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(he United States Naval Academy long has graduated leaders of great character—men and women who possess the "true north principles" of honor, courage, and commitment From this field of superior leaders, a handful of graduates of distinction are chosen annually to receive the U.S Naval Academy Alunrmi Association Distinguished Graduate Award Selection is based on character, distinguished military and civilian service, and stature, qualities that the Naval Academy strives to imbue in all its graduates Awardees are living graduates of the United States Naval Academy who have made significant contributions to the nation, the naval service, and the Naval Academy Nominated by their peers, this year's class of Distinguished Graduates comprises a former U.S. president, a Vietnam War hero, a former U.S Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen and Superintendent, and aformer Chief of Naval Operations. Each individual with his outstanding attiibutes has led by example, thereby commanding respect from all who know him.
The Alumni Association, along with the Naval Academy, is proud to celebrate the fourth class of honorees: Vice Admiral Charles S Minter Jr '37, President James E Carter '47, Admiral CarhsleA.H Trost '53, and Colonel JohnR Ripley '62
The Distinguished Graduates will be recognized at an invitation-only award ceremony on 12 October 2002 at Alumni Hall, United States Naval Academy They also will be honored at a parade on Worden Field on 11 October 2002
By Jennifer Sheppard, USNA AA Staff
president, "the entire class looks to Charlie as their leader."
Vice Admiral Minter has displayed a high degree of professionalism that both past and present midshipmen can emulate.
Upon graduation Admiral Minter served as ajunior officer in heavy cruisers prior to entering flight ttaining at Pensacola. After receiving his wings, he was assigned to patrol squadrons and flew anti-submarine patrols from bases in Iceland, Argentia, Newfoundland, and Trinidad. Admiral Minter served the remainder of World War II in the Pacific as an assistant air officer, and then air officer on board the aircraft carrier RANDOLPH, performing first carrier strikes on Tokyo, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and final operations against the Japanese prior to their surrender For his service in RANDOLPH, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V."
During the Korean War, Admiral Minter commanded a patrol squadron operating from bases in Japan and Korea He and his squadron conducted reconnaissance missions, antisubmarine patrols, and photographic missions, for which he received his second Bronze Star He also served as operations officer of Commander, Task Force 72.
Admiral Minter returned to Annapolis to serve as executive officer to the director of athletics at the Naval Academy and was subsequently assigned to the National War College from which he graduated in 1956. He was then appointed head of the Naval Aviation Ships Branch in the Navy Department. In 1959 he took command of ALBEMARLE, followed by service on the staff of Commander, Air Force, Atlantic prior to commanding INTREPID in 1960
In 1961 he was appointed Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy He was promoted to rear admiral and in 1964, became the 43rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy His tenure at the Academy was marked by "sweeping improvements in...overall organization and administration, the academic curriculum and the officer and civilian faculty."
Upon leaving the Academy, Admiral Minter was assigned as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe He "played a leading role in the formulation and revision of policies and plans to meet the changing ckcumstances faced by AlHed Command Europe." Later, he took command of Carrier Division 16 with RANDOLPH as his flagship. He commanded Fleet Air Wings, Pacific, and, after promotion to vice admiral, was assigned Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics. He retired from the U.S Navy in 1974
Vice Admiral Charles S. Minter is a highly regarded member of our Alumni family His Classmate, Captain John Slaughter, USN (Ret.) says that although he was elected class
Admiral Minter served as a deputy to the U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference and later as president of the Retired Officers Association. He was on the board of directors of North American Philips Corp
Admiral Minter has remained engaged with the U.S. Naval Academy through the USNA Alumni Association and Foundation He was president (equivalent to the current Chairman of the Board position) of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association from 1983-85 On a separate occasion he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the U.S Naval Academy Foundation, Athletic and Scholarship Programs, which assists prospective midshipmen to enter the Naval Academy In addition, he has served on numerous boards and committees of each organization.Admiral Minter's Navy service is remarkable, and his tireless dedication to the Brigade and his fellow Alumni has redefined "retirement."
Unlike the other Distinguished Graduates, President James Earl Carter Jr '47 had a brief military career followed by a longer, exemplary civilian career. After graduation from the Naval Academy with the accelerated Class of 1947, he was commissioned an ensign and served onboard WYOMING and MISSISSIPPI Carter then attended Submarine School in New London, CT, and qualified for submarine duty onboard PoMFRET, where he was approach officer for simulated torpedo firing at target ships He scored a "hit."
Then-Lieutenant Junior Grade Carter was assigned as engineering officer on the precommissioning detail for K-1 (SSK-1), the first submarine built after World War II After commissioning, he was executive officer, engineering officer, and electronics repair officer on K-1, during which time he qualified for command of a submarine
President Carter interviewed with Admiral Rickover and was selected to participate in the creation of the nuclear powered submarine program He was promoted to lieutenant in 1952 and detached from K-1 to serve at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission before preparing for engineering officer duty for the nuclear power unit to be used in SEAWOLF (SSN575), one of the first submarines to operate on atomic power. Then-Lieutenant Carter was selected for the Nascent nuclear power program He spent most of his time in ttaining, but left the service in October 1953 after the death of his father.
