Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1993 Lucky Bag:

Jason Eric Jakubowski

Let us exalt Jako (JACK-OH)! The past four years (and a couple of beers) have transformed this shy, intellectual country boy into a brilliant, cosmopolitan PLAYBOY. After SWEATing through plebe year, Jason’s anal retentiveness cleared-up right along with his complexion. Since grades were scarcely a concern (his 3.65 QPR was perpetually close to failing!), Jason was free to devote all of his energy towards the pursuit of female companionship. Even with all his hooks in the water, the only thing he seemed to catch was a group of guys—but what a group!! WCF, MMC, JDM, TLP, DAW, and TWC were always around to insure that Dr. SMOOVE didn’t get sued for malpractice. A few high-school girls later (TLP’s idea, right?!), Jason found his Jane (or Juanita en Espanol) but was not satisfied as lord of her jungle. I do not doubt that Jako will soon find the ANGEL of his dreams, I pray that she turns-up BLUE. God bless…jdm

Loss

Jason was lost on September 14, 1997, when his F/A-18 Hornet crashed during a low level training mission in Oman.

Photographs

Other Information

From USNA ‘93:

Jason was born on February 25, 1971 in Staten Island, New York. A native of Ashland, Ohio, he graduated from Ashland Senior High School before entering the United States Naval Academy. While at the Academy, Jason was a member of the 31st Company. Jason graduated with Honors from the Academy in May of 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.

After commencement Jason began his flight training in Pensacola, Florida, with follow on assignment in Meridian, Mississippi. He earned his “Wings of Gold” in November 1995 and was then assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 for F/A-18 Hornet training. His outstanding efforts in VFA-125 led to his selection as the Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Replacement Pilot of the Year for 1996.

Jason reported to the “Valions” of Strike Fighter Squadron 15 at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida in October 1996. Assigned as the Avionics/Armament Division Officer with additional duties as Mining Officer and Landing Signal Officer, he completed preparations for deployment on board JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67). Jason deployed with Strike Fighter Squadron 15 in April 1997 for Joint Task Group 97-2 to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Arabian Gulf. He actively participated in operations Deny Flight, and Southern Watch over the skies of Bosnia-Herzegovia and Iraq.

Jason’s awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and numerous other unit awards.

Jason is survived by his wife, Robyn; his parents, Stephen and Linda of Grasonville, Maryland; and his brothers Eric (USNA 1995), Ryan (USNA 1999), and Jared [USNA 2003].

Lt. Scott Beattie

From researcher Kathy Franz: “Jason was one of 10 valedictorians for the Class of 1989 at Ashland High School. National Honor Society. Golf.”

From News-Journal, Mansfield, Ohio, on June 24, 1987:

At the News Journal’s 1987 Fun Center Junior Open tournament at Forest Hills Golf Course, Jason carded a two-over-par 59 in the concluding round of the 36-hole tourney, then defeated his teammate Mike Nuss on the first extra hole to win the championship.

“I played pretty well today,” Jakubowsi said following his performance. “I knew it was going to be close, but if anything it was even easier playing off against Mike than it would have been against someone else. We know each other pretty well. It wasn’t like there was a lot of pressure when we went to the extra holes.”

“I was used to the greens, so it was easier to putt today, and I was hitting my irons well. I hit a lot of greens and that allowed me to make a lot of pars.”

From the News-Journal, Mansfield, Ohio, on May 26, 1989:

Among the students honored was Jason Jakubowski, a senior who will enter the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., on July 3. An honor student who has a pilot’s license, Jakubowski was nominated for the academy by U.S. Rep. Don Pease, D-Orberlin, Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, D-Cleveland, and then Vice President George Bush. In the latter case, only 10 other American students received such an honor.

“I’m interested in naval aviation,” Jakubowski said. “I met with him (Springer) about the academy and he told me it would be hard.”

[Col. Robert Springer, a 1960 Ashland High School graduate, had returned for an eight-day visit to his hometown. He was the main speaker at the high school’s Scholar Recognition Night].

Jason has a memorial marker in the Naval Academy Cemetery.