Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1968 Lucky Bag:

ROBERT DALE STROUSE

Bob has certain qualities that have stood past graduates in good stead. He has firm beliefs about the Naval Academy, “The System”, and the education he has sought. Standing up for his beliefs has not won him a grand circle of friends, but neither will it let him down as a Marine Officer. He has, however, lost his first engagement. The lovely girl he has chosen to marry plies him with food and he has been trying to make weight for Battalion boxing since he came to Navy. But a handy accident second class year and living with “Bomber Brown” have kept him straight. As the 17th Company “Marches” off into everything except the fleet, the fall-set C.P.O. can be seen waving that big pole with the little yellow and blue flag . . . sometimes a guidon-bearer but never a piker.

Loss

Robert died on September 11, 1971 from injuries sustained in an aircraft accident at MCAS, Yuma, Arizona, the day before.

Other Information

From the December 1971 issue of Shipmate:

Born in Fort Riley, Ks., he was a 1968 graduate of the Naval Academy. After completing Marine Corps Basic School he earned a Master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Ca.

In March 1971 Lt. Strouse was awarded silver wings upon graduation from USAF pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Tx. He then went to MCAS, Yuma, for duty.

Surviving are his widow, Shirley, and his parents, Maj. and Mrs. Robert L. Strouse, USA (Ret.), of Savannah, Ga.

He was a member of Marine Training Squadron (VMT) 103. The instructor pilot aboard survived. The TAF7 jet trainer crashed while landing.

Robert completed the Undergraduate Pilot Training Program and received his wings on February 27, 1971 at Laughlin Air Force Base, TX.

His Find A Grave page is here; he was buried at sea.