Captain James D. Tregurtha

Captain James D. Tregurtha, long-time Pt. Loma resident of San Diego, CA, and son of the late James D. and Dorothy A. (Clinton) Tregurtha of Bloomfield, New Jersey, passed peacefully on Saturday, January 25th, after 96 years of a wonderful, loving, and adventurist life.

Captain Tregurtha graduated from Cornell University, class of 1950, with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at Cornell he began his naval career through the NROTC Midshipman program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign and sent directly to serve on the destroyer USS Wiltsie (DD-716).

With a love for his country, the sea, and the promising adventures ahead he found his passion and pursued his military service for the next 30 years. His subsequent duty assignments include: USS Hamul (AD-20), Naval Submarine School New London, Groton, Connecticut: USS Becuna (SS 319); Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, Albuquerque, New Mexico; USS Grayback (SSG 574); USS Razorback (SS-394); Commanding officer of USS Rasher (AGSS 269); Staff Commander of SEVENTH fleet; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Staff Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT-ONE.

Captain Tregurtha continued his education at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, where he earned a Master of Science in Business Administration. He thereafter reported to duty in Yokosuka, Japan, and served as Commanding Officer on USS Durham (LKA-114). His later naval career days included a tour as the Commander Amphibious Squadron FIVE, and a second duty as Office of Chief of Naval Operations Director for Amphibious Warfare, where he served as Deputy Director of Ship’s Acquisition Division. His last naval orders brought him back to his beloved city, San Diego, where he served as Chief of Staff to Commander Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific.

Captain Tregurtha served his country through 3 wars beginning with his deployment on USS Wiltsie just as the Korean War began. His 20 years of Silent Service took him through the Cold War period, where there are only hints of what he experienced through new historical non-fiction books. His last war, Vietnam, included his contribution to Operation Frequent Wind, where Captain Tregurtha was commander of Task Group 76.5, Surface Evacuation. Captain Tregurtha was directly responsible for the rescue of 45,000 Vietnamese refugees with no loss of life for both American and Vietnamese persons, no misplaced family members, and no loss of personal belongings.

Captain James Tregurtha's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with one Gold Star, and the Legion of Merit. Although he was personally decorated with honors, he was most proud of the awards and recognitions his crew won under his command. Including the USS Durham’s clean sweep of every Award of Excellence for the Pacific. Including the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Award for the most proficient ship in the fleet, and the Force Commander’s Personnel Excellence Award.

Although retired from the Navy, and later known to many as Jim, he continued to build a new successful career as Chief Engineer and Physical Plant Director for several large southern California hospitals and at Cal State University Long Beach. Only after another 15 years did he officially retire.

Retirement for Jim naturally lent itself to years of selfless volunteer work for both the naval community and his beloved city. His naval volunteer commitments include serving for several years as President of the Retired Officers Association, aka Military Officers Association of America, the San Diego chapter of Naval Submarine Veterans, the Navy Submarine League, and an honorary member of the U.S SubmarineVeterans of World War II, where he worked tirelessly to see the installation of the 52 Boats Memorial at Liberty Station. Dedicated to his community he volunteered many years at the Maritime Museum of San Diego as a docent, and for Support Center/Executive Service Corp where he worked on several volunteer committees as a consultant to help the City of San Diego save in operating costs.

Slowing down was not in Jim’s nature. He enjoyed every bit of life with his daily walks along Shelter Island, commitments to his Catholic church at St. Agnes, bike rides to La Jolla, and countless 5k marathons. Jim found happiness in his busy life, but his true love was his surviving wife Gloria Dealey Tregurtha of 69 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his sister Lois A. Lang of Bloomfield, NJ. He will be greatly missed by his two daughters Diane Churchyard and Cathy Galusha, his brother Paul R. Tregurtha of Darrien Connecticut, his sons-in-law Steven Churchyard and Bill Galusha, his five grandsons Michael and Thomas Churchyard, Sean, Ryan, and Andrew Galusha, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. There is no doubt that Jim’s family was the beacon that brought him the most joy.

Catholic services will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Agnes Church in Pt. Loma. Military funeral honors will follow at 2:30 pm at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider one of the many organizations Jim dedicated his time, as mentioned above.