
After a 40-year career, Admiral John S. “Jimmie” Thach, U.S. Navy (Retired) retired as commander in chief of U.S. naval forces in Europe in 1967. The 1927 U.S. Naval Academy graduate commanded two aircraft carriers and was an antisubmarine warfare expert. Among other awards, he received the Navy Cross with Gold Star and the Distinguished Service Medal. He died in 1981.