VA-82 Reunion Roster

VA-82 Reunion
Circa 1972

(Updated November 19th, 2021)
Recent changes in red

VA-82 Officers March 1972 (Beginning of Vietnam Deployment)

Back row (left to right): Gunner Young, Phil Morris, Tom Weiland , Steve Mussleman, Bob Corey, Craig "Crash" Landon, Ray Thomas, Marv Baldwin, Jim Kuzmick,
Ron Brooks, Jim Brister, Nick Nickens, Hal Garrett
Front Row (Left to right): Jim "Rock" Yeager, Gary Tabbert, Bruce Page, Bo Smith, Don Sumner (XO), Tom Scott (CO), Snuffy Smith, Al Miller, Charlie Sapp

Jerry Breast is not pictured here as he had not reported as XO yet. Ed Walsh is not pictured here as he had left the squadron.

VA-82 Officers January 1973 (End of Vietnam Deployment)

Back rows (left to right): Gary Tabbert, John Young, Nick Nickens, Terry Ede, Jim Brister, Steve Harper (?), Marv Baldwin, Crash Landon,
Jim Kuzmick, Jim Yeager, Jack Womack, Bob Corey, Ray Thomas, Denny Bergo, Ron Brooks, Dan Ryder, Hal Garrett, Ens Strain (AIO)
Front Row (left to right): Snuffy Smith, Don Sumner (CO), Jerry Breast (XO), Frank Gerwe, Charlie Sapp

Note: Tom Scott left the squadron when relieved as CO September 2nd in Cubi Point, Steve Mussleman was shot down September 10th (KIA) in the vicinity of Phu Ly during Operation Linebacker 1, I left the squadron in early December inport Cubi, Tom Weiland was shot down December20th (POW) flying an Iron Hand mission in support of B-52 strikes during the early stages of Linebacker 2, Phil Morris left the squadron sometime at the end of the cruise.

I did not have the January, 1973 picture of the squadron officers when I was writing the 1972 chapter of my memoir. I did not remember Steve Harper, Jack Womack, Denny Bergo, and Ensign Strain while working on my memoir so did not attempt to contact them about the reunion.
Ray Thomas found the January 1973 picture just before the reunion and forwarded it to me.

I would appreciate it if anyone knows the contact information for Steve, Jack, Denny, and Ensign Strain would forward it me so that I can include them.

Reunion Details

VA-82 Reunion Circa 1972

November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2021

We had seven rooms reserved at the Casa Monica (14 people).

The Casa Monica Hotel is the white building upper center. The area circled to the right of the Casa Monica is the Old Inn and Restaurant (site of Thursday night dinner). The building to the right of the circle is The Lightner Museum. The red roofed building at the botom of the picture is Flagler College.

Schedule of Events and Pictures

It was a great time getting to know each other and our wives after almost fifty years. We missed those who were not able to come or decided not to come.
There was some recounting of the 1972 Vietnam deployment, But, most of the time was spent just enjoying each others' company.

I hope that those who attended or who have checked out his website are motivated to stay in touch.
I would appreciate those of you who have not completed the information in your profiles below will do so.

I will be working on an updates of my Memoir chapters about my time in VA-82. I am grateful that some of you have provided pictures and descriptions of events that have helped in writing my memoir. But, I would welcome any pictures or stories that others of you may have so that I can work them in to the historical aspects of the memoir.
I am particularly interested in any copies of award recommendations that provide the date, target and description of the event. Being able to insert these events adds significantly to the chronological history our Vietnam deployment.

VA-82 (A7C Corsair II) 1972: USS America CVA-66; Yankee Station

Tuesday, November 9th:

Left to Right: Jerri Walsh, Bo Smith, Jim Kuzmick,
Snuffy Smith, Byrd Breast, Jerry Breast, Ray Thomas,
Judy Kuzmick, Ed Walsh, Diana Smith

1800/200- Happy Hour/Dinner
Casa Monica Bar

Note: Dottie Smith and Debbie Thomas were "resting" when the picture was taken.

