Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1979 Lucky Bag:

Dewayne G. Cousin

Cuz came all the way from OK just to be part of the gang at Hassle Castle. Finding existence here relatively unstimulating he opted for jumping out of anything he could get above 10,000 ft. Upon his arrival at sea level frequently he would find it a “top down day” and roar off in his blue “B,” his only true love. Being one of the “Phi Sci Qper High” crowd, Cuz had plenty of free time to perfect his skateboarding techniques – much of his practice taking place during study hour, when he terrorized plebe mates endlessly (sometimes leaving indelible track marks on their stricken bodies). A “summertime sailor and sunshine patriot” Cuz decided to cut his 1st class cruise to only 12 days (enough is enough!). If Cuz decides he has enough time between babes and brews he might go to Navy Air for grins but the corner room is such a nice spot and Timmy’s so close we might stay here forever. Right Cuz?

Loss

Dewayne was lost on January 9, 1980 when the TA-4J Skyhawk he was aboard crashed into the Pacific Ocean southwest of San Diego, California. The other officer aboard was also killed.

Other Information

From The Los Angeles Times on January 11, 1980:

Navy officials identified the two crewmen from Miramar Naval Air Station, presumed dead after their jet training plane disappeared at sea, as Lt. Cmdr. Gaylord S. Parrett and Ensign Dewayne G. Cousin. A Navy spokesman said memorial services are planned for the men, who were on a routine training mission in a TA-4J Skyhawk when the plane apparently crashed about 62 miles southwest of San Diego Wednesday morning. Parrett, 36, originally from St. Petersburg, Fla., is survived by a wife and two children living in San Diego. Cousin, 22, leaves a mother in his native Lawton, Okla.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

He graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1975 in Lawton, Oklahoma. EHS 10-12; Patton Rifle Drill Team 10-12; Blue Coats Committee 12; Student of the Month 12; Cadet of Month 12; Drill Team State Champions 12; Gov. Elect Honor Guard 12; Superior Cadet 10; Battalion Commander 12; Jane’s Rifles 10. As a junior, Dewayne and other ROTC cadets from EHS attended a week’s training at Fort Sill.

The Patton Rifles drill team performed in the annual Southern Colorado State College drill meet in Pueblo on March 1, 1975.

At May’s graduation, Dewayne was awarded the Bon Ton social club scholarship and the Omega Psi Phi award.

From The Lawton Constitution, March 26, 1975:

ROTC DRILL TEAM WINNERS. Eisenhower High School’s Patton Rifles drill team took first place in all phases of competition, including inspection, regulation, and exhibition at the second annual Fort Smith, Ark., Public Schools drill meet March 21-22. Eisenhower also received the first place overall trophy, and the Col. Rucker Memorial Trophy for the best team in the meet.

Dewayne was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He was survived by his mother, four brothers and eight sisters.

Photographs

All photographs from his high school yearbook.

"Several ROTC cadets found it stimulating to risk their necks as they participated in the thrilling pastime known as skydiving. Dewayne Cousin, who is a member of the Fort Sill Skydiving Club, falls to earth on Rabbit Hill after an exciting jump."

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Gaylord Parrett, Jr. ‘65 was the instructor pilot of this flight.