Howard E. Greer

1921 - 2015

Vice Admiral Howard E. Greer, USN (RET) May 1, 1921 - November 22, 2015 La Jolla Howard Earl Greer, Vice Admiral, USN (RET), died November 22, 2015, in Coral Gables, Florida. He was born May 1, 1921, in Tyler, Texas, and attended public school there until entering Tyler Junior College. He received a congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation with the class of 1944. VADM Greer served on active duty from June 1943 to April 1978 and accrued a total of 5,292 flight hours and 418 carrier landings. Aviation Commands include Commanding Officer VF-64 (F3H) 1957 1958; Commander CAV-10 (aboard USS Shangri La) 1961 1962; Commanding Officer USS Hancock (CVA-19) 1968 1969; Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training 1969 1971; Commander, Carrier Division THREE 1972 1974; and Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet 1975 1978. Combat Tours include WWII: USS Princeton (CVL-23); Ship's officer in Gilbert Islands, Tarawa, Roi, Namur, Eniwetok, Palau, Guam, Saipan, Battle of Philippines Sea and Rabaul campaigns; Vietnam: four tours with Seventh Fleet 19641972; and Yankee Station commander (CTG-77.0) in 1972. Significant career events were as speech writer for Admiral Arthur W. Radford when testifying before congress during the "Revolt of the Admirals" in 1949; introducing the Sparrow III missile to the Fleet with F3H-2 in 1957; Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans for Seventh Fleet for the first two years (1964 1966) of the Vietnam War; and Tactical Commander during all air operations by naval forces in Linebacker I campaign, including the mining of Haiphong Harbor in May 1972 as Yankee station commander. VADM Greer's awards include Distinguished Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit (4), Navy Commendation Metal, Pacific Theater WW II Ribbon with 9 Battle Stars, and Vietnamese Distinguished Service Award. He retired from active duty as Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet in April 1978. Upon retirement from the Navy, VADM Greer moved to La Jolla, CA, where he worked as a consultant for General Dynamics from 1978 to 1996. He was a proud member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and the Tailhook Association, and he was deeply honored to be a Golden Eagle and serve as its member Chair for several years. The third of four children of a grocery salesman, Greer's lifelong love of gardening came from his mother's passion for breeding hybrid rose variations, a local hobby common in his native Tyler, rose capital of the world. Howard loved the outdoors and horse riding and for many years was a member of Los Rancheros Visitadores, based in Santa Ynez, California, the World's largest and oldest men's Western riding organization, whose membership included former President Ronald Reagan. Greer was an accomplished card and domino player, hunter, tennis buff and a dancer. He also was an avid golfer and a devoted fan of football, which he starred in at Tyler High School. Especially in his later years, he enjoyed traveling and exploring new cultures, and loved good conversation and time spent with family and friends. VADM Greer will be greatly missed by his six children and their spouses, Margaret (Chris) Simmons, Darby (Jack) Monger, David (Andrew) Greer, Briand (Jeanne) Greer, Holly (Michael) Thompson and Howard (Stacey) Greer Jr.; as well as his ten grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and family members in the Tyler area.Services will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel on December 22, 2015, at 10 am with graveside burial immediately following.In lieu of flowers, VADM Greer's family suggests donations be made in his name to Wounded Warriors. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight .