LTJG ARTHUR W. STAECKER, USN

Class 1966

Born September 13, 1944

Died May 17, 1968

Age 23

Hometown Richardson, Texas

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1966 Lucky Bag:

ARTHUR WAYNE STAECKER

Wayne comes from the city of Richardson, Texas, and stands tall and proud as most Texans do. No one knew Wayne when he reported to the Academy, but his friendly smile, mature attitude, and willingness to help others quickly made him a close and respected friend to all those who knew him these past few years. “Hook” did very well in academics and took a keen interest in Company and Battalion activities in sports such as basketball, cross-country, squash, and tennis. He also shared his interest on a Brigade level as he was a member of the Brigade Activities Committee as well as the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron. He always did his best to get the job done and often succeeded with outstanding results. Wayne’s career in the Navy will surely prove to be rewarding as he has every attribute needed to be an outstanding and respected officer.

He was also a member of the 31st Company staff (spring) and 5th Battalion staff (winter).

Loss

Arthur was lost on May 17, 1968 when the jet he was piloting collided with another aircraft near Visalia, California.

He was piloting an A-7 Corsair II. (Information from now-defunct website.)

Other Information

From the September-October 1968 issue of Shipmate:

Lt. (jg) A. Wayne Staecker, USN, died 17 May as the result of a mid-air airplane collision while on a routine training flight near Visalia, Calif. A memorial service was held at Lemoore Naval Air Station Chapel, with burial at sea from USS Hancock.

Lt. Steacker was born in Chicago, Ill., and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1966. He completed basic and jet training and received his wings 6 January at Beeville, Tex. He had been serving with Attack Squadron 122, Naval Air Station, Lemoore.

Surviving are his widow, Sherry Louise; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O. Staecker; and a sister, Mrs. Warren H. Graham.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Named Mr. Richardson High School in his senior year, “Wayne” participated in Stamp & Coin 1; P. A. S. F. 1, V-P 3, 4; Class V-P 3; N.H.S. 3, 4; Key Club 4; Chem-Phy. 4; Student Council Pres. 4; Student Forum 4. He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Senator John Tower (R-Texas.) Arthur won the appointment from a group of 12 candidates.

In March 1966 as a midshipman, Arthur gave speeches to students in his hometown area as part of the Academy’s “Operation Information.” He spoke at Plano, Carrollton, Allen and McKinney high schools.

In 1967, he completed the Basic Jet Training course while serving with Training Squadron Four VT-4 at Forest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station at Pensacola. During this time, he accumulated more than 25 hours jet flight time while perfecting air-to-air gunnery and carrier landing techniques. He also completed four carrier landings and four catapult take-offs from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington in the Gulf of Mexico. He transferred to the Advanced Training Command in Corpus Christi for the final phase of training where he was awarded the Navy’s Wings of Gold.

Senator John Tower of Texas nominated Wayne to the Naval Academy. During his first class summer (1965) he was aboard the attack transport USS Montrose in the Pacific. The Courier Gazette in his hometown of McKinney, TX reported:

During the six week cruise he will participate in all phases of shipboard life. In addition to standing “underway watches,” he will receive training in navigation, communications, seamanship, gunnery, engineering and other basic naval subjects.

Arthur’s Find A Grave page is here.