Binnacle List

11/17/25
Master Diver Frank De La Oliva

Master Diver Frank De La Oliva (Frank D) age 86 has lung cancer that has spread to both lungs, middle chest, and lymph nodes. His attitude is good and he’s just letting the lord keep him going until he decides the end.

Please send Frank your prayers and hope he doesn’t go through much pain. His email is masterdvfrankd@aol.com.

10/17/25
Master Diver Ted Griggs

I’m sadden to report that Master Chief, Master Diver (Ret) Ted Griggs is not doing well. One of our members contacted me this morning to let me know that Ted has been dealing with stage 4 cancer and has recently gone into hospice in Panama City Fl. Ted was a well-respected MDV and is a good man. Except when he was a Dive School instructor in DC in the mid to late 70’s. He was a hard ass. I know this from experience (Kidding). I like Ted a lot.

He’s so weak that he’s not taking calls or visitors. My contact is in communication with his daughter and says he’ll let me know when things change.

We pray for him that he’s not in pain and feel sad for his family.

09/22/25
Ed Vretner

Hey folks. If anyone knows Ed Vretner, he is not doing so good right now and needs our prayers. He is currently in the ICU on life support after falling backwards today. His head hit the cement, or road. He has bleeding on and around most of his brain, his legs are not moving and his heart was erratic.

08/07/25
HTCM MDV (Ret) Bobby Jones

I’m sad to say we have another one of our community legends and diving pioneer not doing so well and on the binnacle list. Master Diver Retired Bobby Jones fighting a losing battle with Type 2 Diabetes. The docs had to take his port leg to the knee the other day, and the starboard leg is not doing well and may need to be removed.

Bobby is now currently on Hospice Care Bob is now on hospice. He is very weak, listless and in a lot of pain. He doesn’t want to talk with anyone right now. Email would be the best way to wish him well. I’ll let you all know when and if he’s good with phone calls.

As you all can imagine Bobby is feeling pretty down right now. Doc Gibson let me know that Bob probably wouldn’t mind some well wishes from his dive buddies. If you would like to contact him his email is retmdv756@gmail.com. I’m afraid I don’t have his phone number but all who have it may want to give him well wishes by phone.

07/08/25
CPO (Ret) Bill Zbaeren

Our Shipmate Bill Zbaeren has been admitted to Scripps La Jolla Hospital. He has been diagnosed with sepsis (blood infection). I talked with him this morning, he is hanging in there waiting for more test results. He and his family need our support and prayers.

06/03/25
CWO5 (Ret) Eric McDonald

Sad to say there is another one of our super stars out there that is currently laid up and need our well wishes. CWO5 (Ret) Eric McDonald underwent a quadruple bypass surgery 2 days ago. Went in for a triple but after an assessment needed a quadruple. He is on his feet today. Prognosis indicates hearty improvements. I’m guessing that recovery is going to be tough, so the family requested no calls or visits until they give us the word.

06/02/25
DV Don "Fergie" 

He’s currently in the hospital battling Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (Cancer of the Lymph nodes). This cancer may have spread to his brain and Lungs. He’s currently going through a ton of tests and biopsies so they can pin it down and validate. That’s all we know right now.

04/14/25
MDV Jimmy Johnson

Is in the hospital in Oahu, Hawaii with heart and kidney failure and may only have a month to live.  Please pray for Jimmy...

03/18/25
SK2/SS (SUBDEVGRU-1/DDT-1) Bill Sherman

Bill was recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and it was discovered very early and the prognosis with surgery looks pretty good.  Will be going to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ for Proton Beam Therapy to be cancer free in July.

07/12/25
MDV Joe Kingsbury

MDV Joe Kingsbury is limited to the house and wheelchair. Pulmonary system not so good. On a respiratory most of the day and all night. He does refuse to give in to this horrible disease and is hoping his doctor will sign him up for experimental drugs and other treatments. He still has a positive attitude toward most things.

02/22/25
MDV Bruce (Dirty Ernie) Earnest

MDV Bruce (Dirty Ernie) Earnest, is going through some scary and painful times right now. Let's keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

I took this off Facebook so I can pass this to all of you that do not use Facebook.
Keep up the fight Ernie. We are all supporting you all the way. Reach out to us if you need any help with anything. Your Dive brothers have your back.

To all of my family friends and shipmates. In case you haven't heard, cancer has finally caught up to me.. I have a carcinoma attached to my left thigh and it is pinching my synaptic nerve that goes down my left leg. So damned painful. Ended phase 1 today which is pain management. They have me on level 4 with morphine patches to back it up. Been moved to a medial Physical Therapy unit closer to home. I’ll be here as long as it takes to strengthen my leg. After that it’s on to phase 3 radiation treatments at University of Tennessee hospital to shrink the tumor. If it shrinks enough, it will be surgically removed. Hopefully no follow up chemo. It’s going to be a long hard road to recovery.

I’ve  had a pretty darned good life full of ups and downs successes and some failures along the way. But through it all I’ve always managed to come out on top. I have survived everything God gives me but this I’m not so sure. I promise to keep you all posted the best I can, if I can’t my stronger halve will keep you up to date. God bless and keep you all posted the.

Thanks all!

08/23/23
BMCM/MDV Buddy Murray

Buddy suffers a stroke and as Mary had just had Knee replacement surgery she was unable to keep him at home and he needed medical care that she couldn’t drive him around to. He is in the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans home in Land O’ lakes Florida which is near Tampa and she believes visitors would help his spirits. He tires easily still so she thinks pre midday visits would be best. The address is 6919Parkway Blvd Land O’ Lakes Florida 34639.