Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1968 Lucky Bag:

THOMAS BEN WEST

One can’t really call Tom a Navy junior because he’s in fact, a Navy Air junior. Talk to him awhile about those wings of gold, and he’ll give the impression that’s all he’s ever wanted. Actually, Tom started flying second class year when he met a certain young lady. Tom’s been taking it well, and is even practicing for the future, having taken on a group of young Sunday schoolers from a local Church until he can acquire his own flock of little rug beaters. Tom is preparing for his future career with a major in OPS Analysis. He swam on the varsity squad, and has been active in intramural sports, both rugby and batt water sports. Look up in the sky sometime in the near future; it may well be Tom flying over.

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He was also a member of the 13th Company staff (1st and 3rd sets)

Loss

Thomas was lost on February 14, 1974 when the A-4 Skyhawk he was piloting crashed near NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He was a member of Composite Squadron (VC) 8.

Other Information

From

Tom West graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1968 and married Elizabeth Jane Goodhart, 8 June 1968. Two children of that marriage are: Thomas Raymond West and Matthew Setser West.

His sister Carol was promoted to Captain of the USN in January 1996, and is stationed in San Diego, California.

Career

While a midshipman, Thomas participated in the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies for Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 inauguration. His family lived in Hawaii, and for at least part of the time while he attended the Academy, in the Philippines.

Thomas attended the then new post-graduate program at the University of West Florida to obtain a Master of Science in Aeronautical Systems in 1969, together with John P. Esposito ‘68.

Photographs

From the May 1974 issue of _Shipmate_.

Shipmate

From the May 1974 issue of Shipmate:

Lt. Thomas Ben West, USN, died on 14 February at sea off the USS Colorado near Puerto Rico as a result of an aircraft accident. Memorial services with full military honors and a missing man formation fly-by were held.

Born in Pensacola, Fla. Lt. West graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968. He received his wings in 1970. He also received a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Systems from the University of West Florida. His first tour was at Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C. At the time of his death he was attached to VC-8, USNS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. At the Academy and throughout his career he was very active with Sunday school.

He is survived by his widow, Jane, c/o Cdr. Ira West, USN (Ret.) of Houston, TX; two sons, Thomas Raymond and Matthew Setser; his father, Cdr. Ira West, USN (Ret.); his mother; and his sister.

From the Class of 1968 column:

Classmate Tom West was killed in an aircraft accident on 14 February. He was flying for VC-8 out of Roosevelt Roads, P. R. Tom had gone through the Cooperative degree program, and earned his wings as a jet pilot. No details, nor word on what Janie and the two boys are going to do. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say we share her loss.

He has a memorial marker in Hawaii.

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Theodore Vivilacqua ‘68 was also in 13th Company.