Monessen native receives Naval Academy recognition
Anyone who knows James R. Frezzell well will tell you he's seldom at a loss for words. Well-spoken and possessing a keen sense of humor, he is not shy about discussing any subject.
That changed recently when Frezzell, a 1963 graduate of Monessen High School now living and working in Albany, N.Y., received notice that his longtime friends, retired Rear Admiral Kevin F. Delaney and his wife, Pat, have reserved an honor chair in Frezzell's name in Alumni Hall at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
"I was speechless," Frezzell said. "It's still sinking in. Obviously, I was quite honored, and deeply humbled, to be remembered and cited for this honor."
Frezzell, the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Frezzell of Monessen, said he is especially grateful to the Delaneys because "they have been great friends for many years."
Delaney, a highly decorated naval officer who flew nearly 700 combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, said the honor chair recognition "is very appropriate.
"I think the world of James as a friend and as a quality individual," Delaney, who lives in Jacksonville, Fla., said. "He had a lasting impact on my life at the academy. He represents all of the qualities at the heart of the academy and the honor chair recognition -- honesty, integrity, character."
The USNA Foundation describes the Honor Chair program, as a "meaningful and lasting way to remember and honor classmates, family and friends."
The honor is especially significant in that Frezzell did not graduate from the Naval Academy.
He and Delaney were roommates at the academy during the 1964-65 academic year, a rather turbulent time in Frezzell's life because of discrimination and injustice directed at him and other blacks by upperclassmen and others at the school.
His experiences were captured last year in a powerful book, Blue & Gold and Black 
Frezzell and Delaney were among hundreds of midshipmen and naval officers interviewed for the book by Schneller.
Back in the day
A junior on Monessen High School's undefeated 1961 WPIAL Class AA football championship team, Frezzell was recruited as part of an accelerated effort to break the color barrier in Navy's football program.
Schneller wrote in his book that "Plebe Summer in 1964 sorely tested black midshipmen's preconceptions of the academy."
Delaney, a white plebe from Wolcott, Conn., said Frezzell's prior military experience at Bainbridge was a benefit to him. Frezzell also had a head start in that he had went through boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Base before starting prep school.
"I was 17, a young kid from a small town of about 3,000 in Connecticut when I entered the academy," Delaney said. "I didn't know what to expect, it was a totally new adventure for me. But James helped me get squared away. He knew the ropes and had the knowledge of how the system worked. Despite what was happening to him, he was always there to help me. I'll never forget that. He was a stand up guy then and continues to be the same today. I think very highly of him."
Although he received some support from blacks and whites at the academy, the intolerance was difficult, Frezzell said.
"I knew they couldn't break me," he said. "The only thing they could do is try to keep me from studying. That was the only way they could stop me, so it became a matter of perseverance. When you're in a situation like that you just try to get yourself together."
Frezzell did just that until his plebe year ended. Then he left the Naval Academy.
"Chemistry was my downfall," he said. "I was disappointed in leaving the academy, but I upheld my end of the agreement and did not complain about the discrimination. But the academy's athletic department did not live up to their end ... to quell some of the overt and egregious acts of racism from Naval and Marine officers and upperclass midshipmen."
Frezzell completed his education at California State College, graduating in 1969 with a degree in mathematics and physics. He was a member of the Vulcans' 1968 football team that shared the state college conference championship with East Stroudsburg following a 28-28 tie at Booster Field in California.
He has lived in Albany, N.Y., for more than 20 years and works as a local veterans employment representative with the state's Department of Labor's Workforce New York program.
Frezzell also is active in civil rights programs and has been honored for his efforts in that arena. He also is a leader with the Naval Academy alumni chapter in Albany and assists in recruiting blacks and other minorities in New York.
Frezzell said he is grateful to several people who have welcomed him back to the academy over the years. They include Chet Gladchuck, athletic director; Gene Griesneau, USNA Alumni Association, Albany Chapter; Donald Montromgery, Minority Outreach coordinator, and Ronald Casey of the Alumni Association in Annapolis.
Delaney said Frezzell has epitomized loyalty to the Naval Academy over the years.
"Given what he endured during his time there, it would have been very easy for him to have walked away and turned his back on the academy," Delaney said. "But he didn't and he has remained steadfast in his support of the academy's goals, ideals and tradition. He has been actively involved in recruiting, fund-raising and many other programs that benefit the school and its students. He displayed courage, determination and other qualities as a member of the brigade, and I firmly believe he would have become a superb Naval officer."
Among the honors he received, 62 awards are for combat action including the Silver Star Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. He also is the recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy's highest peacetime award.
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