by khurst2@gmail.com | Jun 23, 2021 | Announcements, Memoriam, Navy, News
It is with great sadness that I let our NNOA Family know of the passing of Commander Merle Smith, the first African American to graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy. More will be shared and I know your prayers and thoughts are welcomed by his family.
https://www.theday.com/local-news/20210622/cmdr-merle-smith-first-black-graduate-of-coast-guard-academy-dies-at-76
It is with great sadness that I inform you that CDR Merle James Smith, USCG (retired), passed away on June 16th, 2021 in New London, CT. As many of you know, CDR Smith is the namesake of the Eclipse Legacy Coalitions “Merle J. Smith Eclipse Legacy Endowment,” which was established in 2017. Merle J. Smith was the second African American to receive an appointment to the Academy and the first to graduate in June of 1966. He was characterized as an excellent CGA Cadet, excelling with hard work in the classroom, in the barracks and on the football field. CDR Smith Served as the Commanding Officer of a Patrol Boat during the Vietnam War and achieved his Juris Doctor, becoming a licensed attorney in 1974, all before being assigned to the Coast Guard Academy law faculty in 1975. It was then that LT Smith’s impact at CGA would become legendary as a teacher, mentor and coach. He served as the Class Advisor for the class of 1977, as an assistant football coach under the great Otto Graham and was an inspirational example for many of the young cadets to follow. Including the class of 1978’s VADM Manson Brown, USCG (ret), who would tout “LT Smith modeled for us what we could become in the Coast Guard. As such, he added to our motivation to stay and do the hard work necessary to thrive at the Academy.”
There is so much more to learn and remember about CDR Merle J. Smith, and the Eclipse Legacy Coalition will provide more details as time goes. However, for a couple of great reads on CDR Smith’s legacy please read:
The Long Blue Line: Merle Smith – the first African American graduate of the Coast Guard Academy « Coast Guard COAST GUARD COMPASS (dodlive.mil)
BULLETIN_HISTORYLESSON_OCT_11.PDF (defense.gov)
The Day – Coast Guard Academy renames officers club after first black graduate, retired Cmdr. Merle Smith – News from southeastern Connecticut
by khurst2@gmail.com | Apr 27, 2021 | Announcements, Memoriam
CDR Pickrum was an early NNOA member and supporter. He was the first USCG Academy grad to earn the “Navy Wings of Gold” and played a major roll in mentoring other aviators in and out of uniform. CDR Pikrum was one of the key supporters in bringing the Coast Guard to the table for NNOA.
Read Full Story
by khurst2@gmail.com | Apr 20, 2021 | Announcements, Memoriam, Navy, Passing
Arlene Turner-Magee attended Southern University A&M College while on NROTC Scholarship. She was commissioned in the US Navy in May 1985. She was stationed in San Diego (Coronado), CA then New Orleans, LA. She was retired on active duty in 1991 after a tragic car accident that left her a paralyzed. She leaves behind three children, her father, a sister and a brother.
A Celebration Service honoring the Life and Spirit of Arlene MaGee, USN (Retired) LT/0-3 at US Navy of Atlanta, Georgia formerly of Pensacola, Florida was held Saturday, April 10, 2021, 2:00 p. m. at New Life Tabernacle Church of God In Christ, 715 Cleveland Avenue, SE Atlanta, Georgia; Bishop J. E. Hogan, officiating. Interment, Georgia National Cemetery. Remains will lie in repose from 12:00 noon until the hour of service. Survivors are three children, Brandon Bolden, Ashley Bolden and Elisha MaGee; parents, Archie (Beverly) Turner, Sr.; sister, Cynthia (Lorenzo) Robinson; brother, Archie Turner, Jr.; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church at 1:30p.m.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Mar 11, 2021 | Announcements, Memoriam, Navy
March 11, 1947 – March 9, 2021
It is with great sadness that I inform the members of NNOA about the passing of Captain Lee T. Womack, Sr., USN (Ret.). Captain Womack served as President of NNOA from 1993 to 1995.
Thank you to all of the NNOA members for their condolences. My family appreciates the support. Angela (Captain Womack’s daughter)
Services:
Temple & Sons, Service: 11:00 am, Friday March 19, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2140 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73111
It’s a private family service due to Corona Virus restrictions.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 6, 2020 | Announcements, Memoriam, News
Called home on NOVEMBER 27, 2020!
“It is with great sadness that I inform the members of NNOA about the passing of Captain Percy O. Norwood, USCG Retired. Captain Norwood served as President of NNOA from 1995 to 1996. A great leader and mentor to many in the Guard and NNOA. Please keep all the family of Captain Norwood in your prayers and thoughts.”
Honoring Captain Norwood, USCG (Ret.)
Remarks
Thanks for the update. An honorable man and officer. Will miss him and his input into the NNOA. God Bless Him and family.
LCDR R West A founder for NNOA…
by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 16, 2019 | Announcements, Memoriam, News
On behalf of the National Naval Officer Association, we express our deepest sympathies regarding the passing of CDR (ret) Dr. William Bundy. His legacy extends beyond his successful 30-year Naval career to Associate Provost for Warfighting and Research of the Naval War College.
Dr. Bundy invested and mentored numerous military and nonmilitary personnel throughout his entire career. He was an advocate and lifetime member of 
the National Naval Officers Association as he believed in diversity and inclusivity within our sea services. His passion for people and their success will live on as he was the personification of the quote: “to leave the world better than you found it.” Our hearts go out to the Bundy family during this difficult time as we mourn with you.
Details for services are as follows:
Funeral Services:
Viewing/Wake
Friday, 20 December
4:00pm – 8:00pm
Sansone Funeral Home
192 Wood Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Funeral Service
Saturday, 21 December
10:00am
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
141 State Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Burial
Saturday, 21 December
Immediately following funeral service
Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery
301 S County Trail
Exeter, RI 02822
A Note from Will Bundy Jr.
“Thank you for any effort you can make to participate in my father’s services.”
A Note from NNOA Historian
This message about the “Passing of our most Productive and Legendary NNOA Family Member, Dr. Will Bundy,” is most devastating, I have just opened up my e-mail after finishing my weekly radio show, “Old Skool Sunday with Dr. Rick Wright.” Life is so “precious,” I am now in “tears,” remembering, when I first met “Will,” in the 1980’s when I wrote a story about him in our NNOA Newsletter. William Bundy, Jr., “Stay Strong, we love you and your family so very much during this time of extreme lost!”
God Bless the Family!
V/r
Roosevelt “Rick” Wright, Jr., Ph.D., CAPT., USNR(ret)
