JOHN O. CURTIS, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR John Curtis, USN '35 was lost on this date (September 6) in 1943 when his F6F-3 Hellcat fighter crashed near Hawaii. Commanding officer of Fighting Squadron (VF) 24 and operating from USS Belleau Wood (CVL 24) at the time, in 1942 he had survived the sinking of both USS Yorktown (CV 5) at the Battle of Midway and USS Hornet (CV 8) at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

A native of Altoon, Pennsylvania, John's roommate wrote in the Lucky Bag:

NEED a radio fixed? Sparks devours anything in the radio field, especially QST magazines. In the spring, you'll find him training a crew for the sailing races. We suspect it was the urge to sail that brought Uncle John down to the sea and Annapolis. Dragging never greatly interested this "Pennsylvania Wolunteer;" a hop takes away too much of his craved sleep. Besides dripping showers and writing letters, reveille is John's principal antipathy. If we all could only do our studying when asleep, as Okell must do! The Bull sessions on how the Navy should be run make us sure that "Curcuss" will crash through for the benefit of all hands. He won't need the "breaks", you can't keep a good sailor down.

John was unmarried and survived by his sister and brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JOHN_O._CURTIS,_LCDR,_USN

JOHN S. WILLEY, 1LT, USA

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

1LT John Willey, US Army was a former member of the Class of 1944; he resigned in April 1941. On August 30, 1943 he was a pilot of a P-38 Lightning fighter with the Army Air Forces over Italy when he was killed in action. He was a member of the 71st Fighter Squadron, and escorting a group of heavy bombers at the time. His fighter group consisted of 44 aircraft; they were engaged by 75 German fighters. Thirteen of the American aircraft were lost in the engagement, though not all of the pilots were killed.

His high school yearbook wrote "he was a hit with all the gals, noted for his conceit ... named Apollo in the school horoscope ... in the future, he owns an escort bureau ... bequeathed his green satin shirt to xx to make the girls jealous with."

A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, he was survived by his mother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JOHN_S._WILLEY,_1LT,_USA

ORVILLE A. KOLLASCH, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Orville Kollasch '68 was lost on June 7, 1972 when the A-7 Corsair II jet he was piloting crashed during night practice landings at NAS Lemoore, California.

From the Lucky Bag: "Orv came to the Academy after graduation from high school in Estherville, Iowa. He brought with him a special spirit, sincerity, and desire which seems to show wherever he goes. After lettering in football and track, along with wrestling, Orv proved himself to be quite a versatile athlete at USNA participating in intramural boxing, crew, Softball, lightweight football, squash, handball, ract time, and gymnastics. His ability and determination proved to be a real asset to every team he played on. Just ask him about his early morning walks out to the sea wall and back. When he was not working on academics, Orv was actively engaged in the Big Brother program and the Newman club. His devotion, drive and unselfishness will certainly make him a respected Naval Officer and an asset to his country."

Following graduation in 1968 he went to Pensacola for flight training. He continued training at Meridian and completed it in Kingsville, Tx., with VT-23 in November 1969. He was kept on duty there as assistant operations officer and later aviation safety officer. While there he transitioned to A-4's and was qualified in helicopters. In August 1971 he was assigned to NAS Lemoore with VA-122.

He was 26, and was survived by his wife, Susan, their 18-month-old son, and his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ORVILLE_A._KOLLASCH,_LT,_USN

HENRY D. BATTERTON, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Henry Batterton, USN '23 was lost on August 11, 1942 when a "signal depth charge" accidentally exploded off Port Angeles, Washington. His entry in the Lucky Bag:

"SMUG. No other word would characterize Soc more aptly than that. His close clipped raven locks, and the cynical smile, would also lead one to suppose that he was of the cold and haughty type. That is, before a close scrutiny of his eyes—which give the secret away. He is amiable.

Did someone mention the Radiator Club? He is charter member and secretary of that organization. Any winter afternoon (except Wednesday, when he migrates to the Circle) you can find him propped up on his bed boning a Cosmo and chewing Juicy Fruit. They say he keeps a file of the Red Book, too, back behind the box of Washington apples which he always seems to have at hand.

