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RADM Mack C. Gaston, USN (Ret) – 2018

RADM Mack C. Gaston, USN (Ret) – 2018

Dec 5, 2018 | Announcements, Memoriam, News

RADM (Ret) Mack C. Gaston, USN passed on 2 December 2018.  RADM (Ret) Gaston was a longtime NNOA member and a longtime member of the DCNNOA Chapter and Executive Board.  A true trailblazer, outstanding Naval Officer and leader and most importantly an outstanding human being.  The loss of this great patriot will be felt to all at NNOA and throughout our nation.  The NNOA Executive Board and its members send their heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and loved ones!

Rear Admiral Gaston’s Life Story with service details to follow can be found on SNA’s Final Call webpage: http://www.navyhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/RADM-Mack-C-Gaston-Oral-History1.pdf

Rear Admiral Gaston’s Obituary

Remembering Dr. Olivia Hooker, U.S. Coast Guard

Remembering Dr. Olivia Hooker, U.S. Coast Guard

Nov 27, 2018 | News

Greetings To Our Fantastic NNOA Family During This Holiday Season of 2018 –

“Remembering Dr. Olivia Hooker, U.S. Coast Guard – 12 February 1915 – ‘Sea Services Sunset, 21 November 2018,’ Age 103 years of Service” – God Bless Her Soul!

Yesterday, Sunday, 25 November 2018, I had the “Wonderful Pleasure and Historic Sadness,” to Dedicate Words of Inspiration and Information on the Life of Our Family Member – Dr. Olivia Hooker, USCG on my weekly I Heart Media Radio Show, “Old Skool Sunday with Dr. Rick Wright.”  As one of the 1st African-American Females to enter into the ranks of the United States Coast Guard, SPARS, during WWII, and  serving as Yeoman Second Class was beyond exceptional.  Dr. Hooker, born February 12, 1915, was one of the remaining survivors of the “Black Wall Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Riots of 1921,” that wiped out the Entire African-American Community of that City.  Dr. Hooker, at age 6, had to hide with her family in order to escape death, and the destruction that was presenting a most perilous situation.  Her family left Oklahoma and settled in Columbus, Ohio, where later in her life, Dr. Hooker graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. Degree in 1937.  During World War II, and as a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Dr. Hooker fought for “equal opportunities” for African-American Women to serve in the Sea Services.  Her efforts lead to the ranks of the U.S. Coast Guard Women Reserves program, The SPARS, in February 1945.  After boot camp at Coast Guard Station, Manhattan Beach, she served as a most accomplished Yeoman, in handling various duties in Coast Guard Administration.  After completing duties with the U.S.C.G., Dr. Hooker received her M.A. Degree from Columbia University, and later her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester.  As one of the founders of the American Psychological Association, and its’ Intellectual and Developmental Division, Dr. Olivia Hooker, “trail blazed” a most incredible career.  As a Professor at Fordham University, Dr. Olivia Hooker became a most beloved teacher, and received “Honors and Recognition” from the Highest Levels of Leadership in Our Country.  President Barack Obama, presented major recognition for her “legacy,” while delivering his Commencement Address to the Graduating Cadets of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, during “The 134th Commencement Exercises,” on May 20, 2015.

So, in Celebrating The Legacy of Dr. Olivia Hooker, U. S. Coast Guard, Let’s Present A Most Magnificent – NNOA, “BRAVO ZULU” TO HER LIFE!”

V/r,
Roosevelt “Rick” Wright, Jr., Ph.D., CAPT., USNR(ret)
Member, Board of Directors – The National Naval Officers Association
Historian

Interesting Stories/Links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/obituaries/olivia-hooker-dead.html 

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/olivia-hooker-tulsa-race-riots-1921-dead_us_5bf952bce4b0eb6d930ebfa5

https://www.essence.com/news/olivia-hooker-first-black-woman-coast-guard-died/

https://www.theroot.com/dr-olivia-hooker-1921-tulsa-race-massacre-survivor-an-1830631406?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=theroot_copy&utm_campaign=bottom

NNOA’s CDR McCallaCreary Participates in Prairie View A&M University Celebration

Nov 15, 2018 | Uncategorized

CDR McCallaCreary attended the Prairie View A&M University, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit 50th Celebration held October 11 – 13, 2018.  The overarching theme was “Continuing the Mission of increasing numbers of minority Officers in the Marine Corps and Navy.”   NNOA continues to help develop synergy between the NROTC Unit, HBCU’s (Historically Black College and University) and NNOA.  

