Rex came to the Naval Academy from Van Buren, Arkansas. After graduation, he reported to USS SARATOGA (CV-3) and began his career in ordnance and gunnery as a junior division officer in the main battery. In early 1941, he reported to USS NORTH CAROLINA, again in gunnery. He was assistant navigator for a day putting NORTH CAROLINA in commission, as Junior Officer of the Watch. In early April, 1942, he and Elizabeth Bartlett were married in Portland, Maine, just three days after the general order banning marriage for two years after graduation was rescinded. Rex's ship was soon off to the Pacific and, after the landing at Guadalcanal, when NORTH CAROLINA was torpedoed, Rex entered flight training in New Orleans. He received his wings in July, 1942.

Rex helped fit out and commission VPB-21, a PBM patrol seaplane squadron. After deployment to South-Pacific, Rex was ordered to the Postgraduate School in Annapolis, under the sponsorship of BuOrd. He finished the course with the final year at MIT in 1947 with a Masters Degree in Aeronautics, and was designated AEDO. His BuAer assignments were primarily in research and development of aircraft armament and guided missiles, some ten years in all.

After a most enjoyable and educational year at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Rex was assigned to the Intelligence Directorate of the Joint Staff as the Navy technical intelligence representative, in 1959. He spent the following three years, beginning in 1960, in Baltimore as the BuWeps Representative at the Westinghouse facility.

The next assignment was at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent, as the Senior Member of the Board of Inspection for aircraft, which was charged with determining the acceptability of naval aircraft for service use. Rex's last four years of active duty were spent in the Defense Intelligence Agency as Assistant Deputy Director and then as Deputy Director of Technical Intelligence. Rex had 17 years of Washington duty.

Two years after retirement in 1971, Rex and Betty toured the United States for six months in a trailer recreational vehicle. They have four children and eight grandchildren. They bought a retirement home in Suffolk, Virginia, and have lived there since 1974. They have found living in Tidewater, a major Navy area, most satisfying and enjoyable.

John came from Arizona. His first ship was SAVANNAH, a CL, in Pearl Harbor; John was "F" Division Officer. After Optical School in Mare Island, he rejoined his ship in Bermuda in time for a South American goodwill tour, then on to convoy escort in the North and Eastern Atlantic and in North African waters (for the Casablanca Invasion). In 1943, he reported to Submarine School and, after three-months training, was assigned as X.O. of USS 0-2 (SS-63) and shortly thereafter, assumed command. January, 1945, found him in Perth, as X.O. of GUITARRO in time to participate in a lengthy war patrol that ended in Pearl Harbor, and then onward to San Francisco. After the war, John decommissioned PINTADO and GUITARRO, before assignment as X.O. of CHARR. In 1946, he entered the PG School at Annapolis, progressing from there to MIT, was designated as Naval Ordnance Engineer. Several short tours took him to the Naval Ordnance Test Station, Chincoteague, VA; Guided Missile School, Fort Bliss, TX; and then to SPERRY where he spent a quiet two years as Operations Officer in a ship that seldom went to sea! He then became C.O. of FLORIKAN, including deployment to Japan. Ensuing duties included C.O., US Naval Ordnance Plant, South Charleston, WV; Missile Evaluation Officer, OPDEVFOR in Coronado, CA; three years as Guided Missile Fuze and Warhead Officer, BuOrd; and finally, Guided Missile Officer, Pacific Missile Range, CA.

Soon after retiring in 1960, John began his second career as Design Specialist with Convair/Pomona Division of General Dynamics. After five years of designing and developing fuzing and warhead systems for Army guided missiles, he joined Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City, CA, where he held the following positions:

-- Advanced Programs Marketing Representative, Components and Materials Laboratory, obtaining more than $8 million per year in sales and new business. He was also active in PR, such as managing the Bi-annual Open House which attracted more than of 3,000 visitors daily.

-- Tech Rep for Hughes at MIT. He interfaced between Hughes and the Charles S. Draper Laboratories for the design and development of the guidance system for the Trident Guided Missile.

-- His last position was Head of Integration and Operations for the Trident Missile Passive Parts Program. In 1980, he retired from Hughes and he and his wife, Nancy, settled in Tacoma, Washington.