He doesn't fuss. Seems to be rather satisfied with life in general without the more deadly of the species—but wait. Some of these days a girl is going to catch him out of his shell and marry him for his good looks."

Henry was a native of Malaga, Washington, and was survived by his wife, daughter, and mother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/HENRY_D._BATTERTON,_LCDR,_USN

PATRICK T. WAYLAND, 2LT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

2nd Lt. Patrick Wayland, USMC '10 was lost on this date (August 9), 2011, during water training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

His friends remembered him at the time as "a man of a lot of courage and great character." Another said "he was really someone you could look up to and always trust." Prior to the Naval Academy he attended Texas Tech University for a year.

Patrick was survived by his parents and two younger sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/PATRICK_T._WAYLAND,_2LT,_USMC

NORMAN S. IVES, CAPT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Captain Norman Ives, USN '20 was lost on this date (August 2) in 1944, in perhaps one of the oddest naval actions of the European theater of the war. He was the director of the recently-captured port of Cherbourg, France, and leading a reconnaissance party of nearly 100 sailors (and four war correspondents) towards the town of St. Malo, which Captain Ives had been told was secured by American forces. In fact, it was still held by 500 German paratroops. The party wandered into an ambush that killed Norman and six others over the course of a three-hour firefight.

Norman was an accomplished submarine officer, and in 1931 was awarded the Navy Cross for his years-long efforts to create and improve submarine rescue devices and designs.

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/NORMAN_S._IVES,_CAPT,_USN

DAVID D. LAIRD, FLT LT, RCAF

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

David Laird was a member of the Class of 1942 until June 1940 when he was "permitted to resign." On this date (July 26) in 1944 he was killed when the light bomber he was piloting crashed during an armed reconnaissance flight near Florence, Italy. At the time he was a Flight Lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Air Force (flying with a Royal Air Force squadron); he had joined the RCAF sometime before December 1941.

Though he was born in Iowa, he grew up near Colgate University, New York, and was appointed to the Naval Academy from that state. Prior to his RCAF time he had been working as a radio repairman in Baltimore.

He was survived by his father and grandmother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_D._LAIRD,_FLT_LT,_RCAF

WILLIAM J. WIDHELM, CAPT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT William "Gus" Widhelm, USN '32 was lost on this date (July 19) in 1954 when the T-28 training aircraft he was aboard crashed near Chase Field, Texas. He was the commanding officer of Chase Field at the time.

An accomplished aviator, he was twice awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. The first was as a Lieutenant and the executive officer of Scouting Squadron (VS) 8 at the Battle of Midway. The second was later that year, when he had been promoted to LCDR and taken command of VS-8, at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. In the latter battle his aircraft was shot down and he and his rear gunner spent three days in a raft before being rescued. Later in the war he commanded the Navy's first night-fighter squadron before serving as operations officer for Carrier Task Force One.

Gus was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and children John, 10; Wendy, 8, and Sally, 4.

To Honor! ⚓

http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_J._WIDHELM,_CAPT,_USN

NEAL T. LIPPY, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

On this date (July 12) in 1985, Capt. Neal Lippy, USMC '79 non-graduate was killed when the CH-53D Sea Stallion he was piloting crashed into a hillside on Okinawa. The three other Marines aboard were also lost.

Neal was a native of Littlestown, Pennsylvania; he graduated Littlestown High School in 1975, where he quarterbacked the football team to an undefeated season. He left the Naval Academy sometime during or possibly shortly after plebe summer, but commissioned into the Marines following his graduation from Mansfield College (Pennsylvania) in 1979.

He was survived by his wife, his parents, three sisters, and a brother.

To Honor! ⚓

http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/NEAL_T._LIPPY,_CAPT,_USMC

ALBERT E. OBERG, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Albert Oberg '43 was lost on this date (July 5) in 1943 when his ship, USS Strong (DD 467), was sunk by a submarine off the coast of New Georgia Island in the South Pacific Ocean.

