LCDR Benjamin Tappan, III, '66, was a third generation Naval Academy graduate. From the Lucky Bag: ""Academics" proved to be Ben's big obstacle at the Academy, where he always seemed to be far from the top of his class and not too far from the bottom. Despite this one little handicap, however, Ben was always able to nourish his love for SCUBA Diving through the USNA SCUBA Club. No matter how cold the water, or where the dive, Ben was always there. We feel this is the way he'll be as a Naval officer ... a man with an undying devotion to the service both he and his father love."
Ben was lost on June 2, 1980, when the A-7E Corsair II he was piloting crashed near Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Philippines.
We remember his service and sacrifice today and every day. To Honor!