President Carter did not serve in the position for which he had ttained since he had to attend to family matters following his father's death. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1953 and later retired as a lieutenant from the Naval Reserve in 1961
Although Carter's military career came to an end prematurely, he found success in another career, politics Fifteen
years after retiring from the Navy, a USNA grad from the Class of 1947 was elected 39th president of the United States of America Noteworthy accomplishments of the Carter administration include the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, the Salt II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China
Domestically, President Carter sought alternatives for economic and environmental reforms. He was instrumental in creating major environmental protection legislation, including the Alaska Lands Act, protecting 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. In the face of the energy shortage in the 1970s, he formed a comprehensive energy program conducted by the Department of Energy, deregulating the energy industiy To foster human and social services, President Carter created the Department of Education, strengthened the Social Security Program, and appointed an unprecedented number of minorities to government jobs.
Following his four years in the White House, President Carter further pursued his aspirations when he became a University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atianta, GA. In partnership with the university he founded the Carter Center, an institution where the former president joins with associates in efforts to resolve conflict, promote democracy, protect human rights, and prevent disease and other afflictions on a global scale
One of President Carter's more well-known humanitarian initiatives is the Jimmy Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity He donates a week of his time annually to help build homes and raise awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. Another accomplishment is the recent launch of the Atlanta Project, a community-wide effort to attack social problems associated with poverty
"Jimmy Carter's leadership and reputation have clearly increased in stature since leaving office...," a fellow Alumnus wrote in a DGA nomination letter "He represents the very highest standards of service to country, family moral values,and continuing selfless commitment to the less fortunate in society." SliimrdCiirtislt^.&i..
On 30 June 1986,Admiral Carlisle A.H Trost, USN (Ret.), attained the apex of leadership in the U.S. Navy when he was named the 23rd Chief of Naval Operations
As a midshipman, Admiral Trost was recognized by his classmates for exceptional intelligence and the ability to excel. He graduated first in his Naval Academy Class of 1953, taking with him numerous leadership and academic awards and a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. Admiral Trost was an Olmstead Scholar. He studied German at the Army Language School in Monterey, CA, before attending
the University of Friedburg in the former Federal Republic of Germany, where he focused on international relations and international economics.
During his more than 37 years of commissioned service, Admiral Trost served at sea in destroyers and diesel-powered and nuclear-powered submarines He was executive officer of two nuclear-powered submarines and as commanding officer of a fleet ballistic missile submarine
Subsequent to selection to flag rank in 1973, he commanded Submarine Flotilla One and Submarine Group Five Later operational assignments included Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander, Seventh Fleet; Commander-in-Chief, and U.S Atiantic Fleet; and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atiantic Command.Ashore,AdmiralTrostwas miUtary assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense; Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy; on the Navy Staff as Director, Systems Analysis Division; Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel; and Director, Navy Program Planning.
Admiral Trost was a forceful and tireless advocate for the Navy He was insti:iimental in putting together and shepherding through Congress the budgets that Secretary of the Navy John Lehman needed to build a 600-ship Navy. As a newly
confirmed Chief of Naval Operation, he took on Congress for playing a "yo-yo game" with defense budgets As then-editor of Navy Times, Bill Kreh said, "Such averbal blast might even be expected from a flag officer who has, or is about to become retired and who would have nothing to lose by publicly speaking his mind. .. .It seems apparent that the new CNO is ready and wilUng to speak his mind and fight for what he thinks is right for the Navy and the nation."
Admiral Trost retired from active duty on 1 July 1990,following completion of a four-year term as the23rdChief ofNaval Operations, amemberof the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Since his retirement from the Navy, Admiral Trosthasservedas anindependentbusiness consultant and as a director on boards of several U.S. businesses.
Admiral Trost has long expressed his gratitude to the Naval Academy He has given back to his Alma Mater in a variety of ways, with active involvement in Alumni and Naval Academy programs and various civic organizations He was the chairman of the first Distinguished Graduate Award committee, which selected Admiral Thomas Moorer '33 as the first DGA recipient He was also the keynote speaker to the Class of 2003 at one of the first Commitment Night dinners.
THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
FIRST EDITION COMMEMORATIVE COLLECTOR'S SERIES - OGLE HALL
'e proudly introduce a new way to show your Naval Academy pride A collection of fine California wines, handsomely outfitted with our custom designed USNA Alumni Association label. This year's selection depicts Ogle Hall, home of the Alumni Association since 1945 This wine is the perfect complement to any table or to give as a gift for any occasion
Toast a Navy win, commemorate the Navy birthday, or raise a glass at a class event. Order for yourself or ship to friends for a gift that says "Go NAVY.'"
