November 22, 2003 Bancroft Hall

Distinguished Graduates

Award Dinner

The United States Naval Academy has a proud tradition of graduating

leaders of great character—men and women who possess the “true north

principles” of honor, courage and commitment.

From this field of superior leaders, a handful of graduates of distinction

are chosen annually to receive the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

Distinguished Graduate Award.

Through their lives and careers, these individuals define the vision and

values of the United States Naval Academy. They are shining examples of

the Academy’s mission: to develop leaders for service to the Nation, the naval

service, and the Naval Academy.

Appropriately, recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award are selected

based on character, distinguished military and civilian service, and stature—

qualities the Naval Academy strives to imbue in each of its graduates.

Like those that have come before, this year’s class of honorees has led by

example, commanding respect from all who know them. The Naval Academy

and the Alumni Association honor these four men and the principles they

stand for—tonight, and always.

Honoring

Distinguished Graduates

Award Dinner

November 22, 2003Bancroft Hall

6:30 p.m.

Ambassador William H.G. FitzGerald Class of 1931

Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (Ret.) Class of 1935

Rear Admiral Robert W. McNitt, USN (Ret.) Class of 1938

Vice Admiral William D. Houser, USN (Ret.) Class of 1942

The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and United States Naval Academy

These four Distinguished Graduates matriculated from the Naval Academy in different times, but took with them the same lessons

and values of honor, courage and commitment. For the United States Naval Academy, the Brigade of Midshipmen and all alumni, they serve as superior role models and leaders who have provided a lifetime of service to the Na-tion, the Navy and the United States Naval Academy. These men are truly Distinguished Graduates and are so honored by the U.S. Naval Academy

Alumni Association and the Naval Academy.

Ambassador William H.G. FitzGerald, ’31

Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (Ret.), ’35

Rear Admiral Robert W. McNitt, USN (Ret.), ’38

Vice Admiral William D. Houser, USN (Ret.), ’42

ProgramBancroft Hall

November 22, 2003

Awards Presentation, Memorial Hall6:30 p.m.

Introduction of Distinguished Graduates for 2003

Presentation of the Colors

The National Anthem

Introduction by George P. Watt, Jr., ’73 Captain, USNR (Ret.)

President and CEO U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation

Remarks by Distinguished Graduates of 2003

Reception, Rotunda7:15 p.m.

refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres

Call to Dinner Brigade of Midshipman Pipes and Drums

Dinner, Smoke Hall8 p.m.

Invocation

Welcome and Remarks Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, USN

Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy

Distinguished Graduate Award Dinner

Performance by U.S. Naval Academy Gospel Choir

Benediction

Navy Blue and Gold Performed by the

U.S. Naval Academy Gospel Choir

Distinguished Graduate Award—2003 Ambassador William H.G. FitzGerald

William H.G. FitzGerald

Class of 1931Class of 19 31

William FitzGerald was born in Boston, and as a youth in the bustling 1920s,

set his sights on the U.S. Naval Academy. Arriving in 1927, as a member of the Class of 1931, William, known as “Fitz,” “Biddy” or “Bill” to his classmates, won the friendship and respect of his peers. The Lucky Bag recalls his spellbinding storytelling abilities and described him as a “man whose idiosyncrasies are as numerous as his talents.”

At the Academy, William excelled at sports, especially baseball—and was known for his power hitting. After graduation, Ensign FitzGerald planned for a career in submarines—but a routine eye test disqualified him from continued naval service, and he found himself “retired” at age 24. The Navy’s loss was the business world’s gain.

As a midshipman, he had invested his “nest egg” in the stock market after Wall Street’s great crash, producing a nice return as the market slowly recovered. William attended Harvard but left early to pursue his strong interest in the field of investment banking.

In the midst of his budding business career, World War II broke out and William returned to the Navy for the duration of the war. During that time, he married Annelise Petschek, on July 2, 1943.

