For Capt. Paul Stephenson and his wife Barbara, a small-town Kansas upbringing, a chance meeting at Fort Hays State University, and a shared commitment to family shaped a marriage that has spanned more than 70 years together and carried them far beyond the plains.
Their story begins in two Kansas towns, Burrton and Elkhart, and winds through college football in Hays, naval aviation, deployments to Vietnam, and a well-deserved retirement on Coronado Island.
For Paul ’55, playing FHSU football influenced his career as a Navy pilot and weapons developer. He remembers Head Coach Ralph Huffman fondly and credits his coaches for teaching lessons that prepared him for the military; several of his teammates became lifelong friends. “My time at FHSU, especially playing football, helped shape my leadership style. Being part of that team taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of relying on others while also doing my part to contribute to success.”
Barbara ’58, chose FHSU to study elementary education and experience a smaller college environment closer to home. She enjoyed her time on campus and still has fond memories of playing cards with friends in the Memorial Union between classes.
Although Barbara never pursued a teaching career, she embraced her responsibilities as a military spouse. As Paul’s career progressed, Barbara found ways to assist their Navy community by helping to ensure that fellow military families had access to the support and resources they needed. Barbara said, “Over the years, I discovered that I had a great deal of resilience and independence. Military life required adaptability and strength, especially during long periods of separation and the realities of wartime deployment.”
Paul dedicated his career to serving as a naval pilot and developing weapons systems. He also spent time working at the Pentagon, and he credits his Midwest upbringing for much of his success in the military. “Growing up in Kansas helped instill core values such as hard work, responsibility, and integrity. Those beliefs, combined with the leadership lessons I learned from mentors throughout my life, prepared me well.”
Paul served with VA-192, the Golden Dragons, aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, then was transferred to VA-216, nicknamed the Black Diamonds, an attack squadron aboard the USS Lexington. From there, he was assigned to the USS Enterprise with VA-56, another attack squadron known as the Champions.
In 1961, he served as a U.S. Air Force exchange pilot instructor, training international students. A decade later, he continued his education at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where military leaders receive advanced education and training. Paul explained, “It provided an opportunity to study strategy, leadership, and national security issues, helping prepare officers for the broader responsibilities that come with higher levels of command.”
In total, Paul completed four tours in Vietnam, flying 403 combat missions and making 1,000 carrier landings. “Even with experience, carrier landings demanded concentration and precision. Some were more challenging than others – especially those at night, during rough seas, or through inclement weather.”
To prepare for missions, Paul’s training and the team of pilots helped him understand the details of each plan and the potential threats involved. “Squadron culture involved both competition and camaraderie. There was healthy rivalry among pilots and between squadrons within the air wing, which helped us sharpen our skills and improve performance.”
Paul’s tours in Vietnam brought challenges but also forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime. The companionship among shipmates and aviators created bonds Paul still treasures today. Those experiences, combined with his growing leadership abilities and combat experience, prepared him for increasing responsibility throughout the war.
In 1971, Paul became the commanding officer of VA-153 Blue Tail Flies aboard the USS Oriskany. The highly decorated squadron earned distinction for flying more combat missions over Vietnam during a 10-month deployment than any other carrier-based attack squadron.
In the final days of Vietnam, the decorated veteran pilot served in pivotal roles. Beginning in 1974, he commanded Carrier Air Wing 21 aboard the USS Hancock, overseeing approximately 1,200 officers and sailors. During this time, he participated in the evacuation of Saigon, helping support one of the final major operations of the conflict.
“Helicopters brought evacuees out to the carrier, including U.S. Embassy personnel, American civilians, members of the South Vietnamese government, and Vietnamese citizens who had worked with the United States. It was a tense and historic moment, and everyone involved understood how critical it was to safely evacuate as many people as possible.”
During these deployments, the couple remained committed to one another and found ways to cope with the distance. Barbara was sometimes able to travel to places like Japan to meet Paul during times of leave but also stayed in touch through letters and ship correspondence.
After the war, Paul continued in key leadership roles. Stationed at China Lake, Calif., in 1979, he commanded VX-5, the “Vampires,” a squadron responsible for developing and evaluating new aircraft, weapons, and tactics for the fleet. In 1981, he took command of the Naval Air Station Cubi Point in the Philippines, overseeing the largest and most strategically vital U.S. military bases overseas. In 1984, he returned to China Lake and was appointed Chief of Staff, a position he held until he retired from the military in 1986.
In 2011, Paul was selected to become a member of the Navy and Marine Corps’ Golden Eagles, an organization consisting of pioneers in the development of new concepts, distinguished combat pilots, and those who have received special citations for outstanding performance. Paul’s commitment to the military inspired the next generation to serve as well.
Their sons followed their father into the military. Blair and Grant served in the U.S. Navy for 20 and 10 years, respectively. Reed served 25 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Currently, one grandson, Spencer, is actively serving in the Ohio Army National Guard. The couple resides on Coronado Island, Calif., near Blair, the oldest of their three sons.