MARK A. LANGE, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Mark Lange '79, USN was killed in action on December 4, 1983 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting was shot down by Syrian air defense forces in Lebanon. He was able to eject but was badly injured and died shortly afterwards. His bombardier/navigator survived and was captured.

From the March 1984 issue of "Shipmate:"

Lt. Lange was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Michigan and was graduated with the Class of 1979, whereupon he entered flight training and was designated naval aviator in 1981, serving with VA-85. During his Academy years he was an active member of the Masqueraders and he had been a member of the Glee Club for four years. He was also a member of the Glee Club at Pensacola.

After having made a six-month deployment in FORRESTAL, he was flying off KENNEDY at the time that he was shot down.

He is survived by his widow Cheryle; a daughter, Jamie Christina; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Lange; three brothers and a sister; his maternal grandparents and his paternal grandmother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MARK_A._LANGE,_LT,_USN

MICHAEL F. KING, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Capt Michael King '79, USMC, was lost on October 31, 1988 when the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter he was piloting collided with another near Okinawa, Japan. The other helicopter was able to land safely, but all four Marines aboard Michael's aircraft were killed (including Major Richard Eisloeffel '76, USMC).

From the March 1989 issue of "Shipmate:"

A foreign service brat, Michael lived with his parents in many places around the world as a youth. He attended Bullis Preparatory School in Washington, D.C, graduating as Salutatorian in 1975. Michael was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Oregon, was a member of the 11th company and graduated with merit in 1979.

Commissioned a Second Lieutenant, he graduated from the Basic School with honors, attended flight training in Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1981.

While deployed with HMM-162 homeported in New River, North Carolina, Michael was assigned to the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. He piloted the first helicopter to arrive at the Marine Barracks after the terrorist bombing, and participated in evacuation of the wounded. For his actions he was awarded two Air Medals, two Navy Unit Citations, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon.

Following his return from Beirut, Michael served in a variety of Marine Corps Aviation billets, made a 1985 Mediterranean cruise with HMM-162 aboard USS SAIPAN, and in 1987 graduated from Amphibious Warfare School tops in his class.

Assigned to Hawaii in 1987, he resumed flying duties with HMM-262. With the squadron's deployment to Okinawa in July of this year, Michael assumed the duties of Aviation Liaison Officer to the Marine Corps Special Operations Training Group.

Michael was a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and a member of the United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Constance Pruett King of Kaneohe Bay Hawaii, twins born 9 May 1988, Kathryn Elizabeth and William Michael King, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Ferris of Bend, Oregon, and a sister Mrs. Jay Jones of Los Angeles, California.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_F._KING,_CAPT,_USMC

EDWARD G. ABEL, JR., LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Edward Abel, Jr., USN '79 was lost on September 10, 1989 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Del Mar, California. He was stationed aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5).

From the December 1989 issue of "Shipmate:"

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was appointed to the Naval Academy from that state, graduating with the Class of 1979. While at the Academy, Ed was a avid sailor with four sailing commands to his credit. Following graduation he attended flight school, earning his wings in January 1981.

Lieutenant Commander Abel began his operational career as an H-46 pilot in HC-16 and HC-6. He made three deployments in detachments to the Indian Ocean, North Atlantic and Caribbean. Following his first sea duty tour, he served for two years as the Aide and Flag Lieutenant to ComSerGru Two. He next attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, graduating in March 1987. At the time of his death, he was the Aviation Safety Officer on board USS PELELIU (LHA-5) homeported in Long Beach, California.

His awards include the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Battle Efficiency Ribbon (with two E'S) and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with three stars).

He was survived by his wife, Elisabeth Abel, daughters Ryan and Ashley, sons Clayton and Andrew, parents Edward and Wilma Abel of Hot Springs, Ak., brothers Dennis Abel of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Shawn Abel of Memphis, Tenn.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/EDWARD_G._ABEL,_JR.,_LCDR,_USN

MICHAEL F. BRADLEY, MAJ, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

MAJ Michael Bradley, USMCR '79 was lost on September 8, 1993 when the helicopter rotor assembly of the Cobra gunship he was piloting failed in flight, causing him to crash at Montgomery Airfield, San Diego, California. A Lieutenant Commander aboard, a flight surgeon, was also killed. Michael was a member of Marine Air Group 46 at the time.

