The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the March 2022 story of the month has been selected to recognize the service of Rear Admiral William G. Sizemore. The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program was privileged to interview Rear Admiral Sizemore at the Vinson Hall Retirement Community in the Summer of 2019 and again in 2021.  

Rear Admiral Sizemore served 38 years in the United States Navy. His service began during World War Two in 1944. He recalled, "I dropped out of high school to do this. The war was going on and my dad was on an aircraft carrier as an enlisted man. Everyone was going into the service in those days. My Dad volunteered and I volunteered. I wanted to be a tail gunner on an aircraft." He attended basic training in Tennessee and was preparing to be a Combat Air Crewman and continued schooling until the war ended. He was awarded his high school diploma and prepared for a new journey to become a Navy Pilot. The prerequisites and qualifications to be accepted into the flight training program were rigorous. Each step of the way, Sizemore excelled and completed the mandatory college work and flight training to become a Navy Pilot.  

Upon earning his wings, he joined Air Group 19 on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer CV 21 in 1950. He shared, "we flew over Tokyo and over various cities in Korea. We visited the Korean capital in the Spring of 1950." After returning to the United States, North Korean forces invaded South Korea, igniting the Korean War. In response to the growing hostilities, Sizemore’s squadron was transferred to the aircraft carrier, USS Princeton CV 37. As the USS Princeton prepared for war, Sizemore returned home and married the love of his life. Following a short time together, the USS Princeton departed for war. He shared, “We covered the Marine withdraw with close air support and various attacks on the Chinese that were coming in. We reestablished control at the 38th Parallel and we conducted strikes and close air supports...I recorded 50 combat missions." Upon returning home, he became an instructor for bombers and saw an opportunity to be an instructor for fighters. He was recognized for his leadership abilities and skill in the cockpit. That recognition led to a new assignment flying jet fighters with VFA 154 on the USS Yorkton CV 10.

Sizemore continued to be recognized by his superiors for his natural abilities piloting the latest naval aircraft and leading others. He attended UC Berkeley and received promotions which led to new challenges and responsibilities. As a new war loomed on the horizon in Southeast Asia, Sizemore led Attack Squadron 93 on USS Enterprise CVAN 65. He recalled, “I faced one of the first missiles that came at us, it was very exciting. It did not go off; we just flew up over it and it went back behind us. Flying over North Vietnam was exciting.” He flew a number of combat missions over Vietnam during the war. Upon returning home from the war deployment, he was made an Air Wing Commander on the USS John F. Kennedy CV 67 which sailed for the Mediterranean Sea. In the Mediterranean, he encountered the Soviet Navy and the uneasy standoff of the Cold War. His promotions continued upon joining the Admirals Staff and then becoming the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Jacksonville.  

After successfully completing that assignment, he returned to Washington D.C. where he was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel overseeing Naval Aviators. He continued to lead by example and inspired those he commanded. For his actions in the fleet and on shore, he was recommended for Rear Admiral which led to a new assignment serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His time in Washington and career experiences opened a new door and assignment which would take him across the globe to Moscow as the Defense Attaché to the Soviet Union. “I was in charge of our outfits there and was the senior aid to the Ambassador. We had navy guys there to keep tabs on their building program and fleet in Leningrad.” As with his previous assignments, he and his family made lifelong assignments overseas. By this point, Rear Admiral Sizemore had served 38 years in the United States Navy, his children had grown, and in 1982, his active service came to a close.

Rear Admiral Sizemore is an inspiration to current and future generations of Americans and especially Naval aviators. He enlisted in 1944, later received an appointment to become a Naval Officer and retired as a Rear Admiral. His story is unique in many ways and showcases his dedication to the Navy, his family, and defense of the Nation. He is a key witness and participant to the evolution of Naval aviation from piloting propeller aircraft to jet aircraft. He flew extensive combat missions over Korea and Vietnam and faced ever changing air defenses. His service story is also unique having served roles in the capitals of the United States and Soviet Union. The Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program film crew is honored to have had the opportunity to meet and interview Rear Admiral Sizemore.  

The United States Navy Memorial honors United States Navy Veteran, Rear Admiral William G. Sizemore, featured within this series titled, Tales from the Navy Log, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at https://www.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service 

To view this interview please visit the Vinson Hall Veterans Collection on the Navy Memorial Stories of Service page.