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FEATURED VETERAN
A Submariner Surfaces in Fernandina
Rear Admiral James Richard (Rich) Lang USN (Ret) was born in 1938 and was raised in Portsmouth, Ohio. He entered the Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD immediately after graduation from high school in 1956. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1960 and received a Master’s of Science in Management Engineering from George Washington University in 1972. Rich has been awarded the Legion of Merit (4 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal; he is authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon, the Battle Efficiency “E” ribbon, the Naval Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star, the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Rich served as Commanding Officer of the Naval Submarine Support Facility, New London, CT and the nuclear-powered attack submarines USS La Jolla (SSN 701) and USS Trepang (SSN674). During his tenure at the Naval Submarine Support Facility, he received the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Golden Anchor Award. He placed the USS La Jolla in commission and conducted two special operations and Mediterranean deployment while commanding USS Trepang.
Prior to Command he served on the staff of the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet as Force Nuclear Power Officer. He was Executive Officer of the USS Ray (SSN 653) and a member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board (NPEB). He was Engineer Officer of the USS Ethan Allen (SSBN 608) while conducting three deterrent patrols. His first submarine after nuclear power training and submarine school was the USS Shark (SSN 591).
Rear Admiral Lang began his commissioned naval service aboard USS Leary (DDR 879) while conducting two seven-month Mediterranean deployments and participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this tour he qualified as a surface warfare officer, served as senior watch office and weapons officer. He was a Major Program Manager at the Naval Sea System Command, serving as Director of Submarine Maintenance Monitoring Support Office and for six months as attack Submarine Program Manager. He was selected for the Material Professional Program in 1985.
While serving on the NPEB he came to Kings Bay inspecting submarines using the submarine tender that was previously at Rota Spain. During these trips in the early 1970’s while the base was being built he visited Fernandina Beach. He remembered these trips fondly and decided to move to Fernandina after he retired in 1992, as Director, Ships Maintenance and Modernization Division OP-43, Chief of Naval Operations Staff.
Rich served on the Nassau county Habitat for Humanity board and committee chair. He has been very active, chaired several committees and served three tours as an elder at First Presbyterian Church. Rich is married to Sandra Neal and lives in Amelia Park.