George E. Artman George extended in the Navy until January 1970. After BNAO school at Sherman Field, he was sent to VR-7, first flying in C-121 (Super Connies) and later C-130Es. After a stint as a BNAO instructor in Pensacola he spent time with VA-42 at Oceana and VA-176 flying A-6As. After separation from the service, George worked for BAE Systems for 30 years specializing in military avionics. George is presently living in Georgia. His email address is
gartman@charter.net Harry B. Anderson "Bucky" flew as an NAO with an AEW squadron out of Barber's Point, HI, on EC-121Ks. After three years, their mission was replaced by satellites and Anderson was assigned to the Navy Missile Center in CA. He got out of the Navy at the end of his five years and joined a family business in Valdosta, GA where he is still working. Wife's name Gloria. His email address is
ganderson@yahoo.com 
Lloyd Babby Lloyd was assigned to VAW-11 flying as an NFO(C) in the EA-1E and E1B out of North Island. He made two deployments to Westpac flying off the USS Bennington. He stayed in the reserves after active duty, serving in the VP community with COMRESPATWINGPAC at Pt. Mugu. He retired as a Captain in 1989. Lloyd worked for the Navy as a civilian staff member with several engineering centers at Port Hueneme, California for 30 years until his retirement in 1997. Lloyd and his wife, Pat, now live in Southwestern Idaho and enjoy traveling via their motorhome. His email address is
lpbabby@aol.com 
J.P.Bullard, Jr. John didn’t mention his assignments while in the Navy, other than to say that he left after one tour. On separation from the service, he first worked as a stock broker in Washington DC, then as a banker in NC, then at Commission of Indian Affairs in Raleigh. In 1983, John moved back to his childhood home to assist with the care of an ailing father and brother, and taught in the public school system. He is now retired, living on his father’s farm in NC. His email is
jpbullard@bellsouth.net
T.D.Callahan III Tom had an exciting career flying F-4s as part of VF-102 & VF-213 off the America & Kitty Hawk. Surviving his Vietnam tour, he separated after one tour to join Pan Am.. Furloughed a short time later, he started and operated a flight school outside of Ft. Wayne, IN, for 11 years until called back by the airlines. Tom and his wife Mary live in NJ. His email is
Callahan_tom@hotmail.com
Paul W. Davis Paul didn’t give me much detail of his Navy flying activities, but I somehow think he flew in a VR squadron. Paul joined the airlines after one tour and although starting in Chicago, spent most of his career based on the west coast. He is now retired—from United—and lives in Texas looking after his 96-year-old mother. Paul’s email is
paulwdavis@embarqmail.com
Richard A. Deters Dick was another Vietnam warrior, flying A-4s as part of VA-23 off the Midway. Having survived his Vietnam tour, he was assigned to VA-81 and had a Med deployment flying off the Shangri-La. One tour was enough and Dick signed on with the airlines, retiring in 2000 from TWA. He and his wife now live in NY and FL. Dick's email address is
rdeters@optonline.net 
James M. Donovan Jim flew E1B Tracers after he got his wings. Initially assigned to VAW 12 flying off the USS Independence, he so enjoyed his exciting life, he volunteered for additional cruises and did two Med cruises, one Arctic cruise, and one Vietnam cruise. Jim had over 200 carrier landing and one night cat shot that, thanks to a broken holdback fitting, found him in the drink as the ship nearly ran over him. One tour was enough and he married and spent the next 30 quiet (and enjoyable) years flying for United. Jim’s email is
Skypuncher27@aol.comSamuel J. Duckett I contacted Sam Duckett by phone and he acknowledged that he had been in the Navy in the early 60s. Beyond that, communication was difficult. Sam said he wasn't doing to well. The phone was hung up. I have written a letter to Sam, in hopes he or a caregiver will give me more information. Sam is living in SC, no email info available.
