Class of 1939

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall

Class of 1939

Graduates: 581

Non-graduates: 220

On Virtual Memorial Hall: 78


Shipmate

From the '39 Class column of the July-August 2019 issue of Shipmate: On 22 October, 1999, the following "Remembrances" was delivered by '39 Classmate, George "Rhythm" Moore at the Memorial Service in St. Andrews Chapel, on the occasion of the 60th Reunion:

In 1838 a rising Midwestern politician coined the phrase, 'the artillery of time' in an address to the Illinois legislature. Lincoln was referring to the passing of the generation that included Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and others that we know. He noted that all leadership was destined for ultimate extinction, and that new problems required new leaders and new approaches. He didn't say, but seemingly inferred, that such new leaders would emerge to meet whatever challenging arose.

That was 160 years ago. And so it has been!

We have played our part in the evolving history of these United States, and it is now time to review and place in and perspective events and deeds that mark our passage. Other classes have gone before, and, surely, many others will follow. The artillery of time thunders on! How have we played a role in this never ending drama called the United States of America?

We are gathered to celebrate the lives and preserve the memory of those classmates who can't be with us today. We honor all in '39— the valorous who fell in direct conflict with the enemy, those who departed in peacetime carrying out the duties that keep our Navy and Marine Corps great, and we survivors who are privileged to represent them here today. Together, we are the answer to the immortal question put to us by Commander Walter Delaney 64 years ago: "What about '39?" As our sponsor, our friend, and our sterling example, I can't but believe that Vice Admiral Delaney isn't with us today—with a slight smile on his face.

"What about '39?" he asked, "How will it stand up? Will it meet the test?"

The challenges he implied, individual and collective, weren't long in coming. Our plebe year trials, academic and physical, truly took their toll, but in doing so, forged a residual unity, through shared experience that is '39 to this day. The raw and individualized rabble that was us in summer 1935 learned to hang together into march together, even as we took on certain skills of self-preservation and survival under stress. We learned promptness and an appreciation for the utilization of time; respect for, if not always a delight in, authority; and some of us learned how to study, and even how to keep our rooms clean. And by the time June '36 finally arrived, we were quite organized and ready for our first, and maybe our biggest promotion: to Youngster Year, and going to Europe on a battleship.

The following year saw a continuing and strengthening of our identity. Life wasn't a snap, but travails weren't quite so severe, and rewards came a little more frequently. Individuals made their ways to recognition in academics, in athletics, and other extracurricular activities. Our studies became more service oriented: nav and ordnance replaced calculus and mechanics. Our foreign cruises not only introduced us to shipboard life, but gave us cultural perspectives and experiences not shared by our contemporaries in other schools. It was good to be a Midshipman, and we were proud of it.

We were the biggest class by far at the Naval Academy during our undergraduate days, and when we threw our 581 hats in the air on June 1, 1939, we were the largest graduating class in the Academy's 99 years. (In that competition, we led the Class of '27 by a very even 2 graduates.) We were soon joined by dependents. While the two-year rule was very much a part of our Ensign experience, we were busy, time pass quickly; and the marriage gear of 1941 arrived right on schedule. Wives came first, but children weren't far behind. '39 was growing! (And faster than our paychecks—or so it seemed.)

But big things we're happening in the military world. Even as we underwent the great indignity of departing the exalted rank of 1/c midshipman at the Academy to become quite something else in the Fleet, a man named Hitler unleash the German war machine on Poland, after stopping briefly at the place we'd never heard of called Sudetenland. And, in our third year following graduation, we were at sea in the greatest war mankind had yet devised.

It is neither necessary nor possible to review here in detail the events of history and technology of the past 65 years as they influenced and were influenced by our Navy. World War II itself, radar, the atom bomb, Korea, jet and nuclear propulsion, spaceflight, Vietnam and on and on to Lebanon, stand off missilery, Somalia, Kuwait, Iraq, and now Kosovo and maybe, even to East Timor. Who knows what's next! The end is not in sight, nor even definable. But we have lived these events. It has been some 65 years!

Navy and Marine officers, wives, children and parents—the '39 family—have stood together, shoulder to shoulder, through it all. As a group we came to major responsibility quickly—our leadership was tested and proven. We had early, great losses. Enemy action took one of every nine '39 graduates in WWII.

