ENS DEAN D. SEDAR, USN

Class 1965

Born July 31, 1943

Died March 26, 1966

Age 22

Hometown Casper, Wyoming

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1965 Lucky Bag:

DEAN DELWIN SEDAR

Casper, Wyoming’s envoy to the Naval Academy, Dean quickly made friends with his pleasant nature and enthusiasm. Outstanding athletic ability enabled Dean to make the plebe swimming team as well as validate wrestling, gymnastics and swimming for youngster year. In addition Dean was Brigade Badminton Champion as a plebe. Dean’s attitude toward academics was reflected by the increase in his class standing each year. Extra-curricular activities were not overlooked as Dean was a member of the antiphonal choir for four years. A regular on the “drag circuit”, Dean attacked the task of raising the morale of the local feminine populace. Dean greatly enjoyed his aviation summer training and has definite inclinations toward the “wild blue yonder”. Whichever branch of the Navy Dean chooses will certainly benefit from his presence.

He was also a member of the 4th Battalion staff (winter).

Loss

Dean died on March 26, 1966 as the result of an aircraft incident on March 18th. His aircraft collided with an Air Force jet¹ near Meridian, MS.

“He was a student pilot on duty with Training Squadron Seven.” (Information from May 1966 issue of Shipmate.)

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

He survived ejection from the plane but died six days later.

At Natrona County High School, Dean was on the swimming team, excelling in the 100-yard backstroke and his favorite events, the 50 and 100 freestyle races, owning the fastest time in the state for the 100.

In May 1960, he was chosen to attend the American Legion’s 13th Annual Boys’ State. In December he played end for the NCHS Mustangs football team.

On February 16, 1961, as part of the Key Club, Dean participated in a panel discussion on Communism at the Kiwanis Club luncheon meeting. In April along with 40 classmates, he participated in Student Government Day at the city-county building. He shadowed the Tax Assessor.

Dean graduated from high school in June 1961 as a member of the National Honor Society. He won two scholarships: U.S. Naval Academy $10,000 and Naval R.O.T.C. (Reserve Officers Training Corps) $5,000 (estimated.)

He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Rep. William Henry Harrison, R-Wyo. In July 1962, Dean was photographed as he “shoots the sun” with a sextant while participating in a six-week summer training cruise aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, operating out of Norfolk. In September, he completed a period of amphibious warfare training at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk.

In December 1962, he along with other Wyoming students at Annapolis and West Point were flown home to Wyoming by a Wyoming Air National Guard C-119. The project was started by the joint efforts of the Casper Lions and Kiwanis Clubs. The students were then flown back on January 2.

As a midshipman Second Class, Dean had a three-day introduction to naval aviation at the Naval Air Basic Training Command in Pensacola. The tour included visits to the School of Aviation Medicine, the survival exhibit and simulated flight training devices.

On July 30, 1965, he graduated from Naval Pre-Flight School at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.

Dean was survived by his mother, Mrs. Evelyn Eagstrom Sedar; a sister, Wendy; grandmother Mrs. Martha Sedar; grandfather Mr. Engstrom; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Dean’s father, Mike, was athletic director and basketball coach at Casper College. His mother Evelyn was an instructor in the Mathematics Department. His father died in March 1963 after a battle with cancer. The Casper College scholarship named for him was changed to include Dean’s name as well. A Memorial Park and Pool was named for Mike in September 1964 with 500 people attending the ceremony.