Howard E. Greer

Many fond memories serving under his command aboard the USS Ponchatoula AO-148. Proudly served on his gig crew, and am saddened by the news of his passing.

May the ones he loved and left behind always enjoy calm winds and following seas.
Pete Ablanczy
Seaman, USS Ponchatoula AO-148
1966-1967

I will always recall with the fondest of memories the times I served with ADM Greer at his first aviation command Fighter Squadron Sixty Four, NAS Alameda and our continuing friendship.

I was fortunate in 1957 to serve under early selected CDR Greer in VF-64. He was a most thoughtful leader who lived by his motto WORK HARD... PLAY HARD. Then in 2004 we had our first VF-64 Reunion in Monterey CA which he flew up from La Jolla with his wife Dale. He was still the picture of what a Naval Officer should be and suggested we meet next year in San Diego because our carrier USS MIDWAY CVA-41 was now a museum .He hosted pre-dinner cocktails at his La Jolla home and then took us as his guests to dinner. We will miss him as he was an inspiration to all who served with him. May he rest in peace.

All the shipmates of the USS Ponchatoula AO-148 are sorry for your great loss. Our Shipmates Association has made a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in his honor. Ponchatoula was a great ship and he was a great skipper.
John Hearn
Treasurer, USS Ponchatoula Shipmates Association
There is a memorial to the ship in Ponchatoula LA

I am very sorry for your loss. Please keep leaning on God, because he is away there to comfort you PSALMS 29:11