In 1984, the Raits moved to Tucson, to enjoy the desert climate. In 1985, John began his third career as a Realtor with Tucson Realty & Trust Company. His real estate activity was interrupted in 1987 for a short career as President of Surv Kap, a small manufacturing company owned by classmate Croswell Croft. The Raits are still in Tucson. They have three children; a son, Peter, of Victorville, CA; a daughter, Helene R. Hennessy, of Escondido, CA; and a daughter, Susan R. Weintz, of West Hills, CA. They have seven grandchildren.

Lyle reported to SALT LAKE CITY upon graduation and participated in the Gilberts and Marshalls raid, Wake Island raid, Tokyo, Cape Esperance and Komandorski Islands. Decorations received were a Commendation and a Bronze Star. In May, 1943, he reported to MIT for a postgraduate course in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The only event out of the ordinary during this tour was a broken neck and back suffered from a back swan dive into shallow water of a swimming pool. Graduating with a Master's Degree and being designated EDO, he next reported to the Production Department of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, with duties as Assistant Repair Superintendent (Hull) and Docking Officer.

Starting in January, 1948, research in the buckling strength of metal structures kept him busy in New York working with Dr. Hans Bleich, an authority on bridge design. As a result of this work, he is co-author of a design manual entitled "Buckling Strength of Metal Structures." During this tour, Lyle married Priscilla Dennett Goodrich on 7 June 1948. In 1950, he reported to Contract Design in BuShips, where he was in charge of the Stability Section and coordinated the hull design of various ships. On 24 February 1953, Richard Lyle was born. During June of that year, he was transferred to AIRLANT in Norfolk as Assistant Material Officer. His next tour was at New York Naval Shipyard -- two years as design superintendent, during which time INDEPENDENCE was delivered, and a year-and-a-half as the Industrial Engineering Officer. This tour was followed by duty as Force Maintenance Officer, CINCUSNAVEUR, in London, England. On return to the U.S., he was assigned to the Staff, COMSTS, Atlantic Area, with headquarters in New York.

Lyle retired in 1963. After taking it easy for several months, he went to work for Roberts and Rutter (stock brokers) and became a partner in 1966. The firm was liquidated in 1969. He continued working, with Clark Dodge until 1974. Then the office was taken over by Dean Witter, from where Lyle retired in 1988.

John's first duty was in NEW MEXICO, from Pearl to Iceland and back. After NEW MEX, a brief three weeks at MTB School was interrupted by orders to flight training and a wedding. The bride was Mary Patricia Beaumont of San Diego and formerly of Shanghai. A son, Carter Beaumont, arrived on Friday, the 13th of August, 1943. After duty in a PV-I squadron in the Med, orders to PG School came at the end of the European War. A year at MIT followed; number two son was born that fall in Melrose, MA: Ian Blair, a Scotch John for differentiation.

A short tour in Washington was followed by 44 months in the first two atomic delivery squadrons in the Navy, VC-5 and VC-6. In November, 1951, Johnny was injured in a four-second flight in an AJ from one of ROOSEVELT'S catapults into the Med and spent Christmas recuperating in London. The next two years were spent at Inyokern, China Lake, California, and then back to VC-6 at North Island for another two-year tour as Exec and Skipper. An assignment to FORRESTAL as navigator put Johnny back in ships. The POLARIS Project came next, back in Washington. Patricia Lee was born on December 31, 1958, at Alexandria, VA. Johnny left the POLARIS Project in August, 1960, to attend the National War College, then reported as Operations Officer on the Staff, ComCarDiv 2. In 1962, he returned to BuWeps. Leaving Washington again, Johnny took command of the refrigeration ship DENEBOLA (known as "Refo's Rebel Reefer"); then a year in command of RANDOLPH. While in this duty, John married Helen (Sis) Rohn Crandall, at Thanksgiving, 1964. His last five years before retirement in 1970 were spent in systems analysis for the Weapons System Evaluation Group. On retirement, he worked three years for a contractor, SPARCOM, doing similar work. After that, Johnny began to spend more time at "Sutherland", the family home in Tidewater, Virginia, built in 1739. Their three sons (two of John's, one of Sis?’) are all naval aviators, two commanders and one Captain. The red-head, Patricia, is a litigating attorney with a Chicago law firm.

