John Francis O'Connell

Jack O’Connell graduated as a member of the Class of 1952 from the US Naval Academy served in the Navy for 30 years retiring as a Captain. He served in two surface ships before attending Submarine school and qualifying as a Submariner. Below is a list of all the ships and shore stations during his career: • USS Bon Homme Richard (CV/CVA 31) – 1952-1953 • Anti-aircraft Control Officers Course, Gunnery School, San Diego -1953 • USS Rochester (CA 124)-1953-1954 • Submarine School (1954) • USS Perch (ASSP 313) -1955-1956 • USS Caiman (SS 323)-1956-1958 • Nuclear Weapons Training, Sandi Base, Albuquerque, NM – 1958 • Guided Missile Unit 90/GMU 10 – 1958-1959 • Submarine Squadron One -1959-1960 • USS Barbero (SSG 317) – 1960-1962 • XO-USS Pickerel (SS 524) – 1962-1964 • ComSubPac – 1964-1966 • CO-USS Spinax (SS 489)-1966-1967 • Naval Postgraduate School – 1968 • OpNav-Submarine Warfare Division-1969-1971 • Commander, Submarine Division 41 – 1971-1972 • Submarine Flotilla 7/Submarine Group 7 -1972-1974 • ComSubPac – 1974-1976 • Attaché Training and Foreign Language training -1976-1978 • Defense, Naval and Naval Attaché for Air, American Embassy Tokyo-1978-1981 • National Defense University-1981-1982 After retirement, Jack worked for Senator Robert Dole (R) of Kansas for two years as a legislative aide before moving back to Tokyo to be the Patriot Missile Marketing Manager for two year. When he returned to Alexandria, he joined the staff at Kapos Associates for another ten years before his final retirement. Jack then become an author of 5 books; 3 on aviation and 2 on submarines. He also become a docent at the National Museum of American History and the National Air & Space Museum. In addition, he also worked for Guest Services at the National Museum of the American Indian until just before his death. Captain O’Connell was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Mary Ryan O’Connell of Plattsburgh and New York City, as well as his twin sister, Joan O’Connell Dixon (NY). He was married to the former Mary Jane Elsey of Seattle, WA, for 48 years prior to her death in 2002. Together they had a home in Old Town for 25 years despite multiple overseas moves. Jack is survived by his 4 children; James M. O’Connell, Kevin B. O’Connell, M. Eileen O’Connell, and Sean P. O’Connell. In addition, there are 8 grandchildren, nieces and nephews and extended family.