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