Pope, Nicholas John, Jr. (1918-2012) | Sargeant Memorial Collection

Nicholas John Pope, Jr. was a retired Commander in the United States Navy who was from Norfolk, Virginia.  He was born in East Chicago, Indiana on July 7th, 1918.  He joined the Navy in 1940 and flew over 400 combat missions in the Mediterranean and Atlantic while stationed in North Africa serving under Paul “Bear” Bryant. After the war, he continued to serve in the Navy as a public relations officer until his retirement from active duty in 1964. Nicholas John Pope, Jr. continued his career with a public interest show on NBC affiliate, WAVY-TV where he also served as Public Relations Director. In addition, he held the position of Public Relations Director at the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and also worked for the Virginia Opera Association.  Nicholas John Pope, Jr. was educated at UCLA, where he played football and at Oglethorpe University. Nicholas John Pope, Jr. passed away at the age of 94 on November 19th, 2012.

During his career, Nicholas John Pope, Jr. was known as a Junior.  He has a son by the name of Nicholas John Pope, III, who has referred to his father as a Senior.