Thomas W. Fritz Tom was career Navy with over 36 years of service. He retired as a Captain. Although an AOC in preflight, eye problems put him in the NFO ranks where he flew in the VQ community in EA-3Bs and EP-3Bs. He had several command tours before moving into Intelligence, finishing his outstanding career as Deputy of Naval Intelligence, retiring in 1994. Tom and his wife, Janie, live in Florida. His email is
tjfritz9220@gmail.com
Charles R. Geiger Chuck spent 31 active years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel. He started out in VMFA-115 and later was commanding officer of VMFA-451. Chuck had many combat missions in Vietnam, mostly flying F4B Phantoms and was highly decorated. He lost one Phantom in DaNang Bay from battle damage. Geiger was dual rated in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. He finished his military career as commander of the Naval Space Command. Chuck and his wife, Carole, live in Virginia. His Email address is cgc@cgc.bz
Marshall P. Harris Marshall was a NAO (NFO) who flew with VR-7 on the West Coast. He had numerous flights into Vietnam. He got out of the Navy after one tour and worked with Mobile Oil, in the insurance industry and presently with the Food and Drug Administration. Marshall lives near Boston. His email address is
trunkport@aol.com
Kenneth R. Jenkins Ken was in VR-22 as a NFO until the squadron moved from Norfolk to Moffett on the west coast. Moving with them would have meant extending his service, so he finished out his tour in mantenance at NAS Memphis. After the Navy he operated a construction company in Illinois, where he still works. Ken's email is
carolken99@verizon.net 
William L. Kraus Bill was another of our Vietnam warriors, flying A-4s off the Coral Sea as part of VA-153. Surviving his first tour, Bill stayed in the reserves and joined TWA in Kansas City. Bill one one of the few to work for the airlines without a layoff right up to retirement. Bill and his wife, Carol--celebrating 50 years of marriage--spend part of the year in Kansas City and part of their year in North Palm Beach, Florida. Bill's email address in
wlkcgk@att.net
John W. Lacey John flew in VR in northern CA until the end of his active tour. Staying in the Navy Reserves for 11 years—get this—he then switched to the Air Force and finished his 20 total yrs with them. (Hope he taught those boys how to fly.) In the meantime John was working with the Atomic Energy Commission. During those years he picked up a Ph.D and led a fascinating life. John worked on Reagan’s Star Wars Project, lived in Heidelberg, Germany for 5 years, was involved in a fusion energy effort and took a couple trips to Russia as head of the US delegation. After retiring from the DOE in ’99, he took a position as professor with the University of Maryland. Dr. Lacey now lives in FL and CA. His email address is
jwlacey@hotmail.com 
Archie B. Lawson Who in our class doesn’t remember little Archie? I didn’t realize how small he was until I read his book, View From The Cockpit: Looking Up, and discovered he was only 5’6” and weighed 118 pounds when joining the Navy. Good things come in small packages. Archie flew C-130’s in a VR squadron which included Vietnam missions. Getting out after one tour, Archie joined Western Airlines eventually retiring as a Delta captain. Archie’s book is a wonderful memoir about his faith and his career in aviation. It can be purchased through his Website at www.viewfromthecockpit.com Archie'a email is
archiebl@msn.com
John A. McFadden John was a VR-1 pilot, flying C-130s (I assume). He reports he also had temporary duty with one of the NAS Brunswick VP squadrons when they flew a South American tour. John left the Navy after one tour to fly with United. He now lives near NAS Pax River on a horse farm. John at one time was president of the St. Mary's county school board. John’s email is
bayside@erols.com
Stephen M. Matyas Mike was a helicopter pilot flying with HC-2 out of Lakehurst. He had two 8 month Med cruises, one on the Shangri-La and the other on the America. He got out after one tour and went to work for IBM. Dr. Mike took a 4 year leave of absence to get his Ph.D, returned to IBM working in their Cryptographic Competency Center. If you’re curious what that is all about, read the books he has written on the subject or check out over 100 patents he has as inventor of numerous IBM products. Mike and Sandy live in Virginia. I remember his wife, Sandy, because I was in their wedding party 48 years ago, the day we were all commissioned at Pensacola. Also in his wedding were Sanjinis, Callahan, Deters, Geiger, Stoddard, Hafer, Davis, and Splittstoesser. I have a wedding picture to prove it, and will post it in a future Blog posting. Mike’s email is
smmatyas1@comcast.net
Gordon C. Meyer Gordy flew E1Bs off the Ranger and the Boxer as part of VAW-11 out of North Island. One tour with the Navy and then off to the airlines starting with North Central and ending up with TWA. Gordy lives in Florida with his wife, Anne. I saw Gordy recently and he’s still the tall (slightly stooped), fair haired (mostly gray), good looking (a bit wrinkled) guy we all knew. Gordy played with the Goshawk football team as a placekicker back in preflight (does anyone remember that?) and looks like he could still kick the ball 55 yards (well maybe 20). Pictures will be posted later. Gordy’s email is
gdgordo@tampabay.rr.com PS: Meyer and Fritz live 10 minutes apart, but didn’t know it.
