July-August 2026

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CLASS OF 1963
Pres:  VADM William A. Earner, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Sec'y: Michael H. Shelley
27 Cambridge DR, Brevard, NC 28712
h: 828-506-2201  e: nstar@citcom.net
Web site: http://www.usna63.org.

For any classmate you can go to the Classmates Page and enter his name to read his current biography if available.

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        This is an unusually full report including many individual contributions. I think you will enjoy being informed and entertained by the variety of content. First, we note the loss of five members of the Class of 1963 family.

        Thomas E. Jones passed away on 12 May. Tom's widow, Susan, can be contacted at 9250 Indian Mound Road, Pickerington, OH 43147.

        James O. Carter died on 15 May. Jim's widow, Kathy, can be contacted at 2606 North Pollard Street, Arlington, VA 22207.

        Joe Di Filippo's wife, Barbara, passed away on 18 March. Joe can be contacted at 3146 West Alluvial Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711.

        JJ Hogan's widow, Maureen, died in April. We do not have contact information for her next of kin.

        Ken Buell's widow, Mary, passed away on 5 May. Their son, CDR Rick Buell, USN (Ret), can be contacted at 402 Hickory Way, Thornville, OH 43076.

The Alumni Association has recently released the film with this introduction: "More than 60 years ago, the Class of 1963 came together to support the families of classmates lost in service to our nation. That commitment eventually evolved into the Center for Academic Excellence-a program that now supports thousands of midshipmen each year. Our new video shares the powerful story behind this remarkable legacy and the lasting impact of philanthropy at the U.S. Naval Academy." Featured in the ten-minute film are several of our '63 classmates including Spencer Johnson, Jim DeFrancia, Jim Ring, Sonny Glassner, Ron Terwilliger, and Mike Bonsignore. I asked Jim to tell me about the origin and production of the film, and he said this:

    The project was initiated by the Academy, whose leadership felt that the CAE deserved to be highlighted for the remarkable benefits it has produced. Indeed, a prior Academic Dean once stated that it was the most valuable gift ever given to the Naval Academy.

The producers contacted Spencer Johnson and asked him about the parties involved in the origin of our CAE project -- and why/how it came to be. He recounted the history of the CAE going back to our Class Foundation. As to the Foundation, Spencer referred them to me and Jim Ring for the Foundation's history and ultimate transition to the CAE project. Jim and I then recommended others who were early Foundation leaders and, later, founding leaders/donors of the CAE. The Alumni Association sent a staff member and a film crew to interview us all, in various parts of the country....and we have now seen the final product!

       For a review of the '63 Foundation's history and accomplishments, see Foundation President Jim Ring's October 2000 letter to the Class by clicking HERE. Final statistics not included there attest that the Foundation awarded grants totaling nearly $900,000 to 95 children of deceased classmates.

        It has been several years since the painting of the statue of Tecumseh in front of Bancroft Hall for special observances and Brigade spirit was discontinued. I am happy to show you this photo from Commissioning Week 2026. Perhaps it predicts a return to a cherished and long-standing tradition.

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        Steve Duncan tells us about attending the commissioning of the Navy's newest DDG and his connection to the hero for whom the ship is named.

     On 11 April, I took Ensign Christopher Johnson, the youngest of my three Naval Officer grandsons, to the Commissioning Ceremony for the Navy's newest ship, USS HARVEY C. BARNUM JR (DDG-124), at the Naval Station in Norfolk. I had been invited by Colonel Barney Barnum, USMC (Ret.), for whom the ship is named. When I was asked by then SECDEF Dick Cheney in 1989 to assume leadership of all of DoD's Counterdrug policies and operations, in addition to my responsibilities for all Reserve and National Guard units and personnel, he assured me that I could select all members of my second (and large) staff. Early on, I hired Barney, who had been awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during an action outside Ky Phu Quang Tin Province, Vietnam, in December 1965.
    I had been to two previous commissioning ceremonies, one of which was for my second ship, USS Carronade (IFS-1). The second was the ceremony for USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG- 81), which I attended with Jim Metcalfe. But this one was special. The attendees included the CNO, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Secretary of the Navy, the Marine Corps Band, many senior Flag and General Officers, many other grizzled Vietnam Veterans, and a large crowd of other guests.

Steve Duncan and his grandson Ensign Christopher Johnson

    Christopher loved it all. Interestingly, the Ceremony took place on a pier with which he was familiar. In the summer following his high school graduation, I introduced him to the Navy by taking him all around the Naval Station in Norfolk. While we were there, the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) returned from a several month deployment and moored at the same pier. As we all know, the excitement surrounding a ship's homecoming is palpable!
    The Ballcap I wore at the ceremony honors our Classmate Bill Fitzgerald. It was given to me several years ago when a contingent of Classmates went aboard FITZGERALD for a few hours at sea.

    I went to Coronado for some highly competitive pickleball to keep my game sharp. A friend invited me to the I Bar on NAS NORTH ISLAND for Friday Happy Hour. The I Bar is the successor to the Downwinds officers club bar from our days, for those who remember and enjoyed the 25 cent pitchers of beer there. Our 78th Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, class of 1983, happened to be there also. He was very engaging and hospitable and thanked me and our class for our Vietnam service. The next day, I headed to La Quinta, CA, to visit with Lynn and Lew Blackwell and join them and their friends for Valentines Day dinner.

