Captain James R. Henderson USN (Ret) (1924 – 2010) retired from Quonset Point Naval Air Station in 1975 after a 32-year Navy career that started in 1942 and spanned three wars. He flew more than 10 different aircraft and served in torpedo and anti-submarine squadrons on 12 different aircraft carriers. He served as Landing Signal Officer (LSO) with VS-31, Flag Secretary to the Admiral of Carrier Division 20, Commanding Officer of VS-32, Executive Officer of Command Air Group-54 (CAG-54), Joint Chiefs of Staff Action Officer for the Office of Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, and Director of Naval JROTC for the First Naval District. As Air Group Commander he oversaw all training and operational readiness of three air squadrons, 600 personnel and 50 aircraft. He also participated in the 1965 Gemini 5 space capsule recovery carrying Astronauts Alan Shepard and Pete Conrad. He continued to enjoy flying in North Kingstown and Florida after his retirement. He was also a founding member of the National Naval Aviation Museum Foundation in Pensacola, Florida. His family still lives in North Kingstown and West Warwick.