Johnny believed strongly in the traditions of Virginia, and spent much time in projects to preserve places and traditions. In addition to the time spent in restoring and maintaining "Sutherland", he chaired a committee in 1975-76 to celebrate the Revolutionary Battle of Crickett Hill on Gwyn's Island. From 1977 to 1982, he was chairman of a Committee to Preserve New Point Comfort Lighthouse. He was a member of the Virginia Historical Society and the Society of the Lees of Virginia -- he is a great, great grandson of Light Horse Harry Lee.

Johnny's active and rewarding life came to an end on November 16, 1986. Sis remains in Alexandria, VA. Shortly before his final illness, they sold "Sutherland" and moved to a house in "Old Town."

Dusty was born in Greenbrier, Tennessee, but spent his early years in Steele, Missouri, with summers on a farm in middle Tennessee or camping in Missouri Ozarks. He had two years of college, at Arkansas State and University of Illinois, before entering the Academy. After graduation, Dusty was assigned to USS MARYLAND, stationed in Hawaii. It was a great ship!

On leave in June, 1941, Dusty courted his love, Mary Tipton Ross, and convinced her to get married since he felt the country would be at war in less than a year. An elaborate wedding was arranged on short notice. They flew back to Seattle and spent their honeymoon on weekend passes from the Hood Canal to Oahu. On the morning of December 7, they were getting ready for church when the bombing of Pearl Harbor started. Not knowing where he would be, Dusty authorized the Navy to get Tippy back to the States, and they met again in January, 1942, in Bremerton. On January 20, a letter arrived from Secretary Frank Knox saying his commission was revoked for being married.

During the rest of the war, Dusty worked as a supervisor for DuPont in a plant making TNT, tetryl and smokeless powder. After the war, he worked for Union Carbide, as a design engineer in West Virginia and as a management consultant in New York and London. Dusty retired in 1978 to consult on coal research projects. Now, he consults on finance and management of small businesses in Connecticut and Florida.

Although Dusty enjoyed Navy life, he never regretted his choice to put marriage and family in top priority. They have a fine family: Mary, a journalist; Charles, an endocrinologist; Lilli, an artist and mother of twin girls; and Ross, a lawyer. Tippy died of cancer in 1975. She was proud of the children and would have enjoyed the grandchildren who now are seven. In 1980, Dusty married Anne, a widow with three children. They both enjoy sailing, travel, and visiting friends in the USA or Europe. They do volunteer work in church and community. Visitors welcome!

Dick was commissioned in the Reserve shortly after graduation due to eyesight deficiency. He served on active duty from July, 1940 to September, 1945: two years as instructor at the USNR Midshipman's School, Northwestern Univ. (Chicago): three years as instructor, X.O. and finally C.O. at the USNT Schools, Oklahoma A&M College. He married Miriam McCollum on August 8, 1942. Son, Hedric Elliott (called Pete) was born May 2, 1944, in Stillwater, OK, and daughter, Laurie, was born May 13, 1946, in Chicago.

Upon release from active duty, Dick took a position in the drapery-buying offices of Montgomery Ward in Chicago. He left Wards in 1958 and joined Joanna Western Mills Co. in Chicago to work on new product development. In 1960, he was appointed President of the E. L. Mansure Co. (a subsidiary of Joanna), a manufacturer of narrow fabrics for the trimming trade. They transferred all manufacturing from plants in Chicago, Philadelphia and Bluefield, VA, to a new plant in Joanna, SC. Dick decided he didn't want to move his family to South Carolina so he resigned in 1963. He took a sabbatical from 1963 to 1964, then joined Alden's mail order company in Chicago as a buyer, remaining there until 1968.

In 1966, son, Pete, graduated from DePauw Univ. at Greencastle, IN, and entered the University of Chicago graduate school of business, receiving his MBA in Marketing in 1968. Daughter, Laurie, graduated from Lindenwood College for Women at St. Charles, MO in 1968 and started teaching English and Drama at the Florissant, MO High School, having been married in 1967. Son, Pete, was married in June, 1968, and started his business career with the Quaker Oats Co. in Chicago.

Dick left Alden's in 1968 and joined the Higbee Co. department store, in Cleveland, OH, as Assistant to the Chairman.

In 1971, daughter, Laurie, had a baby, Gretchen, their first granddaughter. Five days later, their son's wife had a baby, David, their first grandson. Three years later, their second granddaughter, Lisa, arrived at their son's.

