Downed Prowler Crew All Naval Academy Grads

March 14, 2013 9:40 AM - Updated: March 14, 2013 11:03 AM

Three aircrew killed in the Monday crash of an EA-6B Prowler were all graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy, according a Wednesday message from USNA superintendent, Vice Adm. Michael Miller.

“It is my sad duty to report that on Monday morning, the Naval Academy lost three of our alumni in an aircraft accident in Eastern Washington,” wrote Miller in the message to faculty, staff and students.

Lt. Cmdr. Alan A Patterson, 34, Naval Flight Officer from Tullahoma, Tenn. was one of three killed in the Monday crash of an EA-6B Prowler. WSMV 4 Photo
Lt. Cmdr. Alan A Patterson, 34. WSMV 4 Photo

Lt. Cmdr. Alan A Patterson, 34, Naval Flight Officer from Tullahoma, Tenn. was a 2000 USNA graduate and History major.

 

 

 

 

Lt. j.g. Valerie Cappelaere Delaney, 26, Naval Aviator from Ellicott City, Md. was one of three killed in the Monday crash of an EA-6B Prowler. WJLA 7 Photo
Lt. j.g. Valerie Cappelaere Delaney, 26. WJLA 7 Photo

Lt. j.g. Valerie Cappelaere Delaney, 26, Naval Aviator from Ellicott City, Md. graduated with merit in 2009 with an Aerospace Engineering major and was active in the women’s lacrosse program & Glee Club.

 

 

 

 

Lt. j.g. William Brown McIlvaine III, 24, Naval Flight Officer from El Paso, Texas was one of three killed in the Monday crash of an EA-6B Prowler. KFOX 14 Photo
Lt. j.g. William Brown McIlvaine III, 24. KFOX 14 Photo

Lt. j.g. William Brown McIlvaine III, 24, Naval Flight Officer from El Paso, Texas was a 2010 Chemistry major who graduated with merit and was active in the Glee Club, Pipes & Drums and the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference.

 

 

 

“I’m proud to have called these young officers shipmates, “ wrote Miller.
“The Brigade of Midshipmen flag will be flown at half-mast in their honor following the return of the Brigade.”

The crew of the Prowler was attached to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129 based in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. The fleet replacement squadron served as a schoolhouse for new electronic warfare pilots flying the Prowler and the successor EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.

Prowler operations at VAQ-129 are currently suspended pending the investigation into the crash as of Wednesday.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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