The Supply Corps Has Strong Roots in Naval History

The primary
 mission
 of
 the
 Supply
 Corps
 is
 to
 provide
 expertise
 to
 the
 Navy
 and
 other
services
…
including
logistics,
acquisition,
and
financial
management
…
afloat
and
ashore.
 The more
than
3,500 Naval
Officers
…
from
Warrant
Officer
to
Rear
Admiral
…
who
proudly
wear
the
“Oakleaf’
insignia
of
the
Supply
Corps
are
the
business
managers
of
the
Navy
responsible
for
the
supply
 and
 logistics
 support
 of
 the
 ships
 of
 the
 active
 Fleet
 and
 hundreds
 of
 Naval
 shore
installations
located
worldwide.

The U.S.
Navy’s
Supply Corps
traces
its
more
than
200‐year
history
from
its
beginnings
in
1795
with
the
appointment
of
the
nation’s
first
Purveyor
of
Public
Supplies.

The
Supply
Corps’
history
is
the
story
of
its
people,
those
who
served
first
as
Naval
agents,
and
finally
as
Supply
Corps
Officers.
 Over
the
years,
the
men
and
women
of
the
Supply
Corps
have
come
to
exemplify
the
characteristics
of
ingenuity,
creativity, perseverance, integrity, and
dedication
in
their
efforts
to
provide
service
to
the
Fleet.
 Each
of
their
stories
has
a
place
in
the
context
 of
 American
 Naval
 history
 and
 reflects the
 struggle
 of
 the
 nation
 to
 evolve
 into
 the
world’s
most
modern
and
efficient
sea
power.

Since
 1795,
 when
 the
 Supply
 Corps
 was
 assigned
 the
 task
 of
 supporting
 six
 frigates,
 its
duties
 and
 responsibilities
 have
 kept
 pace
 with
 the
 expanding
 scope
 of
 the
 modem
 Navy’s
mission.
 Supplying
the
Navy
with
items
essential
to
the
operation
of
modem
ships,
aircraft
and
facilities,
and
providing
fuel,
food,
transportation,
clothing,
and
services
to
the
men
and
women
of
the
Navy
in
an
effective,
expeditious,
and
economical manner
demands
the
dedication
and
know‐how
of
an
expertly
trained
and
highly
skilled
Officer
Corps.

To
 meet
 this
 challenge,
 the
 Supply
 Corps
 requires
 its
 officers
 to
 be
 schooled
 and
experienced
in
a
variety
of
disciplines
such
as
supply
chain
management,
financial
management,
contracting,
information
systems,
operations
analysis,
operational
logistics,
fuels
management,
and
physical
distribution.
 Officers
of
the
Supply
Corps
are
aware
of
the
challenges
ahead
and
will
 continue
 to
 make
 an
 essential
 contribution
 to
 the
operational
 efficiency
 and
 fighting
 effectiveness
 of
 U.S.
Naval
and
Joint
Forces. Their
continuing
vision
is
to
be
combat
ready
logisticians
 supporting
Joint
and
Naval
operations
around
the
globe.

Downloadable Version:

Get the Bigger Picture: Buy the Book

Check out this beautifully crafted, limited edition coffee table book below.  It captures the history of the U.S. Navy’s Supply Corps in a way not done before.  Replete with historical references, the book describes the establishment of the Supply Corps under Tench Francis and follows it to the Naval Supply Systems Command of today.  Through this historical context, you’ll gain a new appreciation for what it means to be a U.S. Navy Supply Corps officer.

“Ready for Sea” is a first of its kind and there are a limited number of copies.  It will be a must have for anyone that wore, or will wear, an oak leaf on their uniform. “Ready for Sea” is the perfect gift for a Navy Supply Corps Officer.

Click HERE to view excerpts.   See the quality and beauty of this book.

Share Your Memories and Sea Stories with the Supply Corps Community

Honor our heritage.  Share your Supply Corps story!

Record your story with Navy Supply Corps Foundation—  Submit your story today!

Authoring Guidelines: 

• Suggested minimum of 250 words
• Images can be added
• Submission should include a byline

Memories and Sea Stories from Our Members

Click on a Story to Read It:

Fond Memories of Our Unrestricted Line Brethren
By CAPT David A. Higgins, SC, USN (Ret.)

