★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
LT Robert Vogel, USN '89 was lost on October 3, 1995, when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia. Three others aboard were also killed; they were members of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 6.
From his obituary:
Rob was born on 13 February 1966 in Groton, CT. He graduated from Newtown High School in 1984 and attended Lafayette College for one year before his persistence prevailed in gaining acceptance to the Naval Academy. His determination and innate leadership ability served to earn him the billet of 14th Company Commander his first class year. He graduated with a degree in Ocean Engineering.
After commissioning, he attended Naval Flight Training and flew helicopters until July 1991, when an automobile accident left him nearly paralyzed. During his recovery, Rob qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch and Surface Warfare Officer on SACRAMENTO during deployment to Somalia and the Persian Gulf.
Through exemplary willpower and a great love for flight, Rob returned to flight status in 1994 and deployed to the Adriatic on KEARSARGE in support of peacekeeping operations off Serbia. He had recently returned home to HC-6 at Norfolk Naval Air Station when his CH-46 SEA KNIGHT went down at sea.
Rob is survived by his parents, Robert and Judith Vogel of Alpharetta, Georgia; his sister, Karen Vogel, and his paternal grandparents, Robert and Grace Vogel of Southbury, Connecticut. His father graduated from the Naval Academy in 1961.
Rob will be remembered for his outstanding perseverance and unselfish generosity toward others. He faced every setback with firm resolve, and heroically gave his life attempting to rescue others at sea.
To Honor! ⚓
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_W._VOGEL,_LT,_USN