JOHN PHILIP "BLACKIE" WEINEL

Admiral Weinel served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

John Philip "Blackie" Weinel, a retired four-star Navy admiral, died Feb. 16, 2004, at Fallbrook Hospital in Fallbrook, Calif., after a short illness. He was 87 and lived in Fallbrook, Calif. 

Adm. Weinel was born and reared in Columbia, Ill. He attended Columbia public schools and enrolled for a year at Illinois State University at Normal. He graduated in 1939 from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. 

He married Annabel Mayhew, also of Columbia, Ill., in 1941.

During WWII he saw action in the Pacific as a Destroyer Officer, on the USS Maury DD-401, an Amphibious Staff Officer and as Executive Staff Officer of a Carrier Squadron.

During the Korean War he was Air Officer on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. During the Vietnam War he was a Rear Admiral and served as a Carrier Division Commander and a Task Group Commander. During his career he commanded Fighter Squadron 14, Fighter Squadron 42, Air Group 5 and 22, USS Great Sitkin (Ammunition Ship) and USS Ticonderoga (Attack Carrier).

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 Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was a graduate of the NATO Defense College and NATO War College.

On 1 August 1970 he was promoted to Vice Admiral and on 2 August 1974 he was promoted to Admiral and assigned as U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) from 1974–77.

Admiral Weinel retired from the Navy in 1977.

Medals and awards include:

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4 Awards)
Legion of Merit (2 Awards)
Air Medals
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

In retirement:

After retiring from the Navy, Weinel lived in Bonsall, CA and was an international champion pigeon racer and breeder.