From a newspaper report:

His “passions for lacrosse and naval aviation, combined with a wonderful sense of humor, transcended all aspects of his life,” [a family statement said]. "His dedication to family and friends was his driving force."

He coached the San Dieguito High School lacrosse team and played as a goalie with the Moon-doggies, a San Diego lacrosse club.

Born in Camden. N.J., Bradley grew up in Huntington, Long Island, with his two brothers and three sisters. He graduated from the U S. Naval Academy and was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1979, than attended Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Fla.

As a pilot, he flew helicopters on Western Pacific deployments with HMLA 367 and later with HMLA 369, both based at Pendleton. He joined the reserves in 1991 to fly a Super Cobra with HMLA 775, serving as the squadron’s operations officer.

During Operation Desert Storm, when HMLA 369 was deployed to Saudi Arabia. Bradley stayed at Camp Pendleton and served as the squadron's liaison with its key-wives, a support group for spouses of deployed Marines.

"He went above and beyond his assigned duty to make sure the wives had information and support," said Pam Lewis, one of the women in the group. He had access to the squadron and was always available by telephone.

Bradley also served as the squadron's casualty-assistance officer and was responsible for notifying the families of two Marine aviators killed during the operation, she said. …

Bradley is survived by his wife, Jean (Schaum) Bradley, formerly of Montgomery, Ala.; his parents, Frank and Betty Bradley of Melbourne, Fla.; sisters, Keats, Su and Trish; and brothers, Jim and Paul.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_F._BRADLEY,_MAJ,_USMCR

DARYL L. CHEN, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Daryl Chen, USN '80 was lost when his T-2C Buckeye jet trainer crashed in Meridian, Mississippi on July 9, 1982. He was on a solo flight and stalled the aircraft.

A native of San Gabriel, California, "Daryl's style is a fast car, a steep slope, or a good scrum. The 150# team missed out on a great athlete, but their loss was the Rugby Club's gain. Also among his favorite pastimes are hang-gliding, skydiving, expensive stereos, chesty women, and toys."

Daryl is buried at the Riverside National Cemetery in California.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DARYL_L._CHEN,_LTJG,_USN

PATRICK K. INGLIS, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Patrick Inglis, USN, '80 was lost on May 22, 1983 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting stalled at a low altitude and crashed near a Soviet aircraft carrier in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. He was attached to VA-65 operating from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). His bombardier/navigator, LCDR John Austin, was also killed.

From his brother, Chris (USAFA '76):

* Raised in Linthicum, MD as the 4th child of 6. His father (Robert) was a foot soldier in the 3rd Army and earned the Silver Star in Europe. Pat's Dad and Mom (Kathleen) are buried at Arlington about 50 yards from Pat's memorial stone (Pat's remains were never recovered)

* Pat described himself as a late bloomer ... good at sports but late to his academics. When he caught fire in his senior year of high school he did extremely well but found the prep school as the right path to the Academy where he never looked back

* Pat attended the USNA Prep School (1975-1976) and played varsity Lacrosse at USNA for his first two years. He was very outgoing and typically took a carload of his classmates home to Linthicum for home cooking and laundry every weekend that liberty was granted throughout his time on the Yard.

* He was in 3rd Company all 4 years and served as the winter Company Commander in 1979-1980. He dated his HS sweetheart, Valerie Milewski, all through USNA and they married in the chapel in January 1981

* Pat went to pilot training straight out of USNA and was selected for A6's

* He reported aboard the Ike (VA65) in March 1983 and immediately deployed for the Med

* While on a 2-ship reconn of a Soviet taskforce on 22 May 1983, his aircraft went down alongside a Soviet aircraft carrier ... no remains were ever recovered from the site.

* Pat is remembered each spring through an award to the Midshipman graduating first in the Class, "The LTJG Patrick K Inglis, USN Memorial Award"

Pat was survived by his widow, parents, two brothers, three sisters, and maternal grandparents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/PATRICK_K._INGLIS,_LTJG,_USN

NICHOLAS C. HARMAN, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Nicholas Harman, USN '80 was lost on September 30, 1983 when his A-6E Intruder crashed while performing an instrument training flight over the Black Mountains of Arizona. He was a bombardier/navigator with Attack Squadron (VA) 34. He and the pilot were enroute to Yuma, Arizona from their permanent station at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

The Lucky Bag reported in part: "Nick was a dedicated gymnast who followed a rigorous diet that included hot chocolate (without the water), and crackers and diet Pepsi for dinner. Nick will always be remembered as a guy who never quits."

