Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1965 Lucky Bag:

GAYLORD SWAYNE PARRETT JR.

“Pear” came straight to Mother Bancroft from JEB Stuart High School in Falls Church, Virginia, carrying on the family tradition at Navy. As a mainstay on the plebe wrestling team, Gay was able to demonstrate a fine natural athletic ability. Somehow making it through plebe year, Gay was then able to capitalize on his easygoing, devil-may-care personality. Although not an academic slash, he never had to worry about his studies, always managing to put forth an amply rewarded concentrated effort at the end. Very outgoing and friendly, and unhindered by time spent studying, Gay could always be found in friends’ rooms in the middle of a bull session. A constant four year smile and natural good naturedness has won Gay many friends and launched him on his way to a career in Naval Aviation.

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He was also a member of the 36th Company staff (winter).

Loss

Gaylord was lost on January 9, 1980 when the TA-4J Skyhawk training aircraft he was aboard crashed southwest of San Diego, California.

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.

Other Information

From Dave and ‘65¹: Parrett, Gaylord S. Jr. LCDR, USN 339940 01/09/80 Deceased At Sea Near San Clemente, CA BNR - Aircraft Accident. Survived by Mrs. Rachelle Parrett, now Mrs. Zayicek."

Gay was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 93 during two combat cruises² to Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.

He has a memorial in Annapolis.

Shipmate

From the May 1980 issue of Shipmate:

LCdr. Gaylord Swayne Parrett. Jr. USN died in an aircraft accident while on a training mission southeast of San Clemente, California, on 9 January 1980. Memorial services were held at the Airman Memorial Chapel, Naval Air Station, Miramar, California, on 15 January.

Appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Virginia, he was the son of Cdr. (USNR Ret. ‘44) and Mrs. Thomas Markham Searles. Jr. After graduation with the Class of 1965, he joined Patrol Squadron SEVEN prior to being ordered to flight school, receiving his wings in 1967. After initial A-4 Skyhawk training with VA-125. he reported to VA-93 as administrative and weapons training officer, making two cruises to Vietnam during this period. His next assignment was at Lemoore, California as an instructor pilot in the A-7 Corsair, followed by duty in ORISKANY as guided missile officer before being transferred to London on the staff of Commander in Chief, Naval Forces. Europe. In October of 1978 he joined Fleet Composite Squadron SEVEN as administrative officer and later operations officer. Among numerous decorations. LCdr. Parrett was awarded the Air Medal with 24th Strike Flight Award, five Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Vietnam Service and campaign ribbons.

He is survived by his widow Rachelle, 9668 Benevente St., San Diego CA 92129, and a son; and his parents of Belleau Bluffs, Florida.

Related Articles

Lynn Travis ‘65 was also in 36th Company.

Dewayne Cousin ‘79 was the student pilot on this flight.

References