Throughout 2025, Shipmate is commemorating the service and sacrifice of Naval Academy alumni who served in the Vietnam War. More than 40 alumni shared their stories to help further the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation’s Legacy of Valor series.
For all who stood watch, we honor your service and will not forget.
NOT FORGOTTEN
Alumni Lead with Courage and Selflessness
Selflessness is a common theme among the 22 alumni who were awarded the Navy Cross for their service during the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Colonel Frank M. Wroblewski ’63, USA (Ret.), also demonstrated an unfailing commitment to his soldiers, earning the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross. While there is no official policy to explain why, fewer Medals ofHonor were awarded during the decade-plus of U.S. involvement in Vietnam (261) than in the four years of World War II (473).
MEKONG DELTA and the SeaWolVES
In 1966, the U.S. Army forces in the delta realized they could not police all the water routes, which carried food, ammunition and personnel to support the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong (VC) fighting forces, numbering 50,000 combatants. A partnership with the Navy arose, with the Navy providing land and floating bases for various river boats, SEAL detachments and a new Navy helicopter squadron—Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three (HA(L)-3)—flying donated Army UH 1B gunships. HA(L)-3 was the only squadron commissioned and decommissioned in a foreign country. The Seawolves were born.
A FAMILIAR NAME IN A STRANGE PLACE
CAPTAIN HOMER L. SMITH ’49, USN: A STORY OF VALOR
The Vietnam War’s influence on Annapolis graduates has been profound. The alumni who fought in the war left an admirable legacy including 39 POWs such as Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale ’47, USN (Ret.), Captain John S. McCain III ’58, USN (Ret.), and Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence ’51, USN (Ret.). This is the story of one whose impact was monumental although he isn’t a household name. Outside the small circle of strike mission pilots who fought the air war over the skies of North Vietnam from 1965 onward, Commander Homer Leroy Smith ’49, USN, doesn’t elicit instant understanding of his service and sacrifice. His captivity at Hoa Lo prison lasted for one day, perhaps two.