In 1981, Dick retired, and along with his wife, Miriam, moved to Venice, FL. After two years in a condo apartment, they built a home in Nokomis, FL, two miles north of Venice, where they currently reside eight months of the year, the other four being spent at their summer home on the shores of Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, MI.

Nen resigned from the Naval Academy in September, 1937, and reentered the University of Texas at Austin. He received a B.A. in 1941 and an LL.B. in 1942. In March, 1942, he was appointed an ensign, USNR, and ordered to the Bureau of Navigation (later BuPers). In November, he and Judith Craddock of Austin were married in the chapel at Ft. Myer, Virginia. Judith had attended the same university and law school.

In 1943, he reported to the pre-commissioning detail of USS CROATAN (CVE-25). He served in CROATAN until December, 1945, under the command of Captains John Lyon, J.P.W. Vest, P. D. Stroup and Kenneth Craig, all U.S.N.

CROATAN and her destroyer escorts operated in the North Atlantic as a hunter/killer anti-submarine task group. Aircraft from CROATAN flew search patterns night and day. The Screen Commander was Cdr. F. D. Giambattista, USN. The story of these operations is told by Adm. Samuel Eliot Morison in "The Atlantic Battle Won." Ben served as a division officer in the Gunnery Department, as a deck watch officer and as the First Lieutenant. A lieutenant when released from active duty, he later was made a lieutenant-commander, USNR.

In 1946, he and Judith lived in Marlin, Texas, where he was a partner in the law firm of Carter, Carter and Rice. In 1947, he was appointed an Assistant Attorney General of Texas and served until 1950 under State Attorney General Price Daniel.

In September, 1950, he and Judith moved to Houston, where he became an associate with the law firm of Vinson, Elkins & Weems (now Vinson & Elkins). He remained with that firm as a civil trial attorney, was made a partner in 1970 and retired in 1988.

Judith and Ben reside at 3826 Linkview Drive, Houston, TX T7025. They have five children; an educator, two lawyers and two M.D.'s.

Tom spent plebe year with the class and went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering, and a commission as 2nd LT in the Army Corps of Engineers Reserve. He was called to active duty in May, 1941, which prevented his accepting an offer from the Washington Redskins to join them and earn $250 per game; he earned three varsity letters in football at U. Ill. and was team captain. He attended the Army Staff and Command School in 1943, and saw action in the European theater after the U.S. entered the war in Europe.

In December, 1944, Tom was a LTCOL commanding the 81st Combat Engineers Battalion of the 106th Infantry Division on the Belgian border outside the town of St. Vith. On December 16th, less than a week after it had gone on line, the 106th was hit hard by the Germans. Tom's unit was charged with blocking the main road into St. Vith, and they held off a superior force for five days. The next night Tom's group was surrounded by Germans and Tom was hit by a mortar fragment that grazed his head and knocked him out; when he awoke, he was a POW. On the 28th day of his captivity in a camp in Poland, he made a daring escape and headed for Warsaw. After three days, he luckily was caught by a small group of the Polish underground, who sent him to fight with the Russians. After 10 days with them, he was sent to the U.S. military in Naples, who wanted to send him home, but he persuaded them to let him rejoin his old unit. He learned that half his men had been killed, wounded or captured. For his bravery, Tom was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Unit Citation. Belgium and France awarded him the Croix de Guerre.

After the war, Tom was Military Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, with the rank of Colonel, and in 1947, he resigned to take up a civilian career. He began as a sales engineer for Linde Products Company, then became personnel supervisor at Ford Bacon and Davies, Inc., in Chicago. From 1949 to 1950, he was general manager and then Vice President of Tele-Trip Policy Company, NYC. In the succeeding years, Tom held executive positions in a series of corporations, including the Gabriel Company, Cleveland; his own company, Thomas J. Riggs, Jr. and Associates, Inc., in Cleveland; Textion Corporation, Providence; Katy Industries, Elgin, IL; Lawson-Hemphill Corporation, Central Falls, RI; International paper Box Machine Company, Nashua; Rawcliffe Corporation, Providence; and Multifold International, Millford, OH. He was Chairman, National Advisory Committee Small Business Association; a member of the Industry Sector Advisory Committee, Department of Commerce; a member of the board of directors of the American Textile Machinery Association; a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, NY; a member of the Society of Military and Naval Officers of World Wars; a Sigma Chi; member of Army-Navy Club (Washington); and U.S. Senior Golf Association. Tom is retired, but still doing some consulting. His home is in Providence, RI.