After the war, William started a company that helped rebuild Europe under the Marshall Plan. He organized the Metallizing Research and Development Company and served as Chairman of National Metallizing Corporation. With his knowledge of business and foreign affairs, William was tapped for a post in the State Department during the Eisenhower Administration and many presidents since have sought his counsel.

In 1992 he was appointed United States Ambassador to Ireland. Despite his many honors, William says his proudest achievement is his extensive work with young people. He has established scholarship and sports programs for inner city youth. At his Alma Mater, he has established the FitzGerald Scholar Program, to send select midshipmen to Oxford University for two years following graduation.

Family has remained the highest priority for William FitzGerald. He and Annelise raised two children—Desmond and Anne, and they have five grandchildren.

Distinguished Graduate Award—2003

Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (Ret.)Eugene B. Fluckey

Class of 1935Class of 19 35

Eugene B. Fluckey was born in Washington, D.C., near the heart of his country’s seat of government. From an early age he was determined to serve his country, and

entered the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1935.

At the U.S. Naval Academy he excelled in athletics—he always seemed to have several athletic uniforms in his closet. The Lucky Bag recalled that Gene, as he was known, was an excellent roommate because he could always be depended on to supply good books and great conversation.

After graduation, Ensign Fluckey served in both surface ships and submarines, and qualified for submarine command as World War Two loomed. During the early part of the war he served in the USS Bonita. After additional training at Annapolis and New London, Connecticut, he returned to the Pacific and took command of the USS Barb. What followed was a legendary performance as he completed five incredible war patrols. Under his command, the Barb sank more tonnage than any other U.S. submarine in World War II.

In January 1945, in Namquan Harbor on the coast of China, Commander Fluckey and his crew launched a daring and devastating attack on more than 30 enemy ships, earning him the Congressional Medal of Honor. For his patrols in Barb, Admiral Fluckey was also awarded four Navy Crosses, a feat unequaled by any living American.

Later, Admiral Fluckey returned to his hometown, working directly with the Secretary of the Navy, and then serving as personal aide to Chief of Naval Operations Chester Nimitz. He returned to submarines, commanding Submarine Division 52, submarine tender USS Sperry, and Submarine Squadron 5, among other assignments.

In 1956 Gene was assigned as head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy. During that tour he also spearheaded the campaign to raise 2.2 million dollars to build the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium—a highly successful campaign, which realized its goal before construction began.

Promoted to Rear Admiral in 1960, Gene took command of Amphibious Group 4. He later commanded the South Atlantic Amity Force, the Shipyard appraisal group, and Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Back in Washington he served as President of the Board of Inspections and Survey and as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations/Director of Naval Intelligence. Admiral Fluckey then served in Lisbon as the NATO Commander of the Iberian Atlantic Group, from which he retired in 1972.

Reflecting back on his distinguished career, Gene says his most significant accomplishment was that no one under his command ever received a purple heart. In retirement, Gene remains actively involved with his alma mater, and sponsors the Barb Trophy, presented each year to the winner of the varsity squash tournament.

Gene and Margaret live in Annapolis and enjoy spending time with their

Robert W. McNittDistinguished Graduate Award—2003

Rear Admiral Robert W. McNitt, USN (Ret.)

Class of 1938Robert W. McNitt was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and, as a young

man, decided on a naval career. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1938.

At the Academy, Bob, or Robespierre, as he was known to classmates, was a dedicated sailing enthusiast who delighted in sharing his repertoire of sea-going lore. The Lucky Bag recalled that he often helped classmates with academics, and would “share his last apple or pipe full of tobacco.”

Commissioned as an Ensign in June 1938, Bob spent a year in the cruiser USS Chicago before joining USS Rhind, serving as engineering officer when World War II broke out. He was assigned executive officer of the submarine USS Barb. During five war patrols in the Atlantic and Pacific, Barb sank 80,000 tons of shipping.

After a stint at the Naval Postgraduate School, Bob was assigned as Gunnery Officer of the aircraft carrier Midway. After an assignment to the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in White Oak, Maryland, Bob took command of the destroyer USS Taylor during the Korean War.