'39s Record in both war and peace is exemplary: the statistics are there. (See the display case in Memorial Hall, right under 'Don't Give Up The Ship'). But rather than count Navy Crosses, Silver and Bronze Stars, Distinguished Service Medals and Purple Hearts, I am simply going to cite the third stanza of America the Beautiful which seems to say at all:

Oh beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self—
their country loved
And mercy, more than life
America, America
May God thy gold refine?
Till all success be nobleness
and every gain divine.

And noble they are, those we knew so well who did not return, and noble is the quality of grace demonstrated by the wives, parents, children in unstinting support of their loved ones and in the country they fought for.

I particularly want to salute the courageous example of those widows we number among our classmates—theirs has been a difficult, heart-rending experience. Their spirit and determination has inspired all of us. We are proud of you!

We are in our 80's—and the wheel won't go around too many times. Of the 859 members accredited to '39 in September 1935 a close approximation of 350 are alive today. To those I say: Congratulations survivors. Live the good life day by day. You are the custodians of a proud heritage. And to the 500 who are no longer with us: God bless you. You are a major part of that heritage. '39 needs the accomplishments just as it needs the memories of every member as we add the final touches to our '39 Adventure. The Good Lord has sent us this far with seeming acceptance of our performance.

I don't think we'll let Him or Admiral Delaney down in our remaining days. Let the 'artillery of time' thunder on. We have kept the faith! George Moore '39

The last three custodians of this proud heritage passed away in the first months of 2019.


1939 Miller, S LB.jpg
Stuart Miller
Class of 1939

Seneca Falls, New York

August 17, 1939 (22 years old)


1939 Weiler LB.jpg
Francis Weiler
Class of 1939

LTJG, USN

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 26, 1942 (26 years old)

KIA, POW, WWII, Battle of Sunda Strait, Pacific, USS Houston (CA 30), Ship, USNA 12th Company



1939 Gilmore LB.jpg
Morris Gilmore, Jr.
Class of 1939

LTJG, USN

Annapolis, Maryland

March 1, 1942 (25 years old)

KIA, WWII, Indian Ocean, USS Edsall (DD 219), Ship, USNA 7th Company


1939 Dell LB.jpg
Russell Dell
Class of 1939

LTJG, USN

Chicago, Illinois

March 1, 1942 (26 years old)

KIA, WWII, Indian Ocean, USS Edsall (DD 219), Ship, USNA 9th Company




1939 Kornahrens LB.jpg
William Kornahrens
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Lewiston, Maine

July 30, 1942 (26 years old)

KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Grunion (SS 216), Submarine, USNA 4th Company



1939 Gardner LB.jpg
Andrew Gardner
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Somerset, Kentucky

October 12, 1942 (27 years old)

Operational loss, Torpedo Squadron (VT) 3, Fixed Wing, USNA 8th Company


1939 Border LB.jpg
Karl Border
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Long Beach, California

October 11, 1942 (26 years old)

Operational loss, Fixed Wing, USNA 11th Company




1939 Frosch LB.jpg
Andrew Frosch
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

November 13, 1942 (24 years old)

KIA, WWII, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Pacific, USS Monssen (DD 436), Ship, USNA 6th Company


1939 Doudiet LB.jpg
Norman Doudiet
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Brooklyn, New York

November 13, 1942 (26 years old)

KIA, WWII, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Pacific, USS Juneau (CL 52), Ship, USNA 6th Company


1939 Brenner LB.jpg
Jack Brenner
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Okmulgee, Oklahoma

December 27, 1942 (25 years old)

Operational loss, Patrol Squadron (VP) 13, Fixed Wing, USNA 7th Company




1939 Helm LB.jpg
Richard Helm
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

April 3, 1943 (25 years old)

Silver Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Pickerel (SS 177), Submarine, USNA 8th Company


1939 Mann LB.jpg
Ralph Mann, Jr.
Class of 1939

1LT, USMC

Judsonia, Arkansas

September 5, 1942 (26 years old)

KIA, POW, WWII, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Corregidor, Pacific, USNA 6th Company


1939 Mahony LB.jpg
Jack Mahony, Jr.
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Charleston, South Carolina

July 1, 1943 (25 years old)

KIA, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 27, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 10th Company


1939 Kolb LB.jpg
Frank Kolb, Jr.
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Chicago, Illinois

July 5, 1943 (25 years old)

Operational loss, Fixed Wing, USNA 12th Company


1939 Harmon LB.jpg
Joseph Harmon
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Battle Creek, Michigan

July 22, 1943 (26 years old)

