Commander Harrison Starn, Retired Navy Officer
Commander Harrison F. Starn, Jr.
The Washington Times
February 19, 2006
http://washingtontimes.com/obituary/20060218-105839-1541r.htm
Harrison F. Starn Jr., retired Navy commander, died of complications from
mesothelioma on Jan. 5 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.
He was 78.
A resident of Arlington, Cmdr. Starn was born in New Jersey.
After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended GlassboroCollege
in New Jersey before entering the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated
in 1951. He also graduated from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in
Monterey, Calif., in 1962 with a degree in ordnance engineering.
Cmdr. Starn served during the Korean War, the Cuban missile crisis and
the Vietnam War. During his career he served aboard a cruiser, destroyers
and landing-troop ships. He received several commendations and decorations.
In addition, Cmdr. Starn served as aide to the commandant in the 5th Naval
District. His last tour of duty was with the Special Projects Programs
of the Naval Sea Systems Command in the District.
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1977, Cmdr. Starn joined Vitro
Corp. as a senior engineer working on missile programs. He was an owner
of the business American Water Sports of Virginia and was an active supporter
of several fire departments, rescue squads and law-enforcement agencies.
Cmdr. Starn was a member of the Military Officers Association of America
and American Legion Post 139 of Arlington. His interests included reading,
scuba diving, painting, photography, electronics, mechanics, woodworking
and helping neighbors with repairs.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marie, of Arlington; daughter Marie-Anne
Lillis and her husband Gerry of Haymarket, Va.; son Harrison III and his
wife Melissa of Sterling, Va.; four stepgrandchildren; and several nieces
and nephews.
USS
Wahkiakum County (LST-1162)
Executive Officer-Navigator
USS
Waldo County (LST-1163)
Engineering Officer/Damage Control Officer
USS
Haynsworth (DD-700)
Operations Officer
USS
Hank (DD-702)
Executive Officer

Commander Starn giving instructions to his scuba diving students in the 1985.
The Starn Family
Harrison Starn, III, Marie-Anne Lillis, Commander Starn and his wife,
Marie Starn. November 2005
Commander Starn on the cover of
Skin Divermagazine, 1977
Commander Harrison F. Starn
1927-2006
*** POSTED NOVEMBER 21, 2006 ***