★★★ 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