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

MICHAEL T. ZURFLUH, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Michael Zurfluh '71, USN was lost on June 2, 1975 -- fifty years ago today -- when the aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Barber's Point, Hawaii.

From his obituary:

Mike was born in Tacoma, Washington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Zurfluh of 2205 Brookdale Road in Tacoma. From early childhood, Mike was an avid outdoorsman, sportsman and athlete. His school years were marked by academic excellence and outstanding achievement, as evidenced by his election as Student Body President at DuPont Junior High School and Franklin Pierce High School and his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 13.

Upon graduation from high school in 1967, Mike entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1971. His academy years were also highlighted by academic excellence and athletic prowess, especially in boxing where Mike won all of his fights and fought in the 127 pound class championship bout. He was also a member of the Naval Academy Flying Club.

After graduation from the Naval Academy and prior to reporting to the USS CACAPON (AO-52), Mike married the former Kathleen Margret Cook on June 12, 1971.

In January 1972, he entered Flight Training at Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1973 at Kingsville, Texas.

Mike then reported to Fleet Composite Squadron ONE and quickly gained the reputation of an outstanding Naval Officer and Naval Aviator, flying the A4E Skyhawk. He was a devoted husband and a loving father to his two sons, Steven Joseph, age 3, and Karl Robert, age 1.

Mike is best remembered for his true dedication to his country, the Navy and his shipmates, and his passing has left a very real void in all of our lives. Mike was lost at sea in the service of his country.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_T._ZURFLUH,_LT,_USN