Rear Admiral James A. Winnefeld, USN (Ret.) died at the Ginger Cove retirement community in Annapolis, Maryland on November 26, 2015.

He was born in Paterson, New Jersey on January 1, 1929 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1951.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years in destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships. He commanded a carrier aircraft squadron, an air group, an amphibious ship, and an amphibious squadron. He saw active service in combat in both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

In 1960 he was awarded a master of arts in international affairs from Stanford University. From 1976-1978 he served as Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy.

After he retired from the Navy, he worked at RAND Corporation, a non-profit think tank. He authored numerous articles for professional journals, co-authored four books on policy analysis, and wrote two works of fiction. He was previously married to 1951 Naval Academy Color Girl, Fredda Coupland Winnefeld, of Wildwood, Florida. The couple spent several summers in East Boothbay.

He is survived by his wife, The Honorable Judith Duckett of Annapolis, Md.; daughter, Lea Sandman; son, Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr., USN (Ret.); and six wonderful grandchildren.