LT GLENN D. ZIEGLER, USN

Class 1981

Born June 3, 1959

Died April 1, 1985

Age 25

Hometown Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1981 Lucky Bag:

Glenn Daubert Ziegler

Ziggy came to us in the summer of ‘77 from Drexel Hill, Pa. As a plebe Glenn occupied himself mainly with JV soccer and lacrosse T-tables. In between sports Zig found time to rate dragging and driving privileges as well as baptizing our favorite 1/c during Army Week. Saying farewell to varsity sports as a youngster Zig concentrated on walk-on-water request chits. “In accordance with the directives set forth by the commandant…” allowed Zig to take as many weekends as the firsties. 2/c year brought with it academics, memories of Mama Ziegler’s 6 foot hoagies, a foreign exchange cruise to Canada, a new car and the world’s most ridiculous tool kit. As a 1/c Glenn was always willing to give of himself — just ask any girl on the East Coast. Yet no matter what he was doing: loaning out tools, fixing his or his roommate’s car stereo with a jigsaw, or getting fried by a youngsterette, Zig always wore his winning smile. One thing is certain. We will not soon forget a super friend and truly fine officer.

Loss

Glenn was lost on April 1, 1985 when the A-6 Intruder he was aboard crashed on a remote mountainside in Panama.

From Daily News of Bowling Green, Kentucky on April 3, 1985:

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Aircraft from the carrier Nimitz along with Air Force and Army units searched a large area of jungle and mountains in Panama for two Navy fliers whose A-6 Intruder jet disappeared. The men were identified as Lt. Cmdr. Derek Holmquist, 35, of McLean, the pilot, and Lt. Glenn Ziegler, 25, of Upper Darby, Pa., the bombardier-navigator. Holmquist and Ziegler, missing since Monday, are assigned to Attack Squadron 35 based at Oceana Naval Air Station.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Glenn graduated in 1977 from Upper Darby High School. Basketball 2, 3; Soccer 2, 3, 4; Lacrosse 2, 3, 4; Student Council 2, 3; Honor Society 4; Distinguished Honor Roll 2, 3, 4; Varsity Club 3, 4. He won the American Legion Award.

He was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressman Bob Edgar (D-7th.)

From Aviation Safety Network:

A-6E Intruder BuNo. 161673/AJ-503 of VA-35, US Navy. Crashed on a remote jungle mountainside during a night low level training mission on Apr 1, 1985 North West of Santiago, Panama while operating from USS Nimitz (CVN-68). LCDR Derrick Holmquist (Pilot) and LT Glen Ziegler (B/N) lost. Search and Rescue efforts were not successful in identifying a crash location.

In May of 2019, two expat researchers in Panama hired a local villager to photograph aircraft parts he had seen while hunting. The photographs correlated the wreckage to the missing A6. That same month, the Secretary of Defense tasked the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency with researching, investigating, and recovering the two missing crew members. AFMES was tasked with identification.

In June of 2019, and expedition was led to attempt to reach the site. Safety considerations halted that effort.

In February and March of 2020, DPAA created a helicopter landing zone on the steep mountainside and began work to survey the site. Dangerous weather conditions and the global pandemic halted operations. In April of 2021, DPAA restarted contracting efforts and close coordination with government of Panama to conduct archaeological work on the site.

Glenn was survived by his parents and a brother (who died in 2012). Glenn has a memorial marker in Delaware.