Andrew P. Miller Andy was a career naval officer, retiring in '86, but continuing in the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in a civilian role--where he still works. During his Navy years, Andy flew as a NAO (now NFO) in A-6 Intruders. He and Pete Moffett were in the same squadron together (VA-75) aboard the Independence. Andy also spent time in Test Pilot School testing the A-6A and A-6C. Andy and his wife live near NAS Pax River and his email address in
andrew.p.miller@navy.mil 
Peter F. Moffett Pete was a NAO ordered to VA-75, flying in the A-6. Early in his deployment flying off the Independence, a bomb exploded in the bomb bay. Although Pete was injured, he was able to eject and was recovered. Pete left the service and after first working for Shell Oil, operated a restaurant for 11 years. Pete is now a real estate broker, living in Florida. His email is
pfmoffett@cfl.rr.com
Joseph B. Obusek Joe was a NAO flying in RA-5s. He was also on the Independence and happened to be on the deck when Pete Moffett was recovered after his crash. Joe said something like, “Pete, you lucky SOB, you’re going home.” Joe has some harrowing tales of his own about returning to the ship in a shot up aircraft. Joe stayed in the Reserves and made Captain. He worked for GTE. He is now retired and he and wife, Mary Ann, live in Florida. His email is
joeobusek@earthlink.net
H. Wayne Paul Wayne was a career Navy guy and as an NAO served as Bombardier/Navigator in A-3B Skywarriors and A-6A Intruders. Squadron assignments included VAH-10, VAH-123, VA-196, VA-128, and VA-115 resulting in deployments aboard the USS Constellation, USS FD Roosevelt, USS Ranger and USS Midway. The deployment covered the Golf of Tonkin Resolution through the evacuation of Saigon. Staff assignments include Op Nav and the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. In addition he was the USS Enterprise’s first Training Department Head. Fight activities were typical of those serving four combat tours with the exception of an ejection resulting from an engine fire in February of 1970. After retiring as a Commander his after-Navy activities include working for Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), registrar of his alma mater, Northwest Nazarene University, and information systems manager for College of Idaho. He has a number of active hobbies, one of which is soaring. He is the domain owner of
http://www.soaridaho.com/. Pictures of his current sailplane can be seen at
http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F. Check it out. Wayne’s email is
wayne@soaridaho.com
Gerson P. Rafer Gerson flew as a NAO (now called NFO) for one tour, first with VR-7 and then with VR-3 in C-121s out of Moffett Field. After the Navy he worked for Honeywell for a while, then ended up with Codex, a similar hi-tech company. Gerson retired in 2001 and lives on Cape Cod. His email address is
gersonrafer@verizon.net
William G. Saddington Bill was assigned as an NFO to VP-7 on the west coast. Although he got out after one active tour, he remained in the Reserves for 20 years. Educated as a chemical engineer, he worked in that capacity for several different companies. His final assignment was working for Uncle Sam--once again--on the interesting Super Fund Project. Bill is retired, living on the outskirts of Richmond, VA. His email is
william.saddington@verizon.net 
Michael L. Sanjenis Mike had an interesting Navy tour flying F-8s out of Guantanamo Bay. When his squadron was pulled out of Gitmo, he was sent through the F4 RAG at Miramar. In his words “they didn’t know what to do with me after the RAG (only a year to go in his hitch) so he was assigned to the McDonnell factory delivering F4s to various squadrons around the country. Immediately after the Navy, Mike traveled to Tokyo where he was having a 40’ Trimaran sailboat built with intentions of sailing it around the world. He changed his mind about that and signed up with TWA. It was tough times for airlines (as all you commercial flyboys know) so he picked up a law and finance degree. The next several years found him practicing law in NYC and working for various financial institutions. After his kids were grown, Mike once again heard the call of the wild blue yonder and rejoined the flying community flying as a contract pilot for various airlines. Now retired, mike spends his leisure hours sailing on Long Island Sound, flying his Barron and Citation airplanes and babysitting for his six granddaughters. Mike’s email is
msanjenis@gmail.com He would enjoy hearing from classmates and looks forward to the possibility of a reunion.
Jay F. Shinn Jay flew Super Connies in VW-13. He spent time in Keflavik, Iceland; Argentia, Newfoundland, and also Rota, Spain (to thaw out no doubt). Jay joined PAA, and then when furloughed, got his MBA and taught at a junior college. Jay ended up with Delta and in now living in GA. His email is
tybia@charter.net
Charles M. Smith Chuck had a skydiving accident while at Whiting Field and was not able to continue in the flight program. He went to the fleet and left after his first tour. Joined the Navy Reserves at Glenview NAS affiliating with a VP squadron. Stayed in the Navy reserves 5 years. Chuck returned to the Chicago area and took over a family business where he still is working.
