Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Alexander Malcolm Sinclair

About

United States Naval Academy

FUNERAL HOME

Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory

721 Elden Street

Herndon, Virginia

Alexander Sinclair Obituary

SINCLAIR ALEXANDER MALCOLM SINCLAIR United States Naval Academy Class of 1951 Rear Admiral Alex Sinclair USN-RET, age 82, of Great Falls, VA died on September 14, 2009 at Arleigh Burke Nursing Center. He was born on January 30, 1927 to the late Alexander M. and Dorothy Smith Sinclair. He was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California where he graduated from Santa Cruz High School and enlisted in the Navy in 1944. He received Fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 1951. While at the Academy he was a member of the varsity football and track teams. Upon Graduation, his first assignment was aboard the USS ANTIETAM (CV 36) operating as a unit of the Seventh Fleet in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. His next two sea assignments, in succession, were aboard the USS SHANGRI LA (CV 38) and the USS YORKTOWN (CV 10). While deployed to the Seventh Fleet on the USS Yorktown he was one of the first in his class to receive orders to Command. As a LT (jg) he assumed command of the coastal minesweeper USS FIRECREST (AMS 10) and did combat minesweeping operations in and around the Yellow Sea. The ship was home ported in Sasebo, Japan. He next attended Submarine School in New London, CT., followed by sea assignments on the USS RASHER (SS 269) and USS BAYA (SS 319). He became Executive Officer on the USS PIPER (SS 409) followed by his assuming command of the USS BANG (SS 385). While in command of the USS BANG the submarine made a highly successful Special Operations Patrol in the Barents Sea off the Kola Inlet. Following submarine command, RADM Sinclair was assigned as Executive Officer on the Guided Missile Cruiser USS DALE (CG 19), which completed a Seventh Fleet Deployment including the Gulf of Tonkin operations during the Viet Nam War. His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer Escort USS EDWARD McDONNELL (DE 1043), deployed to the Sixth Fleet. Admiral Sinclair''s next sea assignment was as Commander of the Guided Missile Cruiser USS LEAHY (CG 16). The ship made a Sixth Fleet deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. During this cruise in 1975 the USS LEAHY made an historic port of call at Saint Petersburg, a Soviet port. Thus the USS LEAHY was the first US Navy ship to visit the Soviet Union in over thirty years, or, before the ending of WW II in 1945. After Selection to Flag rank and several Pentagon tours, RADM Sinclair''s last sea assignment was COMMANDER CRUISER DESTROYER GROUP FIVE in the Pacific Fleet. While in command of GROUP FIVE he was deployed to the Seventh Fleet as a BATTLE GROUP COMMANDER on his flagship USS CHICAGO (CG 9). He retired from the Navy in 1982 after a very active 38 years of duty to the Navy and our Country. After retirement Admiral Sinclair attended American University Law School, became a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar and a practicing attorney. His practice consisted primarily of criminal defense work in the Criminal Division of the Washington D.C. court system. Admiral Sinclair was a mentor to his children and grandchildren and to countless young people during private life, his career in the Navy and during his law practice in the juvenile court system in Washington D.C. He had an extraordinary sense of humor and a generous spirit and will be greatly missed by his family and his friends. May the wind always fill his sails and the seas ahead be forever calm. Alex was the beloved husband of 59 years of Ginny Sinclair, loving and devoted father of Amy Dahm and her husband Henry of Great Falls, VA and Elizabeth Larson and her husband Willard of San Diego, CA, proud grandfather of Alex Dahm and his wife Kerry, Nick Dahm, Tyler Larson, Zachary Larson and Katelynn Larson. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 21, at 2:30 p.m., at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, December 22nd at 1pm at Arlington National Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation of Parkinson''s Research, Attn; Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York City, NY 10008-0780. Arrangements by Adams-Green Funeral Home, Herndon, VA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 21, at 2:30 p.m., at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, December 22nd at 1pm at Arlington National Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation of Parkinson''s Research, Attn; Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York City, NY 10008-0780. Arrangements by Adams-Green Funeral Home, Herndon, VA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Sep. 17 to Sep. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Alexander Sinclair

Sponsored by Amy S. Dahm,.

73 Entries

Tom Lauer

September 11, 2025

I remember watching Captain Sinclair running on the deck of the Leahy as a regular occurrence. As a young sailor (OSSN) experiencing the ambivalence if not disdain of the American public toward our nation's military during that time, seeing Captain Sinclair running lifted my morale. Manning the rails as we first entered the San Diego harbor, I believe January of 1976, again made me proud to wear my uniform again lifting my morale. I believe then Captain Sinclair knew morale on board his ship needed his steady hand. I am grateful to Captain Sinclair for allowing my pride in being an American sailor to remain when at that time it would have been easy to evaporate. God Bless you Admiral Sinclair, may you remain at peaceful rest and in the arms of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Thomas J Lauer

July 18, 2024

I was an Operations Specialist Seaman (OSSN) on the Leahy serving under Captain Sinclair in 1975 & 1976. I am now 69 years old. The proudest time in my short enlistment was in our rescue of the Aquasition. I was on the surface radar scope in CIC. When the "Mayday" call came in Captain Sinclair made the snap decision to rush at flank speed to the rescue. I believe lives were saved by his quick decision. God Bless you Admiral and may your soul remain at rest.

Don Hall

May 27, 2024

15th Anniversary 2009 - 2024

Thinking of you, Mal.

DON HALL

January 17, 2022

LETTER FROM SINCLAIR TO HALL EARLY 2000s:

Don Hall

September 23, 2021

USS BANG SS385 - LAST UNDERWAY - 1972

This was BANG's last trip down the Thames River (New London, CT) before being decommissioned from the US Navy and
recommissioned in the Spanish Navy as Cosme Garcia. Her last underway as BANG took place on September 26, 1972.
Special thanks to CS John Monroe (narrator/writer) and Cathie Gibson (cinematographer and wife of last COB)

Alexander Malcolm Sinclair was the Commanding Officer 1962 - 1964

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUMBu69-Feo

Don Hall

September 14, 2021

A 12 year remembrance:
1974 Liz Taylor and Malcolm Sinclair aboard the
USS LEAHY CG16 - Russia

Don Hall

May 31, 2021

On this Memorial Day May 31, 2021

What a career. From corpsman to Fleet commander:

COMMANDER CRUISER DESTROYER GROUP FIVE in the Pacific Fleet. While in command of GROUP FIVE he was deployed to the Seventh Fleet as a BATTLE GROUP COMMANDER on his flagship
USS CHICAGO (CG 9).

