CAPT William C. Liebe, USN(RET) (4 Aug 1946 - 1 Apr 2025)

Captain William Charles Liebe, USN (Ret) went to be with his Lord and Master on April 1st, 2025.  
 
Born in Hollis Oklahoma on August 4, 1946, to Betty and William Liebe, "Bill" was raised in Mission, Texas.  He passed away peacefully at Rancho Liebe, his home in Waco, Texas.  He was preceded in death by his parents and leaves behind Robin Liebe, his beloved wife of over 35 years, and a legacy of love, laughter, and devotion to family.  He is also survived by his sisters, Carol Dickson and Vicki Liebe, sons George and Michael Liebe, and his grandsons Lucas Liebe and Jacob Rodriguez.
 
CAPT Liebe graduated from the University of Houston in 1968 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  He entered the Navy in July 1968 via the Aviation Officer Candidate (AOC) Program and was commissioned an Ensign at NAS Pensacola on 21 March 1969.  Following initial training, he reported to the Combat Information Center Course at Glynco, GA where he was designated a Naval Flight Officer in December 1969.
 
  His first operational assignment was a split tour that began Jan 1970 with Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE (VW-1) and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1) onboard NAS Agana, Guam.  Upon completion of this duty, he next reported to Commander, Fleet Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) in Norfolk, VA where he served as a project Officer for Surface Radar Systems.  Following that, CAPT Liebe reported onboard USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) in January 1975 as Electronics Warfare Officer where he completed two Mediterranean deployments.  While there, he qualified as Tactical Action Officer (TAO), OOD (Underway), and served as the Sea and Anchor Detail OOD, earning qualification as a Surface Warfare officer on 7 March 1977.
 
 Leaving FORRESTAL, CAPT Liebe reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Training Squadron 120 (RVAW-120) on board NAS Norfolk to transition to the new E-2C Hawkeye.  Subsequently, he served for two years as an NFO Instructor.  In July 1979 he reported to the Seahawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126, making deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean on board USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67).  While assigned to the Seahawks, CAPT Liebe served as the Administrative Officer, Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer.
 
Following his tour with VAW-126 and a tour at the Armed Forces Staff College, CAPT Liebe reported to the “World Famous” Screwtops of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) as Executive Officer on 14 May 1983 and became the 16th Screwtop Commanding officer on 21 November 1984.  Subsequent tours included Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing TWELVE (CCAEWW-12) as Commodore and OPNAV 942, the office within CNO who was the sponsor for and implementer of the Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems (JINTACCS).  It was in this office that he met Robin.  CAPT Liebe retired from the Navy on 1 February 1997 in El Cajon, California.
 
CAPT Liebe was on the leading edge of “second generation pioneers,” clearly envisioning the E-2C Hawkeye’s potential to become the “Centerpiece of the Battlegroup”.  He led at a critical juncture when the development of the Group II aircraft was in doubt.  While others fought the battle inside the Beltway, Commodore Liebe was instrumental in influencing Fleet leadership to acknowledge the E-2’s critical role while urging them to demand further system improvement.  He specifically focused his squadrons on working collaboratively with the burgeoning AEGIS community to produce a single coherent battle management picture.  This continued to pay long-term dividends as battle group commanders have become strong advocates for the community and the Surface Warfare community has integrated training by the AEW Weapons School into the course of instruction for future Surface Warfare IAMD Warfare Training Instructors (WTIs).
 
 Commodore Liebe focused staff efforts on combat readiness.  This was most evident when VAW-126 flew aboard JFK with FIVE FMC aircraft enroute to Operation Desert Storm. Similarly equipped, VAW-123 and VAW-125 followed close behind. Throughout Desert Shield/Storm, he went to extraordinary lengths to ensure 100% FMC squadrons at the tip of the spear.  Following VAW-126’s loss of AG-602 and five crewmembers in July 1992, Commodore Liebe identified the best replacement aircraft on the waterfront, as well as replacement aircrew.  Thanks to his efforts, the Seahawks reported Full Combat Readiness when they deployed less than six weeks later. When the investigation identified Kapton wiring as the cause of the accident, he directed wing-wide inspections which helped NAVAIR identify the scope of the problem. He then provided the guidance/assets required to assist Grumman in re-wiring the entire east coast fleet of aircraft — an enormous balancing act, matching repaired aircraft with squadrons as operations demanded.
 
Among the many other hurdles encountered as wing commander, Commodore Liebe managed the difficult task of replacing exhausted outer wing panels, without degrading squadron readiness or aircrew proficiency.  He also directed Counter-Drug Operations, while adhering to PERSTEMPO requirements.  In doing so he was also able to forestall to VAW-122’s decommissioning (part of the FORRESTAL/CVW-6 decommissioning) – doing so would have meant the end of any reasonable expectation of PERSTEMPO compliance, or the creation of gaps in counter-drug surveillance.
 
CAPT Liebe’s leadership and exceptional efforts in growing and sustaining the VAW community were recognized with his induction into the VAW VRC VUQ Hall of Fame in 2019.
 
Outside of his professional life, Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter, and loved Rancho Liebe where he and Robin settled. These simple, yet profound moments brought him much happiness, and he loved nothing more than spending time outdoors with his family.
 
Bill was known for his warm smile and his unwavering love for his family. His legacy as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend will live on, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
 
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fuzzy Friends Rescue.
 
Bill’s family finds comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, reunited with his loved ones, and forever remembered with love and fondness.

UPDATE: Memorial Service will be held on April 25 at 1100 at Timbercrest Baptist Church, Waco Texas 76705.

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