Desert Storm Memories
By CAPT (ret) Lee Henwood, SC, USN (Ret.), Member

Operational Desert Shield: What You Didn’t Know
By CAPT Doug Brook, SC, USNR, (Ret.), 2013 Distinguished Alumnus

Operation Desert Storm: Logistics Anecdotes
By LCDR M. Conrad “Connie” Agresti, SC, USN, (Ret.), Member

Doris Miller: Messman, Steward, Cook, Hero…”Lion of the Sea”
By RADM Dan McKinnon, SC, USN (Ret.), Columnist

Vintage Oakleaf Profile: CAPT (ret) Kenneth M. Beyer
By CAPT Tiffany Schaud, SC, USN (Ret.)

Vintage Oakleaf Spotlight: RADM Joseph Howard, SC, USN, (Ret.)
By CAPT Tiffany Schad, SC, USN (Ret.), Board of Directors

The Fox is Crowing
By RADM Sean F. Crean, SC, USN, (Ret.), Member

Metal Navy Supply Oak Leaf Collar Insignia
By CAPT Donald B. Hoffmann, SC, USN (Ret.), Member

Sea Stories: Short and Snappy
By RADM Dan McKinnon, SC, USN (Ret.), Columnist

The Rest of the Story: Making Lemonade
By CAPT David A. Higgins, SC, USN (Ret.), Member

U.S. Navy Supply Corps Shoulder Insignia
By CAPT Donald B. Hoffmann, SC, USN, (Ret.), Member

The U.S. Navy Supply Corps and a Philippine Heritage
By RADM Dan McKinnon, SC, USN (Ret.), Columnist

Searching for the Navy’s First Purser
By CAPT Donald B. Hoffmann, SC, USN, (Ret.), Member

Chief 49 visits Chief 35
By RADM Dan McKinnon, SC, USN (Ret.), Columnist

Heritage Displays in Recognition of Our “Ready for Sea” Fleet Support Role

The Heritage Display program serves to preserve the history of the Supply Corps through high quality displays designed to capture the traditions and customs of the Supply Corps as well as tell its cherished story. The primary venues for the displays are the Memorial Ship Museums such as the USS Midway and Battleship North Carolina. Traveling displays depicting the Vietnam era heritage of the Supply Corps are also being developed.

Support the Foundation’s Commitment to a Supply Corps Exhibit at the USS Midway’s Freedom Park at Navy Pier. For nearly 100 years, Navy Pier has anchored San Diego’s waterfront—from its origins as the Naval Supply Corps headquarters, to the final resting place of the USS Midway.  The Navy Supply Corps Foundation has committed to donate toward this display and receive a “Naming Opportunity” for its donation.  The Naming Opportunity will include identification of NSCF as the donor, its mission and web site information. We invite you to donate to this NSCF commitment.

View More On The Supply Corps Exhibit At the USS Midway’s Freedom Park at Navy Pier

View Our Heritage Displays

USS NORTH CAROLINA
(BB-55)

USS MIDWAY
(CV-41)

Updates and Information on Our Heritage Displays and Partnerships

The Vintage Oakleaf Club

The Heritage Committee compiles and archives the rich historical impact that our most senior (in age) Supply Corps officers (80 years old or older) have had on our Navy and our community.  From Ensign to Admiral, we maintain a list of our most senior Supply Corps officers called the “The Vintage Oakleaf Club”.  See below for the list of current Vintage Oakleaf Club Members.

The committee contacts each member of our Vintage Oakleaf Club (or their associated family members) to capture their stories.  Information that will be sought includes name; rank; years of service; tours; post Navy career accomplishments; as well as photos and sea stories.  The Heritage Committee will ultimately feature each member in The Oakleaf, on the Foundation’s website, and also the Navy Supply Corps Newsletter for the enrichment and appreciation of our entire Supply Corps Community.

To be included in the Vintage Oakleaf Cub, please contact the Foundation Executive Director at ExecutiveDirector@NavySupplyCorpsFoundation.org.  We will add your name to the list of current Vintage Oakleaf Club Members.

Honor Role of Our Vintage Oakleaf Club Members

Congratulations to the following members of The Vintage Oakleaf Club, and thank you for your service to our Country, our Navy, and our Supply Corps:

