★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
LCDR Dan DeWispelaere, USN '81 was lost on October 10, 1991 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting crashed near Wenatchee, Washington. The bombardier/navigator aboard was also killed; they were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 155.
From the January/February 1992 issue of "Shipmate":
LCdr. DeWispelaere was born in the District of Columbia. Growing up in a military family at various bases in this country and Norway, he graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Va. He entered the Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1981.
Following graduation he entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1983. Following A-6 training with VA-128 at NAS Whidbey Island he reported to VA-196. His next tour of duty was with VA-128 as an instructor pilot and Familiarization Stage Phasehead. Next came assignment to VA-155 where he deployed to the North Arabian Gulf as part of Carrier Air Wing 2 onboard RANGER. He flew in 43 days of combat operations during Operation Desert Storm.
His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat '"V," Air Medal with Combat "V," Navy Commendation Medal with Combat '"V," and various campaign, unit, and service awards.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn, sons Tim, Dan Jr., and Nicholas, and daughter Melanie, all of Oak Harbor, Wash.; his parents, Capt. and Mrs. Earl L. DeWispelaere of Alexandria, Va.; his brother Earl, Jr of Denver, Colo.; and his sister LeeAnne D. Whitworth of Wendell, N.C.
To Honor! ⚓
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAN_D._DEWISPELAERE,_LCDR,_USN