From the Class of 1943 anniversary book: "Al was born in New Rochelle, New York on 8 April, 1921 He was appointed from at-large and entered the Academy on 28 June, 1939. Upon graduation he proceeded to Bath, Maine in connection with fitting out of the destroyer USS STRONG. After commissioning and shake down the STRONG proceeded to the South Pacific and the thick of the war at sea. In the first minutes of 5 July 1943 the STRONG was providing shore bombardment in connection with cruisers and other destroyers on the Northwest coast of New Georgia Island. She broke off to pursue two radar ships which proved to be two Japanese destroyers fleeing the area, Not in time to maneuver, a torpedo was sighted that slammed the STRONG at the foreward fireroom breaking the ship's back. She was then pounded by shore batteries as she sank. Al was lost with the ship. He wore the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp and the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with one bronze star. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Marie Lindt Oberg who at Al's death resided at 406 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, New York."

He was the Signal Officer and Assistant Navigator.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ALBERT_E._OBERG,_LTJG,_USN

ALAN M. MCANENY, 1LT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

1LT Alan "Duke" McAneny, USMC '52 was lost this date (June 28) in 1955 when his FJ-2 Fury fighter crashed in Japan, while participating in a search and rescue operation for two other Marines who had been drifting at sea for several days.

A prior enlisted Marine, he had also attended Hamilton College for a year prior to the Naval Academy. In the Lucky Bag: "Battles with a smoking slide rule, a broken parallel ruler, and memorizing the terms in the "Treaty of Smoltz" were the Duke's specialties. Large stacks of perfumed letters best described the Duke's success with the fairer sex." While a Midshipman, he ran track and played battalion football.

Alan was survived by his wife and mother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ALAN_M._MCANENY,_1LT,_USMC

SETH R. MICHAUD, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

On June 22, 2003, Capt. Seth Michaud, USMC '98 was killed during a military exercise in Djibouti. Seth's accomplishments were many: Eagle Scout, captain of his HS varsity soccer team, helicopter aircraft commander. A classmate remembered "Seth was a great guy - incredibly smart, humble, adventurous and kind." But perhaps no better eulogy could be offered beyond his father's: "You were a dedicated officer, a strong pilot and a proud Marine."

In addition to his father, Francis, Seth was survived by his mother, Karen; wife, Karen Marie; 18-month-old son, Ian; brother, Ethan; and sister, Samantha.

Sam has been a director on the board of Run To Honor for several years, and we are eternally thankful for her and her family's continued service and incredible sacrifice.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/SETH_R._MICHAUD,_CAPT,_USMC

Okinawa Marines, June 14, 1945

DAVID S. MCDOUGAL, LTCOL, USMC ‘33

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

On this date in 1945 three alumni were killed in action during the ferocious fighting on Okinawa. LTCOL David McDougal '33 was commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Day '45 was a member of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and 2LT Lloyd Wyatt, Jr. '45 the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines. In addition to Arthur and Lloyd being classmates, they were both in the 8th Company at the Naval Academy.

While Arthur and Lloyd had been Marines for barely a year, David had been stationed aboard ships and at Marine Barracks across the country. He served 22 months in the South Pacific, including on Guadalcanal when, as a Major, he took command of his battalion when his CO was wounded or killed. After a week in the role he was wounded (in October 1942); he was wounded again at Cape Gloucester in December 1943.

We remember all three of these men. To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_S._MCDOUGAL,_LTCOL,_USMC

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ARTHUR_C._DAY,_2LT,_USMC

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/LLOYD_K._WYATT,_JR.,_2LT,_USMC

ARTHUR C. DAY, 2LT, USMC, ‘45

LLOYD K. WYATT, JR., 2LT, USMC, ‘45

EDWARD E. DEGARMO, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Edward DeGarmo '40 in the Lucky Bag: "When he isn't holding bunk drill, you can find him playing bridge (his favorite indoor and outdoor sport), dragging, reading, working cross-words, or doing a little private jitter-bugging to some hot tune by T. Dorsey. The ability to turn a hopelessly lost debate into apparent victory by resort to a technical point not even remotely connected with the subject is his outstanding characteristic. A typical, smooth-talking son of Ohio, Ed (the walking dictionary) has been a friend to all, always ready to do or try anything. We wish him luck in the Service and hope to be as good shipmates as we have been pals and roommates."

