ENS TERRY L. VIAL, USN

Class 1968

Born September 5, 1946

Died May 7, 1969

Age 22

Hometown Berwick, Pennsylvania

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1968 Lucky Bag:

TERRY LEE VIAL

Terry, while coming from Northern Pennsylvania, claims a “no coal” background but he confides that Berwick is the hot spot of the north for potato chips. During his four years at the Academy, Terry has had little real troubles with anything. He has played and studied hard. During the last few years, one has increased to the detriment of the other, but with a new Firebird this is only to be expected. His play usually includes one of Berwicks Best and sometimes some white shoe polish. While remaining high in academics, Terry has managed to find time to participate in several extracurricular activities, help many others with their academic problems, and make many lasting friends. No one will ever regret having known or served with Terry. He is a very fine Midshipman and will make an excellent officer.

Loss

Terry was lost when his T-28C training aircraft crashed on approach to an aircraft carrier on May 7, 1969. From an email from Lee Richardson ‘68 on June 8, 2017:

In May, 1969, I was going through car-qual training with VT-5 based at Saufley Field. As it happened, Terry was in the class ahead of me in VT-5 and we were flying the T-28C. During one of our classroom training sessions, the CO of VT-5 came in and told us in detail what happened to Terry. His was the last event of the day and he was tail-end Charlie. They were running out of day light and the people running the show told Terry to expedite his final trap. He fell victim to an approach turn stall. I do not believe they recovered his body or the plane. The attached article says he died Wednesday which would make it May 7. Sadly, his fiancé was in Pensacola and they were to be married the next week.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Terry graduated from Berwick High School in 1964. Sets; Coll. Prep.; Naval Academy; Honor Society 1, 2; Key Club 3; Student Gov’t. 1, 3; Football 1, 2, 3; Wrestling 1, 2, 3; Class Officer 1, 2; Dramatic Club 3; Prom Committee 2; Ring Committee 1; Varsity Club 3; Horizons yearbook asst. sports editor. Voted Most Likely to Succeed. On December 12, 1963, 138-pounder Terry got the quickest victory, just 41 seconds to defeat his Sunbury High School opponent. Terry was elected Homecoming King, and his future fiancée Stevonn Fecher was in the court.

Terry’s memorial service was held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Robert Vial, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He has a memory marker in Pennsylvania.