My Naval Aviation Heroes and Mentors

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Ward walks "The Yard" at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and reminisces about the Naval Aviation legends that became his heroes and mentors from his days as a midshipman through his career at an F-14 Tomcat RIO. Profiles include the following icons:

Vice Admiral Dick Naughton, Tomcat RIO, CO of ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) during a complex overhaul that included replacing all 8 of the nuclear reactors, and Superintendent of the Naval Academy
Senator John McCain, attack pilot who was aboard FORRESTAL during the tragic fire, later shot down over North Vietnam and spent 7 years as a POW, refusing early release
Vice Admiral William Lawrence, fighter pilot and first aviator to reach Mach 2.0 in a Naval aircraft. He was CO of VF-143 when he was shot down and spent six years as a POW. He went on to command the Third Fleet and serve as the Superintendent of the Naval Academy
Vice Admiral James Stockdale, attack pilot shot down over North Vietnam during his tour as air wing commander. His rank made him the senior ranking officer as the POW and he led by example as he endured the worst of the torture his North Vietnamese capture dealt to the American prisoners. He received the Medal of Honor from President Ford for his conduct upon his return to the United States in 1973.