STEVEN E. PONTELL, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Steven Pontell, USN ‘88 was lost on October 28, 1989 when the T-2C he was piloting crashed aboard USS Lexington (CV 16).

From the January-February issue of "Shipmate":

A native of Chicago, Illinois, he graduated from Buffalo Grove High School before appointment to the Naval Academy and graduation with the Class of 1988. As a Midshipman, he set his sights on Naval Air. He was described by his Classmates as an achiever, someone with a "cheerful smile and a positive attitude."

At the time of his death, he was attached to Training Squadron 19 at the Naval Air Station, Meridian, Mississippi.

His father Gary Pontell, said, "He had always been interested in being a Navy pilot. He excelled at the Naval Academy (and) was in the top 25 percent of his Class. He truly loved the Academy, the people and the prestige that went along with it."

Ens. Pontell is survived by his father and mother (Marilyn) of Columbia, Maryland; and two brothers, Michael, a senior at the University of Maryland, and Darin, 14, a freshman at Atholton High School in Columbia.

Steven’s brother, Darin, graduated the Naval Academy in 1998 and was killed in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php?title=STEVEN_E._PONTELL,_ENS,_USN

ERNEST H. GREPPIN, III, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Ernest Greppin, III, USN '89 was lost on July 15, 1991 in a parachute incident near Coronado, California.

A native of Massachusetts, Ernest graduated in 1985 from St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware. At the Naval Academy he rowed on the heavyweight crew team. He was designated a Naval Special Warfare Officer -- a SEAL -- on November 16, 1990.

Ernest was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ERNEST_H._GREPPIN,_III,_LTJG,_USN

ROBERT A. FORWALDER, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Robert Forwalder, USN '89 was lost on March 26, 1993 when the E-2C Hawkeye surveillance plane he was aboard crashed into the Ionian Sea while attempting to recover aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). He was a member of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Robert graduated 2nd in his class from Green High School. He graduated with honors from the Naval Academy with an Engineering degree. At the Academy he was active in the Men's Glee Club, Protestant Chapel Choir, and the Airborne Training Unit.

LT Calin Evon '89: "Bobby, as his friends knew him, was an outgoing and dedicated man. His will to succeed in all aspects of life was most admirable. As Naval Officer's we must open our eyes to the dangers of Naval Aviation. We must be prepared to fly in danger's way at anytime, anywhere. As a Husband, he was loving; as a Son, he was admirable; as a Brother, he was a best friend; and as my Roommate, he was my brother. God Bless You Bobby."

Robert was survived by his wife, Katie, and son Sean Robert, of Virginia Beach, Va.; his father Melvin and mother Beverly, of Uniontown, Ohio; his brother, Petty Officer Ronald Forwalder and his wife Cindy, both of NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii; grandparents, Doris and Kenneth Wagster, of Uniontown, Ohio, and Lillie Forwalder, of Arlington, Kansas.

His son was born on April 10, 1993 barely six weeks before Robert's death.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_A._FORWALDER,_LT,_USN

EDWARD R. O'NEILL, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Edward "Randy" O'Neill, USN '89 was lost on January 10, 1994 when the HH-46 Sea Knight helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 500 miles northeast of Bermuda. Two other men were also killed; one crewman survived. They were attached to, and flying from, USS Inchon (LPH 12), which had deployed only a few days earlier for the Mediterranean.

A native of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, Randy attended Villanova University on an ROTC scholarship for a year prior to entering the Naval Academy.

John Cunningham '89: "As a friend, classmate, and company-mate, I'll always remember Randy ribbing people who took things too seriously. He would often compare something at the Academy to his life as a Villanova student and declare he'd made a big mistake in coming to USNA, all the while being one of the most dedicated and professional guys I knew. He was a devoted father to Michael and a wonderful husband to Michele. Everyone who knew him will regret his loss."

Randy was survived by his wife of two years, Michele Kin O'Neill; a year-old son, Michael; his father, William; his brother, Kenneth; and a sister, Sharon O'Neill Hillston.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_R._O'NEILL,_LT,_USN

ROBERT W. VOGEL, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Robert Vogel, USN '89 was lost on October 3, 1995, when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia. Three others aboard were also killed; they were members of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 6.

From his obituary:

Rob was born on 13 February 1966 in Groton, CT. He graduated from Newtown High School in 1984 and attended Lafayette College for one year before his persistence prevailed in gaining acceptance to the Naval Academy. His determination and innate leadership ability served to earn him the billet of 14th Company Commander his first class year. He graduated with a degree in Ocean Engineering.

After commissioning, he attended Naval Flight Training and flew helicopters until July 1991, when an automobile accident left him nearly paralyzed. During his recovery, Rob qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch and Surface Warfare Officer on SACRAMENTO during deployment to Somalia and the Persian Gulf.

Through exemplary willpower and a great love for flight, Rob returned to flight status in 1994 and deployed to the Adriatic on KEARSARGE in support of peacekeeping operations off Serbia. He had recently returned home to HC-6 at Norfolk Naval Air Station when his CH-46 SEA KNIGHT went down at sea.

Rob is survived by his parents, Robert and Judith Vogel of Alpharetta, Georgia; his sister, Karen Vogel, and his paternal grandparents, Robert and Grace Vogel of Southbury, Connecticut. His father graduated from the Naval Academy in 1961.

Rob will be remembered for his outstanding perseverance and unselfish generosity toward others. He faced every setback with firm resolve, and heroically gave his life attempting to rescue others at sea.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_W._VOGEL,_LT,_USN

BRETT M. BEKKEN, LTCOL, USMCR

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Lt. Col. Brett Bekken, USMCR '89, was lost on April 21, 2004 when the F/A-18 Hornet he was piloting crashed in California during a training exercise. He was a reservist with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112 in Fort Worth, Texas; he was also a pilot with American Airlines.

A native of Greendale, Wisconsin, at the Naval Academy he played on the lightweight football team. A classmate remembered, "Brett was the type of person you wanted to be around. He was always up to something good and he made you want to be a part of it. Brett was a caring person, generous with his time and talents." He had left active duty with the Marine Corps in 1999.

Brett had been selected for Lt. Col. the day of his death. He was survived by his parents, brother, nieces, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRETT_M._BEKKEN,_LTCOL,_USMCR

WILLIAM R. WATKINS, III, LTCOL, USAF

William "Salty" Watkins, III, '89 was killed in action over Iraq on April 7, 2003 while serving as a weapons officer aboard a F-15E with the 333rd Fighter Squadron of the USAF.

He was a NFO for 12 years before transferring to the Air Force to be stationed with his wife, an Air Force Major. She survived him, as did his young son and an unborn child.

His sister remembered: "My brother was one of the most loyal and generous people I've ever known. He was a wonderful father, husband and brother. He will be missed by all who knew him. Not only was he a gentleman, he was a gentle man."

To Honor!