BRIAN D. HURST, LT, USN
Brian Hurst '71
Lucky Bag
From the 1971 Lucky Bag:
BRIAN DWAYNE HURST
Illinois
Bri came to Annapolis in June of 1967, and was next heard from after his motorcycle wreck in June of '68. Not one to go out of his way in becoming well known, Brian could always be found at his desk studying. Depended on by most of his peers at some time or another, Brian was always willing to help. Whether it be a haircut 5 minutes before watch squad formation, a weapons lab at 4:00 in the morning or a fear crazed ride back to make morning meal formation, Brian always came through. Famous for playing the role of "Krunch" in the cycle team of "Krash & Krunch," Brian was undaunted by his misfortune and never lost his love for adventure. Graduating to airplanes, we all hope his epic wrecks are behind him.
BRIAN DWAYNE HURST
Illinois
Bri came to Annapolis in June of 1967, and was next heard from after his motorcycle wreck in June of '68. Not one to go out of his way in becoming well known, Brian could always be found at his desk studying. Depended on by most of his peers at some time or another, Brian was always willing to help. Whether it be a haircut 5 minutes before watch squad formation, a weapons lab at 4:00 in the morning or a fear crazed ride back to make morning meal formation, Brian always came through. Famous for playing the role of "Krunch" in the cycle team of "Krash & Krunch," Brian was undaunted by his misfortune and never lost his love for adventure. Graduating to airplanes, we all hope his epic wrecks are behind him.
Loss
From The Cumberland News on May 18, 1977:
Two crewmen of a Navy F4 Phantom jet that crashed Sunday during a NATO exercise in the Mediterranean Sea are presumed dead, the Navy said Tuesday.
The two were identified as the aircraft's pilot, Lt. Brian D. Hurst, and its radar intercept officer, Lt. Dennis P. O'Malley, both of Virginia Beach.
Both officers were attached to Fighter Squadron 102, based at the Oceana, Va., Naval Air Station.
A Navy spokesman said the Phantom crashed Sunday evening while trying to land on the Norfolk-based carrier USS Independence.
From the memo "Command History for Calendar Year 1977 (OPNAV Report 5750-1)" date stamped March 23, 1978:
While participating in Exercise "Dawn Patrol", from 15 to 16 April, the DIAMONDBACKS flew CAP missions and AIC in support of CAG SEVEN training strikes into Turkey. During this exercise, Lieutenants Dennis O'MALLEY and Brian HURST were lost in a night carrier landing accident.
Other Information
From the October 1977 issue of Shipmate:
Lt. Brian Dwane Hurst USN was lost at sea due to an aircraft accident during a night carrier barricade landing on board USS Independence on 15 May 1977 in the Eastern Mediterranean. Memorial services were held on board ship.
Appointed to the Naval Academy from the State of Illinois, he was graduated with the Class of 1971. As a midshipman he was known for his spirit and his willingness to help. Upon receiving his commission he reported to the destroyer Hull for four months, then reported for flight training and was designated naval aviator in May of 1973. During this training period he also earned his Master of Science degree at the University of West Florida, Pensacola. Further training followed whereupon he joined Fighter Squadron One Hundred One as a replacement pilot in the F-4 Phantom. He later joined Fighter Squadron One Hundred Two aboard Independence and had been with this group for six months when the fatal accident occurred.
He is survived by his widow, Mary, a son, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Hurst of Carthage, Illinois.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Brian was on the Shelbyville High School track team running the 880. He lettered in both his junior and senior years graduating in 1967. He was a 140-lb quarterback his senior year.
Brian was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressman George E. Shipley (D-Olnes) Illinois.
He has a marker in Illinois.
Related Articles
Dennis O'Malley '72 was the Radar Intercept Officer.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
