HJ907: Celebrating the life of Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.).
WHEREAS, Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.), a decorated war hero who flew more than 200 combat missions during the Vietnam War and a respected member of the McLean community, died on January 11, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Captain Powell graduated from Flushing High School and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy; after graduating in 1950, he attended flight school in Florida and Texas and was assigned to Naval Air Station Miramar; and
WHEREAS, Captain Powell earned a reputation as a skilled and dedicated pilot; he took command of VA-144 attack squadron in 1966 and planned and led 211 combat missions over Vietnam, including a strike on a North Vietnamese power station against determined enemy fire, for which he earned a Silver Star; and
WHEREAS, after the war, Captain Powell served as Commanding Officer of a carrier group and Commanding Officer of the USS Austin and USS Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished military career, Captain Powell earned the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 24 Air Medals, and five Navy Commendation Medals; and
WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement from military service in 1978, Captain Powell diligently supported the United States Naval Academy, assisting with fundraisers and attending many reunions and class functions; and
WHEREAS, Captain Powell will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 62 years, Mary; children, James III, Les, Lindsey, John, and Frances, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow soldiers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.); and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.) as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 907
WHEREAS, Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.), a decorated war hero who flew more than 200 combat missions during the Vietnam War and a respected member of the McLean community, died on January 11, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Captain Powell graduated from Flushing High School and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy; after graduating in 1950, he attended flight school in Florida and Texas and was assigned to Naval Air Station Miramar; and
WHEREAS, Captain Powell earned a reputation as a skilled and dedicated pilot; he took command of VA-144 attack squadron in 1966 and planned and led 211 combat missions over Vietnam, including a strike on a North Vietnamese power station against determined enemy fire, for which he earned a Silver Star; and
WHEREAS, after the war, Captain Powell served as commanding officer of a carrier group and commanding officer of the USS Austin and USS Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished military career, Captain Powell earned the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 24 Air Medals, and five Navy Commendation Medals; and
WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement from military service in 1978, Captain Powell diligently supported the United States Naval Academy, assisting with fundraisers and attending many reunions and class functions; and
WHEREAS, Captain Powell will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 62 years, Mary; children, James III, Lesley, Lindsey, John, and Frances, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow soldiers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.); and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Captain James Richard Powell, Jr., USN (Ret.) as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.