Wednesday, November 10th:

Freedom Schooner Cruise- 1315-1515: Schooner Freedom Charters

Heading out from the Bridge of Lions (1330)	Heading back through the Bridge of Lions (1500)
Left to Right: Byrd Breast, Jerry Breast, Jim Kuzmick	Left to Right: Ed Walsh, Jerri Walsh, Diana Smith

Note: Ray Thomas is hidden behind Ed Walsh in the picture on the right.Bo Smith is taking the picture

Transportation:

Transportation to and from events for those who wanted it was provided by Explorer Transportation at $5.00 per person per trip

Columbia Restaurant Dinner

Frank Gerwe made a reservation at the Columbia Restaurant and invited fellow Marauders to join him. The Columbia Restaurant:

Left to Right: Nancy Gerwe, Jerry Breast, Byrd Breast,
Dottie Smith, Snuffy Smith, Bo Smith, Jerri Walsh,
Ed Walsh, Judy Kuzmick, Jim Kuzmick, Frank Gerwe

Left to Right: Jerry Breast,Ed Walsh, Jerry Walsh,
Bo Smith, Nancy Gerwe, Frank Gerwe, Dottie Smith,
Jim Kuzmick, Judy Kuzmick, Byrd Breast, Snuffy Smith

Thursday, November 11th:

1900- The official dinner of the reunion was held at The Old City Inn and Restaurant . This used to be a carriage house for a large estate in the late 19th century. It is now a small inn (about 6 rooms) and an excellent very small restaurant. It is located at 115 Cordova Street which is about 1/2 a block from the front door of the Casa Monica.

The Old City House Inn and Restaurant

This is the only picture of everyone who participated in the reunion.

Left to Right: Diana Smith, Bo Smith, Jim Kuzmick, Judy Kuzmick, Dottie Smith, Snuffy Smith, Frank Gerwe, Jerry Breast, Byrd Breast,
Nancy Gerwe, Ed Walsh, Jerri Walsh, Ray Thomas, Debbie Thomas

Left to Right: Ed Walsh, Jerry Breast, Snuffy Smith, Bo Smith,
Frank Gerwe, Ray Thomas, Jim Kuzmick

Ray Thomas made up this beautiful copy of a picture of one of our A7Cs which was posted at the head of or table in the dinning area.

Friday, November 12th:

0700-1100- Breakfast at the Casa Monica Restaurant
1100- Check out of the Casa Monica

Marauder Profiles

Marauders Attending the Reunion

Executive Officer: Jerry Breast RADM USN Ret.
Checked in as Executive Officer in September 1972

Jerry "J Felter" Breast

Jerry relieved Don Sumner as CO of VA-82 in 1973

Images from Golden Eagles Website (Image on the left colorized by Ray Thomas)

Jerry's wife's name is Byrd

Contact Information: email: vkbjcb@aol.com, phone: (615) 331-2360

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:
VA-66 (1959-1963), USS Intrepid and USS Enterprise- two deployments each
VX-5 China Lake (1964-1967) Walleye test
VSA-163 USS Oriskany (1967) A4D * Vietnam ; USS Oriskany (1968-1970) *Vietnam
Navy Test Pilot Patuxent River (1969-1972)

Navy after VA-82:
USS America OPS/XO (1975-1977)
USS Savannah OR-4 CO (1979-1981)
USS Independence CV-62 CO (1981-1983)
Commander Carrier Group 2 USS Coral Sea (1985-1987)
US Space Command Operations (1987-1990)
Retired with the rank of Rear Admiral USN

Post Navy:

Operations Officer: Leighton "Snuffy" Smith ADM USN Ret
Snuffy was the Operations Officer for the entire deployment

"Snuffy" Smith

Admiral"Snuffy" Smith and Dottie

Images from Golden Eagles Website

Contact Information: email: Lsmith9811@aol.com, phone: (703) 626-0069

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:
VA-81 (1965-1966) *Operation Rolling Thunder, North Vietnam
VA-22 (1966-1968) *Operation Rolling Thunder, North Vietnam
NAVPRO Dallas, Production Test Pilot A7C/D/E (1968-1970)

