Date: Fri 13-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Commander-LeWare-Navy

Full Text:

Commander LeWare Retires From The Navy

(with cut)

Commander Bentley C. LeWare, the son of Winifred LeWare of Sandy Hook and the

late Charles LeWare, is retiring from the United States Navy effective October

1 after more than 31 years of service.

Among those who attended the retirement ceremony held recently aboard the USS

Dwight D. Eisenhower in Norfolk, Virginia, were his mother; his wife, Carol,

their son, Matthew and his family; his sister Marsha; brother David, and

long-time friends George and Carol Mattegat of Newtown.

A graduate of Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury, Cmdr LeWare enlisted

in the Navy and, after basic and advanced training, served over the following

three decades at Quantanamo Bay in Cuba; at NAS Whiting Field in the Western

Pacific; several tours aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower ; in Fighter

Squadron 191, based in Oceana, Virginia; at the Naval Air Engineering Center

in Lakehurst, NJ; on the USS John F. Kennedy at Mayport, Florida, and the USS

Theodore Roosevelt at Norfolk.

His final assignment was with the Naval Air Force, US Atlantic Fleet, as the

officer in charge of the AIRLANT aircraft handling team. He spent an average

of 200 days on the road each year, mostly at sea with his team, training and

evaluating air department personnel.

Cmdr LeWare, 50, is the recipient of a Meritorious Service Medal with gold

star; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with golf star; Navy and Marine

Corps Achievement Medal with gold star; Navy Good Conduct Award with two

bronze stars and numerous other campaign and unit awards.

The ceremony aboard the "Ike" began with the arrival of the official party,

the parade of colors, National Anthem played by the Atlantic Fleet Band, and

an invocation by CDR Fred Archer (USN Ret). Capt Tornatore, who was Cmdr

LeWare's commanding officer, was the speaker. Eleven flag bearers participated

in the "Passing of the Flag" ceremony; eight "sideboys" executed the "Piping

Ceremony."

The US flag, flown on the USS Eisenhower on June 12, was presented to Cmdr

LeWare, as was the flag flown aboard the USS John F. Kennedy on May 17.

Vice Admiral J.S. Mobley, in awarding Cmdr LeWare the Meritorious Service

Medal, cited him for his work as the officer in charge of the aircraft

handling team.

"Commander LeWare's superb performance of duty was instrumental in improving

and sustaining the high state of combat readiness demonstrated by Atlantic

Fleet aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious ships," Admrl Mobley said.

"Through an extensive and comprehensive training and readiness program, he

implemented actions to correct flight deck training and resource shortfalls to

achieve increased safety awareness and operational superiority."

Admiral Gerry Hoewing called him "the best handler in the fleet."

"Due to your untiring efforts, wisdom and experience AIRLANT forces enjoyed a

substantially higher degree of readiness than ever before," said R.J.

O'Hanlon, chief of staff.

Cmdr LeWare received certificates of appreciation from President William

Clinton and Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland.

In his remarks, Cmdr LeWare said that over the more than 31 years he served in

the Navy, naval aviation "has evolved into a complex system of humans and

machines."

"Our business, the job of launching and recovering aircraft from a sea-based

platform, is the end result of the combined efforts of a lot of good people,"

he said.

Reflecting on his career, Cmdr LeWare said it "seems like only yesterday, mom

and dad were seeing me off at the train station, on my way to boot camp and on

to do great things with my life."

"In a few moments you will witness a flag passing ceremony and hear a

rendition of `Old Glory,'" Cmdr LeWare told the assembled guests. "Listen

carefully to the words and when you leave here today, hold your head up just a

little bit higher and thank a veteran for their contributions to our freedom."

A trained mechanic, the retired naval officer now will begin a new career. He

has bought an eight-bay automotive repair business in Virginia Beach.