CAPT William Stewart “Bud” Orr, USN (Ret), Emeritus Golden Eagle
 

Gentlemen,

 It is my sad duty to inform you that at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, 8 July 2024, Golden Eagle Emeritus CAPT William Stewart “Bud” ORR made his Last Take Off at his home in Napa, CA, with his wife Fran and family at his side.

 Bud was born 20 January 1943 in Grants Pass, Oregon, the son of Stewart and Rosamond Orr. He grew up in Grants Pass, attended and played sports at Grants Pass High School, and upon graduation enrolled in the University of Oregon, in Eugene, OR. As a freshman in high school, he had determined he wanted to be a military pilot, and after telling his father, was told to be a Navy pilot since they are the best, flying on and off aircraft carriers. Bud followed that advice and joined the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate program (AVROC) at the University of Oregon. Graduating in 1965 from the School of Journalism with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising, he was commissioned an Ensign in August 1965 and began flight training in November 1965. In the training pipeline at Pensacola, FL, Meridian, MS, and Kingsville, TX, he flew the T-34B Mentor, T-2A Buckeye, and the TF-9J Cougar, earning his Wings of Gold on 12 February 1967.

 Reporting to VA-125 Rough Raiders, the A-4 Skyhawk replacement air group (RAG) in NAS Lemoore, CA, in April 1967, Bud began training in the A-4C Skyhawk, and on completion reported to his first operational squadron, VA-113 Stingers in Sep 1967, flying the A-4F. The squadron deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) to the Far East from Jan to June 1968, first responding to the capture of the USS Pueblo off the coast of Korea, before engaging in combat operations in Vietnam. This period of the war was marked by the Tet Offensive and the battle for Khe Sanh. Bud flew 102 combat missions while also serving as an LSO. Upon return home, the squadron transitioned to the A-7B Corsair II, via VA-122 Flying Eagles, the A-7 RAG, and then deployed aboard USS Saratoga (CVA 60) on a Mediterranean Sea deployment. In March 1970 he reported to VA-122 as an instructor pilot and LSO. In February 1971 the opportunity arose to do an exchange tour with the Marines flying the AV-8A Harrier, in VMA-513 Flying Nightmares, based in MCAS Beaufort, SC. Bud would be the first Navy pilot to serve in an operational AV-8A squadron. As the first squadron with the Harrier, aircraft were just arriving and there were no two-seat training aircraft. To transition, new pilots like Bud flew the CH-46 with the stability augmentation systems off since those flight characteristics were considered most like the Harrier in transitional flight and hover. Pilots qualified with 10 day and night landings in the CH-46 on small landing pads before training in the Harrier. After two years serving as assistant operations officer and LSO, Bud reported in April 1973 to the USAF Command and Staff College in Montgomery, AL, earning a master’s degree.

 After completing refresher training in the A-7E, Bud reported to VA-97 Warhawks at NAS Lemoore, CA, in April 1975 for his department head tour. Deployed again on USS Enterprise, the personal highlight during this tour was his marriage to Fran on board Big E while in port Subic Bay, Philippines. Fran flew in from Lemoore, the ceremony was on the foc’sle with CAPT C.C. Smith, CO of Enterprise, walking Fran down the aisle to give her away. 25 November 1976 began their 48-year marriage in true Navy fashion.

The next job for Bud was Flag Secretary to Commander, Light Attack Wing Pacific in July 1977, again in Lemoore, before his selection for command. In November 1978 he reported to VA-146 Blue Diamonds as Executive and then Commanding officer, deployed on USS Constellation (CV 64). During this time the squadron was recognized as the safest A-7 squadron in combined Navy-Air Force history, with over 36,175 accident-free flight hours. His highly successful command tour was followed with orders to the National War College in August 1982, and then to Executive Assistant to Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic in June 1983 working for VADM C.C. Smith, the former CO of Big E, and a mentor and friend to Bud and Fran. Unfortunately, this tour was marked with the tragic death of VADM Smith from a massive heart attack while he and Bud were jogging.

