Donald E. Knepper
Captain, USN (Ret)

Graduated from the US Naval Academy class of 1955. Mason was my first duty station. I reported in September 1955. I held a number of positions - Assistant Communications, Navigator, First Lt/1st division officer and then Gunnery
Officer. I detached in June 1958. Was Flag Lt. to COMNAVBASE Norfolk and COM5. Went to Mine Warfare Staff Officers school and then was Commanding Officer of the USS Jacana (MSC 193). Attended Naval Postgraduate (MSEE) School 1964-1966. Went to Submarine School/Nuclear Power School and ended
up on the USS Scamp (SSN 588). After that was XO USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN 634). I became Commanding Officer of the USS George Washington (SSBN 598) in 1970. In 1975 I went to Dam Neck, VA to run the Navy Polaris/Poseidon School. This was followed by a tour with the Joint Strategic Targeting & Planning Staff at Offutt AFB. Next was a tour of duty with Commander-in-Chief Atlantic and Atlantic Fleet as Strategic Operations (J34) and then Operations Officer (J3). In 1980 I assumed the position of Commanding Officer, US Naval Submarine Base, New London, CT. In 1983 I was assigned to the Staff of the Joint Chiefs as Chief of Nuclear and Chemical Warfare Plans and Policy. I retired in June of 1985.

Married Evelyn Ambay in June 1958. We have six wonderful children. Number three, a son, was a dentist in the Navy, Number four, a son, is with the Army
Corps of Engineers and the youngest, a daughter, was a pilot in the Air Force.

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