ROBERT P. RICE

'ICE CAPT ROBERT PORTER RICE, USN (Ret.) March 5, 1932 - November 19, 2014 Robert Rice, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Alexandria, VA on November 19, 2014 after a long struggle with COPD. Bob was born March 5, 1932 in Lawrence, MA. He is the son of the late Willard and Ethel Rice of So. Yarmouth, MA. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Betty (Georgia) Rice of Alexandria; his brother George and sister-in-law Moira of Osprey, FL; niece Kimberly and her husband Robert Hofeldt with daughter from Manchester, MA; and nephew Bob and his wife Jennifer and their seven children from Steubenville, OH. Bob was a career Naval Jet Pilot who retired as Captain after 27 years which included five tours of duty in Vietnam, the last one as Commanding Officer of VF-111, flying the world famous F4B attack jet aircraft aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). During his lengthy career Bob flew a total of 3347 flight hours and had 687 Carrier Landings which included 315 Combat Missions in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal "24" Strike Force Numeral with 2 Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Awards, the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupation (Europe) and the Vietnam Service Medal. He is a member of the Caterpillar Club. Bob, considered one of the best jet pilots in the Navy, was invited to fly with the famous Blue Angels but instead he opted to take his 5th tour of duty in Vietnam as squadron leader. In addition to his flying time, for two years in 1963-1965 Bob was the Aide/Flag Lieutenant to Vice Admiral John T. Hayward in Hawaii. In 1967 he attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI. In 1968 he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and in 1973 the National War College, followed by staff assignments in the Pentagon. Bob and Betty have lived in Alexandria since 1974 where Bob had a side activity as a docent at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum where he could provide his great depth of military knowledge to visitors. Bob had a wonderful sense of humor and he truly loved life. He will be sorely missed by his family and his many, many friends. Full military service and burial will be held at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery. Full military service and burial will be held at a future date at Arlington National Cemetery.