Lex
I am a naval officer living in Sandy Eggo, California.
Raised in old Virginia. Taught to be a gentleman before it was required of me.
A naval officer, and naval aviator – still serving, but no longer current in an airplane, alas. A trade school graduate, I got my wings in Meridian, MS a long time ago, and spent another 18 purgatorial months there instructing before joining the west coast fleet, flying God’s jet – the FA-18 Hornet. Cruised aboard the USS CONSTELLATION (twice) and INDEPENDENCE (once).
Did a tour after that in Key West, Florida, flying the F-16N, F-5E and A-4E aircraft. Best. Job. Ever. Also where I had the Worst Day Ever. But that’s another story.
Department head tour in Japan. Hornets, again. Deployed a number of times aboard INDEPENDENCE again, that rough beast.
TOPGUN instructor after that. Was never more proud to be a part of something.
Commanded a west coast FA-18 squadron. Deployed aboard USS CARL VINSON – my first nuke.
Served as Operations Officer aboard the fleet’s finest aircraft carrier, an oil-burner. Put her to bed after 41 years of faithful service.
Now serving as a staff pogue in sunny San Diego. Believe certain things to be true. Don’t declare them to be, however.
Married to the best girl I ever met, who also delivered up three wonderful children. Don’t really know how I could be happier, or more blessed.
Vitals:
- Flight hours: ~4400
- Arrested landings: 570, or so.
- Deployments: 7
- Original thoughts: Tends towards zero
- Ability to recognize a good idea: Tends towards infinite
Comments
Comment from V5
Time: February 4, 2007, 9:26 pm
Lex,
Do the stories have to be aviator or Naval related? Just making sure.
Paul
Comment from lex
Time: February 4, 2007, 9:37 pm
No V5, talk about what interests you. Should be fun.
Comment from John Fry
Time: September 25, 2008, 2:54 pm
A friend in Maryland just sent me your website. I was interested in the possibility of sharing some of the stories in our squadron newsletter.
John Fry, Commander
San Diego Squadron
Association of Naval Aviation
Comment from Dino
Time: November 4, 2008, 8:02 am
Lex, I was a JO in the Chippies while you were next door in the Dragons. Turk was my next door neighbor in Jax and best he and Barb are best friends to my parents. Along with Intake, I was one of the organizers for the Turk Reunion in Wash DC. Can you contact me at dinomartin@aol.com. I was writing an obituary for Tailhook Magazine and the Virginian Pilot and would like to discuss your BBSOB article. Which is fabulous by the way. – Dino Out
Comment from Biz
Time: February 7, 2009, 10:38 am
Although I was not an officer in the USN I have been accused of being a gentleman. Served aboard the USS Whale SSN 638. A Fast Attack Boat out of Groton Connecticut. She is no longer in the fleet. There were some exciting times aboard her while we chased Ivan through the waters of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Your discussion with your nearly 13 year old daughter gave me a smile. I have similar discussions with my nearly 30 year old daughter with the result being the same.
Carrry on.
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