How would I find

Hi,

couple of ideas:

if he's USNA, then there will be grad class assns with class member bios; (I don't have exp with this but it's been related to me);

try looking for an obit; this might have significant Navy info and will have family info; you may find a family member with a bio that was done when the captain retired; for genealogy, I use a subscription service for finding obits (genealogybank); depending on the newspaper, it has obits going back to the 1980s. I will do a search for you if you'd like.

try the Sub Force Library in Groton. They have a section with notebooks for each boat and you never know what you might find. You might find a change of command program, etc. Also, they have folders organized by topic (Mk 45, sub school, etc) and you might find something. I don't know how much looking the staff will do for you, but you might find someone from Groton base to help.

try other boat reunion associations; they might have a good mailing list and put out a message from you requesting info and you may find someone with info to share.

hope this helps.

Lee Ashcraft

Groton Base

⦁ LEEDS, JOHN MICHAEL, unexpectedly on October 29, 2005, in Virginia Beach, VA. Retired USN Captain.

Son of the late USN Capt. John R. and Billie Leeds; grandson of the late US Lt. Cmdr. Thomas and Philomena Schnotala and nephew of the late USN Cmdr. Thomas and Helen Brady.

Survived by his wife Leda, sister Barbara, Coram, NY; sons John, Tiverton, RI; Mark, VA; Matthew (Kelley) Millersville, MD; and Brian (Cindy) San Diego, CA; nephew Sean Cahill, Coram, NY; and nieces Bevin Llanes, Holbrook, NY; and Tara Riley, Joppa, MD. Also his former wife and friend of 35 years Mary, Virginia Beach and stepchildren, William (Denise) Sturgis and Laura (Mike) Walters, all of Virginia Beach. Besides his beloved sons, another of his greatest joys were grandchildren Riley, Collin and Kyla Leeds and Jacob and Jordyn Walters.

Born May 8, 1937, Washington, DC, he attended Archbishop John Carroll H.S. and graduated from Bullis Prep, 1955. During his high school years he followed family tradition and enlisted in the USN Reserved. In June, 1955, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1959.

His 25 year Naval career began aboard the USS Harwood and four other vessels USS Sirago, USS Remora as Executive Officer and later as Commanding Officer, USS Emory Land, Executive Officer and the USS Vulcan as Commanding Officer, 1984-86, when he retired. He graduated from the Submarine School, New London and the Naval War College Staff School and later was an instructor there. He served in the Cmdr. Submarine Group SIX, Cmrdr. Cruiser Destroyer EIGHT, and was Asst. Chief of Staff for COMSUBLANT and SUBLANT. He, also, was Flag Lt. for Adm. Lorance, Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet.

He received the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star; Navy Achievement Medal; and various Campaign ribbons. He also held a Master of Science Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. After his retirement he was affiliated with American Express Financial Advisors and Navy Federal Credit Union: CUNA Mutual Group.

A funeral service was held on November 2, 2005 in Virginia Beach. On January 4, 2006, as his father, grandfather and uncle, he will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In remembrance of him, a donation could be made to the American Parkinson Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305.