★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
Lt. Brian Hurst '71, US Navy was lost on May 15, 1977 when the F-4 Phantom II he was piloting crashed into the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to land aboard USS Independence (CV 62). The radar intercept officer, Lt. Dennis O'Malley '72, USN, 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 Illinois, he was graduated with the Class of 1971. As a midshipman he was known for his spirit and his willingness to help. Upon receiving his commission he reported to the destroyer Hull for four months, then reported for flight training and was designated naval aviator in May of 1973. During this training period he also earned his Master of Science degree at the University of West Florida, Pensacola. Further training followed whereupon he joined Fighter Squadron One Hundred One as a replacement pilot in the F-4 Phantom. He later joined Fighter Squadron One Hundred Two aboard Independence and had been with this group for six months when the fatal accident occurred.
He is survived by his widow, Mary, a son, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Hurst of Carthage, Illinois.
To Honor! ⚓
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRIAN_D._HURST,_LT,_USN