Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1961 Lucky Bag:

JOHN JOSEPH WILEY

JJ — 11th Company

“JJ” hails from Altoona, Penna. where he left his mark not only on the Football and Basketball records but also on the roster of the National Honor Society. Upon entering the Naval Academy, he played varsity soccer and basketball. His grades were a legend in Club Eleven. Although there is no one special at the moment for “JJ,” a certain young lady back home in Pa. is a pretty good bet for a future career. It looks like Navy Air will get our lad after he takes a quick look at the Line. Good Luck “JJ,” you rate it.

---

He was also a member of the 1961 Brigade staff (winter) and the 11th Company staff (spring).

Loss

John was lost on April 10, 1963 when USS Thresher (SSN 593) sank during testing about 220 miles east of Cape Code, Massachusetts.

Other Information

From USS Thresher Memorial:

John Joseph Wiley was born on May 8, 1939, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the second of six children. John attended parochial schools in Altoona, and was graduated from Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, with honors. During his school years, John was active as a member of the boys choir, a Boy Scout and served as an altar boy. He was the recipient of the American Legion Award and the Forensic Gold Medal. he was president of his class during his senior year. John was also a member of the National Honor Society and was responsible for establishing several records while a member of both the football and basketball teams.

In June 1957, John entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a midshipman, and was graduated with distinction as an ensign in 1961. During his years at the Naval Academy, John was an honor student, a member of the brigade staff, and a brigade adjutant. Upon graduation he was awarded the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy Shiphandling Award.

He volunteered for submarine duty after commissioning and was enrolled at the U.S. Naval Submarine School at New London, Connecticut, for training. Upon graduation, he was selected for advance training, and attended the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Schenectady, New York. He reported to his first submarine, USS Thresher, in December 1962.

He is survived by his widow, the former Patricia Ann Parks of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Chester Wiley, also of Altoona.

John has one memory marker in Pennsylvania and another in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

Source

Related Articles

John Prudhomme ‘61 was also a member of 11th Company.

Philip Allen ‘45, John Billings ‘50, John Harvey ‘50, Robert Krag ‘50, Michael DiNola ‘53, Robert Biederman ‘54, Merrill Collier ‘56, Guy Parsons, Jr. ‘59, James Henry, Jr. ‘60, Ronald Babcock ‘60, and John Grafton ‘61 were also lost when USS Thresher (SSN 593) sank with all hands on April 10, 1963.