KENNETH J. WESSEL, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Kenneth Wessel '72, USN was lost on October 7, 1952 when the UH-1 Huey helicopter he was piloting crashed off the coast of Virginia Beach. Three others escaped. He was serving as the aircraft handling officer aboard USS Inchon (LPH 12) at the time of the crash.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, he served on a surface ship for a time before attending flight training. He was survived by his wife, three children, parents, four brothers, and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/KENNETH_J._WESSEL,_LCDR,_USN

GREGORY B. LANE, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Gregory Lane '72, USN was lost on June 3, 1985 when the A-7 Corsair II he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 83.

From the November 1985 issue of "Shipmate":

Born in Cairo, Georgia, he was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Georgia and graduated with the Class of 1972.

Upon graduation, he served in USS Biddle (DLG-34) in the Western Pacific. He underwent flight training and was qualified as a Naval Aviator and subsequently served with VA-174 and VA-87. His awards included the Navy Commendation Medal.

At some point he was also an exchange pilot with the United Kingdom, flying the AV-8A Harrier with the Royal Air Force.

He was survived by his wife, father, brother, sister, and maternal grandparents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/GREGORY_B._LANE,_LCDR,_USN

DAVID R. VAUGHN, CDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CDR David Vaughn '72, USN was lost on December 5, 1986 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting crashed near the Boardman Navy Range in Oregon. The bombardier/navigator aboard was also killed. They were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 128, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

From the April 1987 issue of "Shipmate":

Cdr. Vaughn was born in Beckley, West Virginia on 5 June 1950. He entered the Naval Academy from the State of Ohio; he spent all four of his Academy years in the 11th Company. Upon graduation in June 1972, he was granted a BS in Aerospace Engineering and served in USS WAINWRIGHT (DLG-28) before reporting to Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS Pensacola the following February.

Receiving his wings in February 1975, he remained in Kingsville, Texas, as a flight instructor until December 1976. He then proceeded to VA-128 at Whidbey Island and qualified in the A-6 Intruder. Cdr. Vaughn then reported to the Knightriders of VA-52, completing two deployments aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In April 1980, he reported to Naval Programs, Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, New York, where he served as a test and acceptance pilot for A-6 and EA-6B aircraft. In August 1983, he reported to the boomers of VA-165 and completed deployments aboard USS RANGER (CV-61) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In February 1986, he reported to the Golden Intruders of VA-128, where he headed A-6 maintenance training as Framp Officer.

Commander Vaughn is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Linda, and their four children, Jennifer (12), James (10), Jessica (6), and Jared (5), of Oak Harbor, Wash.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_R._VAUGHN,_CDR,_USN

PHILIP F. PALMATIER, JR., CDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CDR Philip Palmatier, Jr. '72, USN was lost on December 10, 1990 when the TA-4J jet he was piloting collided with another approximately 85 miles northwest of Key West, Florida. He was the commanding officer of Training Squadron (VT) 25.

Philip only wanted to fly; even in high school he was nicknamed "Jet." After earning his wings in 1974 he went on to accumulate more than 4,000 hours of flight time and more than 600 carrier landings, mostly in A-6 Intruders. Both his father and uncle were retired Naval Aviators.

The Commander Philip F. “Jet” Palmatier Jr. Memorial Bridge on Avenue A over the Allegheny River in Coudersport Borough, PA was dedicated on August 18, 2018.

He was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/PHILIP_F._PALMATIER,_JR.,_CDR,_USN

FREDERICK R. MINIER, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Frederick Minier '73, USN was lost on May 30, 1975 while diving next to his ship, USS Sampson (DDG 10), at Taormina, Sicily. While conducting an underwater inspection of the ship’s hull, another officer was caught in the forward main condenser intake. Frederick succeeded in freeing him, but became stuck himself. A third diver attempted to rescue Frederick, but Frederick instead activated the other man's flotation device. He was survived by his parents -- coincidentally stationed with the State Department in Sampson's home port of Athens, Greece -- and his sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FREDERICK_R._MINIER,_ENS,_USN