DON HALL

May 23, 2020

REMEMBERING: MAY 25, 2020
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

Don Hall

May 13, 2020

PHIL BEALS USS BANG SS385 - 1956-59
I never had the opportunity to meet Alex Sinclair as by the time us young Gang were graciously invited by our WWII BANG shipmates to start attending their annual blowouts, Alex was already battling Parkinson's Disease which kept him away from our Reunions and eventually cost him his life. What I did learn about him came from the shipmates who served under him and Don Hall, a personal friend of the Admiral, who kept me updated on Mal's health over the years.
Alex was a typical white hat' who became a very special naval officer, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral. He was an exceptional leader of men and a sailor's sailor in every sense of the term. But, above all, Alex was a Submariner!
He had an extraordinary sense of humor and a generous spirit who always took the time to thank or commend people others wouldn't normally give credit to, and thus, his peers and subordinates held him in high esteem.
Ken Moulton, a life long friend of the Admiral said, "That's a real true test when your enlisted men really think highly of you. He went out of his way to help out the enlisted men."
Alex also kept himself physically fit and encouraged his crews to join him in his daily workouts. He also would promote sporting activities for them to participate in though, I surmise this was so he could join them.
Mal Sinclair summarized his Naval career in a letter he wrote to Hall & Moulton in 2001:
Needless to say, my style of leadership was, shall we say, different from the norm. I most always played it by ear, and by my gut feel. Often, my decisions were out-of-the-box', and drew lots of attention, and controversy in the submarine force, but we beat the competition hands down in all categories, including tactics, reenlistment rate, etc., plus we won the squadron E.
I think I was more lucky than good during my 38 years of service, but it seemed like I always had great sailors as shipmates on the ships I commanded. I should add that my enlisted service gave me a unique insight on how to apply leadership principles.
Mal's last correspondence to Hall & Moulton was only four words: i try really hard.
Rear Admiral Alexander Malcolm Sinclair USN-RET, age 82, of Great Falls, VA died on September 14, 2009 at Arleigh Burke Nursing Center.
He was born on January 30, 1927 to the late Alexander M. and Dorothy Smith Sinclair. He was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA where he grew up with his life long friend, Ken Moulton, body surfing and delivering papers. During his time spent on the beach Alex became friends with a lifeguard named Hubert Mee, who was a survivor of the sinking of the USS QUINCY CA-39 in Savo Sound, just north of Guadalcanal in 1942. Mee was credited with rescuing QUINCY shipmates from the water.
After graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1944 at the age of 17, he attended the College of the Pacific (now Univ. of the Pacific) where he played football for Amos Alonzo Stagg, a legend in the collegiate game and a Collegiate Football Hall of Fame member. Sinclair was named to the All Coast team that season, which caught the attention of then Navy coach, Eddy Erderlatz, Sinclair enlisted in the Navy at the end of his first college semester, December 1944, and was serving on active duty as a corpsman prior to receiving his Fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy. (Had Sinclair not played football at Pacific before enlisting in the Navy, we might be honoring Alex Sinclair HM2, a rank he may have achieved by the end of his 4 year hitch.) While at the Academy he was a member of the varsity football and track teams.
After graduation with the class of 1951, his first assignment was aboard the USS ANTIETAM (CV 36) operating as a unit of the Seventh Fleet in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War.
His next two sea assignments, in succession, were aboard the USS SHANGRI LA (CV 38) and the USS YORKTOWN (CV 10). While deployed to the Seventh Fleet on the USS Yorktown he was one of the first in his class to receive orders to Command. As a LT(jg) he assumed command of the coastal minesweeper USS FIRECREST (AMS 10) and did combat minesweeping operations in and around the Yellow Sea. The ship was home ported in Sasebo, Japan.
He next attended Submarine School in New London, CT, followed by sea assignments on USS RASHER (SS 269) and USS BAYA (SS 319). He became Executive Officer on USS PIPER (SS 409) followed by his assuming command of USS BANG (SS 385). While in command of BANG the submarine made a highly successful Special Operations Patrol in the Barents Sea off the Kola Inlet. Following submarine command, Sinclair was assigned as
Executive Officer on the Guided Missile Cruiser USS DALE (CG 19), which completed a Seventh Fleet Deployment including the Gulf of Tonkin operations during the Viet Nam War.
His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer Escort USS EDWARD McDONNELL (DE 1043), deployed to the Sixth Fleet.
Alex was then assigned to command the Guided Missile Cruiser USS LEAHY (CG 16). The ship made a Sixth Fleet deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. During this cruise in 1975 the USS LEAHY made an historic port of call at Saint Petersburg, a Soviet port, as an expression of goodwill between the countries. Thus the USS LEAHY was the first US Navy ship to visit the Soviet Union in over thirty years.
The Leahy departed England with US admirals and dignitaries for the trip to Leningrad, and stopped to add Soviet admirals and dignitaries at a Soviet base near the Neva River. While navigating the Neva River the LEAHYS bridge, filled with honorary guests, was under navigational command of a Soviet river pilot.
At one point, the pilot ordered a steering change, and Alex, immediately sensing the order was in error, announced over the ship's intercom that he had relieved the Soviet pilot, and was once again in command. A highly unusual action, relieving a pilot in unfamiliar waters, Alex explained that the Soviet pilot was not familiar with the maneuverability of the twin-screw LEAHY, and the pilot's order would have grounded the ship. Alex added that his immediate thought was The safety of my ship and my crew come before all else. The Leahy continued on to Leningrad without further incident. This course of action impressed one Soviet admiral so much that he continued to prod the US admirals in attendance by saying you should promote this man. One of those American admirals sat on the promotion board when Alex was promoted to admiral.
Upon arriving in Long Beach, CA after a very successful cruise to the Soviet Union, and a journey through the Panama Canal, the LEAHY was being greeted on the pier with the band playing, flags flying, families members of the crew waving and numerous admirals and dignitaries waiting to board. Captain Sinclair, the ever considerate CO, and loving son, ordered his mother (and her neighbor friend) piped aboard before all others.
After Selection to Flag rank and several Pentagon tours, RADM Sinclair''s last sea assignment was COMMANDER CRUISER DESTROYER GROUP FIVE in the Pacific Fleet. While in command of GROUP FIVE he was deployed to the Seventh Fleet as a BATTLE GROUP COMMANDER on his flagship USS CHICAGO (CG 9). Aboard CHICAGO, Alex returned to the site of the sinking of his good friend's (Hubert Mee) ship USS QUINCY and placed a wreath in tribute to those who lost their lives in 1942.
He retired from the Navy in 1982 after a very active 38 years of duty to the Navy and our Country.
After retirement Admiral Sinclair attended American University Law School, became a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar and a practicing attorney. His practice consisted primarily of criminal defense work in the Criminal Division of the Washington D.C. court system.
Admiral Sinclair was a mentor to his children and grandchildren and to countless young people during private life, his career in the Navy and during his law practice in the juvenile court system in Washington D.C. Also, for his brief 'visit' to College of the Pacific, and achieving flag rank, the Pacific Alumni Assoc. named Alex to their Distinguished Alumni honor roll.
Alex was the beloved husband of 59 years of Ginny Sinclair, loving and devoted father of Amy Dahm and her husband Henry of Great Falls, VA and Elizabeth Larson and her husband Willard of San Diego, CA, proud grandfather of Alex Dahm and his wife Kerry, Nick Dahm, Tyler Larson, Zachary Larson and Katelynn Larson.

