Don Lee

Don Lee, 82 of Hampton died Sunday October 22, 2023. Don Lee lived a life largely defined by service. He loved to remember years of service to community and country.
The military service of Don Lee includes the ships Don served aboard with Hull Numbers and Ship’s Motto or Nickname:

USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) Essex-class Carrier
“On Sea & On Air”
USS Coral sea (CV-43) Midway-class Carrier
“The Ageless Warrior”
USS Ranger (CV-61) Forrestal-class Carrier
“Top Gun”
USS Lexington (CV-16) Essex-class Carrier
“Always Ready”
USS Oriskany (CV-34) Essex-class Carrier
“The mighty O”
USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) Essex-class
“I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight”
USS Yorktown (CV-10) Essex-class Carrier
“The Fighting Lady”
USS America (CV-66) Kitty Hawk-class Carrier
“Don’t Tread On Me”
USS Princeton (LPH-5) Essex-class Carrier
“Every Man a Tiger”
Recovery ship for Apollo 10
USS Hornet (CV-12) Essex-class Carrier
“A Heritage of Excellence”
Recovery ship for Apollo 11 and Apollo 12
USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) Iwo Jima-class Amphib.
“Do It Right the First Time”
Recovery ship for Apollo 13

Notably, Don was one of only 2 persons on the HS-4 “Black Knights” team present for all of its Apollo Recovery Missions

6-times a ShellBack (crossed over equator and back)
Retired First Class Petty Officer (AD1) 20 years
Rate: Aviation Machinist’s Mate
Served in the Army 3 years at Fort Chaffee

Don was preceded in death by his dear loving wife of 17 years, Mary Nell. Much love and gratitude is offered in her remembrance for years of kindness, love, support and really good biscuits & potatoes!
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday October 28, 2023 at Pickett Cemetery.