Gentlemen,

It is my sad duty to report that at noon on Sunday, 7 February 2021 Captain Robert J. Naughton, USN (Ret) made his Last Take Off due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. Bob collapsed at home on Saturday  and his wife Peggy was able to quickly get him to the hospital, but nothing could be done. Their son, Tim was with them and will remain to assist Peggy as long as necessary.

Bob grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA, and after graduating from Immaculate Conception High School there, he attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA where he was a member of the varsity basketball team while earning a B.A. degree in Mathematics.
 

He began pre-flight training as an Aviation Officer Candidate in October 1960 at NAS Pensacola, FL, was commissioned an Ensign on 17 February 1961 and began flight training. On 2 September 1961 he interrupted training just long enough to marry the love of his life, Peggy McCarty. He completed Advanced Flight Training in ADs at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, earning his Wings of Gold in February 1962.
 

He was initially assigned to VU-1 based at NAS Barbers Point, HI, flying numerous utility aircraft in support of fleet operations. In August 1964 he was selected for fleet squadron assignment and transferred to VA-125 at NAS Lemoore, CA for A-4 Skyhawk training, completing the Fleet Replacement Pilot training syllabus in just over three months.

In November 1964, with the U.S. becoming fully engaged in the Vietnam War, Bob reported to VA-113, flying the A-4C based at NAS Lemoore. He made his first combat deployment embarked in USS Kitty Hawk from September 1965 to June 1966, flying missions throughout South and North Vietnam.

After a brief five-month turnaround, Bob again deployed with VA-113 in October 1966, this time embarked in USS Enterprise, for his second combat tour, now designated as a combat division leader while still a Lieutenant. Seven months into this deployment, on 18 May 1967, Bob’s A-4C was struck by enemy fire and after a successful ejection he was taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese a few miles north of Than Hoa. Bob spent the next nearly six years as a prisoner of war (POW), held at first in isolation and solely dependent on his own strength of will.
 

He was steadfast in resistance, enduring torture and cruel, harsh treatment and has stated, “I feel the nearly six years spent in personal introspection was my greatest gain. When we POWs say faith sustained us, I am speaking of three types of confidence: first, the assurance that the United States of America valued our lives and would make every effort to retrieve us; secondly, the trust we had in ourselves as a unit; and finally, the inspiration we realized from the man next to us.” Bob’s faith in his country, his family and in God was inspirational to his fellow POWs until they were finally repatriated in Operation Homecoming on 4 March 1973.

Bob was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries and was next assigned to attend the Command and Staff course at the Naval War College, Newport, RI from July 1973 to July 1974. He then spent the next year and a half completing his Master’s Degree at the University of North Florida.

Bob returned to the cockpit in January 1976 at VA-174, the A7E Corsair II Fleet Replacement Squadron based at NAS Cecil Field, FL. Upon completion of the syllabus, and selected for command, then-CDR Bob Naughton reported as Executive Officer to VA-83 in August 1976. Assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked in USS Forrestal, the squadron completed extended workups during his tenure as XO. Bob assumed Command of VA-83 in October 1977 and deployed with USS Forrestal to the U.S. SIXTH Fleet and the Mediterranean Sea from April 1978 to October 1978. During his command tour, the squadron was awarded the Navy-wide Golden Anchor Retention Award, a testament to his leadership and setting a positive command climate.

CDR Naughton completed his tour as Commander, VA-83 in February 1979 and reported as Training Officer, Light Attack Wing, Atlantic where he was selected for “Bonus Command.” In January 1980, he became Commanding Officer of the East Coast A-7 Fleet Replacement Squadron, VA-174 based at NAS Cecil Field, FL, where he served until March 1981.

Bob then attended the Naval War College, Senior Course in Newport RI from April to December 1981, where he won the Secretary of the Navy Award for Best Original Research and was designated a Distinguished Graduate before assuming the role as War Gaming Staff Analyst at the Naval War College until June 1984. It was during this time that he was promoted to Captain and selected for Major Command.

CAPT Bob Naughton became Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Dallas, TX in June 1984 where he served until his retirement from active duty in January 1987. Bob’s remarkable career of over 26 years included inspiring leadership in three command tours and was highlighted by superior airmanship in combat during which, in his own words, he completed “194 ˝” combat missions. Despite enduring six years of cruel punishment as a POW, Bob returned to the cockpit and amassed 3,233 flight hours in AD, A-4 and A-7 aircraft while bagging 550 carrier arrested landings. For his two combat deployments he was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, the Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal and 18 Strike/Flight Air Medals, two Purple Heart Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V", the POW Medal and multiple campaign ribbons, unit commendations and Vietnam Gallantry awards.

“Retirement” was not a plan for Bob Naughton after leaving active duty with the Navy. Remaining in Texas, in May 1989 he joined NASA and became Chief of Aircraft Operations (AOD) at the Johnson Space Center outside of Houston, TX. He directed the efforts of 100 civil servants and 100 contractors to maintain and fly 33 T-38s, four Gulf Stream II Shuttle Training aircraft, the KC-135 Zero-G aircraft, two Shuttle Carrier aircraft, a Guppy and the G-159 aircraft.
 

Bob continued to actively fly in this role as Chief, accumulating 3,205 flight hours in the T-38, KC-135 and G-159 aircraft, bringing his total flight hours to 6,843. In his 15 years as Chief of Aircraft Operations until 2004, the Division remained accident-free while performing maintenance and personnel modernizations for the aging T-38 and performing Depot, Intermediate and Operational level maintenance on the entire fleet of 45 aircraft.

During this second career with NASA, Bob was promoted to Senior Executive Service Level 4 (SES-4) and was Chairman of the NASA-wide Aviation Panel for seven years. He designed and implemented a Zero-G Program for college science students and in 2002 received the GSA Aviation Professional Manager of the Year Award. In addition, he was the recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

After leaving NASA in 2004 Bob became a volunteer prison ministry mentor, sharing his life’s lessons and the power of faith.  He was proud to be awarded the National Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution and to have achieved Life Master in American Contract Bridge.

He and his wife of over 59 years, Peggy, had three children: Kevin, Tim, and Michael.
 

CAPT Robert Naughton was a true gentleman in all respects, a devout Catholic, outstanding Naval Officer and described by those who served with him as an “all around good guy.” He served with honor and integrity under the most trying conditions and led from the cockpit both while wearing the uniform and in civil service.

The family has planned a visitation and wake on Sunday, 14 February 2021 at the Crowder Funeral Home in Webster, TX at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass is planned for 10:30 a.m. the following day, Monday 15 February 2021 at Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, Clear Lake City, TX.

He will be missed.

Jay A. Campbell

Pilot