Chief Petty Officer Patrick N. Stanley
U.S. Navy Viet Nam War Veteran

Chief Petty Officer Patrick N. Stanley, US Navy (Ret), of Lexington Park, MD died on Monday, May 16, 2005.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 5 1934, he was the son of the late Dianna Stanley.

Chief Stanley entered the Navy on March 27, 1952, which commenced his Naval career with 12 weeks of “boot” training in Bainbridge, Maryland. His first assignment was with the Security Department in Norfolk, Virginia, where he was designated an Airman. In 1954 he was transferred to VR-24, stationed in Port Lyantey, Africa, where he started his aviation career flying C-54’s as a flight attendant. Upon becoming a Petty Officer Third Class, he flew in the position of Flight Mechanic.

In early 1956, Chief Stanley reported to VX-1, home based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was assigned to the Test and Evaluation of the Landing Signal Mirror System. This Project included duty on the USS RANDOLF, one of the largest aircraft carriers at that time.

In November 1956, he reported to VW-2, Patuxent River, Maryland. Six months later he made Petty Officer Second Class and attended Flight Engineer School. He earned his Aircrew men Wings and for the next twelve years flew with the Early Warning Community which included VW-2, VQ-2and AEW T.U. He flew out of Iceland, Greenland, Spain, Africa, and all over Europe.

Commissioning Oceanographic Air Survey Unit in 1964, Chief Stanley became an instructor for both pilots and aircrew men training for the C121 Super Constellation. He attended Aviation Machinist Mate School in Memphis, Tennessee and on completion advanced to Chief Petty officer and was assigned to VXN-8 flying Project Blue Eagle, which operated in south East Asia. Chief Stanley did two tours in Saigon and one in Da Nang, flying the C121 T.V. aircraft; He received the Air Medal with two gold stars during this two-year tour of duty. During his assignment with VXN-8 he assumed the responsibility of conducting the C121 School and later became the Aircraft Naval Air Training the Operating Procedures and Standardization Program Evaluator for the Navy. With the Discontinuation of the school, Chief Stanley was assigned the Night Check Maintenance Chief. The Last year of his career he was assigned as the Training Department Supervisor and given the responsibility of initiating a training program seeking all available schools to assist and complement a highly technological force. He also initiated the Personal Qualification Standard Program and assisted in the formation of the Aircrew men-training Syllabus.

In the 24 years of military services, Chief Stanley earned, along with the Air Medal with two gold stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendations (2nd award), Good Conduct (6th award), Navy Expeditionary (Cuba) 2nd award) Vietnam Service Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Civil Nation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In his off duty hours, Chief Stanley was active holding executive positions in his religious originations. He became a member of the Fleet Reserve #93 in January 1974 and was a member of Elks Lodge #2092 for over 30 years where he was a Past Exalted Ruler. He directed Sunday school and adult/classes, worked with the little leagues baseball, and other youth activities and a C.A.S.A., (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer from June of 2002 until 2005. He will be remembered for his generous heart, sprit, and love of kids.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Gloria Jean Stanley of Lexington Park, MD, two daughters, Margaret M. Billings of Great Mills, MD, Patricia J. Rowand of Lexington Park, MD, two sons, Patrick N. Stanley, Jr. of California, MD, Michael J. Stanley of Lexington Park, MD and nine grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD on Friday, May 20, 2005 from 5 to 8 p.m. with an Elks Memorial Service by B.P.O. E. Lodge # 2092 at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the Patuxent River Assembly of God Church, 45020 Patuxent Beach Road, California, MD.

Interment will be in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD on Monday, May 23, 2005 at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial contribution may be made to Bay District Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1440, California, MD 20619, HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650