ROBERT N. MATHENY, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Robert Matheny, USN '81 was lost on June 20, 1988 when the A-4 Skyhawk aircraft he was piloting crashed off the coast of Virginia. He was a member of Fighter Squadron (VF) 43, based at Oceana, Virginia.

From the October 1998 issue of Shipmate:

Lt. Robert (Bob) N. Matheny was killed 20 June 1988 while on a training mission for VF-43 in the Virginia Capes operating area. As of this writing, the A-4 accident is currently under naval investigation. The funeral was held at St. Mary's Church in Bolivar, New York, on 27 June.

Bob was born 12 October 1959 and grew up in Bolivar, New York, graduating from Bolivar Central High School in 1977. Bob was very active in numerous sports, extracurricular, and community activities during his pre-Academy days. Bob graduated from the Academy in 1981 with his degree in aeronautical engineering and as a star letterman on the rugby team before selecting Naval Aviation as his career path.

He completed flight training at Pensacola and Meridian before accepting his initial assignment as part of the adversary squadron in Subic Bay, the Philippines. As part of the "Checker Tails" Bob flew throughout the area for 16 months before reporting to his next duty in Oceana, Virginia with VF-11. Bob flew F-14's off of FORRESTAL with VF-11 and then off of SARATOGA with VF-74 before transferring to VF-43.

Throughout his career. Bob was extremely active in community youth groups. During his time in Pensacola he coached championship basketball and football teams, and was personally recognized with his own key to the city and the dedication of Robert Matheny Day, 27 February 1982, for his efforts with the Youth Organization. Bob was also recognized and honored with a citation from the Virginia Beach JC's and Chamber of Commerce. Bob is to be recognized with an article in their national publication for his leadership and guidance to area youth organizations.

Survivors include parents and family of Bolivar, New York, and too many friends to possibly mention. Bob's spirit for life and concern for the development of the student-athlete will be continued with the Lt. Robert Matheny Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund for Bolivar Central High School Students.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_N._MATHENY,_LT,_USN

JAMES H. LOVE, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT James Love, USN '81 was lost on December 19, 1990 when his helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean about 700 miles northeast of Guam. He was operating from USS Tripoli (LPH 10); the other three men aboard were also killed.

From the April 1991 issue of Shipmate:

Born on 23 June 1959 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was appointed to the Naval Academy from Maryland with the Class of 1981. He left the Academy and completed his degree at Towson State University, Towson, Maryland. He re-entered the Navy under the Aviation Officer Candidate program and won his commission on 13 August 1982.

After receiving his wings as a helicopter pilot, he was stationed with HC-8 at NAS Norfolk; he made two deployments to the Mediterranean and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.

Lt. Love then reported to HC-3, NAS North Island, California, as an H-46 FRS instructor pilot. He held jobs as flight scheduler, NATOPS officer and finally as the H-46 NATOPS model manager.

In TRIPOLI, his assignment was in Air Operations.

Lt. Love is survived by his wife, Cynthia and three children, Erin, James Matthew, and Bethany Marie; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Love, of Annapolis.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_H._LOVE,_LT,_USN

FRED B. CANNON, JR., ENS, USNR

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Fred Cannon, Jr., USNR '40 was only at the Naval Academy for 9 months prior to his resignation. He returned home to West Virginia, and by 1940 was working at the Federal Security Agency, Social Security Board in Clarksburg, WV. A tall and skinny young man -- his draft registration lists him as 6' tall, 140 lbs -- he was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve sometime before April 1942.

On June 10, 1942 he left aboard USS Mizar, a contracted stores ship, with task force 39, centered around USS Wasp (CV 7). At some point in the next three months he moved to WASP; he was aboard that ship when she was torpedoed on September 15, 1942. One hundred ninety two of Fred's shipmates died when WASP sank, including five other alumni.

Fred was survived by his parents.

His photograph was only recently discovered by volunteer researcher Kathy Franz.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/FRED_B._CANNON,_JR.,_ENS,_USNR

DAN D. DEWISPELAERE, LCDR, USN

★★★ 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

ALAN G. CARMACK, MIDN, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Midshipman Alan Carmack, USN '82 was lost on July 31, 1981 when the aircraft he was aboard crashed the eastern end of the Bay Bridge of the Chesapeake Bay. He was participating in an aviation orientation program open to First Class Midshipmen. His civilian instructor was also killed.