His email is
marshall@mortonsuggestion.com
Clair D. Splittstoesser Splitts was a B/N in VAH-2 and was deplyed to Nam aboard the Coral Sea in '65. He was part of the first bombing raid into North Vietnam, flying A-3Bs. After his one tour in the Navy, he used his engineering degree to get involved in the Lawn and Garden industry in '74. He is credited with several patients for lawn equiptment. He retired in 2002 and he and his wife now spend their spare time traveling via motorhome. His email address is
spitts@coffeyvilleks.net 
James F. Stark, Jr. I got orders to VP-21 in Brunswick, ME flying P2V7s. As an east coast sailor, we had deployments to Rota Spain (2) and detachments to Key West, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and short term activities in Nova Scotia, France, and Sicily. I was plane commander of a crew and had a great tour. After the Navy, I stayed in ME for 4 years, working in the insurance business for man who became Gov of the state. In 1971 I moved to Indiana to join a family electrical wholesaling business where I worked until retirement. I continue to live in Indiana and snowbird for three months in Florida. My email is
stark3217@aol.com
Robert A Stoddard Bob flew helicopters in HF-7 aboard the Intrepid. Bob tells a funny story of having been trained in ASW, but only used by the carrier for plane guarding duty. In frustration, the HF guys had friends aboard a nuclear sub they talked into sneaking close to the carrier and taking close up pictures of the ship through their periscope. When the HF crew showed the pictures to the carrier’s skipper, they suggested the skipper might want to take the potential threat of hostile submarines a bit more seriously. Bob also did some flight instructing in T-28s at Whiting Field. After the Navy, Stoddard went from Braniff to Piedmont and finally to US Air. He now lives in Alabama, just a few miles from his childhood home. Bob’s email is
bobstod3@gulftel.com
Leon F. Tarsa Leo flew for a VR squadron. After one Navy tour, he joined his family’s business, manufacturing something called disposable microtome blades for the medical professions. The company has an international presence. To learn more check out
http://www.sturkey.com/ Leo lives in PA. His email address is
louandarb@comcast.net
Dean O. Tuggle Dean left the flight program at Saufley. He went to the fleet on the west coast. After the Navy, Dean had a career in sales, but now he and his wife operate a Bed & Breakfast in Aurora, IN called Tuggle’s Folly. His email is
stay@tugglesfolly.com
Anthony J. Vicar Tony flew A-4s as part of VA-83 & VA-23 off the Forrestal. After one tour, he joined Western Airlines which later became Delta. Tony still works for Delta as a flight trainer. Tony and his wife live in GA. His email address is
tvic5@comcast.net
Hiram Les Willingham Les was a Super Connie driver, flying C-121s for an early warning squadron AEW-12 out of Barbers Point, Hawaii. His squadron deployed to Midway where they patrolled the Aleutian Islands. Getting out after one tour, Les joined the Holiday Inn Corp., spending his career in the hospitality business. Les lives outside Memphis. His email address is
nandlwillingham@bellsouth.net
Ronald A. Wilson Ron left the flight program because of vision problems and went to the fleet as CIC of a Radar Pickett ship. Ron owns a company in CA and is still working. His email is
ron@heiusa.com
Clayton E Wright Clay was assigned to VA-44 & VA-46 flying A-4s on the east coast. Clay was a hot pilot and won several distictions for his prowess. Due to a circumstance I'll let him tell you about, he finished the last two years of his tour as an AI officer in Sigonella, Sicily. After the service he had a career in the petroleum industry. Clay flys for fun and is retired living in Colorado Springs. His email address is
cnpwright@comcast.netI have also learned that the following classmates are deceased:
John L. Abrams John was killed in Vietnam in 1967. Tony Vicar reported that John was flying a Cobra helicopter when he was shot down.
Richard P. Bonawitz Dick’s college notified me that he had died, but gave no further information.
Jerry L. Cunningham Archie Lawson reported that Jerry was killed in the Reserves while flying an A-4.
W.W. Donnelly, Jr. Donnelly’s college notified me that he had died in 1991 of Emphysema.
Owen Hafer Owen’s college notified me of his death, but gave no details.
Gerald T. Zelfer I talked to Jerry's brother in Abbyville, KS and learned Jerry had died following a heart attack in spring 2009. He told me Jerry stayed in the Navy for 11 years, first flying C-130s and later P-3s. Leaving the service in 1973, he ran a hog operation in KS with his son for several years, then became a commodities broker.
