John was born in Mansfield, OH on 13 April 1931. After high school he attended Northwestern
University. At the outbreak of the
Korean War in 1950, John enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, and was appointed to
the U. S. Naval Academy two years later.
As a Midshipman he was active as the editor of “Reef Points”, and as a
staff member of ‘Trident Magazine”.
Upon graduation, he served aboard the USS Bon Homme
Richard (CVA 31). He completed Submarine
School and was assigned to USS Grouper (SS 214) out of New London, CT. Duty as a Company Officer at the Naval
Academy followed. While at USNA, John
was given emergency temporary orders to act as a Russian interpreter aboard a
blockade destroyer that challenged Russian ships during the Cuban Missile
Crisis. Subsequently he had tours aboard
two ballistic missile submarines, Executive Officer USS Darter (SS 576), and
Commanding Officer USS Trout (SS 566).
After command, he was an instructor in the Prospective Commanding
Officer’s Course at Submarine School. Then came the National War College in
Washington DC. And, a tour on the Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
followed.
John retired from the Navy, as a Commander on 31 August
1975. His second career included
positions with Texas Instrument and MacGregor Corporations. He ultimately founded his own computer
support company -- “Tudor Micro Systems”.
John died on 13 December 1996. His family includes his wife Mary, his first
wife Sally; daughter Kelly, and sons David and Stephen.