A native of Moore, Oklahoma, Alan was manager of the varsity wrestling team at the Academy. He had been a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, was an active participant in the Pep Band, and had qualified as a parachutist. "Well-liked by his fellow midshipmen, and his loss to the Twelfth Company will be seriously felt."

He is survived by his parents and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ALAN_G._CARMACK,_MIDN,_USN

JEFFREY C. OHL, 2LT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

2LT Jeffrey Ohl, USMC '82 was lost on September 23, 1983 when the T-34C training aircraft he was piloting crashed at Tuscola, Illinois. The instructor was also killed. They were members of Training Squadron (VT) 3, based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Florida; they were flying to an airshow near Chicago where the aircraft would serve as a static display.

Jeffrey was from Huntington, West Virginia. "Jeff was an outstanding student and a recognized leader among his peers. He graduated from Huntington East High School in 1978 where he was class Salutatorian, Senior Class President, and a three year member of the football team." At the Naval Academy he was company commander of 33rd Company and captain of the powerlifting team.

He was survived by his wife, Robin; his parents; an older brother and a younger sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JEFFREY_C._OHL,_2LT,_USMC

ARTHUR J. PLATT, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Arthur Platt, USN '82 was lost on March 8, 1984 when his T-44A crashed while practicing touch-and-go landings near Corpus Christi, Texas. The instructor and another student were also killed; they were members of Training Squadron (VT) 31.

A native of Beach Haven, New Jersey, "AJ" was teased in his Lucky Bag biography for being short. He was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps and majored in Chemistry.

Arthur was survived by his parets and three sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ARTHUR_J._PLATT,_ENS,_USN

Battle of Tarawa

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

The Battle of Tarawa began 80 years ago today, on November 20, 1943. Over 1,000 US Marines were killed in the battle, which lasted only three days. Two alumni of the Naval Academy were among those killed.

Captain Kenneth Brown, USMC '41 was an artillery officer with the 1st Battalion, 10th Marines. He was awarded the Navy Cross in part for taking command of a group of infantrymen who had become separated from their regular units and leading them against a dug-in Japanese machine gun.

Lieutenant Colonel David Claude, USMC '24 was a non-graduate alumni who'd resigned in February of his 2/c year at the Naval Academy. He appears to have been commissioned in early 1925; he spent many most of the rest of the 1920s in Norfolk, Quantico, and Nicaragua. A tour aboard USS Wyoming (BB-32) was followed by the Naval Academy, San Diego, another two battleships (Utah and Idaho), Quantico, then schools at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Promoted to Captain in early 1936, he spent time at the Army Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Georgia before commanding Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. At the time of his death he was temporarily attached to the 2nd Marine Division as a "Senior Observer;" his own command, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines was training in California. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery at Tarawa. David is buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/KENNETH_L._BROWN,_CAPT,_USMC

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_K._CLAUDE,_LTCOL,_USMC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tarawa

MATTHEW J. COLOMBO, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Matthew Colombo, USN '82 was lost on June 18, 1987 when his F-14A Tomcat crashed in North Carolina while practicing for an airshow. He was the Radar Intercept Officer; the pilot, LT William Davidson '81 was also lost. They were both members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 33.

Matthew was a native of Aurora, Ohio. He earned his wings in August 1983 and had logged over 900 hours of flight time and more than 200 carrier landings.

He was survived by his fiancée -- they were to be married on July 11th -- his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MATTHEW_J._COLOMBO,_LT,_USN

WILLIAM T. BARTRAM, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT William Bartram, USN '82 was lost on January 20, 1989 when the US-3A Viking jet he was piloting crashed in the Philippines. He was flying for a detachment of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 50, which was operating from USS Midway (CV 41) at the time. Also lost in the crash was his commanding officer.

From the Lucky Bag:

Bill arrived in Annapolis from that great (?) northwestern city of "Brothel," Washington, via that unique institution NAPS. Through his many childhood experiences (he was a Navy brat), he slowly but surely compiled enough information to for "The Bartram Chronicles." Like fairy tales, these stories all end in the same way. Not with "they lived happily ever after," but with "it was great." In addition, these stories always contained the Bartram Factor. This universal law, not to be confused with Murphy's Law, states that any numerical quantity must be halved to attain the truth (B.F.: truth or reality = x/2).

