May God bless you and your...
My Condolences to Earl Yates´ family. He was "my Captain" on the JFK, from Pre-Commission thru her 1st Med Cruise. Captain Yates was a GREAT LEADER and a GREAT HUMAN BEING!
Dave Disher
May 12, 2025 | Work
Virginia Beach, Virginia
1923 - 2021
Rear Admiral Earl Preston "Buddy" Yates, the first commanding officer of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), died on September 13, 2021, at the age of 97 at his long-time home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At age 19, Yates was the youngest ever to graduate from the United States Naval Academy. He...
Read MoreMy Condolences to Earl Yates´ family. He was "my Captain" on the JFK, from Pre-Commission thru her 1st Med Cruise. Captain Yates was a GREAT LEADER and a GREAT HUMAN BEING!
Dave Disher
May 12, 2025 | Work
I served in the Navy (1966-70) and was in the Pre-Commission Crew thru her 1st Med Cruise. Great Ship, Officers and Crew! And soooo many GREAT memories!
Dave Disher
May 12, 2025 | Work
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was amazing and had the best stories. I loved talking with him when he came by your office to check things out. May he rest in peace and I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet him.
Michele Castner
November 15, 2021 | Friend
We were all on Whidbey Island together in the early "70´s"... my mom and dad had a great time with your parents...those aviators loved to get together and chat.. even though they used there hand a lot!! . It was life changing when your dad had to let us know that my dad was MIA .. 1/08/71... your father was very gracious delivering the news... And our family is grateful for that... RIP our aviator fathers... words can´t express !!
Anita Curry Dowding
September 28, 2021 | Other
I offer condolences to the Yates family on behalf of the hard working volunteers of the Rhode island Aviation Hall of Fame, who worked very hard for many years to preserve USS JFK (CV-67) and bring her to Narragansett Bay as a museum and memorial. Admiral Yates supported this effort every step of the way, and was an inspiration to us all.
Frank Lennon
September 22, 2021 | Other
Admiral Yates it was an honor and privilege to have met you sir. The brief time that I had to talk with you I will cherish. The standards that you set for USS John F Kennedy CV67 were still being followerand met during my time onboard 1987-1991. You were truly a living legend. Fair Winds and foll9wing seas Admiral Yates. MM3 Anthony Dickerson USS John F Kennedy CV67 1987-1991
Anthony Dickerson
September 20, 2021 | Friend
Rear Admiral Earl P. "Buddy" Yates, Jr., was the PCO, and first CO of USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVA (later CV) 67), BUT, he was more than that. On JFK, we called him OUR LIVING LEGEND, and he was one of those rare individuals who really deserved to be called that, and deserved all the love and respect he got, and then some. He set a standard on JFK-67, that all of us who came afterwards did our best to live up to, and maintain, and the ship's history and legacy reflect that. It's a standard,...
Bob Haner
September 18, 2021 | Other
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. And Admiral...thank you for allowing this country boy to be a part of something so special and unique...our ship...CVA-67...Salute...fair winds and following seas...!!!
Kelley AO3 - G Division
September 18, 2021 | Other
Rest in Peace, Sir. Best Commanding Officer I ever served under. Outstanding commander and Captain of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67). Fair winds and following seas, Sir. Rest easy in CHRIST; we have the watch!!!
GEORGE MEYER
September 18, 2021