 Bud’s next assignment in June 1984 was a bonus command tour as Commanding Officer, VA-122 Flying Eagles, the A-7 RAG in Lemoore. Again, a very successful command tour, it was followed in October 1985 with orders to CTF-70 in Subic Bay, RP as the Operations officer. The next set of orders were back across the Pacific to NAS Miramar, San Diego, CA to serve as Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CAG) 14, the third “Super CAG” billet, and the first on board USS Constellation (CV 64). Beginning the tour in November 1987, he flew most of the air wing aircraft, was day and night qualified in the F-14 Tomcat, the F/A-18 Hornet, and flew the A-6 Intruder, S-3 Viking, EA-6B Prowler, and the E-2 Hawkeye only during the day. He managed to include some SH-3 time, too. Remarkably, and with good fortune, he also had a single sortie, 6 hours of flight time, in the left seat of a B-1B Lancer, which included air-to-air refueling.
 
Bud’s final Navy tour began in November 1989 with his assignment to the Office of Legislative Affairs, in Washington, D.C., as the Principal Deputy for Senate Liaison. He served there until retirement from the Navy in 1992. While on terminal leave, he made a final flight in a Navy aircraft, in the backseat of Blue Angel 4, slot man, during a practice airshow at Andrews AFB.
 
During Bud’s active Navy career, he flew over 4,650 hours, had 1,036 traps (260 night), and 104 VSTOL ship landings (17 night). He had 104 combat missions over Vietnam, three aviation command tours, and was awarded an Air Medal, 9 Strike/flight Air Medals, and a Navy Commendation Medal with combat “V.” As noted above, he flew multiple types of aircraft through his long career.
 
After retirement from the Navy, Bud’s first job was to serve as the Staff Director on the Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces. He was tasked with managing the 15 commissioners and 40 staff personnel. The first meeting was in March 1992, and the final report was delivered to the President and Congress in Nov/Dec 1992.
 
Bud next joined the corporate world, starting as Vice President in the Rolls Royce Military Engines government affairs office. Over the next 14 years he managed three separate English aerospace and defense Washington government affairs offices, at Lucas Aerospace, Smiths Aerospace, and Cobham Aerospace, two of which he started from scratch. In 2010 he became President of Omega Air Refueling, which provided contract air-refueling to the Navy throughout the world. After two years, Bud relinquished that position and became a consultant to Omega.
 
Bud put his college degree to work next, and with Fran, they co-authored a book — “Love at First Flight: Adventures, Exploits, Sacrifices, Risks and Rewards.” The book chronicles Bud and Fran’s relationship against the backdrop of Bud’s (their) Navy career. It won a medal from the Military Writers Society of America.
 
Bud is survived by his wife Fran, son Shane, daughters Sherri Gallagher (Bob) and Sue Goldenstein: six grandchildren, Katherine Gallagher, Jacob Gallagher, Maggie Goldenstein, Emily Goldenstein, Christian Orr, and Addison Orr; and one great grandchild, Reece Goldenstein. He is also survived by two sisters, Linda Potter (Stan) and Sandra Orr. A Memorial service and Celebration of Life are planned, details will be provided in a separate note. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Providence Hospice in Napa Valley, CA.
 
Bud and Fran lived life to the fullest. Bud lit up a room when he walked in, was a wonderful mentor to all, and always led by example. He and Fran closed their book with the following words, that are appropriate here:
 
“We will all get “the call” sooner or later. But those who wear the Navy Wings
of Gold know the glory of “Charlie on Arrival.” For it is by catapulting off
and landing aboard an aircraft carrier that this unique band of brothers carry
within them a picture-perfect vision of reaching out to touch the hand of God.”
 
He will be missed.
 
In sadness,
Marty Chanik
Pilot