When Joe entered the Academy, his dream was to fly for the Navy. However, fate stepped in and he graduated as an eye unsat. Another dream did come true: On June 16, 1940, he married his drag, Norma. Since he was unable to serve his country in the Navy, he found a way to serve his country in the civilian world. His entire career was geared to service -- At Sperry Gyroscope Company as a Marine Field Engineer and in Field Ordnance during the War and later in Export Sales and Government Contracts management. His work brought him into contact with many classmates over the years.

During the war, Joe spent much of his time riding sea trials of merchant ships, destroyers, mine sweepers and eventually the battleship NEW JERSEY. He recalled being marooned on an ammunition ship in the middle of New York Harbor on the Sunday his first boy, Bruce, was christened; and sitting on the "C" Deck of NORMANDIE while the ship burned around him. An application to get back into service was turned down since trained navigation engineers were scarce.

In 1968, Joe was sought by PRD Electronics (Division of Harris Corporation) and a new service career began. For PRD he built their Government Contracts management into "the best in the business" and his many talents were greatly appreciated and rewarded by the Company. A Vice Presidency was offered to him -- and then the big blow -- Joe was diagnosed as a cancer victim. His honesty and concern for PRD caused him to decline the position of Vice President, and he trained other personnel to do the job. During his better days during the big battle, he put his wealth of information and experience in his field on tapes as his legacy to PRD. Joe died on 3 may 1972.

Joe was never far from the sea throughout his life -- From rounding up rental boats in Pelham Bay at the age of thirteen or fourteen, to the Boat Club at USNA, to installing gyro equipment on ships of the Navy -- to finally running his own little "navy" -- From Model boats to Sailfish -- Rhodes Day Sailor to motor cruiser -- He and his crew: #1 son, Bruce, #2 son, Gordon, #3 son, Stuart, and galley slave, Norma, all kept the Rinschlers a "salty" family.

The crew is all grown up now, with crews of their own, carrying on the family tradition. Who knows, perhaps a grandchild will be at USNA at some future time - either Lisa - Susan - Bradley or Evan Joseph. Norma is still "anchored" at 16 Hemlock Lane in Glen Cove, New York, where Joe's proud family gathers on special occasions to drink a toast to Dad - a scholar and a gentleman - a warm and caring human being.

Upon graduation, Lon was assigned to TENNESSEE, first in engineering, then in gunnery. He was AA battery officer when the Japanese attacked on December 7th. After TENNESSEE returned to Bremerton, Lon was ordered to EATON, under construction at Bath, Maine. He served as Gunnery Officer in EATON until ordered to SAUFLEY, a destroyer in the same division. Most of this duty was spent running the Slot in the Solomon Islands. After the Saipan Operation, Lon was ordered to new construction at Bath, ME, again. He was XO of LARSON for a short period before assignment to USS PENSACOLA as First LT. and DCO. PENSACOLA was in the Aleutians when WW II ended. She was then assigned to Magic Carpet duty and later as a target ship for the Bikini A-bomb tests. Next, Lon had a tour as ADIO at 12ND, San Francisco. From there back to a DD, EVERSOLE, for two tours in Japan, and briefly in the Korean Conflict. From there he was ordered to CNO in the Shipping Control Branch as Intelligence and OPS Officer.

In 1953, Lon took command of HEMMINGER at Norfolk. He next served as CO of NRTC, Natchez, Miss. and from there to CO of NEPTUNE, a cable laying and repair ship. Projects with NEPTUNE were conducted in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Lon was relieved in July, 1960, at Midway and ordered as XO NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, where he was serving during the Cuban missile crisis. From there, he reported to NAVSTA NORVA for last tour of duty as XO, and retired 1966.

After retirement from the Navy, he taught math for 12 years in the Virginia Beach public school system.

Lon and Ruth have a daughter, Randi, living in California and a son, Doug, who is now a LCDR in the Supply Corps. Ruth and Lon live at 728 Wolfsnare Crescent, Virginia Beach, where they pursue hobbies: stained glass work, camping, bowling and golf.

Bob's first duty after graduation was aboard INDIANAPOLIS, home ported in Pearl Harbor. The ship participated in an aborted raid on TRUK in which it was discovered that the "service ammunition" that had been segregated and treated with awe would not detonate. INDIANAPOLIS also participated in the "Battle of the Blip" in the Aleutians. In 1942, he married Dorothy Bechert of Honolulu.