Nick was born in Illinois but grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, graduating from East High School in 1976.

He was survived by his wife Ann Hallie Harman (Adkins), parents Ronald and Evelyn, sister Gretchen, and three brothers Anthony, Gregory and Vincent.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/NICHOLAS_C._HARMAN,_LT,_USN

CYNTHIA S. GRUBBS, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Cynthia Grubbs, USN '80 was lost on November 26, 1983 when the C-1A she was piloting likely collided with another C-1A and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Sardinia, Italy. The two aircraft were flying to Sigonella from Palma, Spain. Six others were also killed, including her fiancé, LT Michael G. Veringa. They were members of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 24.

From Shipmate:

Appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Texas, Lt. (jg) Grubbs had attended the University of Texas studying aero engineering for a year prior to reporting to the Academy, where she was graduated with the Class of 1980. An extremely versatile and talented Midshipman, she had her private pilot's license, was a sky diver, a scuba enthusiast, and an accomplished artist when she reported to the Academy.

From the Austin-American Statesman:

"The Blue Angels was Suzanne's dream," said her mother, Barbara Grubbs of Austin. "Instead, she died with her sweetheart. He was a pilot, too, and they always flew together." ....

HER AUSTIN FRIENDS remembered Grubbs as always dynamic, always setting high goals and usually attaining them.

"She stood head and shoulders above her class at Austin High," said Adam Lopez, Grubbs' counselor when she graduated from Austin High School in 1973.

Lopez especially remembered helping her get a part-time job selling sporting goods at an Austin department store. It stuck in his mind, he said, because the store manager first Insisted that he had had enough of teen-age employees.

"He only had to meet her to change his mind," Lopez said.

By then, Grubbs was a scuba diver who enjoyed treasure hunting off the coast of Mexico. Later, she earned a private pilot's license, made 26 parachute jumps and majored in mathematics at UT for two years before transferring to the academy when the Navy began accepting women.

AS A CHILD, Grubbs had decorated her bedroom with model rockets and spacecraft and said Chuck Yeager, the test pilot who broke the sound barrier, was her special hero.

Cynthia was survived by her parents.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/CYNTHIA_S._GRUBBS,_LTJG,_USN

JAMES M. MERRILL, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT James Merrill, USN '80 was lost on February 15, 1984 when his TA-4J aircraft crashed between Vieques Island and St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A member of Composite Squadron (VC) 10 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, he was returning from training operations with the aircraft carriers USS America and USS Saratoga.

James was a native of Kettering, Ohio.

From the Dayton Daily News on February 17, 1984:

Frank Spolrich, assistant principal at Kettering Fairmont High School and an assistant principal at Fairmont West in 1976, the year Merrill graduated, remembered him as "an all-around top-flight, number one-type of kid."

"As you would imagine as a student who had gone to Annapolis, Jim was an outstanding student here for us, placing in the top 10 percent of his class," Spolrich said.

He said Merrill was "very active in sports, particularly football, and did captain the football team during his senior year. In addition, he had been an all-league baseball player and was involved in student government and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the time."

"I'm really saddened," Spolrich said. "It hurts a lot."

James was survived by his parents and his brother and sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JAMES_M._MERRILL,_LT,_USN

CARLOS A. MILLER, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Carlos Miller, USN '80 was lost on January 23, 1985 when the VA-3B Skywarrior he was aboard crashed in the Pacific Ocean en route from Atsugi, Japan to Guam. Eight others aboard were also killed. Carlos was a qualified naval aviator but was aboard as a passenger.

From his widow, Marrianne, in 2018:

My late husband, LCDR Carlos Al Miller was fiercely loving and loyal to God, family, and country, and took pride in his heritage. Born into a military family, he dreamed of space and flying from his young childhood. He became and Eagle Boy Scout, and after graduating high school, entered the US Naval Academy in July 1976. We met the end of his plebe year. He eventually became the 13th Company’s Sub Commander, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and USN Ensign Commissioning, 28 May 1980.