DON HALL

May 8, 2020

FROM THE 2009 FALL/WINTER BANG NEWSLETTER AS WRITTEN BY PHIL BEALS:
I never had the opportunity to meet Alex Sinclair as by the time us young Gang were graciously invited by our WWII BANG shipmates to start attending their annual blowouts, Alex was already battling Parkinson's Disease which kept him away from our Reunions and eventually cost him his life. What I did learn about him came from the shipmates who served under him and Don Hall, a personal friend of the Admiral, who kept me updated on Mal's health over the years.
Alex was a typical white hat' who became a very special naval officer, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral. He was an exceptional leader of men and a sailor's sailor in every sense of the term. But, above all, Alex was a Submariner!
He had an extraordinary sense of humor and a generous spirit who always took the time to thank or commend people others wouldn't normally give credit to, and thus, his peers and subordinates held him in high esteem.
Ken Moulton, a life long friend of the Admiral said, "That's a real true test when your enlisted men really think highly of you. He went out of his way to help out the enlisted men."
Alex also kept himself physically fit and encouraged his crews to join him in his daily workouts. He also would promote sporting activities for them to participate in though, I surmise this was so he could join them.
Mal Sinclair summarized his Naval career in a letter he wrote to Hall & Moulton in 2001:
Needless to say, my style of leadership was, shall we say, different from the norm. I most always played it by ear, and by my gut feel. Often, my decisions were out-of-the-box', and drew lots of attention, and controversy in the submarine force, but we beat the competition hands down in all categories, including tactics, reenlistment rate, etc., plus we won the squadron E.
I think I was more lucky than good during my 38 years of service, but it seemed like I always had great sailors as shipmates on the ships I commanded. I should add that my enlisted service gave me a unique insight on how to apply leadership principles.
Mal's last correspondence to Hall & Moulton was only four words: i try really hard.
Rear Admiral Alexander Malcolm Sinclair USN-RET, age 82, of Great Falls, VA died on September 14, 2009 at Arleigh Burke Nursing Center.
He was born on January 30, 1927 to the late Alexander M. and Dorothy Smith Sinclair. He was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA where he grew up with his life long friend, Ken Moulton, body surfing and delivering papers. During his time spent on the beach Alex became friends with a lifeguard named Hubert Mee, who was a survivor of the sinking of the USS QUINCY CA-39 in Savo Sound, just north of Guadalcanal in 1942. Mee was credited with rescuing QUINCY shipmates from the water.
After graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1944 at the age of 17, he attended the College of the Pacific (now Univ. of the Pacific) where he played football for Amos Alonzo Stagg, a legend in the collegiate game and a Collegiate Football Hall of Fame member. Sinclair was named to the All Coast team that season, which caught the attention of then Navy coach, Eddy Erderlatz, Sinclair enlisted in the Navy at the end of his first college semester, December 1944, and was serving on active duty as a corpsman prior to receiving his Fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy. (Had Sinclair not played football at Pacific before enlisting in the Navy, we might be honoring Alex Sinclair HM2, a rank he may have achieved by the end of his 4 year hitch.) While at the Academy he was a member of the varsity football and track teams.
After graduation with the class of 1951, his first assignment was aboard the USS ANTIETAM (CV 36) operating as a unit of the Seventh Fleet in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War.
His next two sea assignments, in succession, were aboard the USS SHANGRI LA (CV 38) and the USS YORKTOWN (CV 10). While deployed to the Seventh Fleet on the USS Yorktown he was one of the first in his class to receive orders to Command. As a LT(jg) he assumed command of the coastal minesweeper USS FIRECREST (AMS 10) and did combat minesweeping operations in and around the Yellow Sea. The ship was home ported in Sasebo, Japan.
He next attended Submarine School in New London, CT, followed by sea assignments on USS RASHER (SS 269) and USS BAYA (SS 319). He became Executive Officer on USS PIPER (SS 409) followed by his assuming command of USS BANG (SS 385). While in command of BANG the submarine made a highly successful Special Operations Patrol in the Barents Sea off the Kola Inlet. Following submarine command, Sinclair was assigned as
Executive Officer on the Guided Missile Cruiser USS DALE (CG 19), which completed a Seventh Fleet Deployment including the Gulf of Tonkin operations during the Viet Nam War.
His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer Escort USS EDWARD McDONNELL (DE 1043), deployed to the Sixth Fleet.
Alex was then assigned to command the Guided Missile Cruiser USS LEAHY (CG 16). The ship made a Sixth Fleet deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. During this cruise in 1975 the USS LEAHY made an historic port of call at Saint Petersburg, a Soviet port, as an expression of goodwill between the countries. Thus the USS LEAHY was the first US Navy ship to visit the Soviet Union in over thirty years.
The Leahy departed England with US admirals and dignitaries for the trip to Leningrad, and stopped to add Soviet admirals and dignitaries at a Soviet base near the Neva River. While navigating the Neva River the LEAHYS bridge, filled with honorary guests, was under navigational command of a Soviet river pilot.
At one point, the pilot ordered a steering change, and Alex, immediately sensing the order was in error, announced over the ship's intercom that he had relieved the Soviet pilot, and was once again in command. A highly unusual action, relieving a pilot in unfamiliar waters, Alex explained that the Soviet pilot was not familiar with the maneuverability of the twin-screw LEAHY, and the pilot's order would have grounded the ship. Alex added that his immediate thought was The safety of my ship and my crew come before all else. The Leahy continued on to Leningrad without further incident. This course of action impressed one Soviet admiral so much that he continued to prod the US admirals in attendance by saying you should promote this man. One of those American admirals sat on the promotion board when Alex was promoted to admiral.
Upon arriving in Long Beach, CA after a very successful cruise to the Soviet Union, and a journey through the Panama Canal, the LEAHY was being greeted on the pier with the band playing, flags flying, families members of the crew waving and numerous admirals and dignitaries waiting to board. Captain Sinclair, the ever considerate CO, and loving son, ordered his mother (and her neighbor friend) piped aboard before all others.
After Selection to Flag rank and several Pentagon tours, RADM Sinclair''s last sea assignment was COMMANDER CRUISER DESTROYER GROUP FIVE in the Pacific Fleet. While in command of GROUP FIVE he was deployed to the Seventh Fleet as a BATTLE GROUP COMMANDER on his flagship USS CHICAGO (CG 9). Aboard CHICAGO, Alex returned to the site of the sinking of his good friend's (Hubert Mee) ship USS QUINCY and placed a wreath in tribute to those who lost their lives in 1942.
He retired from the Navy in 1982 after a very active 38 years of duty to the Navy and our Country.
After retirement Admiral Sinclair attended American University Law School, became a member of the Washington, D.C. Bar and a practicing attorney. His practice consisted primarily of criminal defense work in the Criminal Division of the Washington D.C. court system.
Admiral Sinclair was a mentor to his children and grandchildren and to countless young people during private life, his career in the Navy and during his law practice in the juvenile court system in Washington D.C. Also, for his brief 'visit' to College of the Pacific, and achieving flag rank, the Pacific Alumni Assoc. named Alex to their Distinguished Alumni honor roll.
Alex was the beloved husband of 59 years of Ginny Sinclair, loving and devoted father of Amy Dahm and her husband Henry of Great Falls, VA and Elizabeth Larson and her husband Willard of San Diego, CA, proud grandfather of Alex Dahm and his wife Kerry, Nick Dahm, Tyler Larson, Zachary Larson and Katelynn Larson.
Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, December 22nd at 1300 hours at Arlington National Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation of Parkinson''s Research, Attn; Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York City, NY 10008-0780.

