Decorated Veteran to Assume Command of Aircraft Group-13

Col. R. D. Hearney, a decorated Vietnam veteran and an officer for more than 20 years, will take over command of Marine Aircraft Group-13 today from Col. Christian F. DeFries, who will be reassigned as chief of staff of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Hearney, a native of Petaluma, was commissioned a second lieutenant through the platoon leaders class in January, 1962. After attending basic school, he went on to flight training and received his wings in June, 1964. Hearney has been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Combat V, 39 Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and the Purple Heart.

Robert Packer, former deputy superintendent of Tustin Unified School District, has been appointed superintendent for Duarte Unified School District. He will begin his new job May 1. Packer, 51, has worked in education for the past 28 years. In 1973, he became principal of Costa Mesa High School in the Newport-Mesa Unified District. Tustin Unified District appointed him assistant superintendent in 1981 and in 1984 named him deputy superintendent.

Astronaut Sally Ride will be the keynote speaker at state Sen. William Campbell’s 1985 Conference on Women May 8 at Anaheim Hilton and Towers Hotel. Ride, the United States’ first woman astronaut in space, will address a luncheon of about 4,000 people from 12:30 to 2 p.m. during the conference.