In 1943, he transferred to the Submarine Chaser Training Center and was then ordered as Exec of STOCKDALE (DE-399). Infectious hepatitis caused a transfer to the New Orleans Naval Hospital and reassignment as Exec of SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), After shakedown, the "Sammy B" went to the Pacific. The "Sammy B's" stay in the Pacific was brief and violent. It was sunk by a Japanese surface task force at Leyte Gulf in October, 1944. After swimming around for 2-3 days, Bob was picked up. He then returned to BuPers to write letters of condolences to the next of kin of the half of the ship's company that was lost. In 1945, he went to the Gunnery Officers' Ordnance School in Washington and then reported as Gunnery Officer of JUNEAU (CL-119).

In 1947, Bob reported to OpNav. In 1949, he took command of MARSH, a DE configured to furnish shore electrical power. After a year at Pearl and San Diego, MARSH went to Korea to furnish power to the US First Army in its UN "police action." In 1951, Bob was ordered to PG School via the Army's Chemical Warfare Center. He moved with the PG School to Monterey and went on to the University of California at Berkeley (Radiological Defense Engineering). In 1954, he assumed command of PORTERFIELD (DD-693). In 1956, he joined the Military Liaison Group to the Atomic Energy Commission.

On 1 December 1958, he retired from the Navy and went to work for RCA in Moorestown, NJ, where he worked as a design engineer and engineering manager on the AEGIS project from its initial concept phase through production. In 1983, he retired from RCA and since then has been enjoying his family (now consisting of his wife, Dorothy, two sons, a daughter, two grandsons, and three granddaughters), some travel, some golf, season tickets to the orchestra, ballet, and baseball, and a generally "laid-back" life style.

His address is 25 Woodlane Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057.

With the outbreak of World War Two, it became obvious that naval aviation would play a major role in the future of our country, so Ted applied for flight training at the first opportunity. Orders arrived during the summer of 1942 to commence this training in New Orleans on 4 November. Leaving USS COLUMBIA in mid October, Marguerite and Ted were married on the 23rd. New Orleans and later Pensacola were good days with many classmates and new brides. Like most classmates, he listed fighters as his first choice for final training but was assigned his last choice: Patrol (ASW). Although disappointed at first, he later came to appreciate fate and enjoyed some super tours with three flying commands and one XO assignment.

At wars end, Ted again joined several classmates at PG School; finishing at MIT in 1949. Fate continued to be good to him, with interesting tours of duty even though he never received orders to a first-choice assignment until his final one. Coming from sea duty in 1962, where he was the Assistant C/S for Ops and Plans on CARDIV 20 staff, he requested an assignment in higher education for shore duty. To his surprise, he received a call from the detail officer offering him a department head position at our alma mater or a choice of several NROTC units. He chose the NROTC at Harvard largely because it was home territory and it would give him a chance to look around New England for a second career. The career opportunity came in 1964, when he threw his hat in the ring for the position of Superintendent of the Maine Maritime Academy. Little did he realize until after he was chosen for the job that, thanks to the Navy, fate had prepared him with all of the qualifying experiences that the trustees had on their check-off list. That is: a masters degree, sea, teaching and administrative experiences and business courses. Because of difficulties at the Academy, Ted had to hand-carry his retirement request through Washington. He checked out of the Navy in Boston at 0800 on 1 December, 1964, and was on the job in Maine five hours later. Marguerite, together with their three youngest children (two older in college), two horses and a dog, followed a week later.

The problems and challenges at Maine Maritime were so demanding that he didn't take a vacation for the first ten years. By the mid-70's, they had a good team in place and the next ten years were as much fun as work. On August 31, 1984, he ended this second career and concentrated on building a house. A year later, a 3rd career opportunity came along in the field of economic development -- a half-time job that provides for a nice twilight years' lifestyle. Who could ask for more than to share this good life with a wonderful girl named Marguerite?

Neil joined NEW YORK after graduation, serving in her until April, 1942. Then LTA flight training at Lakehurst, NJ. From October, 1942, to June, 1944, he was a pilot in ZP-1I, flight officer in ZP-14 and O-in-C of Hedron 14 at Elizabeth City, NC. HTA flight training at Pensacola and Jacksonville. He completed Air Officer School in October, 1945, and served in VR-11, VR-8 and was Administrative Officer, ComNATSPac at Honolulu until June, 1947. From then to January, 1948, he flew with VR-I at Patuxent River, MD. He resigned January 20, 1948.

