Naval Air Station Patuxent River marked the passing of two former commanding officers, Capt. Edward V. Laney Jr. and Capt. Roger Hill, in December 2025. Laney, who led the installation from May 1974 to 1976, died December 2 at age 97. Hill, commander from June 1992 to January 1995, passed in the same period. Both aviators contributed to naval aviation advancements at the Southern Maryland base, which serves as the Navy’s principal site for aircraft testing and evaluation.
Laney’s career spanned three wars, with service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He flew the F8F Bearcat and F4U Corsair, earning recognition for Korean War missions featured in a July 6, 1953, Life Magazine article titled “The Bridges at Toko-Ri.” The story inspired a 1954 film of the same name starring William Holden and Grace Kelly, depicting carrier-based strikes on North Korean bridges. Laney also appeared in James Michener’s 1953 book “Forgotten Heroes of Korea,” which chronicled lesser-known combat experiences.
Before commanding NAS Patuxent River, Laney instructed at the Top Gun program at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and worked in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Training Readiness and Tactics Division. His tenure at the base focused on operational efficiency, yielding awards including the Small Businessman’s Award, Golden Nugget Award, Work Incentive Program recognition, Navy Industrial Safety Award and Navy commendations for conservation and environmental efforts. In his 1976 change-of-command speech, Laney outlined his priorities: “My personal priorities have been: first, my god; second, my wife; third, my country; fourth, the Navy; fifth, my family; and sixth, my friends. This has made it easy to accept orders, to accept duties, and to put whatever might come before me in its proper perspective.”
Laney’s decorations included two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V,” the Korean Service Ribbon with five battle stars, Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal and various unit awards. After retiring, he worked for McDonnell Douglas, supporting Navy projects. A Hollywood, Maryland, resident, Laney had visitation services December 22, 2025, at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown.
Hill, a 1970 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, flew A-7 Corsair IIs in squadrons VA-105 and VA-174 during Vietnam-era operations. He served with aviators including Richard “Moon” Vance, Raymond “Chip” Dudderar, Carlos Johnson, Jeff “Sundance” Harrison and John McCain. Selected for U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Class 71 in 1976, Hill tested weapons at Eglin Air Force Base in aircraft such as the F-4, RF-4, F-111, F-15 and T-38. His roles included positions in the Tomahawk Program Office, tactical development at Light Attack Wing Pacific and chief pilot at Naval Air Station Warminster.
As NAS Patuxent River commander, Hill managed growth from the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure process, which consolidated naval aviation functions at the base. This added over 20,000 personnel, establishing headquarters for Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, plus partner commands. Hill oversaw construction of a commissary, VQ-4 alert facility, communications center, Test Pilot School building and runways, alongside renovations to the Frank Knox Building, Navy Exchange, bachelor quarters, hangars and labs.
Hill valued mentorship, stating in 1995: “When you’re in the Navy, you see a lot of leaders who you think a lot of. There’s several who were role models for me on the way. They were people who were my heroes, made me aspire to things, and taught me things. I was very lucky that I had a lot of role models in the Navy.” He described the command role fondly: “Being commanding officer of a base is great; I couldn’t have asked the Navy for a better job. You feel like you can make some positive impacts because you’re in a position where you can actually make some. If I could stay as CO of the base, I would stay here until they kicked me out. Unfortunately, other people get a chance at it too, because it’s such a wonderful job.”
In his January 1995 change-of-command address, Hill noted: “I have been in the Navy 29 years, and have been a Navy pilot almost 25 of those. In that time, I have flown the best aircraft and had the best equipment in the world. That is a direct result of the efforts of the people who work at this base, who obviously, are also the best in the world at what they do. What we do is important to the country. Take credit for it, and be proud of it.” Post-Navy, Hill served as chief operations officer for St. Mary’s City from 1999 to 2009, contributing to local historic preservation.
NAS Patuxent River, commissioned April 1, 1943, in St. Mary’s County, has hosted 40 commanding officers, including one woman, Capt. Heidi Fleming, from 2014 to 2016. The base, spanning 6,400 acres along the Chesapeake Bay, supports over 200 tenant commands and 25,000 employees, driving economic activity in Southern Maryland through testing programs for aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II and unmanned systems. The 1993 BRAC realignment centralized naval air research, boosting local population and infrastructure demands in areas like Lexington Park and California.
Current commander Capt. Mark Zematis, a Connecticut native and Naval Academy graduate, leads ongoing missions. The base’s history includes milestones like the first transatlantic crossing by A-7A Corsairs in 1967. Former commanders like Capt. Stuart Fitrell (1986-1989) have recalled community ties.
Laney and Hill’s legacies align with the base’s role in national defense, where Southern Maryland’s rural setting aids low-interference testing. The installation contributes to the region’s economy, with annual impacts exceeding $3 billion through payroll and contracts.Their service reflects the Navy’s emphasis on innovation at Pax River, home to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School since 1945.