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Mark Mason 
April 12, 2008

City, State: Woodstock Georgia

Comments:

Thought this was a good one to share.

 

Capt. David J. Sperling USN (Ret.)
DAVID JOHN SPERLING,
CAPT. USN, (RET.)
1929-2008


David J. Sperling, 78, of Pensacola passed away on Monday, March 17th, 2008.
His loving wife, Judy, preceded him in death in 2006 as well as son Michael in 1984.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Spinner (Ron) of Pensacola; son, Doug (Susan) of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Jennifer Spinner of Tallahassee and Joshua Spinner of Pensacola. Dave is also survived by his brothers, Harry Sperling Jr. (Anne) of Ocean Shores, WA, William Sperling of Seattle, WA, and sister Mary Ely of Chico, CA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
David was born April 3, 1929, in Juneau, Alaska to Harry Sperling Sr. and Mary Gertrude (Mamie) Sperling. Having countless adventures growing up in Alaska, none could top the claim to fame (with his sister and father) of being the first to travel on bicycle, on a road from Alaska to Minnesota known as the ALCAN Hwy. This was a trip that took 38 days to travel 1000 miles.
Captain Sperling experienced a prominent naval career beginning at the Naval Academy, graduating with the class of '52. He earned numerous flying medals and citations while flying before, during and after Vietnam. After finishing his sea duty he and his family were transferred throughout Europe as well as the mid-East to allow him to retire from Navy service after 31 years.
Two of the more memorable of his stations of duty was CO of VR-24 in Sigonella, Sicily and as Inspector General of CNET at NAS, Pensacola. His last tour of duty was as Naval and Defense Attaché at the American Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.
Captain Sperling's personality and wisdom of command earned him the greatest respect from his fellow officers, enlisted personnel and friends. The sense of a tremendous loss is evident from those whose lives he has touched. He will always be loved and he will always be missed. His family and friends wish him God speed in joining his lovely wife, Judith.
Special thanks to Dr. Patel and all the staff of Hope Medical Group, Cynthia at Home Care Services and also Emerald Coast Hospice. At Dave's request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emerald Coast Hospice, 5401 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 800, Pensacola, FL 32504.
Memorial services will be held at All Faiths Chapel, at NAS Pensacola, on Thursday, March 27th at 9:30am.
Inurnment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, with military honors.
HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.


Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 3/25/2008.

David Conwell 
April 12, 2008

City, State: Rockledge Fla

Comments:

Does anyone know what happened to Mike Brown? He was one of the civilians who worked with us in the hanger on the T-39's.

Steve Kujawski Email
April 10, 2008

City, State: South Lyon, MI

Comments:
Just recently informed of this web site by Tom Stayancho. At Sig. from 75 to 79, C-1A plane captain. Nice reading the messages. Seeing all the names brings back a lot of memories of great people and great times! Any of my old buddies, feel free to drop me a line.

rich reiman 
April 7, 2008

City, State: Kings park ny

Comments:
i love reading the messages it bring back some good times as well as the bad.
but VR-24 was by far the best SQD. i was in i hope one day the reuion get closer to ny.funny how everything i do has to deal with animals with wings (lifting eagles) now im on a paintball team (wild geese) maybe i can play baseball for the long island ducks (no way)    paintball is better... you all have a good spring.rich aka popeye

Herman Bressel Email
April 4, 2008

City, State: Long Beach, California

Comments:
I served in VR-24 Rota from '68 to '71.  Actually, somehow I was
assigned as a "Load Planner" as an RM1 "black shoe".  Don't ask me why that happened, as so many brown shoes demanded to
know at the time.  After a bit of understudying, I recall that I
was somewhat adept at the task and enjoyed doing it for about
half of my 3 year tour.  Believe the boss of Nalco was LCDR Green.  After 1 1/2 years, I was sent to the OPS dept where I
had even less to do, since we had no shore based radio gear
for me to operate.  Very soft duty for me indeed!  Went to the
local sub tenders (Holland & Simon Lake) after VR-24 and made
RMC.  While on the Simon Lake in '72 I remember the awful C2A
crash happening.  I knew LT Alger (co-pilot) who was an ACE
of a guy and a great officer.  Best regards to all from that
era.

Hal Milgrim Email
April 3, 2008

City, State: Virginia Beach, VA

Comments:
Served in VR-24 at Port Lyautey from 1956 to 1959.  Retired as AKCM in 1981 at NAS Oceana, VA.  Thinking back I believe VR-24 was probably the best duty I had in all my 38 years in the Navy.
Still remember all the old guys who I flew with, Sonny, Benny Ahern, Bill Witzki.  Remember all the good times in the Naples flat and especially the 242 Club in London.  Would like to hear from any of the old crew.

Tom Stayancho Email
April 2, 2008

City, State: Fremont, Ohio

Comments:
Hello all,

Sig AT from 77-79.  Haven't logged in here for awhile so I thought I'd say hi and pass on that I recently was able to hook up a couple of C1 plane captains...Jim Killingsworth and Steve Kujawski...so if anyone is looking for their info drop me a line.

Tom


Ralph DeLange Email
March 30, 2008

City, State: San Jose, Ca & Bigfork, MT

Comments:

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I CHECKED IN ON THE VR-24 SITE AND READ ALL THE INTERESTING COMMENTS. I WAS AT CAPODICHINO, FONDLY CALLED "CAPO-DI-GAZZO" BY THE MORE ENLIGHTENED FROM 53-55. STILL HEAR FROM SOME OF THOSE WHO ARE LEFT FROM THAT ERA. STILL TOO BAD THAT MORE OF THEM HAVEN'T FOUND IT (BUNCH OF COMPUTER ILLITERATES!) LOTS OF GREAT MEMORIES.

carter jw Email
March 27, 2008

City, State: pennhook va

Comments:

was in Naples in 56, 57, 58. i was a me tel smith in vr-24,det, I'm still looking for some old ship mates.

larry decaires Email
March 24, 2008

City, State: Jacksonville FL

Comments:
I only just found the web sight,I recognize
many of the old foto's. I was in VR 24 at Sig
in the t-39 shop.From 1977 to Dec 1979.I've heard about the reunions in Pensacola.We lived in Pedara then at the beaches.
larry Decaires
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