Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1946 Lucky Bag:

Brooke Montgomery

A Navy Junior and a profound lover of the Navy, it was only natural that “Monty” entered the Naval Academy. His chief interests were sailing, pistol-shooting, and reading Time magazine; however, not being adverse to feminine companionship, he always dragged when a good opportunity presented itself. He is not only high in class standing, but also exceptionally high in the esteem of his classmates. Always dependable, considerate, helpful, and energetic, “Monty” has all the traits necessary for a successful Naval career.

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The Class of 1946 was graduated in June 1945 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

From Find A Grave:

Jet Collision Fatal to Son of Seattleite

Navy Lieut. Brooke Montgomery, 28, was killed when two jet fighter planes collided yesterday near Ventura, Calif., the Associated Press reported.

Montgomery was the son of Vice Adm. Alfred E. V. Montgomery (ret.) of The Highlands. Admiral Montgomery formerly was the Navy’s commander of aircraft in the Pacific.

The second pilot, Lieut. William Molenhoff, Oxnard, Calif., landed his damaged F-7U Cutlass safely.

The Navy guided-missile test center at Point Mugu, near Ventura, said the collision occurred at 40,000 feet during a target-practice run.

Lieutenant Montgomery was a graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis.

Surviving besides his parents are a sister, Anne Montgomery, Detroit.

(Source: The Seattle Daily Times, February 2, 1956, Page 9)

Burial Date: February 4, 1956

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

On September 9, 1953, Brooke was flight officer on a security and rescue team which investigated the crash of a AB4 training plane about 60 miles from the Inyokern Naval Ordnance Test Station.

Brooke was unmarried. He attended Coronado High School as a freshman, and in 1940, he was living with his parents in Washington, D. C.

Brooke was attached to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 4 based at the air station which is part of the naval air missile test center. He had been there for three months.

The other pilot reported his craft was struck from beneath and from the rear by Brooke’s plane which then went into a vertical dive into the sea. His body was recovered.

Photographs

From the Press Courier on February 2, 1956

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John Paul ‘46, Henry Graefe ‘46, and Howard Mather ‘46 were also members of 7th Company.