Donald Linn Felt VIRGINIA BEACH - Donald
Linn Felt, a retired Navy rear admiral and accomplished
naval aviator, died April 19, 2011 at Sentara Virginia
Beach General Hospital.
He was born in San Diego June 6, 1931 to the late Adm. Don Felt and
Kathryn Cowley Felt. Growing up in the heart of naval aviation during
World War II, Linn knew he wanted to fly Navy. After graduating from
Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., he took the first step
toward his goal by entering the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the
Class of 1953. He completed a tour in USS George Clymer (AP A-27) and
entered flight training, earning his wings in 1956. Duty in a series of attack
squadrons culminated in command of VA- 27 where he completed more
than 240 combat missions flying A4 and A7 aircraft over Vietnam. He
received numerous awards and citations for airmanship and leadership in
combat. Other sea tours were Strike Operations in Intrepid (CVA-11) during
the Vietnam conflict and commanding officer of Camden (AOE-2). The
highlight of his career in naval aviation as command of Midway (CVA-41)
homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. In 1980, Linn was promoted to rear
admiral and served as commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan and later in J-4
and J-5 on the Joint Staff, retiring in 1985.
He had earned the degree of aeronautical engineer from the U.S. Naval
Postgraduate School. Putting his education to good use in his second career,
Adm. Felt taught physics and mathematics in high schools in Arlington and
Virginia Beach. Later he served on the Virginia Beach School Board for
three years where he focused on curricula and student evaluation.
He was a member of several organizations including the associations of
Naval Aviation, Tailhook, A4's and Naval Academy. Linn was responsible
for the administration of scholarships for the Virginia Beach Sports Club.
Adm. Felt is survived by Marguerite, his life companion and loving wife for
53 years; their children, Kathryn Kane, Mary O'Connor, Liz Cerand,
George Felt and Sara Barnett, who shared the adventures and tribulations in
the life of a navy man, traveling from coast to coast, Hawaii and Japan. He
is also survived by 13 loving grandchildren and friend, Don Muise.
A memorial service will be held Monday, April 25, in the Fort Story Chapel
at 2 p.m. A reception at Broad Bay Country Club will follow.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. H.D. Oliver
Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements. Those
planning to attend the service that do not have DOD access need to call the
funeral home to be put on the list to gain entry onto the base at (757)
428-7880.
Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.