John P. Weinel
Nickname(s)Blackie
Born(1916-02-23)February 23, 1916
Columbia, Illinois, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2004(2004-02-16) (aged 87)
Fallbrook, California, U.S.
Buried
Saint Paul Evangelical Cemetery, Columbia, Illinois, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1939–1975
RankAdmiral
Commands heldFighter Squadron 14
Fighter Squadron 42
Carrier Air Group 5
Carrier Division 3
USS Great Sitkin (AE-17)
USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14)
Carrier Division 3
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (2)
Air Medal (8)

John Philip Weinel (February 23, 1916 – February 16, 2004) was an admiral in the United States Navy.

Early life

Weinel was born on 1916 in Columbia, Illinois. He attended public schools in Columbia and enrolled for a year at Illinois State University. He graduated in 1939 from the U.S. Naval Academy.[1]

Military career

World War II

Weinel saw action in the Pacific theatre as a Destroyer Officer on the USS Maury (DD-401). After becoming a naval aviator, he served in the Composite Squadron 33 and Fighter Squadron 22, and commanded the Fighter Squadron 14. He also served as an Amphibious Staff Officer and as Executive Staff Officer of Carrier Air Group 5.[1]

Korean War

Weinel served on board the aircraft carrier USS Antietam (CV-36). During the Korean War, he served as an air officer on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45).[1]

Post war

From 1956 to 1957, he served in the Carrier Division 5 and from 1961 to 1962, he commanded the ammunition ship USS Great Sitkin (AE-17). He next commanded the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) from 1963 to 1964. Weinel was assigned to the Navy Command Center in the Pentagon from 1967 to 1969.[1]

Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, Weinel served as the served as the commander of the Carrier Division 3 and a task group commander.[1][2]

Post war

On 1 August 1970, he was promoted to Vice Admiral and on 2 August 1974, he was promoted to Admiral. Weinel served six tours of duty in the Pentagon. His assignments included Director of Political-Military Affairs (Navy), Director of Strategic Plan (Navy), Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Director of Plans for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[1]

From 1974 to 1977, he was a U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee. He retired from military service in 1977.[1]

Later life

Weinel and wife Ann had three children, and several grand and great-grandchildren. After his retirement from the navy, he was an international champion pigeon racer and breeder.[3]

He died in 2004 and was buried at the Saint Paul Evangelical Cemetery in Columbia, Illinois.[4]

Awards and decorations

Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
V
Gold star
V
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Naval Aviator Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal
w/ three 516" Gold Stars
Legion of Merit
w/ Combat "V" and one 516" Gold Star
Air Medal
w/ Combat "V" and Award numeral 8
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
w/ Combat "V"
Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation
w/ one 316" bronze star
Navy Commendation Medal
w/ three 316" bronze stars
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal
w/ one 316" bronze star
American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
w/ four 316" bronze stars
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
w/ 'Japan' clasp
National Defense Service Medal
w/ one 316" Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal
w/ three 316" bronze Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
w/ two 316" bronze Stars
Officer of the National Order of Vietnam
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
w/ Palm
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Republic of Korea War Service Medal

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "TogetherWeServed - ADM John WEINEL". Navy.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  2. "USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)" (PDF). history.navy.mil. 1968-02-24. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  3. "Adm John P. "Blackie" Weinel". Conorado Eagle & Journal. 2004-03-04. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  4. "John Weinel (1916-2004)". We Remember. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
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