Bill was survived by his wife, Jodie, and their two daughters, Kelly Jo and Katie.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_T._BARTRAM,_LT,_USN

Beirut Bombing

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Forty years ago today - October 23, 1983 - four Naval Academy alumni were among those killed in the bombing of the Marine barracks at Beirut, Lebanon.

Captain Vincent Smith, USMC '76

Lieutenant James Surch, Jr., USN '77

1st Lieutenant Donald Woollett, USMC '80

1st Lieutenant David Nairn, USMC '81

All were members of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines.

The annual Beirut Memorial Observance is scheduled for 10:30AM today (Monday, 10/23), at Lejeune Memorial Gardens, 100 Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Organized by the Beirut Memorial Advisory Board and the City of Jacksonville (NC) in cooperation with MCB Camp Lejeune, the observance honors those killed and the survivors of the Beirut bombing. This ceremony is open to the public, and will also be live-streamed on the City of Jacksonville Facebook page and available for viewing on G10TV, G10TV.org, and the City's Youtube channel. (Thank you to CAPT Allan Nadolski, USN (Ret.) '77 for this information.)

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/Category:Beirut_Bombing

RICHARD E. DEMPSEY, JR., LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Richard Dempsey, Jr., USN was lost on January 27, 1989 when the F-14 Tomcat he was aboard crashed in the Arizona desert. Richard was the radar intercept officer; the pilot was also killed. They were flying from San Diego to New Orleans. Oxygen deprivation may have contributed to the crash.

Richard graduated into the surface line community and earned his surface warfare officer's pin before earning his wings as a naval flight officer in 1986.

A father to two young girls, his wife, Susan, said it was hard to of which he was prouder. "His flying and his girls were his life."

Richard was the son of a Navy Commander who at various times had called Monterey, San Diego, and Clearwater (FL) home.

He was survived by his wife, Susan; daughters Ashley, 3, and Katelynn, 15 months; his parents; a sister, Sheryl Lyn Flath of Watsonville; and a grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Barnes of Florida. He was also survived by his mother and father-in-law.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/RICHARD_E._DEMPSEY,_JR.,_LT,_USN

THOMAS R. DELUCA, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Thomas Deluca, USN '83 was lost on November 14, 1984 when the training aircraft he was piloting crashed about nine miles north of Chase Field, Texas. He was a student in Training Squadron (VT) 26.

A standout high school basketball player in West Islip, New York — he averaged 18 points per game his senior year — Thomas eventually made the varsity team at the Naval Academy. As a student naval aviator, he stood number one in his class at the time of his death.

He was survived by his parents, a sister, and two brothers.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/THOMAS_R._DELUCA,_ENS,_USN

BRIAN T. GAHN, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Brian Gahn, USN '83 was lost on January 11, 1985 when the T-2C training plane he was aboard crashed near Freer, Texas. His instructor pilot was also killed; they were members of Training Squadron (VT) 26.

A native of Mamou, Louisiana, he was named best all around track and field man and also played football (tight end) and baseball. He was a member of Beta Club and the band. In April 1977 he pole vaulted 11-0’. He received a University of Southwestern Louisiana Academic Scholarship. He attended in the fall of 1977 and earned a 4.0 that semester in the School of Engineering. His next three semesters, he was on the Dean’s list.

His Lucky Bag entry noted: "Brian reported to USNA as our resident cajun having already spent two years at school back in Louisiana. This proved to be his key to success since he was never bothered with trivialities like studying. Instead, he was always available to help out a classmate with any problem, and few ever left his room without receiving his genuine support."

Brian was the eldest son and third child of seven children. He was survived by five of those siblings and his parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRIAN_T._GAHN,_ENS,_USN

MICHAEL P. THOMPSON, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Michael Thompson, USN '83 was lost on October 22, 1986 when the T-2B training aircraft he was aboard collided with another over Florida. The other pilot and the two students survived without injury. He was an instructor pilot assigned to the VT-10 Cosmic Cats.

Michael was a native of Quincy, Illinois. A friend and instructor from VT-10 remembered: "He was kind, and a great instructor. He really enjoyed flying & was looking forward to his orders to the fleet. The sky was colder & grayer after he was gone."