Navy after VA-82: VA-86 CO (1975-1977), CAG-15 (1977-1978)
Commander Light Attack Wing One (1980-1981)
USS Kalamazoo AOR-6 CO (1983-1984)
USS America CV-66 CO (1984-1985)
Commander Battle Group Six (1988-1989)
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and
Commander in Chief Allied Forces South (April 1994-July 1996)
Concurrently Commander of NATO led Implementation Force (IFOR) from December 1995 until July 1996- Directed NATO air strikes in support of UN forces in Bosnia

Snuffy was presented with several prestigious award toward the end of his Naval career:
Honorary Knight of the British Empire (KBE)- 1996
"Tailhooker of the Year"-1997; Selected into the "Golden Eagles"-1997
Apppointed to USNA Board of Visitors by President Bush (41)
Named USNA "Distinguished Graduate" -2007
Retired with the rank of Admiral (four stars) USN

Post Navy:
Snuffy did mostly consulting work for the Defense industry after leaving the Navy. He started Leighton Smith Associates (LSA) in 1996 and was a partner in another startup company called Global Perspectives (GP). He got very busy with his company, LSA, and with consulting work with the Applied Physics Lab. He became so busy with "LSA" and with speaking engagements that he had to disassociate himself from "GP". He also sat on several Boards, none of the "big ones" but enough to make life interesting.
He decided to devote about 30% of his time to "non profit" groups so he joined the Board of Trustees at the Naval Aviation Museum and the US Naval Academy and became Chairman of both.

* Perhaps most important, Snuffy scored a "Hole in One" and shot his age (80)- November 2019

Maintenance Officer: Robert S. "Bo" Smith Capt USN Ret.
Departed in early December for change of duty at the Royal Air Force Staff College in Bracknell, England

Bo Smith as CO of VA-174 in 1980

Bo and Diana in 2019

Contact Information: Email: bo_smith@bellsouth.net IPhone: (904) 708-9186
Address: 2484 Egrets Glade Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: 1966 VA-15 (A4), 1967 VA-15 (A4) 203 combat missions, USAF Exchange AT-33/F-105 Instructor Pilot (23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas

Navy after VA-82: Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell England; COMNAVAIRLANT (A7 Class Desk and Aide and Flag Lt), XO/CO VA-15 (A7E) USS America Med cruise, COMTHIRDFLT (Hawaii); CO VA-174 (500th trap USS America), Interim CO FACSFACJAX, XO USS Saratoga CV-60, Med cruise, CO USS Austin (LPD-4) two Med deployments, one North Atlantic/Exercise Northern Wedding deployment, Chief of Staff COMCRUDESGRUTWELVE USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) Med deployment, Operations Officer CONFAIRWESTPAC (TAD Desert Shield).
Retired July 31st, 1991 with the rank of Captain USN

Post Navy: Science Educator, Earth/Space Science, Oceanography Grant Projects: Satellite Meteorology with FSU; Project CERES with Montana State Univ (Mars science activities); Program Manager, Protein Crystals in Space (Space Shuttle/Space Station), Florida Space Research Institute (Aerospace Mentor); Retired 5/2007

Owner/Operator, Bo's Mine Tours (Blue Ridge Mountains) and Bo's Jewelry (Jacksonville); Bo's Website

Frank Gerwe

Frank Gerwe

Frank and Nancy

Contact Information: email: gerwe@bellsouth.net Phone: Mobile (904) 391-0504; Home (904) 264-2269

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy after VA-82:

Post Navy: INI Realty Investments

Bruce Page
Bruce and Terry had hoped to be able to attend the reunion. But, unfortunately Bruce developed a serious bout of shingles and they were unable to attend.