RADM Robert B. Abele – 1935
CDR William Aldenderfer – 1935
CDR Clifford J. Alligood – 1945
RADM Henry Cub Amos – 1934
LT Edward H. Amundsen – 1927
LCDR Robert M. Anttila – 1937
Mr. Bruce Atwater – 1938
CAPT William H. Barnett – 1922
CAPT William W. Bennett – 1926
LCDR Thomas A. Bianco – 1931
CAPT Thomas A. Boyce – 1928
Dr. Douglas Brook – 1944
CDR Robert A. Brown – 1942
CAPT Edgar G. Bulluck – 1934
CAPT David R. Bunten – 1943
CDR Austin L. Byers – 1930
CAPT Thomas J. Canfield – 1941
LCDR Francis W. Carson – 1928
CDR Denver Chenoweth – 1930
CDR David Crawford – 1943
CAPT Charles E. Cuson – 1930
CDR David D. Davison – 1930
CAPT Darrell D. Dempster – 1929
RADM J. Ronald Denney – 1936
CDR Robert J. Devilbiss – 1925
CDR Carl J. Domino – 1944
CAPT Claude H. Drake – 1929
CDR James A. Dunkle – 1943
CAPT Bernard D. Dunn – 1934
LCDR Robert G. Dunn – 1938
CAPT Robert J. Earl – 1930
CAPT Steve E. Fabre – 1941
LCDR Simeon Fields – 1930
CAPT Ken W. Fitzgerald – 1945
CAPT Norman Foy – 1943
CAPT Robert C. French – 1930
CAPT John K. Fyfe – 1942
CDR Franklin M. Gilpen – 1929
CDR Shirley T. Godsey – 1930
CAPT Royce A. Gross – 1941
LCDR Robert G. Grosse – 1936
CDR John E. Greenhalgh – 1938
CAPT William C. Griggs – 1943
Mr. William Gruver – 1944
CAPT Thomas B. Hagen – 1935
CAPT David W. Hall – 1943
CAPT Elliotte M. Harold – 1938
LCDR Daniel F. Hickey – 1929
RADM Donald Hickman – 1940
CDR Michael Holshey – 1941
LT Robert H. Jiranek – 1929
CAPT George N. Kachigan – 1934
CAPT James A. Kelly – 1936
LCDR Darrell G. Kemper – 1928
CAPT Joseph W. Kinsey – 1934
CAPT John L. Kizer – 1939
LTJG Charles Kurz – 1945
RADM Edward M. Kocher – 1926
CDR Bernard La Fianza – 1938
Mr. Alan G. Lafley – 1922
LCDR Joel M. Lovstedt – 1939
CAPT Richard J. Madril – 1941
CAPT James H. Main – 1941
LCDR Louis N. Marohn – 1939
Mr. James W. Marriott – 1932
Mr. Edward Mathias – 1941
CAPT Bruce E. Maxon – 1938
CAPT William H. Mayer – 1930
CAPT John M. McClure – 1940
CAPT Brian McDonnell – 1943
LCDR Forrest T. McLean – 1943
LT Ronald N. McManus – 1946
RADM Douglas Moore – 1939
CAPT Charles W. Morehouse – 1929
CDR Richard H. Nace – 1936
Mr. David A. Nimick – 1924
CDR Gary B. Nuss – 1936
CAPT Thomas M. Onan – 1933
CAPT John F. Peffley – 1923
CAPT Robert H. Peiffer – 1943
CAPT Vincent J. Pistolessi – 1930
RADM Robert A. Phillips – 1935
CDR William P. Rebarick – 1942
LCDR Robert Riley – 1930
CAPT Ralph L. Robie – 1935
CAPT Robert L. Rodine – 1939
LT Stevan E. Ryan – 1941
LCDR David H. Sadler – 1929
CAPT Leonard Sapera – 1940
Mr. George Sarner – 1931
CAPT Albert Schiff – 1942
CAPT William N. Shannon – 1939
CDR Frederick Shea – 1934
LCDR John E. Sheehan – 1935
CDR John Shiels – 1937
LCDR Leo L. Smith – 1930
CAPT Richard W. Spearel – 1933
Mr. Roger Staubach – 1942
LCDR William E. Stombaugh – 1930
VADM Edward Straw – 1939
Mr. J. Ronald Terwilliger – 1941
CAPT David A. Townsend – 1942
CAPT Richard T. Tracy – 1944
LCDR Robert L. Turner – 1929
CDR James M. Ullrich – 1942
CAPT Ralph J. Vanni – 1936
RADM Leonard Vincent – 1941
CDR John E. Wagner – 1930
CAPT Harry Weinberg – 1933
CAPT George H. White – 1930
CAPT Robert E. Wickman – 1933
Mr. Edward W. Withrow – 1937
CDR Ronald M. Wong – 1931
CDR Benjamin L. Young – 1930
CDR Michael A. Zidek – 1942

Our Heritage at the Naval Historical Foundation

Did you know? One of our own, Rear Admiral Wallace R. Dowd, Jr., SC, USN (Ret.), has created an oral history and it is now profiled online!  The Naval Historical Foundation’s Oral History program was launched in 1996. To date, the program has gathered over two hundred oral histories and memoirs. These interviews help preserve the history of the Military Service and offer valuable insights into the history and practices of the Navy. Check it out! https://bit.ly/3NYPaqZ