Robert Kurz CDR, SC, USN (Ret.)

April 11, 2020

While my message may not timely, I hope it will add to Admiral Sinclair's remarkable legacy and what it meant to serve with him.

I served as Supply Officer under then Captain Sinclair aboard USS Leahy CG-16 following her visit to Leningrad USSR.

Those of us who served aboard Leahy will remember Admiral Sinclair for one of his favorite sayings when it came to communicating outside the command. He would instruct us to "Say Something Clever." To this day, I still remember a port call to Naples, Italy. The Admiral loved his ice cream and we hadn't been able to procure any during this visit. While at the Naval Base, the Admiral witnessed sailors enjoying ice cream cones. Upon returning to the ship, Admiral Sinclair relayed what he had seen and instructed me to draft a message to COMSERVFORSIXTHFLT. In keeping with his mantra I concluded Leahy's message "Why is it that shore based sailors have ice cream and the fleet has none." Needless to say Leahy got ice cream.

I'm forever grateful for my final fitness report. I was a newly promoted Lt. Commander at the time, but that didn't prevent Admiral Sinclair from adding a hand written note which read in part "LCDR Kurz is a performer with great potential....and is highly recommended for accelerated promotion to Commander now." Do I believe this made a difference? Absolutely, as I was subsequently deep-selected for Commander.

Adm. Sinclair was one of the finest Commanding Officers I ever had the privilege of serving under during my 20 year career. May he forever have the wind at his back.

Don Hall

September 14, 2019

10th anniversary

January 19, 2017

Admiral Sinclair was my Executive Officer on Piper SS409. In my 27 years in submarines he was the best XO I ever had. I'm glad to see he had such a successful career and so sorry to learn about his battle with parkinsons. I will always remember him for his fine leadership and being an outstanding shipmate.
Morris S. Newkirk, Jr
RMCS(SS) RET
Honefoss, Norway

Flag Ship - USS CHICAGO CG11

DON HALL

December 25, 2016

December 22, 2016

A great Admiral, which I was proud to serve under with CCDG5 onboard USS CHICAGO (CG11)

Sinclair's Santa Cruz beach - Seabright

Don Hall

December 18, 2016

USS FIRECREST AMS-10

Don Hall

November 14, 2016

Lee Womack

July 16, 2016

Big Al was my first CAPTAIN and he is the reason that I remained in the Navy and retired. With his leadership and guidance, I was able to achieve much. He was always there for me as my leader and mentor to assist me with major life decisions. Admiral Sinclair will forever be highly regarded and sorely missed by me and a multitude of others.
Lee Thell Womack, Jr., CAPT, USN (Ret.)

February 10, 2015

Alex was truly a light in this confused world.

February 10, 2015

A truly good man.

Arlington Nat'l Cemetery

Don Hall

December 10, 2013

Henry Dahm, Amy Dahm, Alex, Ginny, Willard Larson, Beth Larson

Don Hall

April 8, 2013

USS EDWARD McDONNELL DE/FF 1043

DON HALL

February 20, 2013

USS BANG SS385

DON HALL

February 20, 2013

USS LEAHY CG 16

February 20, 2013

Aug 1, 1974 - Change of Command - USS LEAHY CG16

don hall

February 3, 2013

Don Hall

February 1, 2013

RADM ALEX SINCLAIR US NAVY - RET.

