Captain Eugene “Red” McDANIEL, USN (Ret),
Golden Eagle Emeritus
 

Gentlemen,
 
It is my sad duty to report that on Friday, 7 August 2026, Golden Eagle Emeritus CAPT Eugene “Red” McDANIEL, USN (Ret), made his Last Take Off at his residence in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 94.
 
Red was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on 27 September 1931. He was raised and lived in Kinston until graduating from Grainer High School. After graduation Red headed off to Campbell Junior College in Buies Creek, North Carolina, on an athletic scholarship. Completing junior college Red entered Elon College and graduated in 1955. Red met his wife Dorothy at Campbell College, and they were married 6 years after meeting. Red decided to forgo a professional baseball career and joined the U.S. Navy to fly aircraft on 15 March 1955 via the Aviation Officers Candidate School.
 
Red began U.S. Navy flight training in March 1955 earning his Wings of Gold in October 1956. In November 1956 Red started training at VA-25, an operational squadron, in the A-1 Skyraider as there were not dedicated RAG training squadrons at this time. He transitioned to VA-65 and flew with that squadron for four years. In January 1961 Red joined VA-42, the A-1 RAG as a flight instructor and served there just under two years. Completing this tour Red was ordered to NATTC Glynco, Georgia, as an AIC/CCA student. With this certification he was then assigned to USS Independence (CVA 62) as Assistant CATC Officer. In May 1965 Red completed his disassociated sea tour and headed to VA-35 his next operational tour flying A-6A Intruders and assigned the duties of squadron Maintenance Officer.
 
On his 81st combat mission, on 19 May 1967, while on a strike mission over North Vietnam, Red and his BN were shot down. Red ended up getting captured and spending the next 6 and a half years as a Prisoner of War (POW) in North Vietnam’s Hanoi Hilton.
 
Upon his repatriation in March 1973, Red spent the next 8 months recovering from his injuries incurred during his captivity. In November 1973 Red was assigned to COMMATWING One at NAS Oceana, Virginia. He served there until April 1974 when he was assigned to the CINCLANT staff in Norfolk, Virginia. In mid 1975 Red was selected for command of the USS Niagara Falls (AFS 3). He assumed command and served as Commanding Officer until November 1976 when he was selected for conventional aircraft carrier command and was transferred to Acro, Idaho, for preparatory aircraft carrier command training.
 
In May 1977 Captain McDANIEL assumed command of USS Lexington (CVT 16). During his tour “Lex" accumulated over 20,000 accident-free traps. He served as CO until November 1978 when he was reassigned as Director, Navy / Marine Corps Liaison, Office of Legislative Affairs, House of Representatives. Always promoting the U.S. Navy, he worked daily with Representatives on national defense planning and providing information important to the Navy’s senior leadership.
 
Captain McDANIEL served on the Hill until 6 January 1982 when he retired from active duty having completed 27 years of service. Red amassed over 6,000 flight hours and was awarded the Navy Cross, 2 Silver Stars, a Legion of Merit, a Distinguished Flying Cross, 8 individual Air Medals, 4 Strike/Flight Air Medals, a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts.
 
Upon his U.S. Navy retirement Red founded American Defense Institute and the American Defense Foundation. Both organizations promoted a strong National Defense. Red served as president of both until 1998 when he founded ACCFamily, a senior home health care agency in Alexandria, Virginia. Red was also very involved in the search for his BN, LT James Patterson (who was never repatriated, although surviving his ejection and eventually declared Missing in Action) and other POWs / MIAs. This was a “mission” Red assumed and carried out throughout his life.
 
Captain MCDANIEL is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy Howard McDaniel, three children, retired Captain Michael McDaniel, Leslie Lindsay and David McDaniel, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
 
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 1300, Saturday, 22 August 2026 at the Alexandria Presbyterian Church at 1300 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
 
He will be missed.

In Sadness,
Matt MOFFIT
Pilot