We are sorry to report that Rear Admiral Earl Preston “Buddy” Yates, the first commanding officer of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), died on September 13, 2021, at the age of 97 at his long-time home in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
As his obituary states, ‘While he loved every command, the highlight of his career was as first Skipper of the USS John F Kennedy (CV-67). His devotion to the ship and its crew has never wavered, including her successor CVN-79 USS John F. Kennedy.”
As his obituary states, ‘While he loved every command, the highlight of his career was as first Skipper of the USS John F Kennedy (CV-67). His devotion to the ship and its crew has never wavered, including her successor CVN-79 USS John F. Kennedy.” Admiral Yates was a steadfast supporter of out efforts to preserve USS JFK as a family attraction, museum and memorial in Narragansett Bay.
He will be laid to rest at the US Naval Academy cemetery in October.
His full obituary can be seen at hdoliver.com Those of you who wish to deliver online condolences may do so at that site as well.