JOHN ROBERT DEWENTER

DEWENTER JOHN ROBERT DEWENTER (Age 89) U.S. Navy, (Ret.) June 10, 1927 - October 14, 2016 Of Powhatan, VA passed away on Friday, October 14, 2016. John Robert Dewenter was always captivated by aviation. After graduation from Western Military Academy, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He entered the flight training program and received his wings in 1947. In 1949, he saw combat in the Korean conflict while serving aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1951. In Vietnam he served as commanding officer of VA-23 of the USS Midway in 1965, and as Air Wing Commander aboard the USS Navy carrier, Forrestal. The Vietnam tour was cut short by the disastrous Forrestal fire on July 29, 1967. Capt. Dewenter later remarked, "One of the jets malfunctioned and released a bomb causing several explosions. We learn the true nature of the human spirit when we discover how men and women react when faced with danger and the challenge to protect what they hold dear." Dewenter's flying duty also included three years with the Navy's precision flying team, the Blue Angels. During an air show in Buffalo, NY, his plane's engine malfunctioned at 8000 feet. St Admiral Arleigh Burke, Chief of Naval Operations complimented the pilot, "Your magnificent action this afternoon in landing your aircraft rather than hazarding the lives of the civilian populace reflects the highest credit on yourself, the Blue Angels, and the Navy. Well done." Jack commanded the USS Cleveland from 1970 to 1971 while deployed to the Western Pacific. His assignments included two years at the Naval Intelligence and Language Schools studying the Chinese language; duty with Commander Naval Forces Japan; United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission at Panmunjom, Korea, as a Chinese interpreter; aide to the Deputy Commander in Chief, Atlantic. He was assigned to the Department of State international security operations, 1972 to 1975; then served as the Navy Liaison Officer, Hong Kong, where he was the first active US military officer invited into the People's Republic of China. After retirement from the Navy, Jack was the Vice President for the National Council for US-China trade in Washington, DC, where he organized and led many trade delegations in both the US and China. Later he returned to Hong Kong and China from 1981 to 1987 as a representative for FMC and was one of the first US businessmen to live and work in China. Capt. Dewenter held a Bachelor and Master degrees in International Affairs from George Washington University and is also a graduate of the Army War College and the National War College. His many and varied interests included painting, playing flute, photography, golf, woodcarving and his beloved Washington Redskins! Jack was a member of the exclusive Golden Eagles, an aviation association which includes just 200 distinguished naval and marine aviators at any time. Jack and his first wife, the late Patricia Wilhour, had two sons and a daughter. His survivors include his son, John (Jenny), of Abu Dhabi and Chantilly, VA; daughter, Kathryn Dewenter (Roger Kohn), of Seattle, WA; and son, David (Cheryl), of Fairfax, VA. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Soo Min, Jessica, Jacklyn, Olivia, Jacob, Drew and Jonas. In 2000 Jack married Dale Winn. He gained two step-sons and six step-grandchildren. Jack is also survived by his sister, Diane Grubb of Fort Myers, FL. Jack was a member of Salisbury Country Club and Salisbury Presbyterian Church. There will be separate memorial services at SPC and Arlington National Cemetery, although neither has been scheduled at this time.Jack was a member of Salisbury Country Club and Salisbury Presbyterian Church. There will be separate memorial services at SPC and Arlington National Cemetery, although neither has been scheduled at this time.