Carlos was sent first for temporary duty to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX using his talents directing efforts toward the first orbital launch of the Nation’s Space Transportations System which became the first Space Shuttle. While there, he experienced Zero Gravity and became an honorary member of The Society of Interplanetary Free Floaters. He then went onto Naval Technical Training Center, Treasure Island, certifying as an Aviation Division Officer, 12 March 1982, San Diego and Moffett Field in CA and on to flight school at the Naval Technical Train Center, Corry Station, Pensacola, FL. He graduated with an Honors Graduate Certificate August 1982. Two weeks prior, we were married.

We honeymooned across country heading for Carlos’ first duty station at NAS VQ-1 Agana Guam, to Pilot the Navy’s P-3 reconnaissance aircraft.

On 23 January 1985, Carlos left behind the P-3, four propellered aircraft which he had just piloted Admirals around on, and unknown to me, was deadheading back on “a routine flight” to VQ-1 Agana, Guam from Atsugi, Japan with his Squadron CO. The CO was piloting the Navy jet VA – 3B PR 111 (nicknamed “Triple Sticks”), a modified VIP aircraft. As far as I knew Carlos had never flown in any A-3 Skywarrior jets, which were used on Aircraft Carriers. There were 9 men aboard. They were flying back in anticipating for a VQ-1 Safety Inspection with the Top Brass and Carlos and a few others on board were in the Safety department.

Though Carlos was lost, I am thankful for those who searched so diligently for him!!!

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/CARLOS_A._MILLER,_LT,_USN

JEFFREY H. TUSET, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

CAPT Jeffrey Tuset, USMC '80 was lost on May 6, 1985 when the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter he was aboard crashed into the Pacific Ocean between Mainland Japan and Okinawa. He was a member of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 462. Sixteen other Marines were also killed.

A native of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Jeff was a member of the National Honor Society and on the baseball team in high school. At the Naval Academy he majored in Mathematics.

Jeff was survived by his wife, Etta Mae, to whom he was married in 1982. He was also survived by his parents, John and Nina, and his siblings John and Julie.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JEFFREY_H._TUSET,_CAPT,_USMC

STEVEN M. MOREAU, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Steven Moreau, USN '80 was lost on August 7, 1987 when the A-4 Skyhawk he was piloting crashed near Lemoore Naval Air Station, California during a routine training mission.

In the 1980 Lucky Bag:

Steve came to Navy after a year at NAPS, and being from a Navy family seemed to fit right in, although he'd never admit it. He was never really happy about classes, and went through four majors before he found the right one. He spent more time working out and running than anything else, and was recruited for the crew team youngster year. A natural leader and super athlete, he was the ideal choice for team captain first class year. Steve will be remembered for his absence from most of our class pictures, and for being the 'Iron Mid' at Quantico second class summer. Quiet and reserved, yet always sure of himself, Steve is one of the most respected and well-liked guys in the class.

He was winged by his father, RADM Art Moreau in March 1982; in 1987 he graduated the "TOPGUN" program.

Steven was survived by his wife, Melissa; his son, Matthew Ryan; his mother, Mrs. Arthur (Katie) S. Moreau of Mt. Vernon, Va.; two brothers, Christopher and Lt. Arthur S., III; two sisters, Johanna and Mrs. Kathleen Alexander of Jacksonville, Fla.; and a nephew and two nieces.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/STEVEN_M._MOREAU,_LT,_USN

ROBERT A. NEMECEK, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Robert Nemecek, USN '80 was lost on March 21, 1991 when the P-3 Orion aircraft he was aboard collided with another over the Pacific Ocean about 60 miles from San Diego. Twenty-six other men -- the full crews of both aircraft -- were also killed.

From the June 1991 issue of Shipmate:

LCdr Robert (Tony) Nemecek USN was killed in an aircraft accident involving two P-3 aircraft on an anti-submarine exercise southwest of San Diego on 21 March 1991. He was born on 21 December 1957 in Ithaca, New York. He was graduated from Notre Dame High School in Utica, New York, and was appointed to the Naval Academy from that state.

While at the Academy he qualified as a small craft commander; played varsity football; sang in the Glee Club; and was Class President his First Class Year.

