MICHAEL R. MARTIN, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Lt. Michael Martin '71, USN was lost on October 13, 1979 when his RF-8G Crusader crashed near San Francisco. He was a member of Light Photographic Squadron (VFP) 63 and was performing maneuvers for relatives of USS Coral Sea (CV 43)'s crew for a "Dependent's Day" cruise.

John was from Nebraska, and was survived by his parents and a brother, all of whom have since passed away. (We and the Naval Academy Alumni Association have lost contact with the family. If you know how to find them please tell us!)

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_R._MARTIN,_LT,_USN

WILLIAM H. MARLE, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Lt. William Marle '71, USN was lost on August 14, 1980 when the C-1A Trader (carrier transport) plane he was aboard crashed while attempting to land aboard USS Ranger (CV 61). The other three people aboard were also killed.

Bill was born in Sendai, Japan, the son of an army officer who was stationed there. At the Naval Academy he "quickly established a name for himself in two areas, the D&B and Eating." Following graduation he had a tour aboard USS Neosho (AO 143) as electrical division officer before flight training and his qualification as a Naval Flight Officer. His first operational squadron was with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 21 and the then-new S-3A Viking aircraft. He completed a tour on the staff of Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing Pacific Fleet prior to his assignment to as an anti-submarine warfare module watch officer aboard Ranger.

He was survived by his wife; two sons, Benjamin Patrick and Daniel Eric; his parents; and his brother. (We and the Naval Academy Alumni Association have lost contact with the family. If you know how to find them please tell us!)

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_H._MARLE,_LT,_USN

JAMES P. COLLINS, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR James Collins '71, USN was lost on October 31, 1980 when the TA-4J Skyhawk he was piloting crashed on the Utah Test and Training Range. He was flying from Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada as a member of Fighter Squadron (VF) 126 (based at Naval Air Station Miramar, California).

Jim was a native of Orchard Park, New York and majored in Aerospace Engineering at the Naval Academy. He was also the editor-in-chief of the 1971 Lucky Bag. As a pilot he had tours as a flight instructor and with an attack squadron. He was survived by his parents and two brothers.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_P._COLLINS,_LCDR,_USN

ALBERT A. SCHAUFELBERGER, III, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Albert Schaufelberger, III '71, USN was assassinated by insurgents at the Central American University in San Salvador on May 25, 1983. He was serving as senior U.S. Naval Representative at the U.S. Military Group, El Salvador, and as Security Chief for the American military advisors in El Salvador. A SEAL, he had served in various capacities in the Pacific before attending the Spanish language course at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. At the Naval Academy he lettered in 150-pound football and lacrosse.

From a newspaper report: "His Navy assignments took him to Japan, Thailand, the Philippines and Korea, but home was the modest three-bedroom house he bought in a San Diego suburb. There he coached a boys’ soccer team, built a redwood hot tub, and worked on his VW camper. He became a gourmet cook, sometimes preparing dinner for 30 friends, and let his siblings use the house when they wanted. 'Al was a big brother in every sense of the word,' says Margaret [his sister]."

Albert was survived by his parents -- his father, Albert Jr., was Class of 1949 and retired a Navy Captain -- his brother, and two sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ALBERT_A._SCHAUFELBERGER,_III,_LCDR,_USN

MICHAEL R. COMPTON, MAJ, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Major Michael Compton '71, USMC was lost when the helicopter he was aboard as a passenger crashed shortly after takeoff on July 18, 1984. "A federal accident investigator said Thursday that low-level maneuvers in which the aircraft climbs suddenly over a hill to fire its weapons likely were being conducted," during a demonstration flight, according to the Arizona Republic report on the accident.

His family sued McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co.; the civilian-model helicopter he was aboard had been painted and outfitted to look like an attack helicopter but lacked military features including a damage-resistant fuel system; they ultimately settled out of court for $2.5 million. Michael was aboard the helicopter to evaluate its suitability for the Marine Corps.

From the Lucky Bag:

"Comps" has been a "gruntling" all his life. Raised in THE service, Mike's professional training started long before he came to the Academy from Orlando, Fla. It would be false to say that Mike will go to the Marine Corps after graduation, for he really has always been there. Although the Academic Department won a few of the earlier battles, Mike's perseverance won the war for him in marine biology. Plebe year and his first cruise weren't enough for Mike, so he decided to fight mosquitoes and swamp fever at Jungle Warfare School in Panama Youngster year. Mike's reputation as a barber spread fast, especially after his company officer found him at work. A frequenter of drag strips, Comps is a lover of "machines" and proved to be a natural on the Car Committee. As a Brigade boxer, Mike has left his mark on many men. As a friend, he has affected many more.

Michael was survived by his wife, six children, and parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_R._COMPTON,_MAJ,_USMC

DAVID A. KNOTT, LTCOL, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTCOL David Knott '71, USMC was lost on June 19, 1991 when the AH-1 Cobra helicopter he was piloting crashed near Fallbrook, California. The other officer aboard was also killed. David was commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267.

The son of an Air Force officer, David was born in Guam but listed Dover, Delaware as his hometown. At the Naval Academy he was a Mechanical Engineering major and was active in gymnastics, boxing, and football.

David was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and at least one sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_A._KNOTT,_LTCOL,_USMC

RICHARD G. BEEN, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Richard Been '72, USN was lost on August 25, 1975 when an arresting cable aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV 42) snapped, sending his F-4 into the sea off the coast of Florida. The radar intercept officer was also killed in the accident; they were members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101. At the Naval Academy he was a member of the football team for three years, lettering in two of them. He also played rugby and was later named to the Navy Rugby Hall of Fame. In addition, he was a Battalion Commander in the Spring of his 1/c year. Following graduation he remained at the Naval Academy to help coach the offensive line until ordered to flight training. Richard was married in 1973 and designated a Naval Aviator in August 1974. He was survived by his wife, parents, and three sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/RICHARD_G._BEEN,_LTJG,_USN

GUY H. BROWN, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Guy Brown '72, USN was lost on February 10, 1977 when the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter he was piloting crashed during an at-sea replenishment in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain. Another crewman aboard was also lost. They were members of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 6, stationed aboard USS San Diego (AFS 6), and were replenishing USS Suribachi (AE 21).

From the December 1977 issue of Shipmate:

Born in Texas, he was graduated with the Class of 1972 and proceeded to sea duty in the oiler Hassayampa in Southeast Asia. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Civil Actions Ribbon with Palm for this tour. Upon his return to the United States he took flight training and was designated naval aviator in May 1974. He thereupon joined Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six in Norfolk and was serving with this group at the time of his death. He was a helicopter aircraft commander and post-maintenance functional check pilot in the CH-46D aircraft in the squadron and he had been awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Navy Commendation Medal during this period.

He is survived by his widow, Susan L. Brown, a brother and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/GUY_H._BROWN,_LTJG,_USN

DENNIS P. O'MALLEY, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Dennis O'Malley '72, USN was lost on May 15, 1977 when the F-4 Phantom II he was aboard crashed into the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to land aboard USS Independence (CV 62). The pilot, Brian Hurst '71, was also killed; they were members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 102, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

From the October 1977 issue of "Shipmate:"

Appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of New York, he was graduated with the Class of 1972. He was an excellent athlete in many company sports while a midshipman. Upon receiving his commission he reported to the fast combat support ship Detroit prior to taking training as a naval flight officer at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Navigation and radar intercept training followed at Naval Air Station, Glynco, Georgia, and he received his wings in November 1973. He thereupon reported to Fighter Squadron One Hundred One for replacement training in the F-4 Phantom. Upon completion of training he joined Fighter Squadron One Hundred Two aboard Independence and was with this group when the fatal accident occurred.

He is survived by his widow, Joanne, a son, his parents, four brothers, and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DENNIS_P._O%27MALLEY,_LT,_USN

MICHAEL E. HAYES, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Michael Hayes '72, USN was lost on April 26, 1978 when the P-3 Orion patrol pane he was aboard crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near the Azores. A native of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Michael graduated from Central high school in 1968. He was a member of several clubs and societies as well as Vice President of the Concert Band.

At the Naval Academy he was involved with the Brigade Hop Committee, Squash, SCUBA club, and Concert Band. Following graduation, he was stationed aboard a destroyer for two years and had a tour with Fighter Squadron (VF) 213 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. In 1976 he was designated as a Naval Aviator and later assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 30, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He was a member of Patrol Squadron (VP) 23, Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine when he and his crew were killed.

Michael was survived by his wife, Karen, also of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_E._HAYES,_LT,_USN

WILLIAM D. BLANTON, JR., LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT William Blanton, Jr. '72, USN was lost on November 2, 1978 when the S-3A Viking aircraft he was aboard crashed near Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Philippines shortly after takeoff. He was the co-pilot; the other three crew members, including Randy Mikal '74, were also killed.

William was born and raised in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Following graduation from the Naval Academy he served aboard USS Turner Joy (DD 951) off the coast of Vietnam prior to flight training. After he was winged he served in the San Diego area with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 37 for about three years.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_D._BLANTON,_JR.,_LT,_USN

DAN A. DAVIS, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Dan Davis '72, USN was lost on March 10, 1980 when the S-3 Viking jet he was aboard crashed into the ocean off San Clemente Island, California.

From Shipmate:

Appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Pennsylvania, he had attended Indiana College in Pennsylvania prior to receiving his appointment, and he was president of the Masqueraders during his first class year. Upon graduation with the Class of 1972 he was ordered to flight training in Pensacola and designated naval aviator. He later was a flight instructor at the Kingsville, Texas, Air Station for three years, and he also earned a master's degree in business administration at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Prior to reporting to duty in California he was director of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program at the Naval Air Center in Patuxent, then was assigned to Air Anti-Submarine Squadron FORTY-ONE at North Island, with which unit he was serving at the time of his death.

He is survived by his widow Jean, of Annapolis MD; a son and a daughter; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Davis, Lewisburg PA, and a brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAN_A._DAVIS,_LT,_USN

KENNETH J. WESSEL, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Kenneth Wessel '72, USN was lost on October 7, 1952 when the UH-1 Huey helicopter he was piloting crashed off the coast of Virginia Beach. Three others escaped. He was serving as the aircraft handling officer aboard USS Inchon (LPH 12) at the time of the crash.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, he served on a surface ship for a time before attending flight training. He was survived by his wife, three children, parents, four brothers, and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/KENNETH_J._WESSEL,_LCDR,_USN

GREGORY B. LANE, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Gregory Lane '72, USN was lost on June 3, 1985 when the A-7 Corsair II he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 83.

From the November 1985 issue of "Shipmate":

Born in Cairo, Georgia, he was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Georgia and graduated with the Class of 1972.

Upon graduation, he served in USS Biddle (DLG-34) in the Western Pacific. He underwent flight training and was qualified as a Naval Aviator and subsequently served with VA-174 and VA-87. His awards included the Navy Commendation Medal.

At some point he was also an exchange pilot with the United Kingdom, flying the AV-8A Harrier with the Royal Air Force.

He was survived by his wife, father, brother, sister, and maternal grandparents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/GREGORY_B._LANE,_LCDR,_USN

DAVID R. VAUGHN, CDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CDR David Vaughn '72, USN was lost on December 5, 1986 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting crashed near the Boardman Navy Range in Oregon. The bombardier/navigator aboard was also killed. They were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 128, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

From the April 1987 issue of "Shipmate":

Cdr. Vaughn was born in Beckley, West Virginia on 5 June 1950. He entered the Naval Academy from the State of Ohio; he spent all four of his Academy years in the 11th Company. Upon graduation in June 1972, he was granted a BS in Aerospace Engineering and served in USS WAINWRIGHT (DLG-28) before reporting to Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS Pensacola the following February.

Receiving his wings in February 1975, he remained in Kingsville, Texas, as a flight instructor until December 1976. He then proceeded to VA-128 at Whidbey Island and qualified in the A-6 Intruder. Cdr. Vaughn then reported to the Knightriders of VA-52, completing two deployments aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In April 1980, he reported to Naval Programs, Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, New York, where he served as a test and acceptance pilot for A-6 and EA-6B aircraft. In August 1983, he reported to the boomers of VA-165 and completed deployments aboard USS RANGER (CV-61) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In February 1986, he reported to the Golden Intruders of VA-128, where he headed A-6 maintenance training as Framp Officer.

Commander Vaughn is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Linda, and their four children, Jennifer (12), James (10), Jessica (6), and Jared (5), of Oak Harbor, Wash.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_R._VAUGHN,_CDR,_USN

PHILIP F. PALMATIER, JR., CDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CDR Philip Palmatier, Jr. '72, USN was lost on December 10, 1990 when the TA-4J jet he was piloting collided with another approximately 85 miles northwest of Key West, Florida. He was the commanding officer of Training Squadron (VT) 25.

Philip only wanted to fly; even in high school he was nicknamed "Jet." After earning his wings in 1974 he went on to accumulate more than 4,000 hours of flight time and more than 600 carrier landings, mostly in A-6 Intruders. Both his father and uncle were retired Naval Aviators.

The Commander Philip F. “Jet” Palmatier Jr. Memorial Bridge on Avenue A over the Allegheny River in Coudersport Borough, PA was dedicated on August 18, 2018.

He was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/PHILIP_F._PALMATIER,_JR.,_CDR,_USN

FREDERICK R. MINIER, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Frederick Minier '73, USN was lost on May 30, 1975 while diving next to his ship, USS Sampson (DDG 10), at Taormina, Sicily. While conducting an underwater inspection of the ship’s hull, another officer was caught in the forward main condenser intake. Frederick succeeded in freeing him, but became stuck himself. A third diver attempted to rescue Frederick, but Frederick instead activated the other man's flotation device. He was survived by his parents -- coincidentally stationed with the State Department in Sampson's home port of Athens, Greece -- and his sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FREDERICK_R._MINIER,_ENS,_USN

BRIAN L. CARDIFF, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Brian Cardiff '73, USN was lost on June 25, 1975 when the A-6E Intruder he was aboard collided with another aircraft near USS Forrestal (CV 59) in the western Mediterranean Sea. The other crew of both aircraft survived the incident, but Brian was lost at sea. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio; unsurprisingly, he was a huge Ohio State Buckeyes football fan. He was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRIAN_L._CARDIFF,_LTJG,_USN

FREDERICK W. CAESAR, III, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Frederick Caesar, III '73, USN was lost on January 20, 1977 when the Coast Guard HH-52 Seaguard helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Illinois River after striking electrical transmission wires while on an aerial ice patrol. He was assigned to the Coast Guard as an exchange officer, flying from Glenview Naval Air Station near Chicago. A native of Clark, New Jersey, he played on his high school's soccer team as well as being involved in several different clubs. "Rick" was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FREDERICK_W._CAESAR,_III,_LTJG,_USN

RANDY J. RICKEY, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Randy Rickey '73, USN was lost on October 16, 1977 after he ejected from his A-4 Skyhawk while on approach to Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Phillippines. He was born in Ohio but grew up in Pinellas Park, Florida. Randy was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, three bothers, and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/RANDY_J._RICKEY,_LT,_USN