Ed began his service aboard USS Enterprise, but it's unclear what his wartime experience was prior to early 1945. From at least February to June, however, he was the commanding officer of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 82 aboard USS Bennington (CV 20). During these four short months he was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, and four Distinguished Flying Crosses. His squadron participated in the destruction of the battleship Yamato and her escorts. Twice in one day he led raids over Tokyo.

On June 3, 1945, Ed was shot down and severely injured by antiaircraft fire over Okinawa while flying a resupply mission to forward Marines.

He was survived by his wife, to whom he was engaged in 1942.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_E._DEGARMO,_LCDR,_USN

CHARLES D. WITT, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Charles "Don" Witt, USN '59, was killed in action with Viet Cong forces while leading a two-boat river patrol on this day in 1967.

A member of 20th Company, his entry in the Lucky Bag: "A true citizen of the Lone Star State, Don's many and varied experiences prior to, and after, entering the Academy gave him a collection of all tales which provided welcome entertainment at any time. His friendly personality won him a wealth of companions throughout the Brigade. Enthusiastic about everything he did, Don added much to the design of the class crest as a member of the Ring Committee. In athletics, Don devoted his talent to rowing with the varsity 150 pound crew team. A "tin can sailor" since Youngster cruise, he is looking forward to a long and successful Naval career."

Don was survived by his wife, Kayte, and two children, Lisa and Dexter, and his parents.

A sailor from his first ship, 40 years after Don's loss: "Mr. Witt was the best Naval Officer I ever met."

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/CHARLES_D._WITT,_LT,_USN

ARTHUR W. STAECKER, LTJG, USN & JAMES G. PROUT, III, RADM, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Arthur “Wayne” Staeker ‘66

Two of the Class of 1966's losses occurred on May 17, though they were separated by decades.

Arthur "Wayne" Staecker was a LTjg when he was lost in a mid-air collision in 1968. From the Lucky Bag: "Wayne comes from the city of Richardson, Texas, and stands tall and proud as most Texans do. No one knew Wayne when he reported to the Academy, but his friendly smile, mature attitude, and willingness to help others quickly made him a close and respected friend to all those who knew him these past few years. "Hook" did very well in academics and took a keen interest in Company and Battalion activities in sports such as basketball, cross-country, squash, and tennis. He also shared his interest on a Brigade level as he was a member of the Brigade Activities Committee as well as the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron. He always did his best to get the job done and often succeeded with outstanding results. Wayne's career in the Navy will surely prove to be rewarding as he has every attribute needed to be an outstanding and respected officer."

James Prout, III ‘66

His classmate, James Prout III was a Rear Admiral (the first of his class) and a surface warfare officer who was lost in a plane crash in 1995. The Lucky Bag: "The quiet youth who hails from Andover, Mass. blazed the clay many a Saturday afternoon to become one of the finest legmen the Naval Academy has seen. Jay was always a complacent individual never to let anyone or anything disturb him. This sometimes caused him trouble but he always managed to survive his punishment and come back for more." Jay was the first flag officer killed in the line of duty since WWII. He had begun his career as a SEAL, but left that community after being wounded by a rocket propelled grenade in Vietnam.

We remember both of these men today. To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ARTHUR_W._STAECKER,_LTJG,_USN

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_G._PROUT,_III,_RADM,_USN

ROGER M. NETHERLAND, CAPT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Roger Netherland '48A (graduated June 1947) was from Beaver, Pennsylvania. In the Lucky Bag: "The Nittany Lion vented forth a roar of pain as if something vital was being torn from him. In a sense it was, but Penn State's loss proved to be Navy's gain in the form of Dutch Netherland. From that time Dutch has never ceased to keep the boys in good spirits with his sarcastic wit. We admire him for his tenacity in sport and school, for his taste in the finer things of life . . . notably women, for his famous utterances, and mostly for his ability to smile when the chips are down. His future shipmates will be enlivened by his wit and will find in him a true friend."

Roger, a Navy Captain, was lost on this date in 1967 when his A-4C attack plane was shot down near Haiphong, Vietnam. He was commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing 5, operating from USS Hancock.

