LTJG GALEN E. GILBERT, USN
Lucky Bag Yearbook
From the 1964 Lucky Bag:
GALEN EVERETT GILBERT
23rd Company
Galen graduated from Tahlequah High School in ‘60 and in July of that year, abandoned the Ozark hills of which he was very fond and took up his residency at the Naval Academy. While at USNA, Gil spent more of his time counting the days until leave, than anyone else. The most remarkable thing about this “Sooner” was the fine grades he obtained with a minimum of study time. His quiet, easy-going personality could be found in whatever he did, from academics to athletics. Galen gave much of his time and talent to the Methodist Church in Annapolis. In the field of athletics, he spent many hours on the squash courts, improving an already superior game. Most certainly, whatever field of endeavor Galen follows in the future will be crowned with success.
Loss
Galen was lost on July 20, 1966 when the F-8 Crusader he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California.
Other Information
From the August-September 1966 issue of Shipmate:
Lt.(jg) Galen E. Gilbert, USN, was lost at sea during an operational flight off the coast of Southern California on the night of 20 July [1966]. Memorial services were held in the Airman Memorial Chapel, Naval Air Station, Miramar, on the 23rd.
Lt. Gilbert was born in Siloam Springs, Ark., and was graduated from high school in Tahlequah, Okla., and from the Naval Academy in 1964. He was designated a naval aviator in December 1965, and was assigned to Fighter Squadron 174 for Fleet Replacement Pilot Training in January 1966, where he remained until 3 June when he reported for duty with VF-194 at NAS Miramar. He was making instrument approaches to the carrier Ticonderoga when the accident took place.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Galen O. Gilbert of 1112 South High St., Neosho, Mo., and a brother, Jessie Ray Gilbert, also of Neosho.
The Class of 1964 column later in that issue said “Gil became known as one of the most easy-going and popular of our members. He was an ardent squash and football fan.”
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In January 1959, Galen was a local winner of the “Voice for Democracy” contest. He next competed at the state level where he came in third.
In March, he was elected District 21 lieutenant-governor for the Kiwanis-sponsored Key clubs in senior high schools.
In April, he announced the sale of radio station KTLQ.
On Veteran’s Day, November 12, 1959, Galen was named the outstanding boy student. He received an award from the Cherokee Masonic Lodge No. 10 AF&AM.
In December 1959, Galen was nominated to the Naval Academy by Representative Ed Edmondson.
Galen graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1960. He was an accomplished public speaker and president of the Key Club. In December Galen gave a talk at the Lion’s Club luncheon about the Naval Academy.
In June 1962, Galen participated in the two-week training at the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, Virginia.
Galen’s Find A Grave page is here.
Photographs
Related Articles
Daryl Summers ‘64 was also in 23rd Company.
Galen is one of 25 members of the Class of 1964 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
