The Naval Academy’s oldest graduate dies at 104

BALTIMORE — The Naval Academy’s oldest alumnus has died at the age of 104.

The Baltimore Sun reports retired Rear Adm. Edgar Keats died of complications from a fall Saturday. Keats was a decorated World War II veteran who served in the Pacific theater.

Keats was born in Chicago and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13. Three years later, he won his appointment to the Naval Academy, from where he graduated in 1935.

RELATED

Naval Academy’s 1968 grads fund restoration of Chapel doors donated by 1868 class

A gift from the Class of 1868, the Naval Academy Chapel doors are bronze-cast monoliths. For its 50-year anniversary, the Class of 1968 funded restoration of the doors, linking their legacy to the midshipmen who graduated a century before them.

By By Danielle Ohl, The (Annapolis, Md.) Capital via AP

After World War II, he received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He went on to become president of the Standard Dredging Corp.

He won gold medals at the Maryland Senior Olympics in the race-walking category, and also taught at Johns Hopkins University and elsewhere into his 90s.

More In Your Navy

Russia claims its Zadira laser weapon destroyed a drone in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that the claim reflects Moscow’s desire to find an alternative to missiles.

Hybrid power could keep the Little Bird helo flying

A small, yet nimble and heavily used light-attack helicopter that carries small teams of special operators into battle has a problem.

Experienced underwater construction Seabees can grab bonuses of up to $100,000

The retention bonus is offered to underwater construction technicians, E-7 and above, with 20 to 27 years of active duty service.

Navy’s top enlisted sailor denies telling George Washington crew to ‘lower your standards’

Despite no public proof that Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith ever uttered such an edict, "lower your standards" has become an online rallying cry in recent weeks for those disillusioned with Navy life.

Harris tells Coast Guard grads rule of law is under attack

Vice President Kamala Harris told the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s graduating cadets that they are starting their service at a crucial moment for the world.

In Other News

At least 9 troops or vets charged in domestic extremism cases since Capitol riot

An inspector general report recommended updating the DoD's extremism definition, which it has done, as well as creating a system to track extremism reports.

National Guard officer promotions could speed up under new measure

Guard members wait more than seven months on average for advancement.

Ukrainian troops surrendering at Mariupol registered as POWs

Hundreds more fighters have emerged from the Mariupol stronghold where they made their last stand and surrendered.

Biden invokes Defense Production Act for formula shortage

President Joe Biden has invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and has authorized flights to import supply from overseas.

Junior service members being hit hard by inflation, senior enlisted leaders say

From food to child care to housing, inflation is hitting junior service members especially hard.

Load More