CAPT Richard A. “Dick”  Catone, USN (Ret.)

Captain Catone, a native of Atlanta Georgia, graduated from the University of Georgia in 1965.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1962.  Following his commissioning in 1965, he reported to the USS FORREST B. ROYAL (DD 872) for duty as the MPA and DCA.  The ROYAL deployed to the Tonkin Gulf for service on the gun line in Vietnam in January 1967.

Captain Catone earned his “Wings of Gold” on October 19, 1968, HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, FL. CAPT Catone is Navy Helicopter Designator Number R-10156.  CAPT Catone, following transition training with the U.S. Army as a UH-1 “HUEY GUNSHIP” attack helicopter pilot, reported to Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron THREE “SEAWOLVES” based in the Republic of South Vietnam where he flew over 600 combat missions supporting the U.S. Navy “SEALS,” the Mobile Riverine Forces, and the U.S. Army Special Forces.  In March 1970, he reported to Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT/EIGHTEEN, NAS Ellyson Field, Florida, where he served as Line Division Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Senior Test Pilot. 

Following completion of carrier replacement pilot training at HS-10, NAS Imperial Beach, California, he reported to HS-8 in March 1973 where he served as Safety Officer and Operations Officer embarked in USS KITTYHAWK (CV 63) and USS RANGER (CV 61) deploying to the Western Pacific.  In August 1975, Captain Catone attended the Air Command and Staff College graduating “with distinction.”  In February 1977, Captain Catone reported to HS-9 based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, serving as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer embarked in USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) deploying to the Mediterranean Sea.

In February 1979, Captain Catone reported to the staff of Commander SEABASEDASWWINGS, Atlantic as Assistant Operations and Plans Officer.  In December 1979, he reported to HS-11 as Executive Officer embarked in USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) deploying to the Mediterranean Sea.  Captain Catone assumed command of HS-11 in April 1981.  He embarked in USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70), recording its “first landing.”  Embarking in USS AMERICA (CV 66), he deployed to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea earning the Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for ASW excellence and the CNO “Golden Anchor” award for retention excellence.  Captain Catone was selected by the “Best of the Best” program for a six-month extension in his command tour.  The Association of Naval Aviation recognized Captain Catone as the Helicopter Search and Rescue “Pilot of the Year” for 1981.

Following his graduation from the inaugural “Post Command” course at the Naval War College in 1983, Captain Catone reported to NAS Key West, Florida where he served as the Executive Officer.  In February 1985, he assumed command of HS-1, NAS Jacksonville, Florida, earning the COMNAVAIRLANT “Silver Anchor” award for retention excellence.  In June 1986, he reported to OPNAV in Washington, DC as the Deputy Special Assistant for Safety Matters.  Captain Catone was Commodore, Training Air Wing FIVE at NAS Whiting Field, Florida from July 1989 to July 1991 earning two CNO “Golden Anchor” awards for retention excellence.  In 1991, Captain Catone assumed command of NETSAFA, Pensacola, Florida where he managed the U.S. Navy Security Assistance Training Program for over 136 foreign countries.  Captain Catone retired from the U.S. Navy on 1 April 1993.  Upon his retirement, he worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. from April 1993 to November 2005 serving as the Pensacola Operations Manager and Program Manager supporting the US Department of Defense International Security Assistance Training Program.  From January to September 2006, he served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for KSB, Inc. engaged in new business development for a Small, Disabled Veteran-Owned, 8-A, HUBZone company.   He is the President of International Consulting Services (ICS) providing tailored “best business” analytical military strategy to his clients.  Captain Catone is a co-founder and Senior Vice President of Vortex Global Innovations – designed and developed Emergency Relief Housing units to meet emergent housing requirements following natural disasters.

Captain Catone has flown over 5800 hours and has been awarded two Legion of Merit Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Meritorious Service Medals, four Single Action Air Medals, Air Medal with 20 Strike/Flight Awards and Combat “V”, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, two Meritorious Unit Citations, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, two National Defense Medals, Vietnamese Service Medal, Sea Service Ribbon (7), Vietnamese Air Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Civil Action Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals, and the Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

Captain Catone is the son of the late Vincent P. Catone and Helen L. Catone.  He is married to Julie Murray Catone from Louisville, Kentucky.  He has five children: Shane, Cam, Cacy, Chad, and Alec. 

CAPT Dick Catone, USN (Ret.) Center with CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.), NHA ED, Left and COL Pavelko, USMC TRAWING5 Right  June 11, 2021

LT Dick Catone, USN HS-10 Class November 1972. Back Row, left