AB❤️Veterans

AB Hearts Veterans Logo For Webpage

Are you a veteran who lives in Atlantic Beach, or do you know a veteran who lives in Atlantic Beach? Please tell us about him or her (or yourself) in 100 words or less (and include branch of service, length of tenure) and send a picture (military-era preferred), and we’ll honor our veterans on a web page that will be unveiled this Veteran’s Day. This is an ongoing project; we will update the page along the way. The web page will be www.coab.us/veterans. Please include the veteran’s address, so that we can verify that the address is in Atlantic Beach. We will not publish the address.

To share your AB❤️Veterans submission, email info@coab.us. Email or call (904-247-5804) for more information.


VeteransRollCall

Having trouble reading the list below? Click here to view the list.

JackAhernDeceased AB resident

RichardBanksAB residentNavyService 10/1968 – 7/1992. Served aboard destroyers in Atlantic and Pacific Fleets including three in Mayport. Rick and his wife Nancy are longtime residents of Atlantic Beach after having been moved eleven times to various duty stations around the world.
CherieBirgeAB nativeNavyCherie Birge, LCDR USN (Ret.) grew up in Atlantic Beach and is a 1985 graduate of Fletcher High School. In 1987 she joined the USAF, served a tour in Great Britain, then obtained her Nursing degree from the University of North Dakota. She entered the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps serving in Chesapeake, VA , operation Desert Storm field medical unit in Kuwait, two tours in Okinawa, Japan, Jacksonville NAS Hospital, and was discharged as a Disabled Veteran in 2018. She Presently resides with her husband LCDR Tommy Birge still on active duty. Photo is at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park.
MikeBornoFormer AB mayorNavy
CalvinBrownAB residentArmySergeant major; Vietnam veteran; 24 years of service
RichardBullDeceased AB residentNavyOn May 24, 1944, the City dedicated Richard Bull Memorial Park. Richard Bull Sr., a pilot, was killed over the Pacific Ocean during World War II while conducting a reconaissance flight of an enemy carrier on Feb. 5, 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Secretary of teh Navy Frank Nox on behalf of President Franklin Roosevelt.
YvonneCalverleyAB city employeeNavy
RickCarperAB residentNavy
OlenChildersAB resident
Served in the Korean War from 1940-53. Married 42-plus years to Bobbi Childers. Recognized for his service by former U.S. Rep. Ander Crenhaw.
ThomasCrossAB residentArmyWas inducted into the U.S. Army Parachute Rigger Hall of Fame, Tuesday, after a heroic act of bravery during WWII. A colonel, he led an entire troop to safety in France after breaking his leg in the initial parachute jump. He was able to move about 200 soldiers to their defensive positions while under constant fire with that broken leg, despite receiving orders to seek medical attention.
RobertDavidDeceased AB resident

CraigDunningFormer AB residentArmyPurple Heart recipient
LeroyEverettDeceased AB residentArmyKilled in action in Vietnam
LennyJevicAB residentNavy
GuyJohnsonAB resident
World War II veteran
CandaceKellyAB city commisionerNavyService began during Vietnam and ended during Desert Storm.
PhilPetleyAB residentArmyRetired from a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation
KennethSimonAB residentNavy/MarinesChief Petty Officer Simon joined the Navy in 1983 at 19 in Scranton Pa. His Hospital Corpsman service included tours at MCAS Cherry Point NC, USS Pharris FF-1094, USS Nassau LHA-4- Operations Desert & Shield, Naval Warfare Ctr- Port Hueneme, NAS Pont Mugu, & Marine Air Group-49, Willow Grove, Pa. Was recognized with 24 awards 2-Navy & Marine Corps Commendations, 3 Navy Achievements, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, 2 Meritorious Unit commendations, Humanitarian Service Medal (1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake), & CAP Command Advancement meritoriously promoted. Served 21 years. He and his wife, Brenda, has lived in AB since 2014. 
Patrick T.StrattonAB residentMarinesUS Naval Academy Prep School: 1982/83; U.S Naval Academy: 1983-1987; US Marine Corps: 1987-1992. Left active service as a Captain, United States Marine Corps. Campaigns/Conflicts served in Theater: Shield/Desert Storm 1990/91. Daughter is currently on active duty serving in the United States Coast Guard.
RichardStrattonAB residentNavy1947-1948 Mass Nat’l Guard PFC: 1955-1955 Naval Aviation Cadet; 1955-1957 USNR-R Naval Flight Student; 1957-1986 USN Naval Aviator; Father of Marines (2)
SolomonSturdivantDeceased AB resident

HarveyWarnockAB residentNavyWhile a student at UF in 1963 Harvey was drafted. He served in the Amphibious Assault Forces as Quartermaster. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal (Dominican Republic 1965), and the Vietnam Service Medal Harvey's community service includes twice Commander of Greater Beaches VFW Post 3270, occasional lectures at Fletcher High School, helping develop the Beaches Veterans Memorial Park, Inc (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit) where he continues to serve as Treasurer, and as a uniformed COP of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Harvey and Janice, long-time Atlantic Beach residents have one daughter LCDR Cherie Birge, U.S.N. (Ret.) nurse.
EdwardWatersAB resident

W.R. "Rut"WhittingtonAB residentMarines

Service in the US Marine Corps, active and reserve from 1960 to 1997. Service began as enlisted Marine at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. In 1968 was commissioned as an Officer. Military specialties were Infantry, Military Intelligence, and Military Police. Service in Vietnam with the 9th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division.

CharlesUpchurchAB residentArmyVietnam veteran; awaraded two Bronze Stars