Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1960 Lucky Bag:

MICHAEL DANIEL HORNSBY

A southern gentleman, and very proud to hail from Texas, Mike entered the Naval Academy after graduation from McCallum High School in Austin. The academics were never much trouble for Mike, therefore, he had much free time for extracurricular activities. An outstanding golfer, he earned his letter on the varsity team for three years and had the satisfaction of defeating Army. Other interests included the Foreign Relations Club, Math Club, Boat Club, and for four years Mike was on the Trident Magazine staff and served as co-editor of the professional department of that publication. Pretty girls were an important outside interest of Mike’s; he always had a pretty young lady for all occasions. In the way of after graduation plans, Mike seems to favor Marine Aviation.

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He was also a company commander in the 6th Battalion (fall).

Loss

Michael died on January 8, 1965 of injuries sustained two days earlier when the brakes of his aircraft failed, causing it to crash into a fuel storage tank at Sanford, Florida.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Michael graduated from McCallum High School in 1956. Congressman Homer Thornberry appointed Michael to the Naval Academy in August 1956.

In July 1958, Michael attended an Air Indoctrination Course at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.

He married Mary Morris on December 29, 1961, in St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin.

At his funeral in Austin, men from his former squadron flew in from Florida. The group of 34 Navy men consisted of 20 officers and 14 enlisted men, including five chiefs. Lt. Charles McKenna was one of his pallbearers.

Michael was a third degree Mason.

Mike is buried in Texas.

Remembrances

From USNA ‘60 Memorial Site¹:

Michael D. Hornsby, one of our most popular and talented classmates and captain of the golf team first year (as well as Texas Amateur Champion in 1959) reported for flight training in Pensacola immediately after graduation leave. He earned his wings in November 1961 in Beeville, Texas, and then reported to an attack RAG in Florida to fly the A-4 Skyhawk. Upon completion of RAG, Mike was assigned to fleet light attack squadron VA-34 in Jacksonville, Florida, flying the Skyhawk. In the summer of 1963, Mike was selected for training in the RA-5 Vigilante, subsequently joining VAH-7 at Sanford Naval Air Station, Sanford, Florida. On 6 January 1965, he was severely injured in the crash and explosion of his Vigilante and died two days later on 8 January 1965 as a result of his injuries. He was laid to eternal rest in his hometown of Austin, Texas. Mike married Mary Monis on 29 December 1961. They had two sons, Mike and Truman, at the time of his death. Anonymous 30th Year Book

From USNA ‘60 Memorial Site²:

I didn’t really know Mike Hornsby until we ended up together for certain phases of the naval aviation training program. We received our wings about the same time; he finished jet training at Kingsville, TX and I finished at Beeville, TX. Both of us were ordered to the A- 4 RAG, VA-44, in Jacksonville, FL. Although Mike was engaged, we lived in the BOQ and spent time together looking for a place for Mike and his wife-to-be, Mary, to live.

After finishing the RAG, I received orders to VA-76 at Oceana, VA and Mike was ordered to VA-34 (I believe) at NAS Cecil Field, FL. About six months later, Mike and his squadron joined our air group aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) as we headed south on an emergency deployment for the Cuban crises in 1962.

I didn’t see Mike again until Enterprise was working up for a Med deployment and Mike flew aboard in an A-5 as the most junior pilot in the heavy attack squadron, VAH-7. Because of his great flying ability, Mike had been selected as a LTJG to transition to the A-5. He had a super first deployment in the A-5 and we all took great pride in being part of Nuclear Task Force ONE which was the name given the three nuclear powered ships that made an around the world deployment without replenishing in 1964.

Although I have only second-hand knowledge from his Skipper of how Mike died, I believe the details are correct. He was asked to do a brake test on an AS at their homebase, Sanford, FL. While testing the brakes on the runway at a relatively low speed, the brakes failed and the aircraft ran off the runway, hit a fuel storage area, and burst into flames. Mike survived a few days but died on 8 January 1965. Gene Gasser, 7th Co 30th Year Book

Photographs

From the Lucky Bag

From his 1956 high school yearbook

"Michael, 'the cream of high society,' participated in the all-boy style show on January 11, 1956." From his 1956 high school yearbook

From his 1956 high school yearbook

From his 1956 high school yearbook

"Third classman Hornsby operates electrical distribution board in engine room of the tactical command ship USS Northampton." From the Austin American Statesman on July 22, 1957

From the Austin American Statesman on November 16, 1961

From the Austin American Statesman on January 8, 1965

From The Orlando Sentinel on August 2, 1964

Family

One of his sons, Truman, passed away in 2014.

References