With deep regret I have learned of the passing of David E. Johnson on August 27, 2024, after sending him an email which could not be delivered. An announcement by his family via google indicates that Dave, a watch officer in Antigua (1964-65) and COSL assistant personnel officer (1966-67), continued to serve in the USNR in his home state of California after RAD, retiring as a Commander. Dave, Cope Hiemenz, and I shared an apartment in NORVA during our stint at COSL. Marcy and I send our sympathy and prayerful thoughts to his wife, Betty Ann, son, Christopher, daughter, Karyn and three grandchildren. Dave was a great shipmate, friend, and patriot. We shall miss him.
See Dave’s article “On To Antigua, BWI,” in The Cable, Winter 1997, ending: “I went on to COSL in Norfolk after Antigua and had a fantastic tour there. I left active duty, returned to San Diego, married, and finished my 20 years in the naval reserve, leaving as a Commander, and as CO of the Military Sealift Command, San Diego. There were two children and travel around the world with the reserves while I worked as a civilian for the Department of Defense as a mediator and hearing officer. The Navy has been great to me, and I was fortunate to meet so many great people.”