After earning his Naval Flight Officer's Wings he served with PatRon17 in Barbers Point; Military Personnel Command in Washington, D.C.; was assistant navigator of USS AMERICA (CV-66); and attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk. While in Washington, he was assigned as a military aide at the Reagan White House. He subsequently served with PatRon 50 at Moffett Field.

He was selected for early promotion to lieutenant commander and received numerous letters of commendation throughout his career. His awards included a Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal in addition to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Two memorial services were held at NAS Moffett Field. The first on 27 March was a private service for family and friends at the Station Chapel. The second on 28 March was a memorial service for all 27 who were killed in the accident. CNO attended the latter. A Memorial Mass was celebrated on 6 April at 1100 in St. Anthony Of Padua Church, Utica, New York.

Survivors include his widow, Lorrie, of Mountain View, California, his mother and father, a brother, Martin, a sister, Mari Jo Stallings and his grandmother Mrs. Ethel Jefferson.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/ROBERT_A._NEMECEK,_LCDR,_USN

MARSHALL W. ATKINS, LCDR, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LCDR Marshall Atkins, USN '80 was lost on April 21, 1993 when the A-6E Intruder jet he was piloting collided with another aircraft and crashed in Nevada. The bombardier-navigator was also killed; the other Intruder was able to land safely. They were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 34, based in Virginia but in Nevada for training.

From the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Wall of Honor:

LCDR Marshall W. Atkins (4-4-57 to 21-4-93), the son of a career Army Officer, grew up in Germany, Liberia, Korea and several locations in the USA. LCDR Atkins was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1980 and later earned a MS degree in Aviation Systems Engineering from the Univ. of Tennessee. He completed basic flight training at Pensacola Naval Training Facility and proceeded to Meridian, MS for advanced flight training, qualifying in T-2, TA-4 and the S-3 jet aircraft.

LCDR Atkins served on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and was selected to attend the U. S. Navy Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD where he remained as an instructor/test pilot. He served aboard the Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) flying the A-6 Intruder fighter-bomber for Attack Squadron 36 (VA-36), where he participated in one of the most decisive victories in modern warfare flying numerous missions during Operation Desert Storm. He also participated in operations Desert Shield and Provide Comfort flying A-6 missions. He was later assigned to the A-6 attack squadron 34 on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), his third assignment aboard a newly commissioned U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carrier.

LCDR Atkins was selected as an Astronaut candidate for both the pilot and mission specialist programs. However, his untimely death in 1993 while on a training mission at Nellis AFB, NV, put an end to his many lofty aspirations. LCDR Atkins was married to the former Diane Watson and had one son, Shawn. When asked why he chose to become a pilot, he unhesitatingly replied, "It was a dream I had since childhood."

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MARSHALL_W._ATKINS,_LCDR,_USN

CARY P. JONES, ENS, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

ENS Cary Jones, USN '81 was lost on July 8, 1982 when the T-44 training aircraft she was aboard collided with another near Corpus Christi, Texas. All five other officers aboard the two aircraft were also killed.

From the September 1982 issue of Shipmate:

Ens. Jones is believed to be the first Naval Academy female graduate and the first female Navy aviator killed in a plane crash. Memorial services were held at the Naval Academy Chapel on 13 July with Chaplains Charles L. Greenwood '50, Roger W. Pierce and Barry C Black officiating, and interment was in Arlington National Cemetery.

Reporting to the Naval Academy with a presidential appointment, Ens. Jones came from a Navy background. Both her maternal grandfather, William L. Maxson of the Class of 1921 and her paternal grandfather, George Lorraine Jones Jr., of the Class of 1927, were Academy graduates, and her father, LCol. David B. Jones USAF (Ret.) was a member of the Class of 1953.

Upon graduation with the Class of 1981, Ens. Jones chose naval aviation as her specialty and had successfully completed primary training at Pensacola. Within two months of receiving her naval wings, she was posthumously designated naval aviator on 10 July, and she aspired to eventually go to test pilot school and then to become an astronaut.

As a midshipman Ens. Jones was known as an active, exuberant and energetic member of the Class of 1981. She was a battalion subcommander in her first class year, was a cheerleader for three years, took an overload in mathematics in order to pursue her master's degree after graduation, and had leading roles in the musicals Damn Yankee and Fiddler on the Roof as a Masquerader. Among the hundreds of midshipmen, friends and acquaintances attending her services at the Academy Chapel were her Classmates, Ens. Wendy B. Lawrence USN, Ens. Mary A. Brigden USN, both of whom participated in the funeral service, and Ens. Dennis Sawyer USN, her class president. She was a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.

