Jimmy Tadlock and the author often shared “stories from the sea” about our years serving as surface warfare officers aboard US Navy destroyers. Becoming a good shipowner is the goal of every surface naval officer. One of Jimmy’s stories was offered as a cautionary tale of the conduct of ships and the difficulty a deck officer [OOD] a with conflicting commands.
Both Jimmy and the author had sailed into the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico. In normal weather conditions, entering the wide and beautiful harbor was a bit tricky. The magnificent and ancient Morro Castle, sitting on the port side as you enter, can be an inviting distraction for the unwary. The OOD had to be advised of a plan of action because the tides and sea currents were fast and strong enough for the ship to “have a spirit on it”. If you add to these conditions a strong crosswind of 30 knots, you have a recipe for disaster.
There is a maxim known to all surface warfare officers, “Never find yourself in a closed room, sitting at the end of a long green table with everyone drinking coffee except you.” This is a simplified description of a court-martial that often occurs after a ship is grounded. My friend Jimmy Tadlock was able to avoid running his destroyer aground by disobeying an order. He steered his ship safely through the danger, even though his course of action was not in accordance with the order of a superior officer. To say it took courage doesn’t begin to describe the huge risk Jimmy was taking, but he stood by his informed decision. If you knew Jimmy Tadlock, you understood.
James David Tadlock was born in Andalusia, Alabama on January 18, 1938. His parents were Joseph and Mollie Tadlock. Jimmy graduated from Andalucia High School in 1956 and received a full scholarship to the Polytechnic Institute of Alabama [now Auburn University] through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps [NROTC]. Jimmy graduated from Auburn in 1960 with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned an ensign in the Navy and assigned to the USS Soley [DD-707]as first mate, responsible for the deck department.
Jimmy Tadlock married his high school sweetheart, Grovernell Little, in August 1960. His parents were Grover and Hester Little. [Grover was a business partner with the author from 1969-1978]. Grovernell had a younger brother, Ted Little, who later became a state senator from Lee County, Alabama. Jimmy and Grovernell had a son, Grover. Jimmy had an older brother, Bill J. Tadlock [Romaine]who owned and operated Covington Building Supply in Andalucia for many years.
Jimmy later served as Chief of the Weapons Department aboard USS Fox [DD-779] before serving as Deputy Director, Fleet Support Division, Naval Ordnance Systems Command, Washington, DC. While at the Pentagon, he participated in the initial planning of the Top-Secret Aegis ballistic missile defense system. The Aegis ship’s combat system is an integrated collection of onboard computers, sensors, and software, connected to the ship’s defensive weapons. It was designed to defend ships against aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles, and surface and subterranean threats.
In 1968, Jimmy was appointed Fleet Command Advisor aboard a Republic of Vietnam Navy ship where he assisted and advised the Commanding Officer in the areas of logistics, maintenance and operations. At the end of his Vietnam tour, he reported aboard the USS Stormes [DD-780] as a senior executive. As second in command, Jimmy was responsible for onboard training, operational readiness, and all administrative functions of the ship.
United States Navy Ticonderoga-class cruiser with the Aegis combat system installed. [Photo: military.com]
At this point in his career, Jimmy transitioned from line officer at sea to engineer duty officer and reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. There he earned his master’s degree in electronic engineering in 1972. He also earned a master’s degree in materiel management in 1973. His new assignments would be shore-based management positions.
His next assignment in 1974 was as Assistant Ordnance Officer, Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia. His duties included all planning and operations related to the production, maintenance and storage of various munitions items including munitions, rockets, torpedoes and missiles.
In 1976 Jimmy was returned to the Pentagon where he was a program administrator for Naval Material Command. He was responsible for the exploratory development of gun and missile propulsion systems for the Navy and Marine Corps. The work required long-term planning for future technology needs and the administration of a $20 million budget.
From 1979 to 1983, Jimmy was Director of Naval Sea Systems Command Fire Control Systems at the Pentagon. His work again involved Aegis ship combat systems. He managed the performance of 22 civilians and two military officers and oversaw a workload budget of $25 million.
In his final assignment, Captain Jimmy Tadlock became the Commanding Officer of Naval Ordnance Station at Indian Head, Maryland. He served there until his retirement in 1987.
He supervised 15 department heads and managed internal and contractual technical activities related to Navy explosive weapons and ordnance engineering, production, repair, and logistics support. Among other items, they produced rocket fuel. He commanded a staff of 37 military and 2,200 civilians and was responsible for administering a budget of $170 million.
The author and his wife were invited to Captain Tadlock’s change of command ceremony in 1983 and considered it an honor to attend. It was the last time we could see Grovernell. She developed cancer and died on February 10, 1989.
In 1990, Jimmy married Jean Bean. They had been married for 32 years at the time of Jimmy’s death on May 21, 2022. After a memorial service in Virginia, Captain James Tadlock’s ashes were flown back to his hometown and he was buried next to his first wife, Grovernell, at Abel Cemetery overlooking Lake Gantt.
He is survived by his wife, Jean; his son, Grover Tadlock and his wife, Sheri; grandchildren Nathan and Rey Tadlock; several stepchildren whom he considered his own, Regina Liechti and her husband Tom, Alan Bean and his wife Sheri and Marcia Dermatas and her husband, John; several step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.
Grover, Jimmy’s son, said this about his father, “As a Navy man, he loved the ocean and the fact that he could sail into one man’s sunset as he became another man’s sunrise…He served his country boldly for over 30 years, but served his family with love all his life.”
John Vic
The author saw Jimmy Tadlock as the ideal naval officer, intelligent with a quick grasp of facts and leading with a confidence that inspired those who served with him.
Thanks to Grover Tadlock for sharing his father’s service information. To my friend, Captain Jimmy Tadlock, “Good winds and good seas.”