Home town - Santa Cruz, CA

1944 - 1947 ENLISTED SERVICE
Boot camp - San Diego.
Hospital Corps School.
US NAVAL HOSPITAL WEST PALM , FL. General Ward.
NAPS (Naval Academy Prep School) sponsor Eddie Ederlatz (Navy football
coach).
Discharged as a HA1/C (hospital apprentice) pay grade E2.

1948 - 1951 Midshipman USNA
Entered USNA via fleet appt. Commissioned as Ensign June 1951.

1951 - 1953 Sea Assignments.
USS Antietam CVA 36 - WESPAC - Div. officer.
USS Yorktown CVA 10 - WESPAC - Fire Ctrl officer.
USS shangrila CVS 38 - PACFLT - Div. officer
USS Firecrest AMS 10 - CO - Homeported-Sasebo. Yellow Sea mine
sweeping ops.

1954 - 1967 Submarine Assignments
Submarine school - New London.
USS Rasher SSR 269 - Wespac - Communications officer.
USS Baya AGSS 318 - PACFLT - Engineering officer.
USS Parche SS 384 - Reserve training - Alemeda, Ca - Officer-in-Charge.
USS Piper SS 409 LANTFLT - XO.
USS BANG SS 385 LANTFLT - CO - SPEC OPS - Barents Sea.
COMSUBPAC STAFF - Pearl Harbor - PCO Instructor.

1968 - 1982 Assignments
Armed Forces Staff College.
Pentagon.
USS Dale CG 19 - WESTPAC - Gufl of Tonkin - XO.
Pentagon.
USS Edward McDonnell DE 1043 - LANTFLT - CO.
USS Leahy CG 16 LANTFLT - Leningrad ship visit - CO.
Pentagon.
Selected for Flag Officer.
Pentagon.
Commander - Crus/Dest Group 5 - PACFLT - CTF 75.
Pentagon DCNO (OP 04B)
Retired - 1982
Prepared by Alexander Malcolm Sinclair (date unknown)

January 24, 2013

Capt/Adm Sinclair was by far the greatest "Skipper" in the entire US Navy. Many memories of hi as my first CO on a surface vessel He made my transistion both from Submarines and Enlisted ranks as a WO1. He had the nickname, as assign by the entire crew of the USS Leahy, as "John Wayne" which was perfect in all sense. Sir, I wish you fair winds and following seas and KYPDm(keep your powder dry).
FCO, W.R. White,WO1/CDR, USN (Ret)

don hall

October 16, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

The following paragraphs are the closing words from a letter dated 2001 from Mal Sinclair to don hall & ken moulton:

“Needless to say, my style of leadership was, shall we say, different from the norm. I most always played it by ear, and by my gut feel. Often, my decisions were ‘out-of-the-box’, and drew lots of attention, and controversy in the submarine force, but we beat the competition hands down in all categories, including tactics, reenlistment rate, etc., plus we won the squadron “E”.

I think I was more lucky than good during my 38 years of service, but it seemed like I always had great sailors as shipmates on the ships I commanded. I should add that my enlisted service gave me a unique insight on how to apply leadership principles.”

don hall

October 14, 2009

The story behind the picture displayed on Sinclair’s fireplace (See Photo Gallery)

On Jan 13, 1943, a teenaged Canadian sailor, by the name of Frank Arsenault, was aboard the corvette HMCS Ville de Quebec (K 242) running convoy duty in the Western Mediterranean, West of Algiers, when the ramming of the German U-224 occurred.

The Canadian corvette was launching depth charges in the area of a detected submarine. Suddenly, the German submarine surfaced due to damage sustained from the depth charge attack. The sub was so close to the corvette that the deck gun could not depress sufficiently for a shot. The skipper of the Ville de Quebec, within seconds of the sub surfacing, ordered “flank ahead......prepare to ram”. The corvette struck the U-224 a lethal blow, riding halfway across the sub's deck, then backing off.

One German sailor fell from the conning tower due to the collision, the only reported survivor of the U-224.

A large painting of the incident was commissioned by the Canadian government, and hangs in a Canadian museum. Many years after the ramming incident the surviving crew members of the Ville de Quebec were united for a tribute by the Canadian government. Each member received a folder commemorating their heroism, and the center fold was a copy of the noted painting.

Frank Arsenault and I met on a Santa Cruz golf course. His story surfaced after Arsenault learned that a friend of mine was an admiral from Santa Cruz. Given a copy of the painting, I mailed it to my admiral friend, Mal Sinclair.

Arsenault mentioned the admiral story to his wife, and her reply was: “I wonder if the admiral is Dorothy Sinclair’s boy?". We learned that Frank Arsenault had performed barbershop quartet songs at one of Sinclair’s parent’s anniversary celebrations.

Frank and Mal eventually connected by phone and letters expressing mutual admiration for one another. It was beautiful to witness the evolution of a warm friendship between two sea-going comrades-in-arms.

(story as told by frank arsenault -
edited by don hall)

Ville de Quebec vs. U-224 - 1943 - see story - entry 10/14

October 14, 2009

Mal - 2002 - with photo of Ville de Quebec & Gold Dolphins

October 11, 2009

Mal & Ginny - Great Falls - 2001

October 11, 2009

October 9, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair
RADM, USN-Ret.

As the date for closure of the Sinclair Guestbook nears, we would like to document our last thoughts adding to the Sinclair legacy. Sinclair will be addressed as Mal, as that is how we knew him.

Ken Moulton, Mal’s oldest and best friend, and I were privileged to receive a stream of letters and pictures from Mal from about 1995 to 2005, until it became too difficult for him to write, or navigate the computer keyboard. Even phone conversations became very difficult. Moulton would receive regular phone calls regarding off-track betting on the major races, and sports conversations. That all ceased toward the end of Mal’s life. At one point of an email exchange, we received a response from Mal with these few words: “ i try really hard”. That was the last email we received. Just imagining the frustration that Mal was experiencing was heart wrenching. We will never forget the emotions we felt when reading those words; extreme sadness, and also, extreme anger toward the disease that was destroying our good friend.

Through Mal’s letters, we learned the names of the ships on which he served, and those he commanded. At first, Mal was hesitant about telling his sea stories, as he was a very private guy. Over time, he sensed our sincere interest, and out poured the stories, much to our delight.

