Many of us have worn the uniform and others not.  However, all of us remember certain individuals that have stood out in their memories as outstanding leaders.  Two of those individuals that come to mind for me are LCDR James E. Roper and CAPT Michael Battaglia.

 

LCDR Roper was my first commanding officer at Coastal River Division 21.  Prior to assuming command of our unit, LCDR Roper had commanded two divions of PBR's (patrol boat, river) in Vietnam: RivDiv 514 and 572.  LCDR Roper was one of those guys that inspired subordinates to be better than they ever thought they could be.  His standards were high and his rules were tough, but fair.

 

CAPT Mike Battaglia was cut from similar cloth.  Mike was a TAR (a Naval Reservist on active duty, specially equipped to support reservists).  He had 26 years' service in the Navy and came to Naval Reserve Center, Great Lakes, from a job as program manager for the Reserve P-3C ASW aircraft community.  He, too, was inspiring, fair, and tough.

 

I still remember these gentlemen to this day.  They made a differnce in my life and taught me much about leadership of others.

 

Alas, CAPT Battaglia was hired away from us by a large bank.  They offered him the vice presidency of international operations at triple his salary as a Navy CAPT.  He retired and took the job.  As proof of his abilities, CAPT Battaglia took the reserve units under his command from next to last in the Ninth Naval District to first in a little over one year.  When he left, his replacement took us from first to dead last in the same amount of time.

 

LCDR Jim Roper was transferred to Japan in June 1974.  He later returned to the U.S. and became the CO of Harbor Clearnance Unit TWO at NAB Little Creek, VA.  When he retired from the Navy, he returned to his home town of Golconda, IL.  He was elected mayor and served in this capacity for 10 years.  In his later years, he suffered a minor stroke.  Undaunted, he carried on with a damaged heart.  In February 2000, after making a speech in a neighboring town, he sat down, and keeled over from a massive heart attack at age 61.

 

There are people who make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.  I am proud to have known both of these outstanding individuals.