To place your order, please contact us at 1-888-968-7946 or visit our website at www.SignatureWines.Com/usna •Program Name: USNA • Password: beatarmy Source code: NAAD2
The first Marine to receive the Distinguished Graduate Award, Colonel John R. Ripley '62, USMC (Ret.), has Uveda life of service to this nation, his community, the Naval Academy, and the U.S Marine Corps His careers, both miUtary and civilian, epitomize the highest standards of duty, honor, and integrity
Colonel Ripley served in the U.S Marine Corps for 35 years. He served two infantry tours in South Vietnam, one as a rifle company commander on the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and one with the Vietnamese Marine Corps during die 1972 Easter Offensive. He was Lima company commander in the Leatherneck Square area of Dong Ha, Con Tien, and Khe Sahn Colonel Ripley was wounded in action, but returned to complete his tour. During this tour of duty, then-Captain Ripley was awarded the Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantty and inttepidity in action..." during combat operations While leading a rehef column, his unit came under heavy fire from recoilless rifle and automatic weapons He "led his unit out of the impact area across 200 meters of open terrain, repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire, as he directed artillery fire and air strikes."
Colonel Ripley's true test came during the 1972 Easter Offensive. Then-Captain Ripley was the lone Marine to the 3rd Vietnamese Battalion when a large force of North Vietnamese regulars, backed by more than 200 tanks, surged toward the capital of the Quang Tri province, which, if captured, would leave a clear path to the ancient capital of Hue One sttategic bridge across the Cam Lo River, at the town of Dong Ha stood in the way
While under continuous enemy fire Colonel Ripley loaded a backpack with explosives and, hanging from the bridge, walked hand-over-hand to the bridge's center where he planted his demolition charges He made a dozen ttips to the center of the bridge before he had placed 500 pounds of plastic explosives in the girders—enough to drop the bridge and stop the invasion By dropping the bridge, Colonel Ripley ttapped the advancing force on the other side of theriver,where it was decimated by air strikes and naval gunfire. His selfless action delayed the fall of South Vietnam by nearly twoyears Forthis Colonel Ripley was awarded the nation's second highest combat award, the NavyCross
John Grider Miller captured Colonel Ripley's Easter Offensive actions in die book entitled The Bridge. They are also depicted in a diorama outside Memorial Hall.
Colonel Ripley's other service included duty with the Marine detachment aboard INDEPENDENCE; with a Force Reconnaissance Company; on an exchange tour with the British Royal Marines; and as commander of abattalion and a regiment. In addition to typical staff billets, he served with the
Naval Reserve Officer Training units of Oregon State University and the Virginia Military Institute He also wasthe senior Marine and director of the Division of Enghsh and history at the Naval Academy.
Colonel Ripley has earned six valorous and 14 personal decorations
Following his retirement from active duty in 1992, Colonel Ripley was president and chancellor of Southern Virginia College in Buena Vista and subsequently as president of Hargrave Mihtary Academy in Chatham, VA He was selected by the Marine Corps Commandant to be the director of the history and museums division in 1999.
Colonel Ripley continues to give invaluable service to the Naval Academy. He has chaired two significant committees for former Superintendent Vice Admiral John R Ryan '67, USN (Ret.), charged to establish in Memorial Hall a memoriam that would recognize all Naval Academy graduates who lost their lives serving their country in military operations As a role model. Colonel Ripley has been a keynote speaker at the Naval Academy
In the mid 1990s, Rear Admiral Robert McNitt '38 proposed the concept of the Distinguished Graduate Award to Rear Admiral Ronald F Marryott '57, then-president and CEO of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. Admiral Marryott brought the proposal to the Board of Trustees, which approved it
The Alumni Association began the Distinguished Graduate Award program in 1999 as a way to identify to the pubUc and to the Brigade of Midshipmen the broad national significance of the U.S. Naval Academy as a national tteasure.
1999:AdmiralThomas H. Moorer '33
2000: Dr. John McMullen '40, Admiral James L. HoUoway III '43, ViceAdmiral WiUiam P. Lawrence '51, Major General William A Anders '55, and Mr Roger Staubach '65
2001: TheHonorableJohnW Crawford '42,AdmiralWUUam J Crowe Jr '47, Vice Admiral James B Stockdale '47, Admiral James D. Watkins '49, and Captain James A. Lovell Jr '52
^omnAtint Cnttria
To be nominated as a distinguished graduate, candidates must be living graduates who have:
Demonsttated a sttong interest in supporting the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Naval Academy;
Provided a lifetime of service to the nation or the armed forces;
Made significant and distinguished contributions to the nation through pubUc service; and
Are of character, distinguished military and civiUan service, and stature that draw a wholesome comparison to the qualities that the U.S. Naval Academy strives for, in keeping with values of duty, honor, and integrity, and "tiirough knowledge, seapower."
The award will not be given to individuals who occupy or who are candidatesfor elective office, or who are still on active duty. d>