AAO Chapter 8, San Diego, CA

09/19/2026

🇺🇸 National POW/MIA Recognition Day 🇺🇸

Today aboard the USS Midway, we had the honor of recognizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day and remembering the service members who endured captivity, those who returned home, and those who remain unaccounted for.

It was especially meaningful to see Tom Crosby, Vice Commander of the American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW), there sharing his story and experiences with visitors. Tom continues to dedicate his time to keeping the history and sacrifices of our former POWs alive for future generations.

Tom and Jose shared their experiences with visitors. Adult children of former POWs who have since passed away were also there, proudly carrying on their fathers’ legacies and sharing their stories. It was a powerful reminder that their stories do not end with them, their families continue to carry them forward and ensure they are never forgotten.

We are incredibly grateful to Tom, Jose, the families who continue to preserve these stories, and all of our former Prisoners of War for their sacrifice, resilience, and legacy.

Sailors from USS ESSEX (LHD 2) and members of AAO Chapter 8 were honored to be there to support Tom, Jose, their families, and this important day of remembrance.

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. 🇺🇸

09/03/2026

On Saturday, 29 August 2026, the AAO Chapter 8 unofficially hosted two Navy commands and their Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selectees at the John and Alice Finn gravesite. The Selectees researched and delivered briefs on the Pearl Harbor Medal of Honor recipient. After the training, all Selectees received a John and Alice Finn gravestone coin. We concluded the day with lunch at the Golden Acorn Casino. Special thanks to Chapter 8 personnel: Tom Lord, Mike Bornstein, Sandra Velez, Tom Crosby, Carol Knott, and Barry Stemler

09/03/2026

Hope to see everyone tonight!

08/24/2026

AAO Chapter 8 and Interested Personnel
You are cordially invited to join more than 40 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selectees representing three San Diego commands for a profound historical training event.
Event Details
• Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
• Time: 10:00am
• Location: Saint Carmel Cemetery, located on the Campo Indian Reservation (Gravesite of LT John Finn and his wife, Alice)
Training Highlights
• CPO Selectee Presentations: Selectees will present deep-dive research into the extraordinary actions of LT John William Finn.
• The Medal of Honor Legacy: Focus will center on December 7, 1941, at Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, where Chief Finn manned an exposed machine gun, absorbed 21 distinct wounds, and earned the first Medal of Honor of World War II.
Featured Special Guests
• Joedy Adams: Eyewitness to history who survived the initial wave at NAS Kaneohe Bay. She will share a harrowing personal account of escaping the Japanese strafing and bombing raids with her mother.
• Tom Crosby (Tentative): A survivor of the December 8, 1941, attacks in the Philippines. Captured by enemy forces, he endured three grueling years as a Prisoner of War at the infamous Santo Tomas Internment Camp, surviving starvation and the lethal "All-Kill Order."
Please join us to honor our heritage, hear irreplaceable first-hand history, and support the next generation of Chief Petty Officers.

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08/21/2026

Here are some of the AAO Chapter 8 personnel who attended the 2026 AAO Convention.

08/21/2026

Congratulations to AAO Chapter 8 members, AOCM (RET) Diane McQueen-Gipson (Class of 2023) and CWO4 (RET) Lester Gipson (Class of 2026) for being the first Aviation Ordnance couple to be inducted into the AAO Hall of Fame. History was made at the 2026 AAO Convention.

08/21/2026

Congratulations to AAO Chapter 8 member, CWO4 (RET) Lester Gipson for his induction into the AAO Hall of Fame during our Centential Convention. IYAOYAS!

07/25/2026

John W. Finn Song

Original Outlaw Country Ballad Honoring Medal of Honor Recipient Lt...

07/10/2026

Celebration of Life for JT Truman.

07/10/2026

It is with deep sadness to inform the Chapter of the passing of our colleague and friend, AOCM (Ret) James “JT” Truman, who passed on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. JT was an incredible part of our Aviation Ordnance community, and he will be dearly missed. No other information is available at this time. Those with more information and would like to share, please do.