Wendy Powell and his wife of 43 years, Fran, grew up as across-the-street childhood friends, then high school sweethearts in Swainsboro, Georgia.  They shared his highly successful aviation career until he retired as a captain to Saint Augustine, where Fran still resides.   Wendy’s j.o. assignments were in attack aircraft, starting with VAH-9 and the venerable A3-D aboard SARATOGA, and VAH-1 aboard INDEPENDENCE.  After receiving an MS in OpsAnalysis at Monterey, he completed many flights over Vietnam with VQ-1 out of Atsugi, Japan, earning 13 Air Medals.  Following a tour with VX-5 at China Lake, Wendy began an AEDO career in which his significant contributions to that community at NADC Johnsville, NATSF Philadelphia, NARF Norfolk, and as BuPers AED detailer earned him major command as CO NARF Jacksonville.  At Jax, his command earned ChiefNavMat’s Productivity Excellence Award, and Wendy the Legion of Merit.

Post-Navy, Wendy was Human Resources Director at Grumman Aerospace in Saint Augustine until his retirement there in 1998.  Besides his family, his passions were golf, woodworking, and service to his church and community.   The accompanying photo shows Midshipman Powell with 21st Company mates Jerry O’Connell, Earl McCullers, and Carroll Franklin. Wendy died on 8 September 1999 after a sudden and unexpected illness.  His memory is honored by Fran, son Jeff, daughter Candler, and a host of civilian and Navy friends, especially his ’56 classmates.