Realizing that we were hearing only one side of the stories, we hoped to contact those who had served with him on the ships he commanded, and get the rest of the stories. Fortunately, there were active web sites for the USS Bang SS 385, USS Edward McDonnell DE-1043, and the USS Leahy CG-16, providing names and dates of the men serving with Sinclair. The web site hosts could not have been more cooperative: Bill Fenton - Bang, John (JC) Collins - Eddy Mac, and Ken Deshaies - Leahy, and a very special thanks to Phil Beals, editor of the BANG NEWSLETTER. Phil Beals was responsible for publishing numerous tributes to Sinclair in the Bang Newsletter, and through Sinclair, and the Bang gang, we met a good friend.

We sent emails to crew members asking for Sinclair stories hoping that recalling old events would ease Sinclair’s struggle with Parkinson’s. The flood of emails and photos was immediate, informative, and absolutely wonderful. The responses all praised the leadership of Sinclair, and the compassion he felt for those serving with him. From the men in close contact on the submarine Bang, to those serving on the bridges of the Eddy Mac and Leahy, and his team mates on the Ships Afloat and Dry Dock football teams, all wrote about their respect for Sinclair’s leadership, compassion, and professionalism.

Unfortunately, the Guestbook entries represent only a small group of men that served with Sinclair. Since knowledge of the existence of the Guestbook is limited, many academy classmates, crew members, law school classmates, and friends will not have the opportunity to add their condolences.

We have all lost a truly dear friend, a genuine good-guy, and a great navy commander.

Don Hall
Ken Moulton

October 9, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

A memorable gig trip - 1975

On a return trip to the Leahy after visiting with the admiral on his flagship, Captain Sinclair and the gig crew encountered heavy seas. As told by Glen Hager, the gig engineer, the skipper could have remained in the aft cabin, and stayed dry. Instead, Sinclair placed his coat in the cabin, grabbed on to the towing post, and got soaked with sea spray along with everyone else in the gig. Hager commented: "It was like a John Wayne movie. The skipper was larger than life".

Leahy log.

October 8, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

USS LEAHY - Capt. Sinclair, CO. - circa 1975

Upon arriving in Long Beach, CA after a very successful cruise to the Soviet Union, and a journey through the Panama Canal, the Leahy was being greeted by numerous admirals and dignitaries waiting on the pier.

With the band playing, flags flying, and family members of the crew waving and in tears, Capt. Sinclair, the ever considerate CO, and loving son, ordered his mother piped aboard the Leahy before all others.

Leahy log

October 4, 2009

Alex was one of four CO's I served under during my 4 1/2 years on the USS Edward McDonnell. A finer gentleman could not be asked for. Competent, compassionate, committed.

Skipper, I salute you.

John "JC" Collins
Major, USAFR (ret)
former STG2

Alex & Katelynn @ 2000 Lone Sailor Statue. A very proud grandfather.

September 29, 2009

Liz Taylor & Alex 1975, Leningrad cruise

September 29, 2009

Ships commanded by Alex Sinclair

September 29, 2009

RADM Alex Sinclair - 1980 China Sea Inset: corpsman prior to entrance to the Naval Academy

September 29, 2009

September 28, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

USS Chicago CG-11
Flagship for RADM Alex Sinclair, Commander Task Force 75
Wreath laying ceremony - circa 1979 (edited by don hall)

Source: USS Chicago CG-11's cruise book covering her last WESTPAC deployment

Enroute from the Philippines to Sydney, Australia to participate in Exercise Kangaroo III, CHICAGO's track took her through the Solomon Islands chain. On October 15th, the cruiser, flagship for RADM Alex Sinclair, USN, Commander Task Force Seven Five, paused briefly in Savo Sound, just north of Guadalcanal. A wreath was laid to pay tribute to the brave sailors and Marines who died at Guadalcanal, and, in particular, the four American and Australian cruisers (HMSA CANBERRA, USS VINCENNES, USS QUINCY and USS ASTORIA), and over 1200 men who perished there in the Battle of Savo Island, August 9th, 1942. The battle also saw the heavy damage done to the present-day CHICAGO's predecessor, USS CHICAGO (CA-29), the only cruiser to survive the battle.

About 1943, Sinclair was 16 years of age and living in Santa Cruz, CA. He met a survivor of the sinking of the USS Quincy CA-39 named Hubert Mee, who had been credited for rescuing Quincy crewmen from the water. Mee was 12 years senior to Sinclair, and had served as a lifeguard for the local beach. Shortly after their meeting, Sinclair enlisted in the navy in 1944. Mee left the navy in 1945 as a Lt.Cmdr. with eight battle stars. Although they would meet only occasionally over the years, when Sinclair returned to Santa Cruz to see his mother, Mee remained active in the Navy League throughout his life, and followed the career of Sinclair. Mee preceded Sinclair in death by two years, at age 92.

Circa 1980, about 37 years after meeting Mee, RADM Sinclair, with his task force, returned to the site of the sinking of the Quincy, and 3 other cruisers, to place a wreath in tribute to those who lost their lives in 1942.

September 28, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

USS Leahy CG-16 Leningrad Cruise - 1975
USS Leahy Guestbook hosted by Ken Deshaies
As told by Alex Sinclair...(edited for brevity by don hall)
l

The USS Leahy, with Alex Sinclair as captain, was chosen to participate in an exchange of
visiting ships with the Soviet Union as an expression of goodwill between the countries.

The Leahy departed the US for England to embark US admirals and dignitaries for the trip to Leningrad, and stopping to add Soviet admirals and dignitaries at a Soviet base near the Neva River.

Navigating the Neva River toward Leningrad, the Leahy’s bridge was filled with US and Soviet admirals and dignitaries, and the Leahy was under navigational command of a Soviet pilot. At one point, the Soviet pilot ordered a steering change, and Alex Sinclair immediately sensed the order was in error. In full view of all on the bridge, Alex announced over the ship’s intercom that he had relieved the Soviet pilot, and he was in command. This was a highly unusual action, relieving a pilot in unfamiliar waters, with all the noted guests on the bridge.

Alex explained that the Soviet pilot was not familiar with the maneuverability of the twin-screw Leahy, and the order would have grounded the ship. Alex added that his immediate thought was “No one is going to ground my ship while I am on the bridge”. The Leahy continued on to Leningrad without further adventure.

