At the American Legion Annual Convention, Past Department Commander Royal E. Sheeley was elected NECMan for the State of Vermont.
Biography of LCdr. Royal E. Sheeley, United States Navy Retired
Lieutenant Commander Royal Edwin SHEELEY was born in Kingston, New York, on 8 March 1940
Lieutenant Commander SHEELEY enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1960 as a Nuclear Submarine Engineering Program Trainee. In 1962 he was selected for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, from September 1962 until June 1966. During this period he was promoted through the enlisted ranks to Machinist Mate First Class. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in both Physics and Mathematics. In October 1996 he completed Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, and received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
Lieutenant Commander Sheeley's duty assignments included tours in USS CREVALLE (AGSS-291), USS DOGFISH (SS-350), USS IREX (SS 482), USS THOMAS A. EDISON (SSBN-610) (BLUE Crew), as Mk 48 Torpedo Tactical Development Office on the Staff of Commander Submarine Development Group TWO, in USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN 640) (BLUE Crew), and as Commanding Officer USS WATERFORD (ARD-5).
Lieutenant Commander Sheeley has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Enlisted Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, and Navy Expert Pistol Marksmanship award. He is qualified in submarines both as an officer and enlisted.
On 30 October 1981 Lieutenant Commander Sheeley retired from active duty and joined Analysis and Technology Inc. in Stonington Connecticut as a submarine tactics, weapons and fire control system operations analyst. During his 16 year career at Analysis and Technology he was a Department Head and program manager for the development of operating guidelines and training materials for the digital fire control systems supporting the employment of the MK 48 (ADCAP) Torpedo and Tomahawk Cruise Missile weapons systems onboard the USS Los Angles (SSN 688 - Class), and earlier classes of Nuclear Fast Attack Submarines. Prior to retiring from Analysis and Technology he was program manager for the development of the Fire Control Operating Guidelines for the Sea Wolf (SSN 21 – class) Attack Submarine.
LCdr SHEELEY is active in several Veterans and Volunteer Organizations:
He is a member of Crippen-Fellows Post # 50 The American Legion, in Bomoseen VT, where he served as the Post Commander, Scouting Coordinator, Emergency Shelter Coordinator, and is a Color Guard Member. Previous offices include 1st V Cdr/2nd V Cdr, Adjutant (4yrs), Color Guard Cdr/Sgt-At-Arms, and Acting Chaplain. At the Department level he has been Department Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, Southern Area Commander, 4th District Commander, served two terms as Rutland County Commander, three terms as the Chairman of the American Legion Department of Vermont Committee on Children and Youth, a member of The Law and Order Cadet Training Program Committee for five years, has been appointed to the second term as a member of the National Naval Affairs Committee, previously a member of Americanism Committee and Post Evaluation Chairman.
LCdr SHEELEY was also a member of the Vermont State Guard where he holds the Rank of COL and serves as the second Battalion Commanding Officer of Second Battalion Vermont State Guard with headquarters at the Rutland Armory. He has been awarded the Vermont Commendation medal for his contributions to the Family Support Programs and Solider Readiness Programs in support of the deployment of Vermont National Guard Personnel.
At the community level he was the Rutland Region Community Emergency Response Team Director and member of the Executive Board of Rutland County Local Emergency Planning Commission II (LEPC-II).
Other Organizations include:
Harley P. Chase Post 1265, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Pawcatuck Connecticut;
Green Mountain Base, United States Submarine Veterans Inc.
Military Officers Association of America,
Gov. Samuel Huntington Chapter, Connecticut Society, Sons of The American Revolution,
Independence Lodge No 10 A.F. & A.M. Orwell VT
Lodge Council Chapter Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies, valley of Norwich, Norwich CT
New London Chapter 50, National Sojourners
LCdr. SHEELEY and his wife Susan now enjoy retirement and reside in North Poultney, VT. They have two daughters; Cynthia Meardy who lives in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, and Julianna Cogswell who lives in Vergennes VT.
