WS Ramsey

I am the son of late US Naval Commander John W Ramsey. I was born in Richmond, VA in 1962 to the parents of John W Ramsey and Tonja L Simpson. I wanted to record more of my father's Naval history as it is unique and his contribution from America's greatest generation should not be forgotten. He was fortunate that he survived not only two tours of the west pacific (WESPAC) theater in WWII (with VF-11 Sundowners) but also two tours of the WESPAC in the Korean War (VF-111 Sundowners).

After obtaining his first college degree John W Ramsey of Carter, OK entered the US Navy Cadet school in spring of 1941 and graduated pilot school by April of 1942 just in time to enter service into WWII. US Navy John W Ramsey Lt(jg) was assigned to VF-11 in August of 1942 and trained in California and at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. VF-11 originally was to be assigned on the USS Hornet CV-8 to be dispatched to the WESPAC for combat. However, the Hornet was assigned to the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo then unfortunately was sunk in battle soon after. VF-11 was then assigned and gained passage via transport carriers to the island of Guadalcanal to support marine fighter squadrons at Henderson Field. Afterward my father was promoted to Lt and prepared for his 2nd WWII tour aboard the new fleet carrier the USS Hornet CV-12.

After dad's first tour in the Korean War as Lt Commander with VF-111 in 1950-51 as it's Executive Officer, dad was briefly assigned to VF-52 to be its C.O. Unfortunately, then Commander Welch of VF-111 Sundowners died in a tragic accident while returning to his carrier. Lt Commander Ramsey was then immediately reassigned back to VF-111 to be its new commanding officer (C.O.).

I hope to add more to his story but wanted to post some of my favorite pictures of his contributions and service to our country from 1941 to the end of December 1963. In 1964 dad went on to serve in confidential roles as a civilian with the US Navy in Washington, DC and in California with Grumman Aerospace Corp.

Unfortunately in the early 1970's he began to experience neurological disease which was soon diagnosed as Parkinson's Disease. He survived two plane crash/hard landings (one in battle at Guadalcanal with IJN Zeros and one in training in California in the early 1950s due to engine failure). It was believed by doctors at the time the Parkinson's Disease may have developed due to a high fever as a kid and the two impacts to his skull from the plane crash/hard landings.

I too at the age of 61 am developing neurological disease which may be some form of Parkinson's and or dementia. I hope to post and update my father's Naval history (for as long as i am able) to add to his record of service to the country he loved so dearly.

VF-11 Guadalcanal June 1943

VF-11 Sundowners Insignia Created in Hawaii Before First Tour to WESPAC

VF-11 at Guadalcanal Tour 1 1943

VF-111 Sundowner Squadron at NAS Miramar October 1951

VF-111 Sundowners at NAS Miramar October 1951 with Text

Lt Commander John W Ramsey US Navy Early 1950s

Lt Commander John W Ramsey Commanding Officer VF-111 Into Battle Korean War

Lt Commander John W Ramsey Inspects Damage to His F9F Panther Jet

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USN_Commander_John_W_Ramsey_1960s.jpg