At the numerous social gatherings of politicos and officers in Leningrad, one Soviet admiral continually prodded US admirals in attendance that “you should promote this man”. “This man” being Alex Sinclair.

Again, with a wink, Alex said that one admiral, who witnessed the bridge event, sat on the promotion board when Alex was promoted to admiral.

September 28, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

USS Edward McDonnell DE-1043 (Eddy Mac) - South American Cruise - Circa 1970

Sonar event as told by Alex Sinclair to don hall:

The Eddy Mac, fresh with a new sonar installation, was on a cruise to South America with other ships. The sonar was attached beneath the bow of the Eddy Mac, and extended several feet below the keel. Upon arriving at the destination, and after a careful analysis of the assigned berthing location of the Eddy Mac, Alex moved the ship to deeper water. Within a few moments of anchoring, the admiral’s gig pulled alongside the Eddy Mac. The gig driver announced that the admiral wanted a session with the captain - NOW!. Sinclair met with the admiral, and explained that the berthing assignment was in water too shallow to accommodate the new sonar extension of the Eddy Mac. The admiral apologized and fired the berthing officer.

Alex said with a wink, the admiral sat on the promotion board when Alex was promoted to the rank of captain.

September 28, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

From the Guestbook of the Eddy Mac -
JC Collins, host
(edited for brevity by don hall)

Jay Eddy writes:

" I think it was Easter "Eve", the Saturday night before Easter Sunday, 1970. We were on a "work up" cruise for our upcoming European tour that June.

We were doing an ASW exercise at night. I was the OOD for the 12-4 AM watch. The Commodore was riding the USS Page. My recollection was that he got great joy in beating up on our CO, Alex Sinclair. The good ‘ole’ Eddy Mac was notorious for chronic mechanical ailments, particularly while steaming in formation. This night, someone decided to have the exercise conducted “lights out”, and that's when I gave the Commodore fodder for a real chewing-out.

We are on station around a carrier or an oiler, I don't remember which. The Page was out in front, on point, and got contact on the submarine. They announce it, and begin to maneuver in pursuit. I stay on station, and don't advise the Captain what is going on. So Alex is toes up, in sweet repose, while the Commodore on the Page is on the bridge and paying attention.

I continue to stay on station and watch the Page on radar as she moves and maneuvers towards us. And I continue to stay on station as we lose the Page in the sea return on the radar. Of course, I can't really "see" her, never did. I guess that was the whole point of the exercise. As far as I know no one on our ship did. But one person on the Page saw us as we passed each other, going in opposite directions at flank speed, only a stones throw away from each other. It was the Commodore. He began screaming on the radio for the Captain, and quickly determined he wasn't on the bridge, and that his OOD was responsible for not maneuvering to avoid a ship in pursuit of a submarine contact.

So, Alex took a major chewing-out that night. I think he knew how scared I was as he took the heat and let it go with me. I cried that night after getting off watch. First time in a very long time. Believe me, I was scared of what might have happened and not the chewing-out part.

Anyway, with that behind us, I think we performed admirably for the rest of the work up. Alex continued to call me "Ace" but he should have renamed me "dummy". We left on the North Atlantic Cruise in May and in spite of being continually hassled by the Commodore, we did well.

Alex even took me to play tennis on a grass court in Southampton (first & last time for me). I still play and have had my own court for the last 20 years, just no grass. Thanks, Alex. for that day and the whole European Tour. I remember it all, vividly and fondly.

I have always had fond memories of Alex. A true gentleman through thick and thin.”

Jay Eddy wrote this letter in 2008, about 38 years after the incident.

September 28, 2009

Remembering Alex (Mal) Sinclair

USS Bang SS 385 - circa 1963 - Submarine Sandwich
Source: Smoke Boat Sailor by R. Barbieri (edited for brevity by don hall)

One evening while standing the mid-watch on the Bang, which was moored to the pier, Barbieri hailed a canteen truck to bring him a sandwich. After a few bites, Barbieri decided the sandwich was not fit for consumption. Not wishing to pollute the harbor waters, and having no trash receptacle at hand, Barbieri decided to get rid of the sandwich by stuffing it in the Bang fog horn, thinking that it would wash away the next time they submerged.

The following morning, the admiral and his staff came to the dock to see the Bang get underway. Following sailing protocol, the Union Jack is lowered at the bow, the Stars and Stripes is raised aft of the sail, and the fog horn is sounded. When it came time to sound the fog horn, instead of a clear, penetrating note, a terrible, muffled “phlaaaaaaat” was emitted, and the sandwich was expelled by vibration from the fog horn, landing on the deck.

Those on the dock roared with laughter, Sinclair smiled. After clearing the harbor, Sinclair announced throughout the sub: “Now hear this.... this is the captain.... I don’t know who put the sandwich in the fog horn, and I don’t want to know, but it better never happen again”.

Upon completion of his book, Dick Barbieri presented a copy to Alex, and received a thank-you letter in return, written on the Admiral’s personal stationery. Sinclair's letter was framed, and now hangs proudly in the Barbieri home.

Alan Moquin

September 26, 2009

I like many others was privileged to serve under Captain Sinclair on the Bang during the Northern run into Russian waters in 1963. Over the years I have recalled many times the calm and efficient manner in which he maneuvered us out of harms way. I also recall that he was a fair and decent man who put the safety and welfare of his crew above all else. I wish him calm seas and following winds in his new career. I am sure that he will advance rapidly.

Mike Gothie

September 26, 2009

Alex was a great officer and skipper. He presented me with his own dolphins when I qualified on the Bang and I think of him often. He will be sorely missed.

alan simpson

September 25, 2009

I was a jr. officer aboard the cruiser USS Chicago, the flagship for RADM Alex Sinclair. Although my contact with the admiral was minimal, I could not have been more impressed with the authority his presence commanded.
The admiral's uniform was designed to be worn by him. Although he was "royalty" aboard the Chicago, he always made eye contact with whom he came in contact. A very special seaman.
God Bless......

Phil Beals

September 25, 2009

To the Sinclair family;
Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for your (our) loss. Alex was a good shipmate and, like you, we loved him too. We only hope that our sincere sympathy will somehow ease your pain.

