More detail on this person: Colonel Henry
"Hank" Steadman, 88, of Gulf Breeze, Florida
passed away peacefully on 24, April 2016,
surrounded by his loving family. Hank was born
June 9, 1927, in Drew, MS. After high school, he
enlisted in the Marines and served 33 years. His
first post was as a Ceremonial Guard at Marine
Barracks, 8th and I, Washington, DC. Travelling
33,000 miles around the U.S. with America's
documents, he served as Honor Guard on the
Freedom Train and was chosen to be USMC
recruiting poster model. Following flight school,
he attended Memphis State College, GW
University, and the University or Southern
California. During his career, he amassed over
5,000 flight hours in 27 different aircraft
including jets and helicopters (his favorite);
served two tours in Vietnam; participated in 500
combat missions; received two Silver Stars; a
Legion of Merit with Combat V; Distinguished
Flying Cross; a Purple Heart; and the Vietnamese
Cross of Gallantry. During his first tour, he was
Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of
HMM-361. During his second tour he served as
Commanding Officer (Papa Fox) of HMM-364, the
Purple Foxes, at Marble Mountain. After returning
from Vietnam, he served three years as G-3, 1st
Marine Brigade, Kaneohe, HI, and commanded
MAG-29 in 1974. After graduation from the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces he was
assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps. Upon
retirement in 1978, he moved to Gulf Breeze, FL,
and became a simulator flight instructor at
Whiting Field. He volunteered extensively at the
Naval Aviation Museum and the USO at Pensacola
Airport, was a Lifetime Member of the Optimist
Club, and was a member of the MCAA Roy Geiger
Squadron. Hank was an avid fisherman and enjoyed
traveling and playing volleyball. Hank is survived
by his wife Lois of 66 years; sister Juanita
Murphy of Oxford, MS; He was preceded in death
by his daughter Pati and brother Buddy. Our
heartfelt thanks goes to all the extraordinary
caregivers at Nurse Spring, VA Home Based
Primary Care, Regency Hospice, and Rose Lawn
Funeral Home. Your kindness and loving care
eased our pain.A time of visitation will be held
on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 9:30-10:00 AM
at St Ann Catholic Church followed by a Funeral
Mass at 10:00 AM. Interment with military honors
will take place at 11:45 AM at Barrancas National
Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL A reception will be
held following burial in the fellowship hall of
St. Ann Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers,
please donate to the Little Sister's of the Poor,
1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, AL, 36604. Pensacola
News Journal 4/26/2016
Burial: Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola,
Escambia County, Florida, USA
Burial information: Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association