BRIAN L. CARDIFF, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Brian Cardiff '73, USN was lost on June 25, 1975 when the A-6E Intruder he was aboard collided with another aircraft near USS Forrestal (CV 59) in the western Mediterranean Sea. The other crew of both aircraft survived the incident, but Brian was lost at sea. He was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio; unsurprisingly, he was a huge Ohio State Buckeyes football fan. He was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRIAN_L._CARDIFF,_LTJG,_USN

FREDERICK W. CAESAR, III, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Frederick Caesar, III '73, USN was lost on January 20, 1977 when the Coast Guard HH-52 Seaguard helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Illinois River after striking electrical transmission wires while on an aerial ice patrol. He was assigned to the Coast Guard as an exchange officer, flying from Glenview Naval Air Station near Chicago. A native of Clark, New Jersey, he played on his high school's soccer team as well as being involved in several different clubs. "Rick" was survived by his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FREDERICK_W._CAESAR,_III,_LTJG,_USN

RANDY J. RICKEY, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Randy Rickey '73, USN was lost on October 16, 1977 after he ejected from his A-4 Skyhawk while on approach to Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Phillippines. He was born in Ohio but grew up in Pinellas Park, Florida. Randy was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, three bothers, and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/RANDY_J._RICKEY,_LT,_USN

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

THOMAS J. EVANS, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Thomas Evans '74, USMC was lost on April 6, 1977 when the AV-8 Harrier "jump jet" he was piloting crashed at Beaufort, South Carolina.

From the Lucky Bag:

Becoming a member of Mother B’s Mickey Mouse Club after spending most of his life in Ramsey, N.J., T.J. had hopes of playing ball for Navy. After trying out for basketball and baseball and becoming an instant success in neither of them, his interests quickly changed to that of survival, as he sweated through plebe year. This attitude was soon changed due mainly to two months spent on an LPD and his love for the parties and card games. Life became bearable at good ol’ USNA, thanks given mainly to a close knit group of friends and a long string of luck at the Friday night get togethers that paid for those long distance phone calls to his OAO in Florida. Forsaking Navy Air to become a member of the men in green, T has hopes that this will better his chances for flying the plane of his choice.

Thomas was a native of Ramsey, New Jersey; in high school he was co-captain of both the basketball and baseball teams. He was married following graduation, and was also survived by a two-year-old son, his parents, and brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/THOMAS_J._EVANS,_CAPT,_USMC

STEPHEN G. LABARRE, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Stephen LaBarre '74, USN was lost on March 22, 1978 when the SH-3 Sea King he was piloting crashed near Fallon, Nevada. He was a member of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4, which was based at North Island Naval Air Station, California.

From the July-August 1978 issue of Shipmate:

A native of Pennsylvania, he was graduated with the Class of 1974. While at the Naval Academy he was an active participant in the Masqueraders. Upon graduation he was temporarily assigned to VA-15 until October 1974 when he entered flight training. In January 1976 he completed this training and then specialized in the Sea King twin-turbine amphibious ASW helicopter as a replacement pilot. He was serving with HS-4 at NAS, North Island, San Diego, as a helicopter second pilot and as the squadron training officer at the time of his death.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon LaBarre of Pen Argyl, PA; and a brother, Lt. (jg) Alan LaBarre USN serving in USS Jason (AR-8).

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/STEPHEN_G._LABARRE,_LTJG,_USN

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

RANDY A. MIKAL, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Randy Mikal '74, USN was lost on November 2, 1978 when the S-3A Viking he was aboard crashed into a mountain near Cubi Point Naval Air Station. The other three men aboard the aircraft were killed as well; they were members of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 37, which was stationed aboard USS Constellation (CV 64).

At the Naval Academy he was a left guard on the football team. The Class of 1974 column in the January-February 1979 issue of Shipmate mentioned his loss and said, "He was a fine guy and a friend to us all. Our deepest sympathy Robin."