The Bang Gang

Lord this departed Shipmate with Dolphins on his chest,
Is part of an outfit known to be the best.
Please welcome him and offer him your hand,
As you no doubt know he's the best in the land.
And also heavenly Father add his name to the roll
Of our departed Shipmates who serve on Final Patrol.
Assure them all that we, who still survive
Will always keep their memory alive.

September 24, 2009

The Firecrest AMS-10 was Ltjg. Sinclair's first command. We were a minesweeper operating off the Wanson Harbor, and the Chinnampo area off North Korea in the Yellow Sea. The Lt. was a natural skipper, firm, but a friend to the crew. Respects to his family and friends.

Jay Mays So. FL.

Lamarr A. Seader

September 24, 2009

Alex Sinclair greatly influenced my Navy career and my life. I served with him on USS Bang SS-385 from the day he reported aboard as a Prospective Commanding Officer until he transferred off to his next duty. Even today, I would go with Alex Sinclair no matter where the trip. In my 31+ years of Naval service he stands out above all other Naval Officers I served with. God Bless Alex Sinclair and his family. They need to know that the men who served under him idolized him and would go to hell and back with him as the skipper.
Lamarr

Richard Barbieri

September 24, 2009

Alex Sinclair was the perfect submarine commander. Respected by all, he embodied all of leadership traits that a naval officer aspires to. He will be sorely missed by all of his shipmates. His personal example and values shaped the rest of my life.

September 24, 2009

I served under him on the US Bang SS-385 from 1962 to 1965. He was an excellent skipper and a truly fine man. May he rest in peace. Dick Major

Dallas Dixon

September 24, 2009

I served under Alex aboard the Bang when we made the patrol in 63. In 2000, I contacted Alex by letter and it wasn't long before I received one back from him. He said that he remembered that patrol as if it had happened yesterday and gave a salute to everyone who was on that crew at the time. I served under three different Captains while I was on the Bang, and Alex was by far the best!!! I remember when he transferred, and the entire crew wanted to go with him. God Bless, Alex!! Our sympathy to all.

Harry Ross

September 24, 2009

It was my duty to serve under him but my honor after knowing him. He was the very best CO but even better human being. Rest easy and one day we will all be together.

jimmie richey

September 24, 2009

he set the example for all of us by his respect for everyone, from mess cook to XO

Carl Weber

September 24, 2009

He was a great Commanding Officer.

COB 62/63

September 24, 2009

I did not serve under him but know of him, and I know his new duty station will please him.

Larry Schafer

September 23, 2009

The wind is at your back. Have a wonderful voyage. My first skipper and after 20 years, there was none better.
Larry Schafer, USS Bang 1963 - 1965

Paull Anderson

September 23, 2009

Alex Sinclair was our "skipper" on the submarine USS Bang when we made a very important, dangerous, top secret Northern Run into the Ruskies waters off the Kola in 63. The Ruskies forced the submarine Sea Lion to suface and nearly sunk it; however, Alex outfoxed them time and time again as they tried to get us. He was a brilliant skipper, a patriot, a fine human being and a very special brethren submariner as one of us. Now he is out on Eternal Patrol with the rest of our brethren out there and one day it will again be our honor and privilege to join and serve with him. May our Eternal Father bless our skipper's eternal soul and comfort his dear family that he leaves behind.
Paull Anderson(ss)
Chaplain, USS George Washington SSBN598

Mrs. Ileen B. Colvin

September 22, 2009

Thank you for your service...and many have gone on to the Lord. May his rewards be many. My Father served on the USS Hornet, WWII. He is now gone on. So, to the family of such a wonderful Man...God Bless you all. He was a true "Santa Cruzan". My children and grandchildren make 6 generations in Santa Cruz. The admiral was truly one from one of the greatest times in history. Many, I am sure, will miss him, and many yet will greet him. God Bless

Joanie Trask Johnston

September 22, 2009

Our hearts go out to all of you. It was amazing that he came to CA for the family reunion of 2005. Always a giving guy, though we know that trip was hard for him.

Long live the great memories and stories of Uncle Malcolm!!

Henry Dahm

September 21, 2009

He was - is my father-in law - my boys and my wife Amy and I will miss him. He has blessed our family with his humor, generosity and guidance the rest of our days. His is a truely noble spirit and we will miss his presence but always carry his memory and the legacy he has left our family.

Steven Waugh

September 20, 2009

Fair winds and following seas BOSS!

I served under Adm. Sinclair as an Assistant Scheduling Officer on his CCDG-5 staff. Adm. Sinclair was one of the coolest, most people oriented Sr. Naval Officers I have had the privilege of knowing. The incident I remember most is that Adm. Sinclair took time out from his busy schedule, to attend my Chief’s Initiation at the NAVSTA 32nd Street CPO Club in San Diego. I have been to many CPO Initiations since that day, both while on active duty and as a retiree. No officer in attendance has ever been as senior as Adm. Sinclair. I know all of us who served with him will miss the H**L out of not having him with us any longer.

Steven J. Waugh
OSC USN (Ret)

Ken Moulton

September 20, 2009

Lost a truly dear friend.

We met in grade school, body surfed, built surf boards, delivered papers, and grew up together for 80+ years. Many happy, and very proud memories.

Don Hall

September 20, 2009

To a real sea-going Admiral...

From your commands of the Firecrest, Bang, Eddie Mac, & Leahy, on the volleyball courts of Seabright Beach and the Outrigger Canoe Club, you were always the competitor, but with a smile. You were a good friend, Mal. Mo and I treasure the letters and stories you provided the last years of your life.

May you have calm seas, my friend.

Bobby Wynn

September 20, 2009

You will be missed....

From winning Battle E's, and Engineering E's on the Leahy, to the Leningrad cruise 1975, and our Ships-Afloat & Drydock football competition, you were an inspiring leader, and a real friend to the crew.

Bobby Wynn (BT2) (the guy who supplied the steam)

Glen Hager

September 20, 2009

R.I.P SKIPPER

You were a true friend of the crew and a respected captain of the USS LEAHY. I will never forget the lobster dinner you provided the crew your first night as CO. You wanted a fast gig, and I did my best. It was a long time ago, but my cruise memories are not forgotten.

Glen Hager (your snipe)

September 20, 2009

Alex, you had a great Naval career and life. You touched so many people and made them all better persons because they had known you.

Fair winds and following seas.

Dave Ramsey, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.)

Showing 1 - 73 of 73 results