Propeller Club – Port of Jacksonville is partnering with the Navy League of the United States – Mayport, Florida Council to host our annual event honoring the US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Sailor of the Year, and the Customs & Border Protection, Area Port of Jacksonville, Officer of the Year.
Guest Speaker, JOHN EDWARD O’NEIL, JR. will Speak About the Recently Arrived Retired Navy Destroyer, USS Orleck, the Centerpiece of Jacksonville's Naval Museum, Scheduled to Open this June.
Reception begins at 6 p.m.
Program/dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Business Attire
The ticket includes dinner/Cash Bar
About JOHN EDWARD O’NEIL, JR.
Captain US Navy (Retired)
Executive Director
Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association
Surface Warfare Officer with over 30 years of active duty, including 11 years in command and executive officer positions – 1968-1999. Commander, Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; CO, Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Norfolk, VA and CO USS Harlan County (LST-1196). Served on 8 ships making ten deployments to the MED and Western Pacific. Spent his first year of active duty ashore in South Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay.
Graduated Bishop Kenny High School, Jacksonville, FL; earned a BS History Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama; Masters - The George Washington University, Washington DC and advanced Strategic Policy Studies - National Defense University. Published author of over 26 articles in the Naval Institute PROCEEDINGS magazine. Traveled to over 120 Islands and countries around the world in the Navy and as a civilian.
Have spent 12 years working to bring a retired Navy warship to downtown Jacksonville and succeeded in this on Saturday March 26 2022 with ex-USS Orleck (DD-886)now at the Hyatt. Married to NYU Law School graduate and attorney Carol Ann Whitlock O'Neil for 50 years. Father of a son and daughter. Has three cats, plays golf and is ready to travel again.
