President / Database Manager / Web Master / Memberships / Secretary

    Tony West entered the U.S. Navy in July 1966. After boot camp in Great Lakes,  IL,  he reported aboard the USS Decatur (DDG-31) as a part of her nucleus crew in Newport,  RI.  He became a plank owner when the Decatur was commissioned in April 1967 in Boston,  MA.  The Decatur traversed from Boston,  MA to Long Beach,  CA  (new home port).  Tony received his honorable discharge after leaving the Decatur in 1970 as an RD2.  He rode the Decatur during two WestPacs.
     Tony has 2 master's degrees and is a computer systems/ data base engineer. He taught in the University System of Maryland, as an Adjunct Professor (under graduate and graduate levels) (1993-2004).  He retired from the Federal Government with 34 years of service. He has one son and three daughters. He enjoys his 6 grandchildren with his wife of 53+ years,  Karen.  He is currently on the Military - Veterans Advocacy (MVA) Board of Directors.
Tony was / is Decatur Association president (2006 - 2014) (2018 - PRESENT) and founded this association in 2006.

Back to Top

Vice President

After graduating HS in 1966, I completed a course in IBM computer programming and was employed at Pittsburgh National Bank in the data processing department. Received my draft notice in May of 1968 and decided to enlist in the Navy’s Advanced Electronics Field program as a Fire control Tech. After graduating boot camp at Great Lakes, remained there for class A and C schools. Upon graduation was assigned to my first ship, USS Decatur DDG31 in Long Beach, Calif.  Served onboard until April 1971 and completing a WESPAC cruise before receiving orders to new construction, USS Downes DE1070 at Todd Shipyards in Seattle. Served the remainder of my 6 year enlistment onboard while advancing to FTG1. After Discharge I returned home to Vanderbilt, Pa. I joined the Naval Reserve to accept a TEMAC duty contract as an active duty recruiter for about a year. Remained in the Reserves and was commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer  in 1991. Retired from the Reserves  in 1999 with over 30 years total Naval Service. As a civilian, worked over 33 years  as a Customer Service Engineer for several major computer manufacturers. Met my wife SueAnn while in C school at Great Lakes and got married in 1970 while I was assigned to USS Decatur. Enjoy being retired (from both careers) and still going to sea (cruise ships) along with activities in several military associations and local church.

Back to Top

Treasurer

Art Scaccia

   Art was born in 1949 and was raised in Joliet, IL. After high school he joined the Navy in 1969 and went to boot camp at Great Lakes. After boot camp, Art was temporarily assigned to a lake cutter in Milwaukee Wis. For 3 weeks and then assigned to the USS Decatur in Long Beach Cal. Art was part of the ship’s deck div and was an ASROC sentry. He completed a Westpac in 1970. After his tour of duty, Art graduated college with a Business Management degree. While obtaining his degree, Art went to work for the Commonwealth Edison Electric Co. and held various positions within the company before retiring 2004.
In 1972 Art met and married his wife Sue and together they raised 4 children, 3 girls and a boy, and live in Channahon, IL. They also have 4 grandchildren.
Art was appointed to the position of Emergency Management Coordinator for the Village of Channahon, IL for 18yrs. And was part of the Will county Chemical accident response committee.
Art is currently working for the Channahon Park District in the Facility Maintenance group.
Art enjoys playing golf, fishing, making wine, seeing Broadway type shows, dinning out, and playing with the Grandkids.
Art also is volunteering with various civic organizations and church groups.
Art served as Association President from 2015 until 2016.  

Chaplain

Ken Baughn

   Born in 1946 in Brevard NC  attended Brevard JR College 1964-1965 joined Navy March 1966 stationed on USS DECATUR DDG 31 rank Radarman RD3 discharged nov 1969 returned to Brevard NC attended Asheville Buncombe Tech School with 2 years of accounting from 1972 till 2014 worked in tire industry married Susan in 1983 we live in Asheville NC I am retired interest working on my bucket list of seeing a ballgame in all major league parks all my joints ache played travel softball till I was 55.  Ken served as Association President from 2017 until 2018.  

Back to Top

Back to Top

Newsletter

Back to Top