Following the war, Bob held an assignment at the Bureau of Ordnance, commanded Destroyer Division 322 and Destroyer Squadron 25—and served as Commanding Officer and Director of the Atlantic Fleet anti-submarine warfare tactical school. After a stop at Annapolis, as his Alma Mater’s Secretary of the Academic Board, Bob was promoted to Rear Admiral and assigned to the NATO staff.

He served as Superintendent of the Naval Post Graduate School and Director of the Navy Management Systems Center. Before retiring from active duty, Bob was Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, responsible for the Navy’s manpower requirements.

Although retired, Bob remained active. He returned to the Naval Academy as Senior Professor and Dean of Admissions from 1972 to 1985. Next, he served as President of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, organizing the capital campaign that built Alumni Hall. He maintains a lifelong passion for sailing and ocean racing, and has been a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts. He is also a Gold Medalist in the Senior Olympics for race-walking, slalom, and giant slalom.

Bob and his wife, Patricia, live in Annapolis and love spending time with their eight children and their families.

Class of 19 38

William D. HouserVice Admiral William D. Houser, USN (Ret.)

Distinguished Graduate Award—2003

Class of 1942Class of 19 42

William Houser grew up in sunny Miami, where his natural leadership skills

took root. He was president of his high school class for three years, and entered the U.S. Naval Academy at the tender age of 16.

Though younger than his classmates, Bill more than compensated with his toughness, hard work and enthusiasm. The Lucky Bag summed it up with “Gangway there! Here comes Bill!” While at the Naval Academy, Bill ran cross-country and track, and was known for his polished manner and ability to cheer up his classmates.

After Pearl Harbor, Bill and his 1942 classmates were graduated in December 1941, and went to war. He spent three years in USS Nashville as a gunnery and deck officer during the Pacific war. Using the new tool of radar, Nashville escorted the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to launch the Doolittle raid over Tokyo on April 18th 1942. In December 1944, then-Lieutenant Houser survived a kamikaze attack on Nashville that killed 131 and wounded 180 of his shipmates.

After the war, Bill was designated a naval aviator, and served in a new post-war organization, the Joint Navy/Air Force Intelligence Division for strategic atomic bombing. In March 1946, Bill married Betty Lou Worrall, a former Wave. The two met while he was in pilot training and she was serving at Corpus Christi Naval Base for the doctor from Nashville.

During the Korean War, Bill commanded Fighter Squadron 44, flying F4U-4s. As commander of Fighter Squadron 124, Bill helped prepare some of the Navy’s best pilots for the Navy’s newest fighter in action in Vietnam. Soon, he was there himself, serving as Commanding Officer of USS Constellation in 1966—his toughest but most rewarding year of naval service.

Bill quickly moved higher through the chain of command, making important contributions all along the way. As Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Air Warfare, Vice Admiral Houser personally blocked the termination of the F-14 fighter by the Congress and Department of Defense.

Since retirement in 1976, Bill has remained active in defense and business affairs. He directed the installation of the first satellite system in the United States for broadcasting television and radio.

Bill also remains an active supporter of the Navy and Naval Academy, spearheading efforts to erect a monument to the Battle of Midway at the Academy and organizing efforts to annually commemorate the key battle throughout the Navy. He also sponsored two videos profiling examples of Naval leadership from the Revolutionary War to the conquest of space.

Bill is the proud father of three daughters, Cynthia, Gayle and Francie, and has six grandchildren. He and his bride, Jan, reside in Arlington, Virginia.

Distinguished Graduate Award

This is the fifth year the Distinguished

Graduate Awards have been presented. The

2003 selection committee was chaired by Admiral

Kinnaird R. McKee, USN (Ret.), Class of 1951.

Past Awardees

1999: Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN (Ret.), ’33

2000: Dr. John J. McMullen, ’40; Admiral James L. Holloway III,

USN (Ret.), ’43; Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence, USN (Ret.), ’51;

Major General William A. Anders, USAFR (Ret.), ’55; Mr. Roger T.

