On Monday, June 21, 2021, one of America’s Warriors, Captain Ronald E. Yeaw, USN Retired, a resident of Port St. Lucie, Florida passed away peacefully in his home with his wife Shelley by his side. Ron is survived by his wife Shelley, his son Ron Jr. and daughter Donna. Ron was born in 1943 in Media, Pennsylvania. He went to Penncrest High School and Grove City College, Grove City, PA. After graduating with a BA, Ron entered the Navy in 1965, serving for 30 years.
And so today, we pause to honor his memory and to celebrate a life well-lived. Because when America needed him, he answered the call of duty and stepped forward to selflessly serve his country.
John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, about future generations:
“You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”
Today, Americans enjoy freedom in the greatest country in the world because of the sacrifices of people like Captain Ronald E. Yeaw and his brothers-in-arms.
Ron’s 30 distinguished years of military service in the US Navy included time spent as U.S. Navy Captain in Naval Special Warfare Operations, where he served in a variety of high-level Navy and joint service operational, command, and staff positions. He was an Underwater Demolition Team Frogman (UDT) and Navy SEAL, participating in 3 SEAL combat tours to the Republic of Vietnam with SEAL Team 2, “The Men with Green Faces”, where he earned 9 medals with a combat V indicating valor in combat including 4 bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, 7 Campaign Medals, and the Purple Heart. He also served as the Commanding Officer of both Underwater Demolition Team 21 and SEAL Team 6.
During his illustrious career, he was awarded a total of 45 individual medals and ribbons including the Superior Service Medal, the Navy Legion of Merit, and 5 Defense and Navy Meritorious Service Medals.
Ron was a proud American, proud of America’s past, alert to America’s present, and confident in America’s future. He honored and respected all the brave patriots who have marched through America’s history.
All of us at Project Lifesaver consider it an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to get to know Ron, to work with him as the Director of PLI Ambassador Relations, but most importantly, to call him a friend.
Ron was, by any measure, among America’s most Honorable Citizens, he was Freedom with a Purple Heart, and he was a member of history’s most exclusive fraternity; He was an American Warrior.
On Monday, June 21, 2021, one of America’s Warriors, Captain Ronald E. Yeaw, USN Retired, a resident of Port St. Lucie, Florida passed away peacefully in his home with his wife Shelley by his side. Ron is survived by his wife Shelley, his son Ron Jr. and daughter Donna. Ron was born in 1943 in Media, Pennsylvania. He went to Penncrest High School and Grove City College, Grove City, PA. After graduating with a BA, Ron entered the Navy in 1965, serving for 30 years.