DANIEL P. STEPHENS, LCDR, USN
Daniel Stephens '59
Lucky Bag
From the 1959 Lucky Bag:
DANIEL P. STEPHENS
Bethesda, Maryland
Ninth Company
Pete's sojourn at the Academy was highlighted by his interest in three activities; leave in Washington D.C., guitar music, and women. His efforts at duplication of the musical style of George Van Eps was enjoyed by many in the NA 10. Pete's guitar, along with his wife's bongo drums and a little spontaneous Plebe choreography, added much light to the "dark ages." In the future Pete hopes to go into Navy Line. Four long years at the Academy have left him eagerly awaiting his chance to wear that big stripe in the Fleet.
DANIEL P. STEPHENS
Bethesda, Maryland
Ninth Company
Pete's sojourn at the Academy was highlighted by his interest in three activities; leave in Washington D.C., guitar music, and women. His efforts at duplication of the musical style of George Van Eps was enjoyed by many in the NA 10. Pete's guitar, along with his wife's bongo drums and a little spontaneous Plebe choreography, added much light to the "dark ages." In the future Pete hopes to go into Navy Line. Four long years at the Academy have left him eagerly awaiting his chance to wear that big stripe in the Fleet.
Loss
Pete was lost when USS Scorpion (SSN 589) sank on May 22, 1968.
Other Information
From USS Scorpion (SSN-589) In Memoriam
Daniel Peter Stephens was born February 21, 1935, in Washington, D.C. He attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington and Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md. He also attended Bullis Prep School in Silver Spring, Md., before he enrolled in the University of Utah. In March 1955, he disenrolled from the NROTC at the University of Utah and reverted to enlisted status in the Naval Reserve. In June 1955, he was accepted as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated with the class of 1959 and was commissioned an ensign.
His first assignment as a naval officer was aboard the frigate Norfolk, where he served as engineer watch officer, legal officer, repair officer, and damage control officer. From June 1962, to July 1963, Lieutenant Commander Stephens served at the Naval Academy as physics instructor and midshipman liaison officer. He reported to the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Conn., in July 1963, and graduated the following December. From January 1964 to February 1965, he underwent nuclear propulsion training at Bainbridge, Md., and Windsor, Conn.
He reported to U.S.S. Scorpion in February 1965, where he served as communications officer, public affairs officer, sonar officer, navigator, duty officer, and operations officer. He qualified in submarines in 1967 while serving in Scorpion. During the course of his naval career, he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon) and the National Defense Service Medal.
He is survived by his widow, the former Judith Anne Saunders of Washington, D.C; and two sons, Spencer Keith and Rodger Rees. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stephens of Ogden, Utah.
He was survived by his parents and his wife, Judith A. Stephens.
Photographs
Related Articles
Lawrence Menzies '59 was also a member of 9th Company.
Francis Slattery '54, David Lloyd '56, John Burke '63, Charles Lamberth '63, George Farrin '63, John Sweet '64, Laughton Smith '65, and Michael Odening '66 were also aboard USS Scorpion (SSN 589) when she was lost with all hands on May 22, 1968.
USS Scorpion (SSN-589) In Memoriam - LCDR Daniel Stephens
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
