Albert Joseph Perrella Jr.
February 28, 1936 ~ June 12, 2023
Captain Albert Joseph Perrella Jr, USN (Ret)
(Age 87)
Albert “Al” Perrella Jr. passed away at home on Monday, June 12, 2023, surrounded by his family. Al was born in Atlantic City, NJ to Albert J Perrella and Edna A Myhlertz on February 28, 1936.
Al entered the navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet, receiving his commission and his wings in 1957. He served with VF-71 flying the F2H-4 Banshee; VAH squadrons 3, 7, and 1, flying the A3D Skywarrior; and RVAH-11 and 13 flying the RA-5C Vigilante. He participated in multiple combat deployments and was flying with RVAH-11 on the USS Forrestal when fire broke out on the ship in July 1967. He served as Executive and Commanding Officer of RVAH-9, the “Hoot Owls,” from April 1973 to April 1975.
During his Naval career he received his bachelor and masters degrees in Engineering Electronics from the Naval Postgraduate School, attended the Naval War College, and served on the Faculty the of the United States Naval Academy where he taught Electrical Engineering. He served tours in the Navy Space Project Office, Office of Naval Research, Sixth Fleet Staff, as Program Manager for Avionics at the Naval Air Systems Command, and as Director of Export Control for OSD. Al retired from the Navy in October 1984. Immediately following retirement from the Navy, he embarked on a second career with the Institute of Defense Analyses. He was an original Plank Owner as a member of the POET Team supporting Ballistic Missile Defense initiatives.
Al met the love of his life, the former Ann James, during a blind date spent waterskiing and drinking Stinger cocktails in July 1959. They were married in August 1960 and had three children together. Following his retirement from IDA he and his bride continued their adventures together with frequent cruises, visiting many exotic places and various ports of call around the world.
Warrior, scholar, husband, and father, Al will be remembered by his family and friends as a modern renaissance man. He is survived by his adoring wife of 62 years, Ann Perrella, his three children Michael Perrella (Debra), William Perrella and Laura Griggs (Daniel); four beloved grandchildren, William Griggs (Jennifer), Anne Griggs, Genevieve Perrella and Ryan Perrella, and his brother Phillip (Epp).
A graveside service with full military honors will be rendered at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday November 9, 2023 at 1pm. In remembrance of Al’s life, the family requests that in lieu of flowers any charitable donation be made in his name to Fisher House Foundation Inc. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.moneyandking.com
Services
Graveside Service: November 9, 2023 1:00 pm
Arlington National Cemetery
1 Memorial Ave
Fort Myer, VA 22211
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2023-11-09 13:00:00
2023-11-09 13:00:00
Albert JosephPerrellaGraveside Service
Graveside Service
1 Memorial Ave,Fort Myer, VA 22211
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A wonderful man and a caring skipper. I was honored to have had him as my commanding officer. My love and sympathy to his family.
A wonderful man and a caring skipper. I was honored to have had him as my commanding officer. My love and sympathy to his family.
Mr. Perella was my CO in while serving in RVAH9 in Key West.
We have texted and I sent him a Hootowl hat.
A vigilante pilot and a good skipper.
HHMF !
Mr. Perella was my CO in while serving in RVAH9 in Key West.
We have texted and I sent him a Hootowl hat.
A vigilante pilot and a good skipper.
HHMF !
Sincere condolences to all of the Perrella family on the passing of your beloved. Thank you for your service CAPT Perrella. May you have a peaceful journey home.
Sincere condolences to all of the Perrella family on the passing of your beloved. Thank you for your service CAPT Perrella. May you have a peaceful journey home.
Al and I were what I would call best friends in High School and shared many of the same interests including playing chess till the wee hours of the morning. We both loved swimming in a quarry near Pottstown, PA. , and both decided to take the Navy ROTC Scholarship Exam. As it turned out we were the only two of our graduating class accepted by the Navy.
Al went to the University of S. Carolina and I went off to Tufts University, but he left early to joint the Aviation cadet program. As a consequence he received his wings and commission about a month before my commission and a good 18 months before I received my wings.
The result was we drifted apart, but I have never forgotten the friendship we shared in our early years.
It was with sadness that I just read of Al’s passing and being buried in Arlington where my wife of 31 years is now resting, and where I will eventually be by her side.
Al and I were what I would call best friends in High School and shared many of the same interests including playing chess till the wee hours of the morning. We both loved swimming in a quarry near Pottstown, PA. , and both decided to take the Navy ROTC Scholarship Exam. As it turned out we were the only two of our graduating class accepted by the Navy.
Al went to the University of S. Carolina and I went off to Tufts University, but he left early to joint the Aviation cadet program. As a consequence he received his wings and commission about a month before my commission and a good 18 months before I received my wings.
The result was we drifted apart, but I have never forgotten the friendship we shared in our early years.
It was with sadness that I just read of Al’s passing and being buried in Arlington where my wife of 31 years is now resting, and where I will eventually be by her side.
We have such fond memories of Al during the time we lived in Virginia. He was a wonderful mentor to Chuck and we always enjoyed spending time with him and his wife, Ann. A true honorable hero and we’re so glad we were able to know him.
We have such fond memories of Al during the time we lived in Virginia. He was a wonderful mentor to Chuck and we always enjoyed spending time with him and his wife, Ann. A true honorable hero and we’re so glad we were able to know him.