Staubach, ’65

2001: Captain John W. Crawford, Jr., USN (Ret.), ’42; Admiral Wil-

liam J. Crowe, Jr., USN (Ret.), ’47; Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale,

USN (Ret.), ’47; Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.), ’49; Captain

James A. Lovell, USN (Ret.), ’52

2002: Vice Admiral Charles S. Minter, Jr., USN (Ret.), ’37; The

Honorable James E. Carter, Jr., ’47; Admiral Carlisle A.H. Trost, USN

(Ret.), ’53; Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC (Ret.), ’62

Distinguished Graduate Award History

Nominating Criteria In order to be nominated as a distinguished graduate, candidates

must be living graduates who have:

✦ Demonstrated a strong interest in supporting the Navy and the U.S. Naval Academy;

✦ Provided a lifetime of service to the Nation or armed forces;

✦ Made significant and distinguished contributions to the Na-tion via their public service;

✦ Character, distinguished military and civilian service, and stat-ure that draw a wholesome comparison to the qualities that the United States Naval Academy strives for in keeping with values of honor, courage and commitment and “through knowledge, sea power.”

The award will not be given to individuals who occupy or who are

candidates for elective office, or who are still on active duty.

Distinguished Graduate Award—1999

Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN (Ret.) Class of 1933

Distinguished Graduate Award—2000

Dr. John J. McMullen Class of 1940

Admiral James L. Holloway III, USN (Ret.) Class of 1943

Admiral William P. Lawrence, USN (Ret.) Class of 1951

Mr. Roger T. Staubach Class of 1965

Major General William A. Anders, USAFR (Ret.) Class of 1955

Captain James A. Lovell, USN (Ret.) Class of 1952

Distinguished Graduate Award—2001

Captain John W. Crawford, Jr., USN (Ret.) Class of 1942

Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (Ret.) Class of 1947

Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, USN (Ret.) Class of 1947

Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.) Class of 1949

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”

—President Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The arts of leadership and discipline are synonymous. No man is worth his salt without self-discipline.”

—Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. Class of 1931

Distinguished Graduate Award—2002

Vice Admiral Charles S. Minter, Jr., USN (Ret.) Class of 1937

The Honorable James E. Carter, Jr. Class of 1947

Admiral Carlisle A.H. Trost, USN (Ret.) Class of 1953

Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC (Ret.) Class of 1962

“The history and tradition of the United States Naval Academy have been built by the contributions, deeds and lives of its remarkable graduates. This year’s recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award are truly cornerstones in the living legacy of the Naval Academy. They serve as beacons of accomplishment and service for our midshipmen and are the veritable “Six Stripers” of the extended Brigade of alumni.”

—George P. Watt Jr., President and CEO U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation

“Distinguished Graduates are the living embodiment of what we strive to achieve in the United States Naval Academy’s Mission: to achieve the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty and assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. Our four newest Distinguished Graduates join their 15 predecessors in setting an example for our midshipmen. Each of them serves as a beacon, lighting the way for our midshipmen as they begin to chart their naval careers. We salute them.”

—Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, U.S. Navy Superintendent, U. S. Naval Academy

Cover design courtesy of Empire Video, Inc. Springfield, VA

Brochure design by USNA Publications Office

“The history and tradition of the United States Naval Academy have been built by the contributions, deeds and lives of its remarkable graduates. This year’s recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award are truly cornerstones in the living legacy of the Naval Academy. They serve as beacons of accomplishment and service for our midshipmen and are the veritable “Six Stripers” of the extended Brigade of alumni.”

—George P. Watt Jr., President and CEO U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation

“Distinguished Graduates are the living embodiment of what we strive to achieve in the United States Naval Academy’s Mission: to achieve the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty and assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. Our four newest Distinguished Graduates join their 15 predecessors in setting an example for our midshipmen. Each of them serves as a beacon, lighting the way for our midshipmen as they begin to chart their naval careers. We salute them.”

—Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, U.S. Navy Superintendent, U. S. Naval Academy