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Master and Commander Posts: 1128 Location: NE Florida | Subject: Wednesday Obits https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=eternal%20patrol%20by%20ussvi The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted. I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate. Coyote HILL .. .. .. 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 included USS Hammerhead (SSN-663), Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE (SUBDEVRON 12), and Submarine Group FIVE (SUBGRU 5), and he served as the 53rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988–91. Virgil Hill attended Iowa State University for a year in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program, where he studied engineering before entering the U.S. Naval Academy on 1 July 1957. Known to his classmates as “Happy” (according to the Lucky Bag yearbook), he was a standout academically, on the Superintendent’s List throughout his time there. He was described as having a “warm smile, winning personality, coupled with an enduring sense of humor.” He earned a bachelor of science degree in naval science, graduating with distinction, and was commissioned an ensign on 7 June 1961. While at the academy, Midshipman Hill expressed a desire to join the submarine force and did so immediately upon graduating. In June 1961, Ensign Hill attended Naval Nuclear Power School, New London, Connecticut. In December 1961, he continued training at the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Windsor, Connecticut, before returning to New London in August 1962 for instruction at the Naval Submarine School, Groton. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in December 1962. In March 1963, he reported to Pascagoula, Mississippi, for duty with the pre-commissioning crew of USS Barb (SSN-596), then under construction and—at the time—the fourth submarine of the Thresher class. Barb would be the first submarine commissioned (in August 1963) after the loss of the Thresher to an accident in April 1963. As a result, the boat underwent a long period of trials and testing on both U.S. coasts, implementing the initial innovations of the SUBSAFE program. Barb left Pascagoula in September 1963 and transited through the Panama Canal to Puget Sound, then to Hawaii, and then to Mare Island, California, for a nine-month overhaul. In December 1964, the boat was homeported at Pearl Harbor and was designated the flagship of Commander, Submarine Force Pacific, primarily conducting training in Hawaiian waters. Hill was promoted to lieutenant in March 1965 before being assigned to Naval Nuclear Power School, Mare Island, as a member of the staff. In January 1968, Lieutenant Hill was assigned to the Ethan Allen–class fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618) as a member of Gold Crew while the submarine was in overhaul in Newport News, Virginia. Upon overhaul completion, Thomas Jefferson commenced her 16th deterrent patrol, which terminated in Rota, Spain. Hill was promoted to lieutenant commander in April 1969. The submarine completed four deterrent patrols per year in 1969 and 1970, along with a special operation in the latter year. In October 1970, Lieutenant Commander Hill reported to the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron EIGHTEEN in Charleston, South Carolina, as material officer. In January 1973, he assumed duty as executive officer of the pre-commissioning crew of Sturgeon-class fast attack submarine USS L. Mendel Rivers (SSN-686), under construction at Newport News Shipyard. The submarine was commissioned in February 1975 and commenced shakedown and work-ups. Hill was promoted to commander in July 1975. In August 1975, Commander Hill reported to the Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, DC, for duty under instruction. This was followed in December 1975 at Commander, Submarine Force for additional commanding officer–pipeline training. In February 1976, Commander Hill assumed command of Sturgeon-class fast attack submarine USS Hammerhead operating out of Norfolk. Hammerheaddeployed to the Mediterranean from September 1978 to February 1979, and then to Blue Nose operations above the Arctic Circle in September–November 1979. In June 1980, Hill reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) in Washington, DC, as director, Special Projects Division (OP-009G). He was promoted to captain in August 1980. In July 1983, Captain Hill assumed duty as commander of SUBDEVRON 12 at Groton, in charge of six (usually) fast attack submarines. In July 1985, he returned to the Pentagon in OPNAV as director, Attack Submarine Division (OP-22). In April 1976 he was designated a rear admiral (lower half) for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank and in January 1987 was promoted to that rank. In May 1987, Rear Admiral Hill assumed command of SUBGRU 5 at Point Loma, San Diego, in charge of three submarine squadrons and all submarine operations in the Eastern Pacific. In August 1988, Rear Admiral Hill became the 53rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. He was promoted to rear admiral (two-star) on 1 July 1989. In July 1991, he assumed command of OPTEVFOR. Hill retired on 1 September 1993. Rear Admiral Hill’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit (four awards); Meritorious Service Medal (four awards); Navy Commendation Medal (two awards); Navy Achievement Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy “E” Ribbon; Navy Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal (two awards); and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. After retiring from active duty, Rear Admiral Hill served as the president of Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania, from July 1993 to September 2000. He then taught leadership and ethics at the Villanova University Business School from 2002 to 2004. Following that, he was owner of Hill Solutions. He also served as a trustee of the U.S. Naval Academy Athletics and Scholarship Programs Foundation from 2001 until elevated to emeritus status in 2017. In the undersea domain during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the only difference between peace and war was pulling the trigger. Despite the fact that the Soviets invested their highest technology into their submarine force, U.S. submarines maintained an acoustic advantage and almost invariably would have gotten off the first shot (and kill). Through their spy networks, the Soviets understood their vulnerability and developed a counter-fire doctrine under