Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1957 Lucky Bag:

THEODORE KING HIGGINS

“Young Ted” came from the site of the world’s largest pimento pepper packing plant in order to square things with the North. Ted’s luck with the women was not the best, as evidenced by near permanent possession of the company brick. However, on the athletic field, Ted was the mainstay on the Fourteenth’s cross-country and steeplechase teams in addition to setting a new Battalion Track record in the famous 1760 yard dash. As for the future, it is quite possible that you may find Ted in the wardroom of a destroyer with a cup of coffee in one hand and the latest issue of Playboy in the other.

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He was also a member of the 14th Company staff (winter).

Loss

Ted was lost¹ on February 11, 1964 when his A-4 Skyhawk crashed into the sea near Hawaii while on approach to USS Bon Homme Richard (CV 31).

Other Information

From the April 1964 issue of Shipmate:

With the deepest regret we announce the death of Ted Higgins on 12 February as a result of an aircraft accident. Ted was in VA-143 operating from the BON HOMME RICHARD off the coast of Hawaii at the time of his accident. He leaves his widow, Lynn, 2 little girls, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Higgins of Griffin, Ga.

Ted’s death leaves all of us with a deep sense of grief. By his personal example he emphasized those traits which the naval service is desirous of instilling in all of us. His loss has made each of us a little poorer.

From the Class of 1957’s 30th Reunion Book:

THEODORE KING HIGGINS, Lieutenant USN

Lynn Higgins DuVall
200 B 86th Street
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
Children: Debera Gay (1958), Catherine King (1960)

Ted jumped at the earliest opportunity for the Pensacola Grad for new pilots, coming out a couple years later in the attack squadron game. Heading west along with numerous other newly-winged J.G.’s he landed in sunny southern California with VA-143, operating from the BON HOMME RICHARD.

Shortly after graduation Ted was fortunate to marry Lynn Loughlin and by 1960 they had been joined by two lovely young daughters.

Tragically in February 1964 Ted was lost in an aircraft accident while operating near Hawaii on the BON HOMME RICHARD. His loss left the Navy and all of us a little poorer.

Lynn later remarried Virginia Beach dentist Bud DuVall and they reside at the above address. Debera (lawyer) and Catherine (physical therapist) have located in Texas to ply their trades.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

A senior at 140 lbs., Theodore was a defenseman on the Griffin football team in the fall of 1952.

Ted has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

Related Articles

Don Brown ‘57 was also a member of 14th Company.

References