Jim Oakes and SECNAV Del Toro

Lynn and Lew Blackwell, Suzanne Fuqua, Jim Oakes

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       Writing in April, Mike Rubel told me he had just finished and published his latest book, "A Moment in Time." It is a memoir of his first two years in the Navy after the Academy where he lost a love and then found one. Congratulations, Mike, for the latest book in your successful authorship career.

Mike Rubel

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       Austin Seay told me about his visit this May to the USNA Alumni Association's Fluegel Alumni Center on King George Street in Annapolis. Opened in September 2023, the Fluegel Center is an impressive multipurpose facility. Donors to the capital campaign to build the Center are recognized in various ways. The Plank Owner display includes the names of four of our classmates: Kenneth Metviner, Austin Seay, Charles Spadafora, and Robert Simmonds. Be sure to visit the Fluegel Center when you are in Annapolis.

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        Here's a note from Jim Lasswell in San Diego:

     During our routine 14th Company Zoom Meeting we found out that Merrill Dorman was coming to San Diego in April for the wedding of his grandson. I connected with him after the meeting and we set up a time for lunch with Merrill, Dee, and my wife Cindy. We were near the Midway Museum and the classic end of WW-II statue, so we took a few pictures. Here is one including Dee, Merrill, Cindy, and me.

    In the "small world" category, I was in New York City in early May visiting my younger son, Cris, who was at the UN for a month, and my granddaughter, Bella, who lives and works there. I hosted Cris and Bella for a reception and dinner at the Union League Club (to which I have belonged for 50 years) and a presentation about the famous WWII General George Patton. The program was presented by Robert Patton, the grandson of the General, and focused on the General's family history and his full life beyond what we all know from various sources of his wartime fame.
    Afterward, we retired to the bar at the Club and engaged in a conversation about nuclear weapons, Iran, our submarine fleet, and nuclear armament. (My son, Cris, is with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and was visiting the UN on nuclear/Iran matters.) A gentleman standing near our table in the bar overheard comments about nuclear subs and made a polite comment on the topic we were discussing, offering that he had served in one. We soon discovered we were Classmates...it was Jack Colyer, 18th company! Jack and his wife Kathleen then engaged with us for a long conversation and a commitment to connect again when I am next in NY. He has resided there since the late '60s and was invited to join the Union League Club just a few years before me. It is a small world indeed....

    Following up on Jim's recent news report attached is a photo validating his most informative words of our encounter, I will add Kathleen's Father, the late Col. Ed Markey was 4th Armour CCR under Lt. Col. Abrams and his tank was one of the first to relieve Bastogne Dec 26,44. Kathleen has her Father's personal handwritten battle attack plan map showing the break through to Bastogne attack plan! Best to All of 63 as we will soon be 63 for 63!!!

Jim and Jack

     Some have asked, "What do you do in Maine in the winter?" This picture shows the product of the past four winters. It is a one-sixteenth replica of the ship Defense, one of 43 ships in the Penobscot Expedition in 1779. The Expedition's mission was to capture Fort George, in Castine, Maine, from the British. The mission failed and all 43 ships were lost, including Defense. Our model was constructed with handcrafted parts made from drawings and measurements taken during underwater excavation efforts in the 1990s. David, our leader, is a naval architect and former professor at Maine Maritime Academy. Other modelers included Walt (theater set designer), Don (retired MMA professor), Steve (USNA '74), and me. The model is now on display at the Wilson Museum in Castine. A new modeling project is in the planning to start next winter.

Dick Anderson (far right) and other ship modelers

     On March 25th, Mike and Lynda Spear arrived in Hudson, FL, to visit Bernie and Cathy Patterson. Their stay lasted several days, during which the Pattersons and Spears enjoyed local attractions, including a trip to Tarpon Springs and an exciting airboat ride through the East Coast Florida wetlands.
    On Thursday evening, Sandra Biagini and I joined the group for a memorable steak dinner. The meal was expertly prepared by Chefs Bernie and Cathy, offering guests a culinary experience worthy of praise. The event also brought together two of the 1963 Sommeliers. Mike expressed high praise for the wine pairings, noting their excellence throughout the meal. From my perspective, the evening was highlighted not only by the fabulous dinner but also by the exceptional bourbon selection, featuring Blanton's.

Bernie Patterson, Dick Kell, and Mike Spear

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        Jim Metcalfe shared this photo of several members of the 1959-60 Plebe wrestling team. From the left in the front row are Mike Harman, Joe DiFilippo, Jim Metcalfe, Frank Pinney, Ron Tebben, Clay Morse, Tom Strahan, and Eric Turner. In the rear are Andy Mezmalis (left) and Jack Brannan (right).

       Jim also sent this picture of the entire 1959-60 Plebe team. I hope you can identify some of the faces.

     I am submitting three photos, each the Gemini AI enhancement of pictures that were taken during our USNA Induction on 7 July 1959 by my father (USNA '20) with his small Minox "spy camera."



    I note two distinctive qualities in the photo of the inductees: we all have had our haircuts, and all are wearing either their enlisted uniform or a coat and tie. I hope that some of our classmates (especially those coming directly from the services) will be able to recognize themselves or others.

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        Thanks to all who contributed to this lengthy '63 report. Please follow their example and submit some news for your classmates to enjoy.

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