REAR ADMIRAL JOHN S. COYE JR.,
USN (Ret.) Born April 24, 1911 in Berkeley, California, died November
26, 2002 in Ojai, California. R-Adm. Coye was a highly decorated Naval
Officer in World War II with six patrols as skipper of the submarine, USS
Silversides.
Commander Coye and his crew sank the
third highest tonnage in the Pacific and he received the Navy Cross
with two Gold Stars "for extraordinary heroism."
Jack was 91 years old and was enjoying
visits from his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was
a direct descendant (fifth great nephew) of John Parker, Captain of
the Minutemen at Lexington, Massachusetts, in 1775.
Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval
Academy in 1933, he began thirty-five years of active Naval service
which included commanding submarines, a heavy cruiser, an amphibious
group and serving with NATO. In 1968, Jack retired to Coronado,
California, for thirty years of sailing and racing on his Cal-25,
"Sea Dog".
His lifelong hobbies included playing
his organ music, woodworking and photographing his worldwide cruises,
with one around Cape Horn. He served as Commodore of the Coronado
Yacht Club in 1975.
His beloved wife of sixty-seven years,
Elizabeth of Ojai, survives him with their three children; Commander
Beth F. Coye, USN (Ret) of Ashland, Oregon, John S. Coye, III and his
wife, Sally, of Windsor, California, and Sarah White of Ojai,
California.
Bob Thomas (aka Cap'n Bob):
Today I attended a memorial service here in San Diego for a great
American hero. Rear Admiral Jack Coye, Naval Academy Class of 1933. He
was the wartime skipper of SILVERSIDES, which (according to U. S.
Submarine Operations in WW II book) was third on the list of number of
ships sunk (23) and fifth on list of tonnage (90,080). He was the
skipper in 1943 to 1944 and sank 14 of the 23 ships. He was awarded
three Navy Crosses. Now that is what I call a real hero.
Fred T: RADM Coye also commanded
the R-18 during the war before heading to the Pacific. He was "a
distinguished Naval Academy graduate, an authentic hero, and always
the consummate gentleman." And the finest of friends to those who
knew him. Fair winds and following seas, Admiral. Thank you so very
much for your service. Rest you oar.