Bruce Page

Bruce and Terry Page

Contact Information: Email: a1spad@aol.com Phone cell: (904) 476-6650 Home: (904) 388-3402
Address: 1410 Windsor Place Jacksonville, Fl 32205

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: Bruce's first squadron was VA-145, a west coast Spad squadron. He completed 145 combat missions during the Ranger's 1966 and Intrepid's 1967 Vietnam deployments.
His next tour before coming to VA-82 was VT-4 in Pensacola where he taught guns and CQ (1968-1969).

Navy after VA-82: After VA-82, Bruce earned a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Navy's Post Graduate School in Monterey, California (1975). Next he was a "shooter" on the Saratoga (1975-1977) followed by a tour as FRAMP/OPS/XO at VA-174 (1977-1979).

Post Navy: After leaving the Navy, Bruce attended Law School at Florida State University. He practiced law as a litigator and appellate lawyer for 30 years. Bruce and his wife Terry recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have five children, 17 grandchildren, and one great grandson.

Ray Thomas Capt USN Ret.

Ray Thomas

Ray and Debbie

Contact Information: Email: dcag14@verizon.net Mobile Phone: (703) 407-7724
5251 Tallulah Lake Ct Jacksonville, FL 32224

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: Training Command; Recived my Navy Wings March 1980- Beeville, TX, VA-174 June 1970-November 1970

Since VA-82: USAF Exchange pilot Myrtle Beach AFB South Carolina, A7D September 1973-September 1975; Catapult/Arresting Gear Officer and V2 Division Officer, USS Forrestal (CV-59), C-1A Command Pilot, December 1985-December 1977; VA-174, Instructor Pilot/Weapons Training Phase Head, January 1978-June 1980; VA-82 Department Head (OPS)- 2 Med deployments USS Nimitz (CVN-68/CAG 8) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Caribbean deployment (maiden cruise) July 1980-June 1983; Naval War College (student), Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C. August 1983-May 1984, (screened for squadron command-slated to form new squadron VFA-137); F/A 18 Transition NAS Lemoore, CA, June 1984-February 1985; Pre-establishment activities NAS Cecil Field, March 1985-July 1985, CO VFA-137, NAS Cecil Field, USS Coral Sea (CV-43) July 1985 to August 1987; COMNAVAIRLANT, A-7 Readiness Officer, October 1987-December 1989 (screened for Deputy CAG); Replacement Pilot Training: F/A 18 VFA-106, F-14A VF-101, A-6E VA-42, E-2C VAW 121, July 1989-December 1989; DCAG CVW 7/USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), February 1980-January 1981 (1,000th trap trap August, 1980); Senior Naval Representative Operation Desert Storm, Composite Wing One, Incirlik AB, Turkey January 1991-March 1991; COMAVAIRLANT, Executive Assistant (VADMS Jack Ready and Tony Less) April 1991, April 1992 (screened for Senior CAG June 1991; Retired April, 1992 Captain USN

Post Navy: Twenty-one (21) years with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIG), northern Virginia (various locations) October 1992-April 2013, various project management., line management, business development positions. Management Titles: Division Manager, Operations Center Manager, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Corporate Vive President, Director of Business Development. Certified Program Management Professional.

Masters Degree in Engineering Management, George Washington University, 2002

Jim Kuzmick, Colonel USMCR Ret.

Jim Kuzmick

Jim and Judy

Contact Information: email: jim.kuzmick@gmail.com. mobile phone: (703) 581-3007,
10507 Milkweed Dr. Great Falls, VA 22066

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: 1969 graduate of Princeton University. AOCS class 27-69, Navy wings awarded 11 February 1971, Navy recruiter Boston for two months, then VA-174 A7 RAG, joined VA-82 October 1971

Navy after VA-82: After return from 1974 Med cruise reached end of Navy obligated service in late 1974. Started civilian business career in New Jersey while looking for a Navy Reserve flying billet. None were available nearby. Found a USMC reserve A4 squadron at Willow Grove, PA (VMA-131 only 1.5 mile drive from home). VMA-131 was seeking combat experienced pilots. So, I transferred services in 1976 and became Captain Kuzmick USMCR flying A4Es. Flew 1,400 A4E hours and 900 A4M hours through 1991, was XO/CO of VMA-131 (1988-1991), then Code APP-1B (Aviation Plans, Programs, and Budgets) at HQMC. I retired September 1st, 1994 as Colonel UNMCR.

