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Hall of Fame
2005 Hall of Fame Inductees
1954-1955 USAF Air Police Crew
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(l-r: Ray Zien, Dave Johnson, Joe Connolly, Sam Mabe,
Levi "Shotty" Rogers, Richard Osterude, Joe Restita,
Gerry Desane, Richard Rhodes)
The Annual Regatta of 1954 was proclaimed by the local media to be one of the best Regattas on record. It marked the first time that a U.S. military crew had qualified to compete in the top race of the day - the Championship Race. It was also the first time in Regatta history that a non-Newfoundland crew won that prestigious race. Their winning time of 9:56 was also the fastest time ever rowed by an outside crew.
The U.S. 6604th Air Police, stationed at Fort Pepperrell, had qualified for the Championship Race with a time of 10:01 in the U.S. Service Race.
The Air Police returned to the Pond in 1955 and were successful in qualifying for the Championship Race again by once more winning the U.S. Service Race. The Championship Race was a close affair, but the Air Police pulled out to win in the time of 10:06. In the long history of the Regatta, there have been very few crews which have been able to repeat as Champions. As the most successful non-Newfoundland crew with the fastest time ever, I feel that the U.S. 6604th Air Police crew of 1954 and 1955 are worthy of induction to the Royal St. John's Regatta Hall of Fame. This is the 50th anniversary of their accomplishment.
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