Crossed paths several times during my Naval career with these heroes. First met Admiral James Stockdale aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64) in 1964, when as Skipper of VF-51, he brought a detachment of his squadron aboard from the USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). He shared our VA-144 ready room. We also covered the destroyers, Maddox and Turner Joy, the night of ‘The Gulf of Tonkin Incident,’ August 4th, 1964.
I last visited with Admiral James Stockdale at the ‘Golden Eagle’ reunion in Monterey 1995. We discussed what we experienced at ‘The Gulf of Tonkin Incident’ and the Admiral’s recollections of Everett Alvarez as a POW in Hanoi.
Captain Wynn Foster and I first met in Corpus Christi, 1955. He was an instructor Pilot in T-28’s and I was a student in advanced flight training. (see ‘Sea Stories’ – ‘Texas T-28 Roundup.’)
I last saw Captain Wynn Foster in 1971, when as Commanding Officer of VA-122, I had the honor of decommissioning his old squadron VA-163.
Quick question Alvie. Do you remember Skipper Stockdale cross decking to Connie on our ’64 deployment – or was that after you were shot down?
Nick,
Yes. It was before I was bagged. He had VF 51. They shared our ready room. I led a detachment of 6 A-4’s and junior pilots to Cubi Pt. to make room for them on the Connie.
This was before Connie went into Subic and then Hong Kong.
Ev