John P. Weinel

John P. Weinel
Nickname(s)	Blackie
Born	(1916-02-23)February 23, 1916 Columbia, Illinois, U.S.
Died	February 16, 2004(2004-02-16) (aged 87) Fallbrook, California, U.S.
Buried	Saint Paul Evangelical Cemetery, Columbia, Illinois, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1939–1975
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Fighter 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 / wars	World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Defense 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.

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.

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).

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.

Vietnam War

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

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.

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

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.

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

Awards and decorations

Naval Aviator Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal						Navy Distinguished Service Medal w/ three 5⁄16" Gold Stars
Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" and one 5⁄16" 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 3⁄16" bronze star				Navy Commendation Medal w/ three 3⁄16" bronze stars
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation				China Service Medal				American Defense Service Medal w/ one 3⁄16" bronze star
American Campaign Medal				Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ four 3⁄16" bronze stars				World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal w/ 'Japan' clasp				National Defense Service Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star				Korean Service Medal w/ three 3⁄16" bronze Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal				Vietnam Service Medal w/ two 3⁄16" 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