RADM L. Richard "Moose" Myers, USN (Ret.), Golden Eagle

Dear Golden Eagles,

It is my sad duty to inform you that Rear Admiral L. Richard “Moose” Myers, USN, (Ret.) made his last take off on 15 November 2016 with his family by his side.

Moose was born in Sanger, California on 31 March 1932. He attended Sanger High School where he played baseball and was on the team that won the “Valley Championship” in 1950. He was later inducted into the “Fresno Athletics Hall of Fame.” He and Ann were married 64 years ago, in 1952, while attending Fresno State college where Moose earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Economics in 1954. 

Moose went through Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida, and Kingsville, Texas, from March 1956 through June 1956. His first Fleet assignment was VF-142, the Fighting Falcons, operating out of Miramar and deploying aboard the USS Ranger and USS Oriskany.

From January 1961 to January 1964 Moose was assigned to VF-124 at Miramar and then transferred to Carrier Division NINE, NAS North Island. In 1965-66 he attended the Naval War College, Newport, Road Island, and after school, returned to Miramar in VF-51 and later in VF-121 through June 1969. Moose shot down a MiG-21 in aerial combat over Vietnam on 26 June 1968.

Moose transferred to the East Coast to take Command of VF-33, NAS Oceana, Virginia, from July 1969 through June 1971. After command, he attended the Naval War College, Newport, Road Island, and was then assigned to Fighter Wing ONE from June through September 1972. From October 1972 through June 1974, Moose was Commander Carrier Air Wing -17 (CAG-17) at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, and aboard USS Forrestal. He then took Command of Fighter Wing ONE, NAS Oceana from June 1974 through August 1975.

After three months of Black Shoe Ship Training, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Moose took Command of USS Truckee (AO-47), Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia, from January 1976 through May 1977. In June 1977 he was assigned as Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.

Moose attended Aircraft Carrier Ship Operational Material Readiness Schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Norfolk, Virginia, before assuming command of USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), Norfolk, Virginia, a command he held from November 1978 through June 1980.

In 1980 and 1981 Moose was Commander Naval Striking Support Force-Southern Europe. He completed his Naval career as Commander, Naval District Washington, D.C., and retired after 28 years of distinguished service on 31 August 1982.

Moose flew over 2,900 hours in the F-8, 5,700 hours in tactical aircraft, and had 1,267 carrier landings. He was awarded the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Following retirement from the Navy, Moose was active in the Grace Commission, a Ronald Reagan private sector study looking into Government waste. He also was Chairman of the Board of the Neilson Construction Company, San Diego.

Moose built and operated “Shaver Lake Youth Camp,” a no-cost camp for children. He was active in the church beginning with Youth Ministry while in high school, and he continued his faith throughout his life, becoming an Ordained Elder.

Moose loved hanging out with family and was active in golf, hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing. He also was skilled in woodwork and built furniture. He also enjoyed farming his avocado and eucalyptus groves in Valley Center, California.

He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughters Susi Heath and her husband Scott, Beth Ann Murray and her husband T.J., and his son Michael and four grandchildren, Christopher McConnell, Elizabeth Ellis, Dr. Coleman Murray, and Rebecca Heath.

There will be a memorial service on 12 December 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sunrise Christian Fellowship, 463 Stagecoach Lane, Fallbrook, California.
Rear Admiral Myers will be interred at the Miramar National Cemetery at 2:00 PM on 12 December with full military honors. Attendees are asked to arrive by 1:30 PM.

Moose Myers was an outstanding pilot, leader, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed.

In sadness,
Howard DeCastro, Pilot