Daniel Inouye: “On May 1, of this year, our Navy, the Congress, and the Nation lost the services of a dedicated officer, public servant…”

“On May 1, of this year, our Navy, the Congress, and the Nation lost the services of a dedicated officer, public servant, and naval aviator. On this day, Vice Adm. Stephen F. Loftus will retire from the Navy where he is serving as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations--Logistics--after 37 years of faithful service to our country. Vice Admiral Loftus was designated a naval flight officer in 1957, and has performed in a consistently outstanding manner under the most challenging circumstances. His early assignments included a variety of staff, operational, and combat duties, which led to his command of Patrol Squadron 45 in 1976. Vice Admiral Loftus has served in numerous Washington tours on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and as the executive assistant and naval aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management. In 1981, Vice Admiral Loftus assumed command of U.S. Naval Air Station Bermuda/Commander Task Group 24.3.”