Studying law at the University of Richmond, he passed the bar in October, 1949, and received an LL.B. in February, 1950. He practiced in Richmond, VA, for 7 years, Albany, NY, for 2 years, and in Northern Virginia since then. Specializing in real estate law, he joined Chicago Title Insurance Company and retired from it in 1981 as Resident Vice President and manager for Virginia and West Virginia.

Marriage in 1942 resulted in divorce in 1956. His daughter, Marty, born a valentine in 1944, graduated from Sweet Briar Woman's College in 1966. She later married and Neil now has two grandchildren, Peggy (17) and McDowell (11). Remarrying in 1957 and divorced in 1970, he produced two boys, Robert Neil and Richard Thomas in 1958. Robert became incapacitated and is institutionalized while Richard became a Master Printer (color) with R. H. Donnelly Company.

Neil married Myra in 1985 and lives at 9738 Ranger Road, Fairfax, VA. His hobbies remain deep sea fishing, flying, writing, spectator sports, (no place to restore classic cars), converting old films to VHS cassettes, and drinking. He still admits to the same small mind, big mouth, neck out a mile but the wolf always try to blow the house down.

The eye exam finally caught up with Bruce in first class year. He graduated but received a Reserve Commission. Recruiters from Armstrong Cork won the nod. He started his civilian career as Industrial Engineer in Lancaster, PA. First major event was marriage to Betty Neal, 28 September 1940. Betty was an Arlington Hall drag who accepted her miniature at the Ring Dance.

May, 1941: he was recalled to active duty at Receiving Station, Philadelphia Navy Yard (a country club assignment until Dec. 7th). First born, Marie Anne, arrived 20 May 1943 and six months later father wangled sea duty. First assignment was Miami, Antisubmarine Warfare School, as instructor (striking for D.E. Gun Boss). Orders came through for Fire Control Officer, TENNESSEE (BB-43). This meant a cram course at Anacostia and transport on SS LURLINE (with first load of fighting women to South Pacific), via New Guinea, Australia, Milne Bay and Ulithi. TENNESSEE was flagship, Bombardment Fleet, and fought Leyte Landing, Surigao Straight, battle of Samar, and then home to Bremerton to repair the holes. Leave was fore-shortened for Iwo Jima with sharpshooting at Suribachi. Okinawa was next, where the Big T took a kamikaze at the end of the war. This convinced Bruce that inactive duty looked appealing, so he hitchhiked home to San Francisco in ADMIRAL MAYO. He managed to join Betty, as previously promised, on 5th anniversary and deactivated.

Bruce chose General Electric's new Manufacturing Management Program and started civilian duty in late 1945. Locations were Schenectady, Erie, where he welcomed a son, Bruce A. Rohn, Jr. (Skipper), and on to Fort Wayne, IN, to raise the family. Manufacturing positions progressed to Superintendent and Manager of Operations in several motor departments plus civic activities such as Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, President, United Chest Council. He was a Commander in the Organized Reserve, was called for Korea, but G.E. said he was too valuable, so he retired from USNR shortly thereafter.

He decided to become bigger frog in smaller puddle, left G.E. in 1966 for Director of Manufacturing, JEFFERSON ELECTRIC, in Chicago. They were promptly acquired by LITTON which led to:

In 1983, at 66, Bruce and Betty retired to Venice on the FLORIDA GULF COAST. Acquired a sailboat, newer golf clubs and a villa with pool on lovely golf course, with room for old friends.