View Event Photos

The Prairie View A&M NROTC Story

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit at Prairie View A&M was established in1968 with an expressed mission to produce exceptional officers and increase the number of Minority Officers serving in the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

As the first NROTC program established a predominantly Black college or university, Prairie View A&M immediately assumed a leadership role for Sea Services. A high performing, inclusive school with exacting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) standards, Prairie View A&M University was a natural fit for the NROTC program from day one.

Midshipmen accepted into the program are required to perform academically, physically, and morally. Since the unit’s establishment, over four hundred exemplary young men and women have been commissioned into the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Prairie View A&M University NROTC graduates are currently deployed around the globe.

The success of the unit is exemplified by the quality of officers commissioned into naval service. To date, the Prairie View A&M University NROTC unit has produced three Flag Officers, Vice Admiral David Brewer III, Rear Admiral Kelvin Dixon, and Rear Admiral Osie Combs, Jr. The collective performance of all officers commissioned from Prairie View A&M University validates the premise that increasing the number of minority Naval and Marine Corps Officers would vastly improve our military.

From the Golden Thirteen to the Living Spirit of the Dream, the Prairie View A&M University NROTC unit maintains a decorated history that remains relevant today. Over the course of the past year, the 50th Anniversary Committee worked diligently to honor this proud legacy. Anniversary kickoff events in Houston, Texas and Washington DC, conducted during Black History Month were a tremendous success. The events included senior military officers, to include General Robert Neller, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, as well as national and locally elected officials.

We want this proud history to live on and for the unit to thrive as it continues to mission. Tonight we have planned an evening of awards, recognition, speeches and most importantly, fellowship. We are most thankful for our partnership with the Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC) and appreciative of all their help in making this event happen. Tonight, past and present members of this outstanding unit are encouraged to celebrate past accomplishments tonight while keeping a watchful eye on a bright future.

a. NROTC Class of 1970 (Prairie View A&M University Golden Thirteen)

1. Marvin L. Bell LCDR, USN (Ret) (Deceased)
2. VADM David L. Brewer III VADM, USN (Ret)
3. Ollie V. Bucker Lt. USN
4. James E. Ealy CAPT, USN (Ret)
5. Isaac C. Gouldsby Capt, USMC
6. Moses H. Hadnot Lt USMC)
7. Ronald E. Hall LCDR, USN (Ret)
8. Dr Kenneth E. Hinson CAPT, USN (Ret)
9. Harvey Mattox LCDR, USN (Ret)
10.Dr. David C. Mosby CAPT, USN (Ret)
11.Niley J. Rosemond Capt, USMC
12.James E. Tarver CAPT, USN (Ret)
13.Charles E. White CAPT, USN (Ret)

b. NROTC Class 1972 (First Full Four Year Class)

1. Robert Dean CDR, USN (Ret)
2. Wendell Chinn, Jr Captain, USMC (Ret)
3. Emmerson Edwards* LCDR, USN (Ret)
4. Christopher Peterson Major, USMC (Ret)
5. Robert Rush LCDR, USN (Ret)
6. Herlis Williams Major, USMC (Ret)
7. Arthur Ray Wilson Lt, USN

* Note: Completed NRTOC program obligation in 1972. Commissioned and BSEE in 1973.

Very Respectfully,
E. Edwards
LCDR, USN (Ret)
50th Anniversary Program Manager
Original member of the first full four year PVAMU NROTC Class of 1972
IP: 281-712-8010 (Recorder – will respond within 24 Hours)
C: 346-262-5763