Post Navy/USMC: Returned to Montclair New Jersey, became Production Manager then President of Powder Tech Co, manufacturer of tungsten alloy parts for aircraft and medical devices. (1974-1984). Moved in 1985 to Great Falls, VA looking to start a defense related consulting business. I partnered with USN F-8/F-14, J. Richard "Hotdog" Brown (USNA '62), to build Whitney, Bradley, Brown, Inc (later WBB Consulting). Became President in 2000 after Brown's retirement. I retired as CEO/Chairman in 2010 after sale of WBB to a private equity company. We had grown to over 300 employees of which 90% were retired military officers. Today, WBB is a division of Serco North America and employs over 1,000.

Ed Walsh

Ed and guess who in the background
(Taken at Monaco Grace Kelly reception
during Med cruise- November, 1971)

Ed and his wife Jerri

Eddie Walsh was in VA-82 in 1971 on the Med cruise.

Contact Information: email: ewalsh@sturgusmaterials.com Mobile: (913) 238-2175
Address: Sturgis Rock Solid Solutions, 550 Packard, Kansas City, KS 66105

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy since VA-82:

Post Navy:
Partner in Sturgis Rock Solid Solutions (Marble, Granite, Limestone: Custom Fabrication

VA-82 Officers Not Able to Attend the Reunion

Commanding Officer: Tomas P. Scott Capt USN Ret.
Relieved as CO at a Change of Command in September 1972

Tom and Timmie Scott
Image from Golden Eagles Website

" Stories of One Shot Scott" by T.P. Scott (Amazon)

I was recently successful in making contact with Tom Scott. Unfortunately, Tom and Timmie will not be able to attend the reunion due to heath/travel issues. In the process of exchanging emails, I learned that he had taken notes throughout his Navy career which turned out to be the source of a collection of stories about the Navy which were published as a book, "The Stories of One Shot Scott". There were several stories about his time in VA-82, some of which I added as an update to the two chapters in the VA-82 chapters in my memoir.

I think that everyone would enjoy reading all the stories he selected for his book.

"The Stories of One Shot Scott"

A great collection of sea stories taken from the naval career of Tom Scott Captain USN Ret.

Copyright 2013 by Thomas P. Scott

Create Space 2013
Amazon.com

Contact Information: email- tpscott32@gmail.com, Home phone- (252) 232-2625, mobile (252) 202-7659

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:
USAF Academy (1983-1965)
VA-195 (1965) USS Bonhome Richard * Vietnam
VA-113 (1966-1967) USS Kittyhawk * Vietnam
CTF-77 (1969-1970) USS Constellation/USS Kittyhawk * Vietnam

Navy after VA-82: CAG 17 USS Forrestal (1974-1979), Commanding Officer, USS Coronado LPD-11 (1977-1979), Commanding Officer, USS Peleliu LHA-5 CO (1979-1982), USCINCLANT/CINCLANTFLT J3 Norfolk, (1982-1984), TACWINGSLANT COS (1984-1985) NAS Oceana, Retired Cptain USN

Post Navy:

Executive Officer/Commanding Officer:
Don Sumner Capt USNJ Ret.
Became CO in September 1972

CDR Don Sumner

I was recently successful in making contact with Don's wife Johanna. Unfortunately, don and Johanna will not be able to attend the reunion due to heath/travel issues. In the process of exchanging emails with Johanna to get an ujpdated [picture of Don and Johanna and fill in some of the details in the table below.

