Signal Charlie

CAPT Dick Catone, USN (Ret.) following a memorial service for a fellow helicopter pilot, is credited with the following statement: “I guess we are all in starboard delta waiting for Signal Charlie.” Starboard Delta is the holding pattern for the airborne Search and Rescue helicopters on the starboard (right) side of the aircraft carrier. They fly at a low altitude so as not to interfere with the fixed-wing aircraft recovery pattern, and only land when the last fixed-wing aircraft is safe on board. When tower calls the helicopter to pass “Charlie” to a landing spot, the crew knows the fixed-wing recovery is complete, all is well, and it is time to come back. Hence, the statement appears appropriate that someday we will receive our own “Signal Charlie” and will be called home for a final landing.

Signal Charlie has been created to inform our membership and honor the passing of fellow unrestricted aviators. It is only as good as the information we receive. If you have an obituary or other information that you would like to provide concerning the passing of a shipmate, co-worker, or friend of the community, please contact the NHA National Office at signalcharlie@navalhelicopterassn.org and we will get the word out.

CAPT William C. McCamy, USN

CAPT William C. McCamy, USN (Ret.), passed away January 28, 2022 in Orange Park, FL, at the age of 76. He was born in Wichita Falls, TX, to William C. and Kathleen (McDunn) McCamy, both of whom preceded him in death.

William entered Aviation Officer Candidate School on March 5, 1968 at NAS Pensacola, FL, and was designated a naval aviator on June 10,1969. ILTJG McCamy was Navy Helicopter Designator Number R-10564. In November 1969, he reported to Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 in the Republic of Vietnam as a gunship pilot. Returning to the United States, he operated off the decks of the USS Wasp, USS Intrepid and USS Independence in various Antisubmarine Squadrons.

In July 1976 , he accepted orders to the United Kingdom to participate in the Personnel Exchange Program and joined 703 Squadron in Portland, Dorset, England to transition to the WASP Helicopter. He was assigned to 829 Squadron and assumed duties as the Flight Commander of HMS Leander. While on exchange, he was awarded the Huntsman Trophy and the Herbert Lott Award as Best Student Aviator for 1976.

Returning to the United States, he entered the Naval War College and completed the course of study of the Command and Staff Curriculum. He graduated as the Outstanding Student and received the Navy League's Sims Award in June 1980. He was selected for Command of Helicopter Squadron 17 at NAS Jacksonville, FL, in April 1984. Completing his Command Tour, he reported to the USS America as navigator in February 1986 and in June 1988 reported as Executive Officer of USS Iwo Jima. In June 1990, he reported as Commanding Officer Naval Air Station/Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. While in Command, Guantanamo Bay, received the first ever Meritorious Unit Award for managing the collection, housing, feeding, medical aid and repatriation of 37,000 Haitian migrants. After a tour in Washington, D.C., he returned to NAS Jacksonville as Chief of Staff, Commander Naval Base Jacksonville. He retired from the United States Navy on July 1, 1997. His personal decorations include two distinguished Flying Crosses, 29 Strike/Flight Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V and numerous action and campaign ribbons.

After retirement, he worked in the civilian sector as a consultant in Jacksonville. He was a member of Meninak for 20 years and served as President for one of those years. He remained on boards of numerous non-profits in Jacksonville after leaving the work force in 2005 and was most proud of being involved with the North Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America. He was an active member at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Orange Park and a board member of the Catholic Foundation.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol; son, William; daughter, Kelly (John Stone); six grandchildren; brother, Thomas McCamy (Suzanne); sisters, Sandra Stinton and Barbara Lequeux (Blayne), and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of your choice. A funeral mass was held on Friday, February 11, 2022 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1649 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073. CAPT William C. McCamy will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

CAPT Donald Gilbert Gregory, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Donald Gilbert Gregory, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Gregory passed away on January 25, 2022. Don was born in 1931 near Rhineland, Missouri to Lowell E. and Georgia May Gregory. He attended Bethany High School, and Northwest Missouri State College. Rather than be drafted, he joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet in late 1951.

Earning his commission and Naval Aviator wings in September 1953, he was trained as a fighter pilot flying the F6 Hellcat and T-33s in Kingsville Texas. He was assigned to fly F2H-2 Banshees with VF-101 in Jacksonville, FL. This included an around-the-world cruise on the USS Midway with Air Group I. He transferred to the Naval Reserves, serving in VF-886 while attending University of Kansas from 1956-1958. After getting married, he returned to active duty, serving 3 ½ years as an Advanced Tactics and Gunnery Flight Instructor flying F9F Cougars in VT-25 at Beeville Texas, followed by deployments as a plankowner on the USS Constellation (CV 64).

