REAR ADMIRAL IS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL
The Grand Marshal for Elmhurst’s 92nd Memorial Day Parade is Elmhurst native John G. Messerschmidt, a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy who was recalled back to active duty in 2008 to command America’s naval reserve forces.
The Parade will step off at York and Third streets in downtown Elmhurst on Monday, May 31, at 9:30 a.m. A Post-Parade Military Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park will follow at around 11 a.m.
The 2010 Parade is presented by the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Elmhurst American Legion T.H.B. Post 187, Elmhurst Veterans of Foreign Wars Walter A. Glos Post 2048 and the City of Elmhurst.
The son of Ann and the late Fred Messerschmidt is a graduate of Immaculate Conception Grade School (1971) and High School (1975), respectively. While at ICHS,
he participated in athletics, played trumpet in the band, served as Student Council President and was an Illinois State Scholar.
he participated in athletics, played trumpet in the band, served as Student Council President and was an Illinois State Scholar.
He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, by then-Illinois Senator Charles Percy and graduated with Honors in 1979.
He served nearly eight years on active duty as a nuclear submarine officer. Following nuclear propulsion and basic submarine training, he served aboard USS James Madison (SSBN 627 Blue) where he qualified as a submarine warfare officer and nuclear engineer officer, completing three strategic deterrent patrols from Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.
He then served ashore as a submarine communications project officer with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in Arlington, Virginia, prior to transferring to the Navy Reserve in December 1986.
As a reservist, Rear Admiral Messerschmidt has commanded five Reserve Units and served in a variety of other senior positions. While in command, his units earned numerous awards including two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations.
His other tours of duty include Reserve Chief of Staff, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Deputy Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Midwest.
Since being promoted to Flag rank in October 2006, he has served as Vice Commander of the Submarine Force and Deputy Chief of Navy Reserve.
Recalled back to active duty, he served as Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, in Norfolk, Virginia, from November 2008 to March 2010. In that role, Rear Admiral Messerschmidt was responsible for the training and readiness of 67,000 Navy Reservists, management of 130 Navy Reserve Centers around the country, and administration of a $1.3 billion dollar budget.
Over his Navy career, he attended the National Defense University CAPSTONE
General and Flag Officer Course and the Navy Executive Business Courses at the University of North Carolina and Babson College, and other professional development courses.
General and Flag Officer Course and the Navy Executive Business Courses at the University of North Carolina and Babson College, and other professional development courses.
His personal military awards include the Legion of Merit (3 awards), Meritorious
Service Medal (4 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards).
Service Medal (4 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards).
He has also received three Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals and is
actively involved in Boy Scouts of America as an Assistant Scoutmaster.
actively involved in Boy Scouts of America as an Assistant Scoutmaster.
Rear Admiral Messerschmidt is currently awaiting his next assignment.
In his civilian career, he has been employed since 1987 as a systems engineer by
The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work in the public
interest. He holds a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from George
Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work in the public
interest. He holds a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from George
Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
The Rear Admiral and his wife Lizann, also a MITRE employee, will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this September. They have three sons: Cory, a graduate of
William & Mary and a third-year medical student at Eastern Virginia Medical School; Connor, a junior in high school, three-sport varsity athlete and Eagle Scout; and Colin, a straight “A” eighth-grader who is also working toward Eagle rank.
William & Mary and a third-year medical student at Eastern Virginia Medical School; Connor, a junior in high school, three-sport varsity athlete and Eagle Scout; and Colin, a straight “A” eighth-grader who is also working toward Eagle rank.
The Messerschmidts reside in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC.
About the USS James Madison
USS James Madison (SSBN-627), the lead ship in her class of ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for James Madison (1751–1836), the fourth President of the United States (1809–1817).
The contract to build James Madison was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on July 20, 1961, and her keel was laid down there on March 5, 1962. Armed with 16 Polaris A-3 ballistic
missiles, she was launched on March 15, 1963, and commissioned on July 28, 1964.
missiles, she was launched on March 15, 1963, and commissioned on July 28, 1964.
After post-shakedown repairs and modification in November and December 1964, James Madison departed on her first deterrent patrol on January 17, 1965. Serving in the European area, she completed her 10th deterrent patrol by the end of 1966.
During her first major overhaul, James Madison was retrofitted with Poseidon
C-3 missiles and their associated Mark 88 firecontrol system. Poseidon was replaced by Trident C-4 missiles in the early 1980s.
C-3 missiles and their associated Mark 88 firecontrol system. Poseidon was replaced by Trident C-4 missiles in the early 1980s.
The inactivation of James Madison at Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California, began on February 18, 1992. She was decommissioned on November 20, 1992, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day, and her inactivation at Mare Island was completed on December 8, 1992. Her scrapping was completed on October 24, 1997.