She is survived by her parents, LCol. (USAF Ret.) and Mrs. David B. Jones ... a sister, Lorrie, a naval lieutenant stationed in San Diego; and a brother, David.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/CARY_P._JONES,_ENS,_USN

DAVID M. SPERLING, LTJG, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg David Sperling, USN '81 was lost on July 16, 1984 when his KA-6D Intruder crashed at "Mount Taebaeksan while clearing the range near Pusan, Republic of Korea" while on a training mission. He was the bombardier/navigator; the pilot was also lost. They were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 115, normally aboard USS Midway but operating from Atsugi AFB, Japan.

David was a native of Pensacola, Florida ("among many other places"), having attended school in Lemoore, California, Monterey, California, and Stuttgart, Germany. He ultimately graduated from high school in Italy.

He was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed scuba diving, racquet ball, and snow skiing.

David was survived by his parents (his father was class of 1952), his sister, and his brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/DAVID_M._SPERLING,_LTJG,_USN

THOMAS R. DOYLE, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Thomas Doyle, USN '81 was lost on August 21, 1984 when the A-7 Corsair II he was piloting struck the ramp on landing approach to USS Midway (CV 41). The ship was operating in the East China Sea at the time.

From the December 1984 issue of Shipmate:

Lt. Thomas Richard Doyle USN was lost at sea in an aircraft accident on 21 August 1984 while operating from USS MIDWAY (CV-41) in the East China Sea. Memorial services were held on board MIDWAY on 26 August and in Woodland Hills, California, on 27 August.

The son of Cdr. and Mrs. James P . Doyle USN (Ret.), he was born in Bethesda, Maryland, and reared in Southern California. Upon graduation from high school he received a Presidential appointment to the Naval Academy and was graduated with the Class of 1981. A mechanical engineering major, he was active in intramural sports and was Color Company Commander in his first class year.

Following graduation he reported to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training and was designated Naval Aviator in April 1983. Upon completion of A-7E replacement training with Attack Squadron 122 in Lemoore, California, he reported to Attack Squadron 56, permanently deployed on board MIDWAY in Yokosuka, Japan.

He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters. One brother, LCdr. Patrick R. Doyle USN '72 is serving in the same squadron.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/THOMAS_R._DOYLE,_LT,_USN

GLENN D. ZIEGLER, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Glenn Ziegler, USN '81 was lost on April 1, 1985 when the A-6 Intruder he was aboard crashed off the coast of Venezuela during a training mission. He was the bombardier-navigator; the pilot (LCDR Derek Holmquist '73) was also killed. They were members of Attack Squadron (VA) 35, operating from USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Glenn was a native of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. In high school he played basketball, soccer, and lacrosse, as well as serving on the student council. At the Naval Academy he played soccer and lacrosse his plebe year.

He was survived by his parents and a brother.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/GLENN_D._ZIEGLER,_LT,_USN

MICHAEL F. WILSON, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT Michael Wilson, USN '81 was lost when his A-6E crashed shortly after takeoff from Oceana Naval Air Station on May 22, 1986. The pilot, LT James Hoban, was also killed, as was a pregnant woman on the ground. He was en route to Puerto Rico to join USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).

He graduated Shawnee High School in Medford Lakes, New Jersey; he was captain of the soccer team and an all-state selectee. At the Naval Academy he was soccer team captain for both his 1/c and 2/c years. The men's team awards the Lt. Michael F. Wilson Soccer Award to the player who best demonstrates the strongest will to win and desire to do the best for his team.

Following graduation he spent six months at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and then began flight training at Pensacola, Florida. He had deployed once aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) to the Mediterranean Sea.

Michael was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson Jr., a brother, and three sisters.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MICHAEL_F._WILSON,_LT,_USN

WILLIAM M. DAVIDSON, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

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

A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, William spent a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. At the academy he was known for his "varied interest, so long as it included sailing somehow."

He was survived by his wife, Lisa, as well as his parents, a brother, and a sister.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_M._DAVIDSON,_LT,_USN