I entered the United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis, Maryland in July 1973, where I majored in European Studies.
While at the Naval Academy I was a member of the Glee Club, the Protestant
Chapel Choir, the Drum and Bugle Corps, the Brigade Activities Committee,
and also served as Art Director of the campus humor magazine, The Log. After
graduating from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree and a
commission as an Ensign in June of 1977, I reported to
Patrol Squadron 46 (VP-46) for temporary duty
while awaiting orders to flight training. I received my Naval Aviator wings
and was designated as a Naval Helicopter Pilot at NAS Whiting Field in Milton,
Florida in June 1979.
Following flight school I was assigned
to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light
35 (HSL-35) at NAS North Island, California, to fly the Kaman SH-2F
Seasprite LAMPS helicopter. While with the HSL-35 Magicians I
deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS Merrill
(DD-976) and USS Kinkaid (DD-965),
to the Indian Ocean aboard the USS Oldendorf
(DD-972) and USS Meyerkord (FF-1058),
and to the Eastern Pacific for contingency operations aboard
USS Fife (DD-991) as the LAMPS Detachment
Operations Officer. When not deployed I was the Ground Safety Officer, Line
Division Officer, and Squadron Tactics Officer at HSL-35. I was also a member
of the Pacific Fleet LAMPS Tactical Development Board.
My next assignment returned me to Helicopter Training
Squadron 18 (HT-18) at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, where
I was a TH-57C Advanced Helicopter Training Flight Instructor, the Navy Student
Control Officer and Flight 2 Flight Leader.
My second sea tour was with HSL-31 Detachment
BRAVO, homebased at NAS North Island, California. I deployed twice
as Officer in Charge of the Detachment BRAVO Bad Boys of Bravo
aboard USNS Chauvenet (T-AGS-29) and
USNS Harkness (T-AGS-31) to support hydrographic
survey operations throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Det BRAVO flew the
Navys last HH-2D utility model Seasprite, SHAKA 14, which is now part
of the collection of the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola,
Florida.
Following my tour with Det Bravo I transferred to shore duty with the
HSL-31 Archangels as a Fleet Readiness
Squadron flight instructor, where I served as Squadron Safety Officer and
Squadron Administrative Officer. While at HSL-31 I earned a Master of Science
in Systems Management degree (MSSM) from the University of Denver with a
4.0 GPA. In recognition of outstanding service as a department head at HSL-31
I was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.
After completion of the Navys Aviation Safety Officer course at the
Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, my third sea duty assignment
took him to Norfolk, Virginia to serve at Helicopter
Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 34
(HSL-34), where I was Officer in Charge of HSL-34 Detachment 9 aboard
USS Trippe (FF-1075), Detachment 2 aboard
USS Ticonderoga (CG-47) and Detachment 6 aboard
USS OBannon (DD-987). OBannon,
with the Det 6 Caballeros de la Noche embarked, deployed to South
America for UNITAS XXXII as the flagship for the Commander, South Atlantic
Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. Det 6s aircraft, AMERICA 243 (nicknamed
Maggie) was the last production SH-2F Seasprite. I also served
the HSL-34 Greencheckers as Squadron Safety Officer and Squadron
Operations Officer. While at HSL-34, the Navy designated me as a Computer
Systems Management Subspecialist. My outstanding performance on UNITAS XXXII
was recognized by a second award of the Navy Achievement Medal, while in
recognition of outstanding service as a department head at HSL-34 I was awarded
the Navy Commendation Medal.
My last assignment took me to the Naval Reserve
Officers Training Corps Unit at the Illinois Institute of Technology
(IIT), where I was the Sophomore Class Advisor, Public Affairs Officer,
and Academic Affairs Officer. I also founded and directed the IIT ROTC Glee
Club, acted as the Faculty Advisor to the IIT Chapter of Officers Christian
Fellowship, and served on several faculty committees as well as on PhD review
committees. I retired from the Navy on September First, 1994.
I have over 3500 flight hours, including over 2000 hours in the H-2 Seasprite
and over 1300 hours in the TH-57 Sea Ranger, and am a qualified aircraft
commander, standardization pilot, instrument check pilot, and post-maintenance
check pilot in the SH-2F Seasprite. My awards include the Navy Commendation
Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), the Joint Meritorious Unit
Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 awards), the Battle E
ribbon (5 awards), the National Defense Medal (2 awards), the Sea Service
ribbon (5 awards), and pistol and rifle Sharpshooter ribbons.