Don returned to Pensacola for helicopter training in 1963, subsequently serving with HS-9 aboard USS Essex (CVS-9). He was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he completed his BA degree in 1968. This was followed by assignment as XO, and later Commanding Officer of the HC-7 Seadevils based in Atsugi, Japan, providing combat search and rescue and fleet support to Vietnam operations and ships throughout the western Pacific. He then was assigned to the Naval War College in 1970 as a student and a staff member, completing his Masters Degree in International Relations from George Washington University in 1973. He served for five years in Washington, D.C. working in aviation research and development, including initial work on what later became the V-22 Osprey. His final assignment was to Pensacola, FL, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Education and Training (N3 Division), from where he retired from the Navy in 1979. His awards during his military career include the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Don often expressed appreciation for how fortunate he was to have had careers in which he always looked forward to going to work each day, and for the excitement of each new assignment. He loved to fly and had logged almost 8,000 hours of flight time in both military and civilian aircraft.

Don was married to Louise Sturm for over 64 years. Together, they raised 3 sons, Lowell Christopher, Nathan Sterling, and Gilbert Keith. They have four grandchildren, Don, Allison, Stephanie, and George. Don leaves four sisters, Dorothy, Doris, Dolores, and Donna, and many nieces and nephews. His sons Gilbert and Nathan preceded him, losing their battles with illness far to soon.

Don lived a full life and had many hobbies and friends, and a variety of interests. He was an automobile enthusiast, owning many antique and performance cars over the years. He was also a private pilot, holding single engine, multiengine, instrument, and instructor ratings, and was rated as an Air Transport Pilot in helicopters. He owned boats and recreation vehicles and was still riding his motorcycle at the age of 88. He travelled extensively, visiting all 50 states and many foreign countries. He loved to read and was especially fond of country music. He served as a volunteer with the National Park Service and the American Red Cross and served as a mentor with the Escambia County School System. He was past President of the local AACA (Antique Auto Club), WBCCI (Airstreamers club), and was a life member of the Retired Officers Association, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, and Association of Naval Aviation. He was also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the N.R.A. He loved to play golf (but never mastered the game), and his bridge playing was of the “conversational” variety.

He always said it was a great ride, and he’d love to do it all over again. Working on cars with Nat, traveling and hiking with Gil, and flying with Chris may have been highlights of his family life. However, he said that his “greatest fortune was to find a dark haired girl to love (Louise) who stood by him through all his travels and elusive dreams”.

CAPT Edward Allen Pencek, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Edward Allen Pencek, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Edward Allen Pencek, USN (Ret.) age 85 of Fairfax Station, VA, beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 20, 2022. He was born on December 20, 1936 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to the late Edward and Caroline Pencek. CAPT Pencek became a Naval Aviator on Feb 12,1962 at HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, Florida. CAPT Pencek was Navy Helicopter Designator Number R-5917.

The youngest boy in a family with three older sisters, Edward was raised in Melrose Park near Philadelphia and graduated from Davis & Elkins College with a BS in Psychology and was a member of Signa Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He joined the Navy in 1960 and as a naval aviator, he specialized in flying Sikorsky SH-3 helicopters conducting combat search and rescue missions. Among numerous medals received for his service, Edward was awarded the Air Medal, recognized for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights during Vietnam.

During his 24 years in the Navy, Edward was stationed throughout the US in Coronado CA, New Orleans LA, Lakehurst NJ, Willow Grove PA, and throughout the world including the Mediterranean and South Pacific before settling permanently in Northern Virginia. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1984, Edward began his second career as co-owner of the Burke Racquet & Swim Club in Burke, VA. He served as General Manager from 1990 to 2000. His great humor and style endeared him to strangers and friends alike, with a close-knit circle of friends from high school and college. Edward was everyone’s favorite brother, uncle, friend, and in-law.

In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his sisters Trudy, Wilma, Joan and the “love of his life,” wife, Linda Jean Pencek. Edward and Linda were married for 41 years. He is survived by his two sons, Christopher and Andrew, daughter-in-law Cathleen, grandchildren Connor and Ava.

Funeral services and interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a later date.

Fair Winds and Folowing Seas CAPT Pencek

CAPT Martin L. Chamberlain, USN (Ret.)

CAPT Martin L. Chamberlain, USN (Ret.)

LTJG Martin L. Chamberlain, USNR was designated as a Naval Aviator on December 19, 1968 at HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, Florida. LTJG Chamberlain was Navy Helicopter Designation Number R-10274. He passed away on Friday, March 11, 2022 in Fredericksburg, VA.

