Vice Admiral Richard C. "Sweetpea" Allen, United States Navy (Retired), 69, of Weems, VA transferred to eternal life on May 24, 2009. A native of Wisconsin, he entered naval service in 1959 as a Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD). He served as a carrier based A4 Skyhawk and A6 Intruder jet pilot until 1971 when deteriorating eyesight forced re-designation as a Naval Flight Officer and transition to bombardier navigator in the Intruder. He saw Vietnam combat service in 67/68, served in 5 aviation squadrons, several staff assignments, and six commands including: VA-85; Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6); USS Detroit (AOE-4); USS America (CV-66); Carrier Group Six (CCG-6); and Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He was the first Naval Flight Officer to serve as a Carrier Air Wing Commander. Awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (x3), Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, National Defense Medal, Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, and several other campaign and unit awards. In addition, he received the East Coast Intruder of the Year award in 1972 and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership in 1986 as commanding officer of USS America. He retired from the Navy in 1996.