the theory that in a one-for-one exchange of submarine losses, they would win because they had more submarines. Fortunately, it never came to that, thanks in part to extraordinary and visionary officers like Virgil Hill. He entered the U.S. submarine force at a time at which Soviet submarines increasingly ventured out of their home waters, even into the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. There was also much learning going on in the early days of nuclear submarines, especially after the loss of Barb’s sister submarine Thresher to a cause not yet known when Barb was commissioned. Numerous changes were made to better ensure the safety of U.S. submarines. Several times, Hap Hill was part of pre-commissioning crews, in which he had opportunity to establish an enduring culture of excellence. He served in multiple positions in training and development of new crews, new submarines, and new tactics. His impact on the service was profound and lasting, perhaps no more so than as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he led and inspired future generations of naval officers during a period of significant turbulence and transition as the Cold War unexpectedly ended. Perhaps his greatest contribution was as director of OP-009G. Most of this directorate’s activities remain classified to this day, but suffice to say that “Special Projects” had a profound impact on bringing about the end of the Cold War in a manner favorable to the United States and ending an underwater environment in which one false move could trigger a nuclear war. Besides Hap’s extraordinary leadership and technical competence, he was described from the very beginning as “always willing to listen to his friends’ problems.” He “lent ready assistance whether in the form of advice, tutoring, or simply a cheerful remark,” which is why he was held in such high regard by multiple Naval Academy classes and numerous others in the submarine force. Then, as now, a career in the submarine force was particularly challenging to families due to unpredictability, and we thank Virgil Hill’s family for their sacrifices in enabling him to serve our nation so well. WRIGHT .. .. .. Ralph Franklin Wright Jr, affectionately known as Sonny, was born on July 11, 1938, in Augusta, Georgia to his Parents Hazel Aline Moody Wright and Ralph Franklin Wright. Ralph was the middle child of 5 and had four sisters: Maude, Barbara, Doris, and Lois. Ralph went out on his own at 15, worked as a short order cook, and lived above the diner where he worked. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1955 when he was 17, serving for 27 years, ending his career as a submarine Torpedo Man Chief on the USS Proteus. While in the Navy he traveled to many other countries, met the love of his wife (who just happened to be serving in the US Army) Karen Sue Haynes, and they married on November 28, 1959. They continued to travel for the next 23 years to Charleston, South Carolina; Hamilton, Bermuda; Vallejo, California; the Island of Guam; Honolulu, Hawaii; back to the Island of Guam; and then retired from his military career while living in Los Alamitos, California. During that time, their family grew by seven children: Darryl, Derek, Judith, Daniel, David, Dwayne and Darren. They then headed back to Ralph's hometown of Augusta, Georgia where they remained until their twilight years when they decided they needed one more adventure and they moved to Melbourne, Florida. Ralph kept busy throughout his life working two jobs while serving in the Navy to provide for his family and faithfully serving in many areas of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which his family joined in June of 1966. He loved his Savior Jesus Christ and although a little rough around the edges sometimes, he was really a tender-hearted southern gentleman who enjoyed life, a staunch patriot, entertained by old westerns (John Wayne was his favorite), listened to classic country music, took pleasure walking on the beach, laughed often, delighted in time with his family and loved them most of all. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, on September 1, 2024, at the age of 86. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Karen, seven children; Darryl (Mary) of Melbourne, FL; Derek (Kristen) of Clovis, CA; Judith of San Diego, CA; Daniel (Julie) of Melbourne, FL; David (Jennifer) of Fresno, CA; Dwayne (Stephanie) of Pawleys Island, SC; and Darren (Nai) of Beaver Creek, OH; and his greatest blessings 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Although, he is gone from our presence, he will forever be in our hearts. Burial with Military Honors to be scheduled in the future. VAN DYKE .. .. .. Van Dyke, Kenneth lost his battle with cancer September 2, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Terry Van Dyke; daughters from his first marriage, Linda Haeflie (Jeff) and Stacy Beditz (Joe); and daughter from his second marriage, Mellisa Newberry (Bruce); grandchildren, Cheynne Nichols, Lucas and Logan Haeflie, Aaron Van Dyke, Hunter Ramsay, Ashlie Kenyon and great-grandchild, Elizabeth Underwood; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Kenneth was predeceased by his father and mother, Robert and Gladys Van Dyke; brother, Robert Van Dyke, Jr.; and son, Kenneth Van Dyke, Jr. He was a resident of the capital district of Albany, N.Y. before moving out west to New Mexico. He proudly served the Navy as a helmsman on the Trumpetfish and Gata SNN submarines. He was an accomplished machinist at the Watervliet Arsenal where he retired. He came out of retirement, as he loved the trade, working at Cardish Machine Works, also in Watervliet before working in N.M. He was a very humble man with a great sense of humor and a loving heart. He loved his dogs and while in N.Y. could often be found at Stewart's sharing his food with them. He truly enjoyed fishing with his brother, Roger Augar, and would often share that love with family and friends. While in N.M. he could often be found at a flea market or the Pink Store in Mexico. His love of his family and friends will truly be missed. As a humble person he asked for no services but to have his ashes scattered on his favorite mountain in New Mexico as well as to be laid to rest with his son Kenny Van Dyke, Jr. Thank you all to those that attended his party last fall and those that were able to visit with him separately while he visited one last time here in N.Y. - he truly enjoyed and thought he was blessed. Edited by Coyote 2024-09-11 4:01 PM | ||
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