30-year Naval Officer,
Fighter Pilot and King Neptune VII, departed the pattern on 2 July, 2013. He
passed away at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born October 23,
1932, in Charlotte, NC, son of James B. and Eleni I. Michaels. He attended the
U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1956, completed
flight training in Beeville, Texas, and served as a flight instructor there
before reporting to his first fleet fighter squadron.
He met his wife of 52
years, Effie, while visiting his grandparents in Greece on a port call
from the carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42).
During his 30 year Navy
career, Capt. Michaels attained over 5,000 flight hours and hundreds of carrier
landings in various fighter aircraft, most in the F-4 Phantom, which he flew
for nearly 20 years. His flying tours were with Fighter Squadrons 14, 74, 102,
101, and 103. He completed two combat deployments to Vietnam, served as
Assistant Air Boss on USS Independence and was the Navy’s first F-4 pilot on
exchange duty with the Air Force’s 4453rd Tactical Training Wing. He commanded
the Sluggers of Fighter Squadron 103 and Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana from
1978-80. His staff tours included twice with the Bureau of Naval Personnel and
as Chief of Staff, Cruiser Destroyer Group Eight. He attended Armed Forces
Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was a member
of the Military Officers Association of America and the Association of Naval Aviation.
In 1980, Capt. Michaels
was chosen as King Neptune VII for his efforts in forging a better relationship
between NAS Oceana and the City of Virginia Beach. He also ran for Va. Beach
City Council in the mid-80s.
After retiring from the
Navy in 1982, he became very involved in the city and community. He was
Chairman of the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Board of Directors and Chairman of
the Virginia Beach United Way Advisory Board. He served on the boards of the
Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Beach Mayor’s Base Economic
Study and Transportation Committees, and the Virginia Beach Schools Curriculum
Task Force. He was also a member of the Virginia Beach Rotary Club, serving as
president 1994-95 and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.
Capt. Michaels was an
active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, where he
served on the Parish council, was a member of the Order of AHEPA, and chaired
and emceed the March 25th Greek Independence Day celebration for 13 years. He
was honored as a Father of the Year just this Father’s Day.
He was a true leader,
selflessly devoted to his family, the Navy, and the community. His gentle smile
and encouraging demeanor inspired confidence in everyone he knew and met.
He was pre-deceased by
his parents and his brother, Basil J. Michaels. He is survived by his wife,
Effie; his son Jim Michaels, PhD, daughter-in-law Jean, and grandchildren,
Jacob and Antigone, of Oakland, CA; and son CDR George Michaels, USN and
daughter-in-law Pamela of Virginia Beach along with his sister-in-law Harriet
Michaels of Charlotte, a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on
Wednesday, July 10, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30PM at H.D Oliver Funeral Apartments,
Laskin Road Chapel, and a Trisagion service will be held at 6:30PM. A funeral
service will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 11:00AM at the Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby Street in Norfolk. The Very Reverend
Archimandrite Ambrose Bitziadis-Bowers and Reverend Protopresbyter Constatine
P. Rogakos will officiate. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will occur
at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Capt. Danny
Michaels to the Philoptochos Society Scholarship Fund, Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23505. Condolences may be
expressed to the family at www.hdoliver.com.
