Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1972 Lucky Bag:

GREGORY BEN LANE

Greg came to the Academy after a year at Georgia Tech where he was a K and NROTC. A native Georgian, Greg told many a tale about Southern belles and the “good” life. The excitement of new adventures was his greatest love. He lived a dangerous life while at the Academy in the Scuba Club, Batt football, sky diving team and a semester at Catholic Chapel, but paid dearly with several broken limbs. Greg was never one to waste study hour — studying, however his name appeared on Sup’s List several times. While he was sometimes the victim of pranks, he always replied with a good natured, “I ain’t speaking to you.” Always willing to pass a good deal down the line, he was heard to say more than once, “Such a deal I have for you.’ The future sees Greg an asset to the Navy flying a F14 — probably in a full body cast!

Loss

Gregory was lost on June 3, 1985 when the A-7 Corsair II he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 83.

Other Information

From the November 1985 issue of Shipmate:

LCdr. Gregory B. Lane USN died on 3 June 1985 as a result of an aircraft accident off the coast of Florida. Lieutenant Lane was attached to Attack Squadron Eighty Three on board USS Saratoga (CV-60). His remains were not recovered.

Born in Cairo, Georgia, he was appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Georgia and graduated with the Class of 1972.

Upon graduation, he served in USS Biddle (DLG-34) in the Western Pacific. He underwent flight training and was qualified as a Naval Aviator and subsequently served with VA-174 and VA-87. His awards included the Commendation Medal.

He is survived by his widow, Deborah Ann Langston Lane of Jacksonville, Fla.; and his father, James W. Lane of Cairo, Ga.

He was also survived by his brother J. Richard, sister Elizabeth, maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Humphrey. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Cairo, Georgia.

From Find A Grave:

Lt. Commander Greg B. Lane, pilot. Lost at sea in crash of an A-7 attack jet operating from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV 60). June 3, 1985.

LCDR Lane, also served aboard aircraft carriers USS Roosevelt (CV 42) and USS America (CV 66). He served the US Navy by flying the British RAF Harrier jet for 3 years on the front line.

A great loss. Truly a great American who gave his life for god and country.

Goodbye Greg. God bless you and keep you. Our hearts are broken with sadness but always full of love for you.

Your loving family

Greg has memorials in Arlington National Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery, Cairo, GA.