Current NOUS Newsletter - Fall 2024
Click image to view PDF
2024 Congress kicks off with committee reports and field trip to the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park
Award given to past NOUS Historian General, Dr. John Hattendorf, for scholarship and published works underscoring role of history in contemporary maritime strategy
Companion Spotlight: WWII veteran Clyde Combs, Texas Commandery, reaches 100th birthday
Book Spotlight: Covering medicine through famous men and institutional histories, companion Thomas Snyder, M.D. documents Mare Island Naval Hospital in new book
NOUS Foundation encourages End of Year, tax deductible donations to advance education and science relating to the Sea Services of the United States
See also NPC Shift Colors Newsletter
Newsletter for Navy Retirees
Naval Order Newsletter Recent Back Issues:
Awards to Ambassador John William Middendorf, Admiral of the Navy George Dewey Award; Admiral Philip S. Davidson, USN (Ret.) and FORCM William King, USN (Ret.), Distinguished Sea Service Awards
Special Programs: First-ever Fleet Week in Miami greets USS Normandy (CG-60), USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), USS Bataan (LHD-5), and USS Harry Truman (CVN-75), along with Miami Dade Commandery reception
Preservation: San Francisco Commandery leads project for memorial of Port Chicago disaster and trial of World War II
Spotlight: Robert V. Peterson, Yeoman 2nd Class, CINCPAC, writes letter to wife of Japan’s unconditional surrender in August 1945
Competition: National History Day Award entries judged by New Orleans companions, including “Turning the Tides of War: The Higgins Boat”, created by Andrew James, Sean Talbert, Vincent Cruise, and Will Herndon from St. Paul’s Catholic Church School
2024 Congress host committee headed by Western New York Commandery welcomes companions 2-5 October in Buffalo, New York, at Hyatt Regency hotel
Action Plan: Continental is NOUS only virtual commandery, and the best way to connect is to become engaged with the commandery’s efforts to promote greater awareness of U.S. maritime history
Special Programs: Florida First Coast Commandery participates in military and STEM training onboard USS Orleck (DD 886) museum ship
Honors at Texas Commandery banquet recognize RADM Patrick D. Hall, USN (Ret.), for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Leadership Award
In Memoriam: Last survivor of USS Arizona (BB 39) during the Pearl Harbor attack died 1 April 2024, Lieutenant Commander Louis A. “Lou” Conter
2023 Congress: San Diego gathering served as haven of comradery many experienced during time in nation’s service
Awards: First-ever RADM Tom Brown III Award to Coast Guard Pilot LTJG Michael Travers, USCG
In Memoriam: NAT companion RADM Morton “Jim” Toole, USN (Ret.), owner Capitol Hill Books, participant Library of Congress Veterans History Project
Special Programs: Galveston Harbor site of annual TEX Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony
Naval History: Twenty Medals of Honor awarded for Guadalcanal, including John Basilone and Douglas Albert Munro
Report: Incoming Commander General RADM Peter Andrus, SHCE/MC, USN (Ret.) looks forward to 2023-25 term
NOUS Foundation: 501(c)(3) organization demonstrates the value of your donations
Companion Spotlight: National Capital Commandery’s ADM Lisa Franchetti is 33rd Chief of Naval Operations
Awards: New Orleans presents Jude Shadden National History Day prize for frontiersman Andrew J. Higgins exhibit
Naval History: Our nation’s aircraft carrier museum ships served heroically both in war and peace
Action Plan: Continental Commandery capturing oral histories provided by companions
History: Philadelphia Commandery commemorates 125th Anniversary Battle of Manila Bay
Competition: Creativity and depth of research demonstrated by students at Texas National History Day
Awards: CAPT Don Walsh, USN (Ret.), PhD., Admiral of the Navy George Dewey Award; ADM Karl Schultz, USCG, (Ret.) and Sergeant Major Mario A. Marquez, USMC, (Ret.), Distinguished Sea Service Awards
2023 Congress: Naval Order to present “100th Anniversary of San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot”, 17-22 October
Special Programs: Charleston’s noted Aviation and Military Historian, Mike Carra in ongoing search for Amelia Earhart as well as descendants of USS Oklahoma loss from 7 December 1941
Companion Spotlight: Secretary of the Navy, Carlos del Toro speaks at National Press Club, describes growing challenges to world security and ways citizens can support naval forces
Award: Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Leadership Award given to LCDR Bryan C. Stern, USN (Ret.) for Project Dynamo, while on front lines of conflict in Ukraine
Preservation Partner: Battleship Texas (BB 35), last surviving Dreadnought, served in both World Wars and now undergoing rehabilitation work as living museum
Action Plan: Know someone interested in learning more about the Naval Order and how to join? Visit NOUS website or contact our Vice Commander General, Membership
2022 Congress: In-person and Zoom events created wonderful feeling of kinship and camaraderie
Preservation Partner: FFC, Historic Naval Ship Association, NHHC work to conserve Great White Fleet tour documents in barn find
Special Programs: Companions observe anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack with dinners, “Day of Infamy” events, and veteran recognition
Awards: RADM Samuel Eliot Morison Award presented to Paul Stilwell for biography of battleship commander Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee Jr.