Bronze Star, Operational loss, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company



1939 Walker LB.jpg
William Walker
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Greenville, South Carolina

September 24, 1943 (27 years old)

Operational loss, Patrol Squadron (VP) 212, Fixed Wing, USNA 10th Company


1939 Castello LB.jpg
Joseph Castello
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Lawrence, Massachusetts

October 15, 1943 (29 years old)

Operational loss, Composite Squadron (VC) 39, Fixed Wing, USNA 1st Company



1939 Allen LB.jpg
Nelson Allen
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Duluth, Minnesota

November 19, 1943 (27 years old)

Bronze Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Sculpin (SS 191), Submarine, USNA 11th Company




1939 Pierce LB.jpg
Canterbury Pierce
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Lexington, Massachusetts

January 5, 1944 (26 years old)

Bronze Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Scorpion (SS 278), Submarine, USNA 7th Company


1939 Hawthorne LB.jpg
William Hawthorne, Jr.
Class of 1939

LT, USN

Arlington, Virginia

April 10, 1944 (26 years old)

Operational loss, Fixed Wing, USNA 5th Company


1939 Mason LB.jpg
Wilbur Mason
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Iron River, Michigan

June 1, 1944 (28 years old)

KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Herring (SS 233), Submarine, USNA 7th Company



1939 Evins LB.jpg
Robert Evins
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Hartsville, South Carolina

June 17, 1944 (25 years old)

KIA, WWII, Composite Squadron (VC) 4, Pacific, Saipan, Fixed Wing, USNA 2nd Company


USNA crest.jpg
Guy Baldwin, Jr.
Class of 1939

2LT, USA

Nelson County, Kentucky

July 15, 1944 (27 years old)

KIA, WWII, 117th Infantry Regiment, Europe, Normandy, Ground


1939 Carter LB.jpg
Hubert Carter
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Miami, Florida

July 26, 1944 (28 years old)

KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Robalo (SS 273), Submarine, USNA 3rd Company


1939 Craig LB.jpg
Earl Craig
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Trenton, New Jersey

October 12, 1944 (28 years old)

KIA, WWII, Formosa, Pacific, Torpedo Squadron (VT) 44, Fixed Wing, USNA 6th Company



1939 Blaha LB.jpg
Frank Blaha
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Dillonvale, Ohio

October 17, 1944 (27 years old)

Silver Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Escolar (SS 294), Submarine, USNA 7th Company


1939 Harper LB.jpg
John Harper, Jr.
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Trinidad, Colorado

October 24, 1944 (28 years old)

Silver Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Shark (SS 314), Submarine, USNA 3rd Company



1939 Sutherland LB.jpg
Tom Sutherland
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Kansas City, Missouri

November 16, 1944 (29 years old)

Bronze Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Scamp (SS 277), Submarine, USNA 10th Company


1939 Douglas LB.jpg
Walter Douglas, Jr.
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Somerville, Massachusetts

November 19, 1944 (28 years old)

Operational loss, WWII, Bombing Squadron (VB) 81, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company


1939 Wussow LB.jpg
Allan Wussow
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Clinton, Iowa

October 14, 1942 (26 years old)

KIA, WWII, Pacific, Patrol Squadron (VP) 91, Fixed Wing, USNA 5th Company



1939 Simpson LB.jpg
Carter Simpson
Class of 1939

CAPT, USMC

Spartanburg, South Carolina

December 31, 1944 (29 years old)

Navy Cross, KIA, POW, WWII, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, Corregidor, Oryoku Maru, Pacific, Ship, USNA 4th Company



1939 Baughman LB.jpg
Daniel Baughman, Jr.
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Madison, South Dakota

January 12, 1945 (28 years old)

Silver Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Swordfish (SS 193), Submarine, USNA 6th Company


1939 Goodman LB.jpg
Claude Goodman, Jr.
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Newport News, Virginia

February 4, 1945 (27 years old)

Silver Star, Bronze Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Barbel (SS 316), Submarine, USNA 3rd Company




1939 Ackerman LB.jpg
Edward Ackerman
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Cincinnati, Ohio

March 20, 1945 (29 years old)

Silver Star, KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Kete (SS 369), Submarine, USNA 9th Company


1939 Grace LB.jpg
Edward Grace
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Washington, D.C.

March 26, 1945 (27 years old)

