★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
Lt. Nile Kraft '69, USN was lost on February 22, 1977 when the A-4 Skyhawk he was piloting crashed near El Centro, California. He was a member of the Blue Angels. Nile was a native of Gilman, Illinois, where he was a member the band, dance band, student council, French club, basketball, football -- where he was also captain -- class president, national honor society, and in the senior play.
Following flight training, he flew 223 combat missions over Vietnam and recorded 333 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations included two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 26 Air Medals (three of which were for individual action), 8 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V, 2 Navy Unit Commendations, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and service and campaign medals.
Nile was survived by his wife and parents.
To Honor! ⚓
https://v2.usnamemorialhall.org/honorees/lt-nile-r-kraft-usn/