served in the Vietnam War aboard USS Harold J. Ellison (DD-864). Dick Becker

Aug. 20, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral James R. Fowler, MC, USNR (Ret.)

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral James Raymond Fowler, Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve, on 26 June 2024 at age 87. Rear Admiral Fowler was appointed an ensign in March 1959 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in October 1997 as Surgeon General of the Medical Corps for U.S. Naval Reserve in

July 23, 2024

In Memoriam: Rear Admiral Noel Kennedy Dysart Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) Noel Kennedy Dysart Jr. on 23 March 2023 at age 79. Rear Admiral Dysart entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in May 1966 and served in the Medical Corps until his retirement in March 2002. His commands included Naval Hospital Groton, Connecticut, and Naval Hospital