Several remembrances of Roger are on VMH, along with photographs.

Survived by his wife Gloria, she became lifelong friends with Sybil (and later James) Stockdale while Roger was listed as MIA until the end of the war.

To Honor! ⚓

http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROGER_M._NETHERLAND,_CAPT,_USN

ALEXANDER MCIVER, JR., CAPT, USAF

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Alexander McIver, Jr., USAF, was a non-graduate member of the Class of 1960. On this date (May 3) in 1972 he was killed in action in Binh Long Province, South Vietnam when his C-130E was shot down. "He left the Academy in June 1958 and entered the U of Colorado. After graduation he was commissioned in the Air Force and attended navigational training at James Connally AFB, TX. He received his Master’s degree from the U of Missouri in 1970."

A few years ago we received an email from Alex's sister in law. It read in part: "He was very precise about everything he did. I remember he helped my dad put up panelling in our family room. He nearly drove my dad crazy because he had to measure everything with his slide rule. Also, after every saw cut he had to make to get all the saw dust off his clothes. I know he was a good man that treated my sister and her boys well. I never heard him say anything bad about anyone.

"He was always very kind to us anytime we visited. I remember visiting them in Missouri for two weeks one summer. I remember that he was very smart with the family finances. He left my sister and her two boys well taken care of when he passed away. He had invested in the stock market mostly in Boeing. He also had multiple insurance policies for his family including one for his mother so that she was taken care of too. He was very thoughtful."

He was survived by his wife, Pat, two sons Jeffrey and Patrick, his mother, and his brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ALEXANDER_MCIVER,_JR.,_CAPT,_USAF

WILLIAM H. WILSON, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS William Wilson '60 was lost on this day in 1961 when he was swept overboard of USS Redfin (SS 272) while serving as officer of the deck.

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bill's Lucky Bag entry read: "No one chose a more difficult means of acquiring an education than Bill when he came to the Naval Academy via the Fleet. While Bill studies hard during the week, he never lets academics interfere with any of his extracurricular activities. Many afternoons of hard work with wrestling and track have given him a fine reputation as an athlete to complement his reputation as a talkative sailor from St. Petersburg. This handsome sandblower's most admirable trait is his most obvious — he is always ready with a helping hand."

He was a fleet appointee to the Naval Academy, having earned his enlisted dolphins after joining the Navy in 1953.

A shipmate of his remembers: "On a personal basis, I had come to know Mister Wilson as a very congenial individual. He had a positive attitude and all the traits of a great Naval officer. He seemed to have time to chat when he came to the torpedo room for one reason or another. Mister Wilson rapidly gained the respect of the enlisted personnel during the short period he was onboard. He had a constant military bearing about himself. I would always go to the bridge after meals and when Mister Wilson had the bridge, I always enjoyed conversations with him. I went on to retire from the Navy and served in combat in country Vietnam. In the saddest corner of my heart I will always have a place for William H. Wilson, Ens. U.S. Navy."

Bill was survived by his wife, Eva, and his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_H._WILSON,_ENS,_USN

JAMES A. F. WOOD, 1LT, USAF

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

1LT James Wood, USAF (USNA '56) was lost in a crash during pilot training on January 14, 1956. He had earned his silver wings as an Air Force pilot just a few months earlier.

Jim's Lucky Bag entry: "Fort Worth, Texas, is a long way from Annapolis, and Jim will probably tell you that all the land in between is Texas. In the true Texan tradition, Jim often took delight in telling those king-size yarns. During his four years stay at the Academy, he was an avid reader of "Peanuts," and devoted his time to dreaming of beautiful women and his drag for the coming weekend. Being a charter member of the "Poohes" and the SIR squad did nothing to detract from his smile or friendliness. He always seemed to be able to come through with whatever was needed, when things got tight."

His classmates remember: "Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, he was known for his outgoing personality and ready smile, as well as his athletic ability on the football field as part of Coach Erdelatz’s great teams of the 1950’s. Jim was not married."

He was survived by his parents and at least one sibling (a brother).

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_A._F._WOOD,_1LT,_USAF