JAMES B. BROWN, JR., LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT James Brown, Jr. '73, USN was lost on November 28, 1979 when the EA-6B Prowler he was aboard crashed into the Indian Ocean during a training flight. He was a member of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, operating from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Three others were killed, including the squadron's commanding officer, CDR Peter Rodrick '64, USN.

James graduated North Kingston High School, Rhode Island, where he was on the staff of the yearbook and member of the baseball and cross country teams.

No information on survivors has been located. He has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_B._BROWN,_JR.,_LT,_USN

JAMES C. RADNEY, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR James Radney '73, USN was lost on September 28, 1982 when the SH-2F Seasprite helicopter he was piloting News-Press crashed near Fort Myers, Florida. The other men aboard were injured but survived.

From Shipmate:

Appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Texas, he was an active member of the 150 lb. football team and served as Twelfth Company commander before graduation with the Class of 1973. His academic excellence as a midshipman resulted in his assignment immediately after graduation to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, where he received a master of science degree in oceanography in 1974.

Prior to flight training, he served on board USS KENNEDY (CV-67) as engineering officer and was qualified as both engineering officer and surface warfare officer. He also had the distinction of qualifying in two warfare specialties with his designation as a naval aviator in July 1979. He was assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light THIRTY-SIX (HSL-36), where he served as a helicopter aircraft commander and officer-in- charge of Det 5 at the time of his death. He had been officer-in-charge of HSL-36 detachments aboard USS JOHN HANCOCK (DD98-I), USS PHARRIS (FF-I094) and USS NICHOLSON (DD-982), and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his role in special operations conducted while aboard PHARRIS. He was in receipt of orders to be flag lieutenant for Commander Naval Forces Caribbean at the time of his death. He was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.

He is survived by his widow Cindy Salcher and son Derek Emerson, of Neptune Beach FL; his parents, Ridgley Dexter, a former Navy pilot, and Jo Ann; a brother Larry, a former Navy dentist, and sister Kelly.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_C._RADNEY,_LCDR,_USN

DEREK E. HOLMQUIST, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Derek Holmquist '73, USN was lost on April 1, 1985 when the A-6 Intruder he was piloting crashed in Panama during a training mission. The bombardier/navigator, LT Glenn Ziegler '81, USN, was also killed.

Derek graduated from high school in McLean, Virginia, where he was active in several clubs and societies, and a member of the football, wrestling, and track teams. At the Naval Academy he was on the rugby team.

He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, and parents (Carl '43 and Lavinia).

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DEREK_E._HOLMQUIST,_LCDR,_USN

ROBERT K. CHRISTENSEN, CDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CDR Robert Christensen '73, USN was lost when the F/A-18 he was piloting crashed off the coast of Vieques on the night of July 24, 1992. He was the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 and was flying from USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). A native of North Babylon, New York, Robert earned his wings in December 1974.

His first operational tour was flying an A-7 Corsair II. In 1978 he began a tour as flight instructor and landing signals officer. In 1985 he was a semi-finalist pilot for NASA's astronaut group 11. He transitioned to the F/A-18 in 1991 when the squadron was re-equipped and re-designated. He had over 4,800 flight hours in 34 different aircraft, and over 900 traps on 15 different carriers.

Robert was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_K._CHRISTENSEN,_CDR,_USN

CRAIG O. REYNOLDS, LT, USN

LT Craig Reynolds '73 was lost when the SH-3H he was piloting crashed near Fallon, Nevada in March 1978. From the Lucky Bag: "Craig faced his roughest clashes with the ocean blue in the choppy waters of the Natatorium. Leaving such temporary difficulties behind, Craig soon established a reputation for good grades and daily chow packages. Through his stay at Severn College, he managed to stay amazingly clear of the Performance Office, while he quietly gained controlling interest in the Annapolis-Oklahoma Telephone Company."

His roommate added: "Swimming was his toughest task at Navy. He would stroke, kick, breathe - and slowly sink to the bottom of the pool. We could never figure it out. He was a very quiet guy, especially in the mornings. He hated early classes. We were roommates for all four years at USNA, and I bet he never said a dozen words before noon.""

"In any group of 30 guys, there will inevitably be groups that form. Craig transcended them all. He felt comfortable with everybody, and they all called him their friend."

"He was a devoted husband to Rhonda, who he had dated since High School. He was a Christian, and he was the best roommate a Mid could have for 4 years. I am a better person for having known him."

To Honor!