CAPT WILBUR D. WRIGHT, USAF
Lucky Bag Yearbook
From the 1958 Lucky Bag:
WILBUR DORRIS WRIGHT
Loss
Wilbur was lost on October 8, 1969 when the aircraft he was aboard crashed near Castle Air Force Base, California.
Other Information
From the January 1970 issue of Shipmate:
Capt. Wright was born in Philadelphia, Pa., attended Wyoming Seminary and was graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1958. After bombardier-navigator training, he was designated an electronics warfare officer and served at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Dow Air Force Base, Maine, and J. Connally Air Force Base, Texas, and had Vietnam duty. Capt. Wright was serving as electronics warfare officer with the 93rd Bombing Wing, Castle Air Force Base, at the time of the accident.
Among other awards, he held the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.
Survivors include his widow Annette of 2924 Madison Ave., Ogden, Ut. 84403; a daughter Yvonne and a stepson Christen; his father and stepmother Mr. and Mrs. Orville Wright of 5856 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139, and a brother LCdr. Orville Wright Jr., USN ‘56 of 3517 Bow Creek Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23452.
From KSLA:
October 9, 1969 - A USAF B-52F-70-BW, 57-0172, of the 329th Bomb Squadron, crashed about 1,000 feet beyond end of runway while doing touch-and-goes at Castle AFB, California. All six crew died in the 11:45 p.m. accident as the Stratofortress exploded on impact.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Wilbur graduated from Central Bucks High School in Doyletown, Pennsylvania, in 1953. “Happy am I; from care I’m free; Why aren’t they all contented like me?” Football 1, 2, 3; Basketball 1, 2, 3, Bux-Mont Honorable Mention 2; Baseball 1, 3, Bux-Mont Honorable Mention 1, All-Star Team 1; Track 2, 3; Commencement Usher 2; Homeroom Vice-President 3; Student Council 3; Sports Club 3; Junior Kiwanian 2; Class Vice-President 2.
At Wyoming Prep in Kingston, Pennsylvania, 1953-54, Wilbur was known as “Will.” 6’ 1” . . . red hair . . . Angelo’s room-mate . . . “It may be so” . . . Previously at Central Cucks High School . . . residence at Carpenter . . . first year at Sem . . . Hobby: answering his fan mail . . . Annapolis for Midshipman Wilbur Wright. He played on the varsity basketball and baseball teams.
Wilbur arrived at Dow Air Force Base in August 1958 as the Assistant Information Officer. He attended the Army Information School at Fort Slocum, New York.
The Tanker Times of December 11, 1959, wrote that he “made many friends conducting base tours and giving speeches to the various clubs, schools, Boy Scout units and other organizations in the surrounding community and northern and eastern Maine.
“He received many favorable comments on the outstanding job he did conducting these speeches and tours and one letter of appreciation was awarded him.
“During the three months he has commanded the Installation Squadron, Lt. Wright has seen the squadron football team, of which he was a member, take the base championship. The squadron also took the last quarterly retention award and at present has the best education program on the base.”
That month, Wilbur was promoted to first lieutenant. Classmate Donald P. Norkin was promoted at the same time.
Wilbur was next assigned for navigator training at James Connally Air Force Base in Texas.
He married Annette LaVon Holz on November 8, 1963, in Chalfont, Pennsylvania.
Wilbur is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravestone has the inscription “Pilot, Cherished Husband, Loving Father.”
Photographs
Distinguished Flying Cross
Unable to find a citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross mentioned above.
Wilbur is one of 28 members of the Class of 1958 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
