Commander Virgil B. Melvin Us Navy Ret.

Commander Virgil B. Melvin, US Navy Ret., a resident of Portsmouth, RI and a native of Hannibal, Missouri, died at age 84 on Monday, June 15, at the RI Veterans Home, Bristol, following an illness. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen M. Melvin of Portsmouth, his son, James B. Melvin of Jacksonville, FL and his daughter, Eileen M. Brown of Ada, Michigan. He was the grandfather of Amy, Steven and Michael Melvin and Alison, Kyle, Gabriele, Nicholas, Mia and Elaina Brown. Cdr. Melvin enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served thirty-two years. While serving aboard the destroyer USS Monssen, as a gunners mate, he participated in the invasion of Saipan and the Marianas Island, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the invasion of Pelieu and Leyte, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the invasions of Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa and the first bombardment of the Japanese homeland. He received eight Battle Stars in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1956, and served as Engineering Officer aboard the destroyer USS Orleck. He later commanded the Minesweepers, Falcon and Bulwark and served as Surface Operations Officer on the staff of Commander Destroyer Flotilla Ten. He was awarded the Bronze Star with V for combat action in Vietnam, the Meritorious Service Medal and 17 Areas Campaign Service Medals including the Combat Action Ribbon and in Vietnam where as Surface Warfare Officer on the Commander Naval Forces, he worked with the Navy Seals. Cdr. Melvin was appointed Commanding Officer and Commander Fleet Training Group, Newport, RI following his return from Vietnam. After his retirement Cdr. Melvin worked in the transportation industry and later formed a promotional advertising company. He was a past president of the Portsmouth Rotary Club, and a founding member of the Pop Warner Football Board, which established Pop Warner Football in Portsmouth. He was also the very proud coach of the Aquidneck Construction Hard Hats, a championship Little League Team. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial Monday, June 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State Street, Bristol. Burial with Full Military Honors will take place in Arlington National Cemetery. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State Street, Bristol, RI 02809. His family would like to express their most sincere appreciation for the level of professional, compassionate care he received from the nurses and staff at the RI Veterans Home in Bristol where he resided for the last four months.

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