Rosy first joined CHICAGO (CA-29). After the Pearl Harbor attack, CHICAGO deployed to South Pacific as flagship of ANZAC Squadron, participated in battles of Coral Sea and Guadalcanal and was only survivor of five cruisers engaged in first battle of SAVO Island, U.S. Navy's worst wartime disaster. CHICAGO returned to Mare Island for repairs. While there he married Florence Eva Alien in Dallas. In 1943, CHICAGO escorted a convoy to the South Pacific, joined a task force to intercept Japanese evacuation of Guadalcanal and was sunk in Battle off Rennel Island, where Rosy received Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. Posy received an MS in Naval Construction and Engineering from MIT in 1945, was assigned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 3 years, which began a 20-year career in submarine design, construction and maintenance. Following 2 years in BuShips, he returned to MIT, obtaining a second MS, in Advanced Nuclear Engineering. Returning to BuShips, he supervised designs and specifications for several new submarines, including NAUTILUS and SEAWOLF, first two nuclear-propelled submarines. He transferred to Supships, Groton, overseeing construction and testing of submarines at Electric Boat Co. After 3 years, he became Material Officer on ComSubLant staff. Rosy then returned to BuShips as Head of the Submarine Branch during the greatest peacetime expansion of our Submarine Forces and participated in sea trials of our first 25 nuclear submarines, including the ill-fated THRESHER (SSN-593). In 1962, he returned to Portsmouth as Head of Planning Dept. In addition to 4 nuclear submarines under design and construction, THRESHER arrived for a 9-month post-shakedown availability. Rosy assigned top priority to this lead ship, the most significant development in post-war evolution of the ‘true' submarine. He was precluded from going on THRESHER'S fatal sea trials due to acting as Shipyard Commander. After serving as technical counsel during Naval Court of Inquiry, and supervising the 1-1/2-year design review of THRESHER class, Rosy retired from the Navy. He was awarded a second Navy Commendation Medal.

After the Navy, Rosy joined Todd Shipyards Corp. as Nuclear Div. General Manager (1964-65); was President, Chemical Div. of Milliken Corp. (1965-70); and Executive VPresident, Electro-Optical Div. of Kollmorgan Corp. (1970-72). In 1972-75, he earned M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering at Univ. of Massachusetts; joined Springfield (Mass) Technical College as Professor of Environmental Engineering and started own consulting business. In 1975-76, he was International Program Manager for Environmental Research & Technology Corp, coordinated design & development of an Environmental Protection Agency for Saudi Arabia. In 1976-85, he served in U.S. Dept. of State, Agency for International Development, Office of Science & Technology, initially as Energy Program manager, then as manager of Forestry & Natural Resources Division. In 1985, he retired for fourth (and final) time.

After completing three years at the Academy, John failed to pass the eye test and received a physical discharge. He completed his education at the University of Nebraska where he received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After Pearl Harbor, John was commissioned in the Naval Reserve for engineering duty and served on active duty from 1942 until 1946. His initial assignment was a brief term in BuShips, and in March, 1943, he was ordered to NEW JERSEY, under construction at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. NEW JERSEY spent several months in the Atlantic before going to the Pacific theater. From January, 1944, until the end of the war, NEW JERSEY was assigned to the fast carrier groups and participated in the major engagements and island invasions from the Marshall Islands to Okinawa. He left the ship while it was anchored in Tokyo Bay after the surrender of Japan, and returned to the States for release to inactive duty.

John's entire civilian career has been spent in utility engineering, beginning with the Omaha Public Power District, where he spent seven years in design of coal-fired steam-electric generating plants. In 1953, he resigned from the Power District and opened a consulting engineering office, most of the time working on power plant project assignments for the firm of R. W. Beck and Associates. In 1957, he joined the Beck firm as an employee in Beck's Nebraska office and in 1960 was elected to partnership. In 1962, Beck opened an office in Denver and John was assigned there as head of the Design Department.

During the first several years with Beck, John was in charge of the design of utility projects, including steam power plants, substations and transmission lines. One of his most interesting assignments was the responsibility for a series of studies and reports for the U. S. Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute on the technical and economic feasibility of using non-evaporative cooling towers with steam- electric generating plants. In the course of this work he visited a number of foreign countries, including the Soviet Union, Hungary and Israel. John has been the author and co-author of a number of technical publications covering the economics of power generation and has also been a guest lecturer at several universities and technical institutions. In 1977, he was named an outstanding alumnus of the University of Nebraska Engineering College and participated in the University's MASTERS WEEK.

John was married to Lucille Opitz in August, 1940, and he and Lucille have raised five children; Judith, Mary Lu, John, George and Ann. Only Ann has followed her father into engineering; the others choosing various careers, psychology, communications and home making.

John retired as a partner from the Beck firm in 1983. Since that time he has worked for the firm on special assignments. John and Lucille live at 1825 Cherryville Road in Greenwood Village, a suburb south of Denver, where an acre of ground, a swimming pool and large garden

keep them busy.