Contact Information: email- morbecksumner@comcast.net; mobile phone (Johanna) (713) 825-2634

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy after VA-82:

Post Navy: Captain Sumner lives with his wife Johanna in Houston, Texas

Safety Officer: Charlie Sapp Capt USN Ret.
Charlie checked in after a tour flying the OV-10 in VAL-4 in the Mekong Delta

Charlie and Marcia

Contact Information: email: charsapp43@gmail.com, phone - (850) 776-9481
Pensacola, FL

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:
Charlie received his "Wings of Gold" in March, 1967. He was "plowed back" to VT-3 at Whiting Field as a formation instructor in the T-28. He submitted a request for jet transition in July, 1968 which was denied but he was recommended for and accepted orders as a "plank owner" in VAL-4 flying the OV-10 in the Mekong Delta. He flew his first combat flight on April 11th, 1969; his last on November 27th, 1969 having flown 211 combat missions. After this tour, he was accepted for jet transition and completed A7 transition training at VA-174. He reported to VA-82 during the 1971 cruise to the Med.

Navy after VA-82:

Post Navy:

Dan Ryder (CAG 8 LSO)

Contact Information: email: captdan@sailchannelislands.com

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy after VA-82:

Post Navy:

Gary Tabbert

Contact Information: email: gdtabbert@aol.com mobile: (206) 940-9330
Working at Boeing/California

IPrior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy after VA-82:

After the Navy: Boeing (14 years). Gary has recently retired from Boeing. He and his wife Diana are in the process of moving east to be closer to their son who is a sophomore at the University of Alabama.

Ron Brooks

Ron Brooks

Ron Brooks and Jacki

Contact Information: email: rbbrooks36@gmail.com Mobile (610) 563-0496
26315 Stonewall Lane Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: University of Tampa, Training Command, VA-174

Navy after VA-82:Flight Instructor VT-7, Standardization Officer COMAIRWINGONE, USS Lexington

After the Navy-Flew for Eastern Airlines; B 727, B 757, A 300; US Airways; B 727, DC-9, B737, B 767, A-320; Retired 2006 Flight Safety International, Falcon Manager for five years. Flew Falcon 50, 900, and Gulfstream 550s for six years for private owners. Retired at 72; It was a good run... Had a lot of fun.

Jim "Rock" Yeager

Jim "Rock" Yeager

Contact Information: email: jamesyeager46@gmail.com Mobile: (703) 638-9121
13860 Athens Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32223

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy after VA-82:

Post Navy:

Terry Ede

Terry Ede

Terry and Cheryl

Contact Information: email: terry-ede@outlook.com Mobile (858) 366-5878
5120 Harbour Heights Court, San Diego, CA 92109

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82:

Navy after VA-82:

Post Navy:

Marv Baldwin

Marv Baldwin

Marv and Jean

Contact Information: email captmarvin@gmail.com mobile phone: (720) 339-3329

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: First tour pilot. Joined VA-82 December 1971

Navy after 82: After completing the VA-82 Med cruise from January to August 1974
August 1974-February 1977- VA-174 Instructor/LSO
February 1977-July 1978- CVW-1 LSO on USS Eisenhower and Kennedy flying with VA-146
August 1978- Resigned from the Navy

Post Navy: Joined Continental Airlines flying 727, DC9, MD80, 737NG. Was based in Dallas, Newark, Denver, and Houston Captain Marvin retired from Continental in August 2005

Donnell "Nick" Nickens (Maintenance Material Control Officer)

Nick Nickens

Nick and Lila

Contact Information: email nickandlila6@gmail.com mobile phone: (225) 313-0763

Experience Prior to Reporting to VA-82: Enlisted for 10 years prior to commissioning: AT "A" School; Aviation Electronics Technician in VP_11, Brunswick, Maine; AIMD, NAS Jacksonville; elected for NESEP (Nava;l Enlisted Scientific and Education Program); Naval Prep School in San Diego, CA; University of Mississippi where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree, Commissioned as an Ensign; Aviation Maintenance Officer's School, Millington, Tenn; VA-174 (FRAMP)

Navy after VA-82: AIMD Jacksonville; Maintenance Officer, VRC-50 NAS Cubi Point; Maintenance Officer, VP 30, NAS Jacksonville; Retired May 1981

Post Navy: Adjutant DAV Department of Louisiana; Board of Directors of several corporations; Elected Parish councilman; Owned and operated several businesses and still owns a small beef cattle ranch