Captain John G.
Boniface
IN LOVING MEMORY
Captain John G. Boniface
Oct 01 1922 - Oct 13 2005
Oct 13 2005
Captain John G. Boniface, USN retired, died October 13, 2005 in McKinney, Texas, of end stage Waldenstrom’s macroglobulenemia. He was born October 1, 1922 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when his father, the late Col. John J. Boniface U. S. Cavalry, was commanding officer of Fort D. A. Russell. Jack, as his friends knew him, graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas, and The Allen Academy in Bryan, Texas. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy June 6, 1945, with the class of 1946. He was also a graduate of the school of Naval Warfare at the Naval War College, and earned a M.S. in International Relations from George Washington University. Jack served in USS Bunker Hill, USS Steamer Bay, and USS Pasadena before reporting to flight training. After receiving his wings, he served in Patrol Squadron Two, BAR El Segundo, and VR-23 Det. Phil. before duty in the NROTC Unit at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Subsequently, he served in Patrol Squadron Twenty One, Patrol Squadron Thirty, as navigator in USS Lake Champlain, and on the staff of the Naval War College. Commands include Patrol Squadron Twenty-one, USS Chara AE-31, with retirement as Commander Fleet Air Wing 8. Decorations include: American Defense medal, Asiatic Pacific, China Service Extended, WWII Victory medal, National Defense Service medal with one star, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Korean Service medal, United Nations Service medal, Vietnam Service medal with four stars, Vietnam Campaign medal with device, and Bronze Star medal. Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (Beegee); a daughter, Elizabeth Hurst; two sons, Cdr. John M. Boniface, ’71, and Captain William S. Boniface, ’72; eight grandchildren, including LTJG Robin M. Boniface, ’02; and one great-granddaughter. Jack was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, USNA Alumni Association, Dadaelians, VFW, American Legion, and the Fleet Reserve Association. Inurnment of ashes will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to IWMF, 3932 D Swift Road, Sarasota, FL 34231-6541.
x
*All memorials will be reviewed prior to upload, and may be delayed 24-48 hours before appearing in the registry.