He was survived by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, a grandmother, and several nieces and nephews.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_P._THOMPSON,_LT,_USN

ROBERT T. BIANCHI, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Robert Bianchi, USN '83 was lost on March 23, 1987 when the HH-46 helicopter he was piloting crashed near the Bucao River, Philippines, approximately 30 miles north of Naval Air Station Subic Bay. He was assigned to the hospital ship USNS Mercy.

In the Lucky Bag: "Biancs has the uncanny talent of talking his way out of - or into - anything that might come up. It’s a good thing too, because he had to use his talent a lot. The man with the silver tongue could often be found talking his way out of trouble at school and into trouble with girls off campus. … Bobby must have known he was going to be elected lax captain as a senior because he started his three striper libs second semester- sophomore year. This 3 year starter was very quick with his stick, hence the name quickdraw. Laid back off the field, but intense on the field, Bert was a great leader by example."

Robert was survived by his parents and two brothers. One of those brothers, CDR Kevin Bianchi '85, was also killed in a helicopter crash.

The Lt. Robert T. Bianchi Award is awarded to the Most Valuable Player on the Naval Academy lacrosse team.

He is buried in New Jersey.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_T._BIANCHI,_LT,_USN

SCOTT R. HIESTER, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Scott Hiester, USMC '83 was lost on September 3, 1987 when the CH-46E Sea Knight he was co-piloting crashed aboard Camp Pendleton, California, during a night training exercise. Three others aboard were also killed.

From the eulogy prepared for his funeral:

When we lost Scott Hiester last Thursday, we lost a man with so many varied strengths and interests, his loss affects and touches us that much more. First and foremost, he was a Christ-centered man. He was the initiator of the local Officers Christian Fellowship here in the Tustin/El Toro area, a fellowship that he carried over from his days as a midshipman at the U. S. Naval Academy. Of course, he was an influential member of his church community, but more importantly, he was a living example of God's tireless servant to all who knew him.

One of Scott's great loves was music, and his tastes were quite eclectic. At training exercises in Yuma and 29 Palms, he would bring his tape player and pop in an Amy Grant tape, followed by a Gordon Lightfoot one, and then he would write a letter to Cathy while listening to Tchaikovsky. We all remember him stomping up and down at Bridgeport and the Stumps, blowing into his bagpipes and causing noise complaints from neighboring Marines.

He loved to sing, work with leather, eat Cathy's home cooked sweets, and his newest interest was his computer. Much to Cathy's dismay, Scott invested in a home computer, and though he told Cathy it was "their" computer, Cathy knew it was his new toy.

Scott was a committed officer and husband. He put 100% of his energies to accomplish the assigned task. He knew the commitments and demands the Marine Corps asked of him, and he died knowing those commitments. He loved flying, he loved his job, he loved life.

Scott kept a spiritual journal, which Cathy has graciously permitted the reading of one of his passages. He commented on one scripture verse, which I would like to read:

2 Timothy 4:6-8: The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me - and not only to me, but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing.

Scott's comment reads as follows: "Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 tells of his readiness to see the Lord, to be with God. The idea is not only to be ready for the Lord at death but during your whole life remain in fellowship, meditating on his promises, and putting Christ first."

We will miss you, Scooter.

Scott was survived by his wife, Cathy; his parents; and his brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/SCOTT_R._HIESTER,_CAPT,_USMC

MARK C. SAGERHOLM, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

1LT Mark Sagerholm, USMC '83 was lost on December 30, 1987 when the OV-10 Bronco he was aboard crashed during a training exercise about 30 miles east of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. The pilot was also killed; they were members of Marine Observation Squadron (VMO) 2.

A native of Rectortown, Virginia, Mark attended NAPS prior to the Naval Academy. His Lucky Bag biography reads, in part: "But who can blame the Swedish prince. Many times women were simply drawn to his magnetism. Indeed, the tester made his mark on the social scene in Annapolis. A weekend venture to Marymount college finally served to tame the prince for the remainder of his reign at the Academy, the Swedish prince found his princess. After graduation, Mark won't be as free to undertake his favorite pastimes such as surfing, sleeping, and looking in the mirror."

Mark was survived by his son, now-Major Dane Sagerholm, USMC (USNA '08), his parents VADM James (USNA '52) & Mrs. Margaret Sagerholm, and three sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MARK_C._SAGERHOLM,_CAPT,_USMC

JAMES M. DEE, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Lieutenant Commander Jim "Jambo" Dee, USN '83 was lost on February 24, 1996 when the EA-6B Prowler aircraft he was aboard crashed during a routine flight from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Another of the crew was killed; two survived. They were members of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135.