Naval History: USS Juneau and other ships at Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Book Spotlight: Dr. Edward Marolda receives Lyman Book Award for Admirals Under Fire: The US Navy and the Vietnam War
Companion Spotlight: ADM Lisa Franchetti, 42nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Action Plan: Northwest Commandery focuses on historical and contemporary maritime issues
Awards: RDML Grace Hopper, USNR (Ret.), Admiral of the Navy George Dewey Award; General Joseph Dunford, USMC (Ret.) and SgtMaj Ronald Green, USMC (Ret.), Distinguished Sea Service Award
Naval History: 1943 Battle of Peleliu recounted in oral history by Mathias Gutman
2022 Congress: Naval Order to present “We are ready now, Sir”, 18-22 October, hosted by National Capital Commandery in Alexandria, Virginia
Awards: 89th year of Naval Academy Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Awards to midshipmen for essay on national or international affairs
Special Programs: Cyber-oriented theme at Northwest Commandery meeting to discuss future of warfare, artificial intelligence and big data
Spotlight: New Tampa Bay Commandery chartered with total of 35 companions
Honors: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer DDG 138 will be named USS J. William Middendorf after Newport companion
In Memoriam: Past Commander of New York Commandery, RADM J. Robert Lunney, USN (ret.), NYNM (ret.)
Book Spotlight: Northwest Commandery’s Destroyer Club reviews account by companion/author Steven Craig, USCG Reserve (ret.), All Present and Accounted For
Naval History: LT Thomas L. Andrews, Jr., WWII vet, 32-year naval aviator, winner of Navy Cross at Battle of Leyte Gulf completes the odyssey of the Old Crow
Companion Spotlight: SKCS Norma Von Dohren, Seaman Storekeeper, retired as senior chief, continues to support Sea Services
Preservation Partner: Vision of National Coast Guard Museum takes major step forward
Blended Congress 2021: Companions enjoy in-person experiences, and those not otherwise able to attend reaffirm commitment to increase relevance of the Order
Naval History: WWII cruise book of ADM Joseph James Clark, first Native American graduate of USNA, given to Cherokee Nation
Awards: RADM Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature presented to M. Ernest Marshall, MD, for Rear Admiral Herbert V. Wiley, A Career in Airships and Battleships
Preservation Partner: Rice University library established for Midshipmen in honor of Captain Carl V. “Rags” Ragsdale, USN (Ret.)
Spotlight: LCDR Louis A. Conter, USN (Ret.) recounts memories of a Sunday morning in Pearl Harbor
Report: Past Commander General Col Allan F.P Cruz, USMC (Ret.) reflects on companions’ contributions to mission statement of Naval Order
Companion Spotlight: Naval historian and maritime history consultant Dr. William S. Dudley interviewed for Veterans History Project
Naval History: Joining at 15, Chief Torpedoman Harry Morris longest serving enlisted in US Navy
Honors: ADM Harry Harris, USN (Ret.) and Fleet Master Chief Mark Rudes, USN (Ret.) receive Distinguished Sea Service Awards
In Memoriam: CAPT Gary Bair, USN (Ret.) served as Commander of New Orleans for 25 years
2021 Congress: Naval Order to present “Always Faithful and Holding Fast” virtual event 22-23 October, hosted by Continental Commandery
Competition: Scholarship related to maritime history at high school and junior high levels rewarded during National History Day in Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Texas
Preservation Partner: Library of Congress Veterans History Project contents available for research and education, submit your story
In Memoriam: Lt. Col. John R. Stevens, USMC, Korean conflict veteran never forgot “The Forgotten War”
Naval History: US Navy to build new National Museum emphasizing connection to the American people
Companion Spotlight: Commander Herschel “Ben” Nichols discusses participation in WWII aboard USS Manila Bay
Preservation: Continue the odyssey of the Old Crow, LT Thomas L. Andrews, Jr. and his journey to the Battle of Leyte Gulf
Memorial Dedication: Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the spirit of the USS Houston made 2021 event touching and memorable
Book Spotlight: Inside the US Navy of 1812-1815, by Dr. William “Bill” Dudley, former Director of the Naval Historical Center
In Memoriam: Chief Petty Officer Richard Jongordon “Chief Johnny”, 98, last survivor of WWII Cruiser San Francisco
Virtual Congress environment and new technologies allow companions to attend more events without leaving the comfort of home
Companion Spotlight: Oldest member of Naval order, Col. Jonathan Mendes, USMC (Ret.), turns 100
Honors: Southeast Florida and National Capital Commanderies attend reburial of PFC Bruce Wayne Carter, USMC
Medical History: White hospital ships with red crosses could be too tempting as targets, when combat vessels can fill the needs of military and civilian authorities
Preservation: Learn the untold story of LT Thomas L. Andrews, Jr. and his journey to the Battle of Leyte Gulf
View More Back Issues of the Naval Order of the United States Newsletters >
Managing Newsletter Editor: Marcy Weiss, 510-499-9441, weissmarcy@gmail.com
Home • Leadership Lessons • Who We Are • Donate • Contact