CAPT Chamberlain is a former HAL-3 Seawolf, and a Commanding Officer of HC-11 March 1984 and HC-3, September 1987. Martin was a Captain in the United States Navy and a Seawolf Helicopter Pilot. Later, he worked as a consultant for the Office of Naval Research.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene Chamberlain; children Mark Chamberlain, Andrea Leggiardro; Tracy Gill, Joseph Amberger, and Tammy Amberger; grandchildren Brooke Leggiardro, Aubrey Leggiardro, Kaitlyn Atkins, Abbie Gill, Kylie Amberger, Hope Amberger, Jacey Amberger, Brooke Voyles, and Mersates Sims; great-grandchild Brantley Atkins; and sister Linda Hendrixson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Jean Chamberlain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Mission Catholic Church in Hague, VA.

Fair Winds and Following Seas CAPT Chamberlain!

CAPT Duane James Hofhine, USNR (Ret.)

CAPT Duane James Hofhine, USNR (Ret.)

CAPT Duane J. Hofhine, USNR, (Ret.) passed away Sunday January 23, 2022 at the age of 91. Duane was born on April 30, 1930 in Midvale, UT. The son of Horace James and Ella (nee Ellis) Hofhine. Duane worked various jobs to earning money for flying lesions at Curley Wilson’s Flying School starting in 1944. By 1947, Duane had earned his private pilot’s license with his mom being his first solo passenger. He enlisted in the Navy in November, 1947 and was sent to the Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA for recruit training.

Air Controlman Hofhine worked in the tower of the naval Auxiliary Air Station, Charlestown, RI for five months before qualifying for Navy’s flight program. In April, 1949, Cadet Hofhine reported to the Naval Air Training Command Pensacola, FL. for flight training at the naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX, He was commissioned a Navy Ensign and won his wings as a naval aviator in July 1950. Responding to the call for volunteers for special assignment, Ensign Hofhine attended nine weeks of special training in electronics at North Island, then was sent to the Naval Air station, Patuxent River, MD for additional electronic training and to qualify in the P4M1Q “Martin Mercator”.

In October 1951 at Sangley Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines, he served with the squadron that was later to be designated Airborn Electronic Measuring Squadron One. This duty involved flights throughout most of the Western Pacific area included 141 combat missions in support of the Korean War. For his performance during this period, he was awarded the Air Medal. Duane began teaching flying in March 1954 when he became a flight instructor at Naval Auxiliary Air station, Whiting Field, FL. His next assignment kept him in the instruction business when he joined the Instructors Basic Training Unit in 1955, subsequently the multi-engine instrument training group in 1956 at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

In March 1957, Duane found himself back in the role of a student. At the Naval Air Station, Ellison Field, FL he began helicopter pilot training. Upon completion of helicopter training he was assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four home based at Naval Air Station, Ream Field, CA. While with this squadron he participated in the many antisubmarine exercises in the Pacific area including Western Pacific cruise aboard the USS Princeton in 1958. Two years later Lieutenant Commander Hofhine became the communications officer at the Naval Air Station North Island, CA. He was selected for designation as a TAR Officer in July 1961 however was not assigned to a reserve activity until October of 1963. At that time, he was assigned as assistant flight training officer for the Air Antisubmarine Training Program in S2F Tracker Aircraft at the Naval Air Station Glenview, IL. In July 1966, he received orders to the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Reserving Training at Glenview, IL as program director of the entire Naval Air Reserve air antisubmarine program. In May 1967, Commander Hofhine was ordered to the Washington Naval Air Reserve Training Unit at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC. There he became the flight training officer and later assumed the responsibilities as the training officer.

Captain Hofhine was ordered to Naval and Marine Corp Reserve Training Center in Milwaukee, WI in November 1971, where he was commanding officer. He retired from active duty in January, 1973.

During Duane’s Naval service he was awarded the following commendations. National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star; Air Medal; China Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze stars; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve medal with hourglass; United Nations Service Medal; Korean Presidential Unit Citation, HS-04.

Duane was married November 30, 1963 to the love of his life LTJG Jo Ann Lower (USN) and together they had 3 sons, Duane J II, Eric and David. Duane was a dedicated husband and father actively supporting his children’s education and was an active supporter of Navy ROTC at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Duane and his wife Jo Ann enjoyed traveling and spent nearly 20 years traveling throughout the United States in their truck camper

The family would like to thank the staff of the Memory Care Unit and Lincoln Village in Port Washington and Sharon Richardson Hospice for their amazing support and care of Duane during his time there. Tributes are appreciated to the organization of your choice. Words of Remembrance followed by Military Honors were held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Eernisse Funeral Home 1167 Washington Ave., in Cedarburg, WI.

Funeral services and interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a later date.Fair Winds and Following Seas CAPT Pencek!