Silver Star, KIA, WWII, Okinawa, Pacific, USS Halligan (DD 584), Ship, USNA 5th Company




1939 Tistadt LB.jpg
Hugh Tistadt, Jr.
Class of 1939

CAPT, USMC

Caruthersville, Missouri

February 1, 1945 (28 years old)

KIA, POW, WWII, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Corregidor, Oryoku Maru, Pacific, Ship, USNA 3rd Company


1939 Robinson LB.jpg
Richard Robinson
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Anderson, South Carolina

April 8, 1945 (29 years old)

KIA, WWII, Fighting Squadron (VF) 25, Okinawa, Pacific, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company



1939 McCormick LB.jpg
Montrose McCormick
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

San Diego, California

April 19, 1945 (26 years old)

Silver Star, Operational loss, Fixed Wing Passenger, USNA 4th Company



1939 Becker LB.jpg
Clarence Becker
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Alton Bay, New Hampshire

May 18, 1945 (28 years old)

KIA, WWII, Okinawa, Pacific, USS Longshaw (DD 559), Ship, USNA 10th Company


1939 Magee LB.jpg
John Magee
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Harrisville, Pennsylvania

July 17, 1945 (28 years old)

Operational loss, Fixed Wing, USNA 1st Company




1939 Holt LB.jpg
Edward Holt, Jr.
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Charlotte, North Carolina

August 6, 1945 (30 years old)

KIA, WWII, Pacific, USS Bullhead (SS 332), Submarine, USNA 12th Company


1939 Smith LB.jpg
George Smith
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

Indianapolis, Indiana

October 3, 1945 (28 years old)

Operational loss, Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) 62, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company


1939 Dunn LB.jpg
John Dunn
Class of 1939

LCDR, USN

New Haven, Connecticut

December 13, 1946 (31 years old)

Legion of Merit, Operational loss, Ex-POW, Fixed Wing, USNA 4th Company


1939 Wall LB.jpg
Lester Wall, Jr.
Class of 1939

CDR, USN

North Attleborough, Massachusetts

April 5, 1950 (33 years old)

Navy Cross, Operational loss, Composite Squadron (VC) 61, Fixed Wing, USNA 2nd Company



1939 Harris LB.jpg
William Harris
Class of 1939

LTCOL, USMC

Lexington, Kentucky

December 6, 1950 (32 years old)

Navy Cross, KIA, Korea, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Ex-POW, Ground, Family, USNA 12th Company





1939 Seiler LB.jpg
Edward Seiler, Jr.
Class of 1939

CAPT, USN

New Orleans, Louisiana

December 4, 1958 (40 years old)

Operational loss, Fixed Wing, USNA 3rd Company


1939 Kovaleski LB.jpg
Charles Kovaleski
Class of 1939

LT, USNR

Detroit, Michigan

July 7, 1943 (25 years old)

Operational loss, Photographic Squadron (VD) 3, Fixed Wing, USNA 3rd Company

He is not currently listed with his classmates in Memorial Hall.

1939 Kovaleski LB.jpg Charles Kovaleski
Class of 1939
LT, USNR
Operational loss, Photographic Squadron (VD) 3, Fixed Wing, USNA 3rd Company

He is not currently listed with his classmates in Memorial Hall.

1939 LeClare LB.jpg
James Leclare
Class of 1939

LT, USNR

Rochester, New York

May 29, 1944 (28 years old)

Operational loss, Drydock, USNA 11th Company

He is not currently listed with his classmates in Memorial Hall.

1939 LeClare LB.jpg James Leclare
Class of 1939
LT, USNR
Operational loss, Drydock, USNA 11th Company

He is not currently listed with his classmates in Memorial Hall.

1939 Peirce 1.jpg
Walter Peirce
Class of 1939

CAPT, USA

Washington, D.C.

June 25, 1944 (27 years old)

KIA, WWII, 393rd Fighter Squadron, Europe, US Military Academy, Fixed Wing, Non-graduate

He is not currently listed with his classmates in Memorial Hall.

1939 Peirce 1.jpg Walter Peirce
Class of 1939
CAPT, USA
KIA, WWII, 393rd Fighter Squadron, Europe, US Military Academy, Fixed Wing, Non-graduate

He is not currently listed with his classmates in Memorial Hall.

Hometowns

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Pages in category "Class of 1939"

The following 78 pages are in this category, out of 78 total.