From his obituary:

Following his 1978 graduation from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, he began work on an engineering degree at Manhattan College in New York. He was accepted into the United States Naval Academy and received his commission in May 1983. Following graduation he reported to Naval Flight School, Pensacola, FL. He earned his "Wings of Gold" and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in August 1984.

Upon completion of EA-6B training with VAQ- 129, Lieutenant Commander Dee was assigned to VAQ-140. While in VAQ-140 he made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) and EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Following his tour with the "Patriots," Lieutenant Commander Dee was selected for Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, MD and reported in January 1989. After completion he reported to Systems Engineering Test Directorate, Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River as EA-6B project officer. His work there included EA-6B/HARM Block 3 Integration, testing of the USQ-113 Radio Countermeasures Set and the Tactical EA-6B Mission Planning Systems. Lieutenant Commander Dee was then assigned to the staff of Commander in Chief, United States European Command, Vaihingen, Germany as Staff Communications Officer, from July 1992 until July 1994. In Germany he was responsible for the restructuring of the Defense Communications System in Europe and he coordinated the initial visits of the military-to-military contact team with the former Warsaw Pact countries. Lieutenant Commander Dee returned from Europe and was again assigned to VAQ-129 until January 1995 when he reported to VAQ-135 as Electronic Warfare Officer and then Operations Officer. He deployed with the "Black Ravens" aboard ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf in support of "Operation Southern Watch" and served with KITTY HAWK (CV-63) in preparation for her 1996 deployment.

Lieutenant Commander Dee logged over 1900 flight hours in 25 different airframes and accumulated 440 carrier landings. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (First and Second Strike/Flight), the Navy Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), the Navy Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Defense Service Medal (with bronze star), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with 2 bronze stars), and the Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (with bronze star). He was also awarded the Eaton System Excellence Award ("Prowler Award") in 1987.

Lieutenant Commander Dee holds a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science from the United States Naval Academy.

Lieutenant Commander Dee is survived by his wife Cynthia; his mother Maria Dee of Marblehead, MA; his sisters Katherine Updegrove, also of Marblehead, and Laura Dee of New York City; his brother Commander Thomas Dee; and several nieces and nephews.

Lieutenant Commander James "Jambo" Dee was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of serving with him. Jambo's sense of humor, absolute dedication to the service of his country, and his passion for carrier aviation will forever be remembered by his squadronmates, friends and family.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_M._DEE,_LCDR,_USN

JOSEPH F. KING, JR., LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Joseph King, Jr., USN '83 was lost on March 13, 1997 when the HH-60H Seahawk helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina. Three others aboard were also killed; they were members of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 3, operating from USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).

From the July/August 1997 issue of Shipmate:

Joe, a Navy junior, was raised in Hampton, VA and entered the Naval Academy with the Class of 1983. He was awarded his Wings of Gold in February 1985. In June of that year he married Bonnie Frank of Ellicott City, MD. Joe's initial assignment was in HS-15 where he made two Mediterranean deployments. Following a tour as an instructor pilot with HS-1, Joe returned to sea duty in HS-11 where he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After a Washington tour on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower and Personnel), LCDR King transitioned to the H-60 Seahawk at HS-1. He then reported the HS-3 Tridents in October 1995, and was the Operations Officer of the squadron at the time of his death.

LCDR King's awards included the Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (3), Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation and other service medals.

Joe completed the Naval Academy with a perfect record in conduct to the amazement of his Classmates and family. He loved flying and he loved being in the Navy. He had zest for life and he brought that enthusiasm to every assignment. His positive attitude as well as his sense of mischief and humor were infectious. His Classmates from 25th Company will always have fond memories of Joe. It was an honor and a joy to be a part of his Iife.

Of all his accomplishments, Joe especially took pride in his role as a husband and father. More than anything, he loved his family. He was the beloved husband of Bonnie, devoted father of five daughters, Brittany, Courtney, Chelsea, Sydney and Mallory; cherished son of Joe and Niki King (Class of 1959); and treasured brother of Kelly (Class of 1984), Stephen, Elizabeth, and Kathryn. He is also survived by a host of other family and friends.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JOSEPH_F._KING,_JR.,_LCDR,_USN