Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1962 Lucky Bag:

Philip David Brodeur

From his first step into the Naval Academy Yard, Dave’s sincere manner and quiet New England humor was an inspiration to all he met. In his abode, “Mr. Fix-it” disassembled and reassembled a myriad of assorted gear including clocks, radios, and hi-fi sets. Electronics and electricity, which caused the academic suicide of many of the Class of 1962, came easily to Dave and his scrutinizing eye. On the athletic fields, ’tud excelled and paced company football teams to decided victories. If all goes well for Dave in the future, as it has in the past, he will be a welcome adjunct to any VF squadron.

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He was also a member of the 19th Company staff (winter).

Loss

Philip was lost when his EA-1E crashed¹ at Naval Air Station South Weymouth, Massachusetts, on May 20, 1964.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Per the Portland Press Herald on May 23, 1964:

Philip was practicing “touch and go” landings when his training plane crashed and burned. “Authorities said the propeller-driven AD Grumman Skyraider crashed “just short” of the runway after passing over a residential area between Route 18 and the air base. . . A Navy spokesman said the plane apparently was caught in a gust of wind and was whipped into a 90 degree turn as it entered the glide path at the air base. Navy officials praised Brodeur for maneuvering his out-of-control plane to avoid crashing into private homes bordering the installation.”

Philip was assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 33.

A month before his crash, he was an usher at Lt. Francis Paul Cleary’s (’62) wedding. Other ushers were also ’62 classmates: Lt. James Lucas, Norman Greene, Richard Tanger and William Vogel.

He was survived by his wife, Denise, and children Nanette and Randy. (Information from November 1964 issue of Shipmate.) Philip is buried in Massachusetts.

Related Articles

Richard Tanger ‘62 was also in 19th Company.

References