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/RANDY_A._MIKAL,_LT,_USN

ALLEN R. GLENNY, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Allen Glenny '74, USN was lost on April 17, 1980 when the P-3C Orion patrol plane he was aboard crashed during an aerial demonstration at Pago Pago, American Samoa. Five others aboard the aircraft were killed, as was a man on the ground. The aircrew were members of Patrol Squadron (VP) 50.

From Shipmate:

Lt. Glenny was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Massachusetts and was graduated with the Class of 1974. After flight training he was designated naval aviator in 1975 and was serving with Patrol Squadron FIFTY, based at Moffett Field, California, at the time of the accident. As a midshipman he had been a member of the varsity football team from 1970-73, and was the starting quarterback as a first classman. He ranked fifth in the number of yards gained at the Academy, and fifth in career passing. He also held the Academy record for the highest average gain per play, with an average of 12.7 yards against Air Force in 1973.

On the date of the accident, the Orion aircraft was participating in an Independence Day celebration in the capital of that U.S. territory in the South Pacific. The structure into which it crashed, the Rainmaker Hotel, was the largest luxury hotel on the island, and it was in the old wing of the building that the novelist Somerset Maugham had written the short story and play "Rain." Six U.S. Army parachutists had been dropped by the aircraft and were supposed to land in the main square of the town where thousands had gathered for the festivities. Three of the parachutists were off target and the plane had turned to follow their progress when it hit the cable.

Allen was survived by his wife, Sandy.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ALLEN_R._GLENNY,_LT,_USN

DOYLE H. BEAM, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Doyle Beam '74, USMC was lost when his AH-1T Cobra helicopter crashed near Cherry Point, North Carolina, on September 18, 1981. He was a member of Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMA) 269. 1LT David Trundy '78, USMC was also killed.

His high school principal & teacher said "He liked flying and he liked traveling. He liked the challenge of being a helicopter pilot, and he liked what he was doing — helping his country."

Doyle was survived by his wife and his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DOYLE_H._BEAM,_CAPT,_USMC

JOHN P. MACSWAIN, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT John MacSwain '74, USN died on February 23, 1979 of "injuries received December 26[, 1978] in a shipboard accident" on USS Inchon (LPH 12), in port at Portsmouth, Virginia. He was working with a crew to raise a sunken launch to the deck when a cable snapped, struck him, and knocked him into the water.

From the Lucky Bag:

“Jack the Mac”, an old farmer from way back, came to USNA from Merrill, Wisconsin. During the years here, we were all aware of Mac’s deep interest in studies as we listened to book after book slam against the walls. Following up as a wrestler in high school, Jack kept up with Navy wrestling and found himself as varsity manager during 1/c year. When not with the wrestling team, Jack was wrestling every night with his roommates. … Jack’s dynamic personality and persistence has shown us in 4th that he will make a fine junior officer and be successful in later endeavors.

John was survived by his wife, to whom he was married in 1977; his parents; four brothers; and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JOHN_P._MACSWAIN,_LT,_USN

PATRICK E. YOUNG, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Patrick Young '75, USN was lost on March 1, 1977 when the F-4 Phantom II he was piloting crashed in North Carolina. He and his radar intercept officer, who was also killed, were members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101.

From the Lucky Bag:

Pat came to the banks of the Severn having seen the ocean only once as a seven year old. His hometown of Independence, Missouri had little to offer in the way of water sports, but after a knee injury made it impossible to play football and run track, he took to sailing like a fish to water. The afternoons and weekends would nearly always find him racing aboard one of the yawls or Class "A" yachts, and he served as commodore of the Midshipmen Sailing Squadron.

Pat's love for the Navy is only exceeded by his determination to succeed. This is reinforced by his self-description as "an individual of mediocre ability but high motivation". We wish him the best of luck as he wings his way through the skies of Pensacola and into the Fleet.

"Don't complain about how the ball bounces, if you dropped it."

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/PATRICK_E._YOUNG,_ENS,_USN