JOHN N. WILT, 1LT, USMC
John Wilt '00
Lucky Bag
From the 2000 Lucky Bag:
John Nelson Wilt
O’Fallon, Illinois
John came to us from St. Louis as an Air Force brat, leaving us as a Yut-yut. What a change. Who knew he was a native Texan? That's probably why he switched from Poly Sci to Physics. Croquet '98 ensured a fun-filled summer at USNA (who needs leave?). Took one for the Club. "She's not my girlfriend!" Yeah right Vader, she is now. Where's John? Look on 3-4. Several sets of roomies finally stuck you with G-Money (a match made in heaven, or at least somewhere). Farted so much in his sleep he had to get a new mattress. "$#!@ open a window!!!" So. chest hair does light. "Wiltitus": friction-induced bloody nips, sexy. Uh, John, SWO sweaters are not authorized. "Garrett, does my **** really SMELL?" Play anything as long as it's Rage. So angry he curses in his sleep. Hey there, Fatty. "Anyone got something rich in protein?" Platoon Commander to Training = no CDO. Hopefully he'll get a kind pilot, we'd hate to see him queasy in the back seat. Good Luck at TBS. CKM DP,GR.
John Nelson Wilt
O’Fallon, Illinois
John came to us from St. Louis as an Air Force brat, leaving us as a Yut-yut. What a change. Who knew he was a native Texan? That's probably why he switched from Poly Sci to Physics. Croquet '98 ensured a fun-filled summer at USNA (who needs leave?). Took one for the Club. "She's not my girlfriend!" Yeah right Vader, she is now. Where's John? Look on 3-4. Several sets of roomies finally stuck you with G-Money (a match made in heaven, or at least somewhere). Farted so much in his sleep he had to get a new mattress. "$#!@ open a window!!!" So. chest hair does light. "Wiltitus": friction-induced bloody nips, sexy. Uh, John, SWO sweaters are not authorized. "Garrett, does my **** really SMELL?" Play anything as long as it's Rage. So angry he curses in his sleep. Hey there, Fatty. "Anyone got something rich in protein?" Platoon Commander to Training = no CDO. Hopefully he'll get a kind pilot, we'd hate to see him queasy in the back seat. Good Luck at TBS. CKM DP,GR.
Obituary
From the O'Fallon, Illinois Veterans Memorial:
John Nelson Wilt was born August 26, 1978 in Longview, Texas, the son of Nelson and Ann (Pusack) Wilt. His father was a C-130 pilot in the U.S. Air Force. John graduated from O’Fallon Township High School in 1996. He played the tuba in the Marching and Concert bands, participated in the Model United Nations, was a class officer and a member of the football, track and speech teams. He loved reading and also loved running, competing in two marathons. He was an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in O’Fallon. In May 2000, he graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and was commissioned into the Marine Corps.
John was a student Naval Flight Officer and had been chosen for flight training in the F-18 Hornet. On May 8, 2002, however, during a training flight over the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, his T-39 Sabreliner was involved in a crash with another T-39. All seven people aboard the two planes were lost. John was survived by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Remembrances
From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's "In Memoriam" page:
Our son, John, possessed a great sense of humor, pursued his goals and dreams with great enthusiasm and passion, and was so proud to be a USNA graduate and a Marine serving his country. We miss him dearly. Nelson & Ann Wilt
Photographs
The first five photographs are from his high school yearbook.
"John Wilt lost in the funk."
"Please, John, tell me that's a kilt. (Spirit Week)"
"Watch out world, here I come. (Commencement)"
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
At high school, he was an Illinois State Scholar who received a Naval Academy appointment. Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fine Arts Club, Chess Club, French Club, National Honor Society, History Team, Daily Announcer, Class officer, Band, Football (offensive guard.) Voted Most Likely to be a Guest on David Letterman.
He was a member of the high school's model United Nations and played a variety of instruments in the school band. He starred in annual talent shows.
From the Pensacola News Journal on May 16, 2002:
Ensign Duane Close had just met 2nd Lt. John Wilt in January, but the two became close friends during a road trip. Close's father was killed by a drunken driver while they were on the vacation, and Wilt consoled Close during the entire drive back to Pensacola.
After Wilt died in the T-39 crash, Close said he saw him again in a dream. He was standing before the gates of heaven.
"Standing at the gates were Jesus Christ and my father, and they said, 'Welcome home, son.'"
Memorials
The John Wilt Foundation raises funds to support the USO, Fischer House, and an annual $1,500 scholarship for an O'Fallon Township (IL) High School graduating senior.
He has a memorial bench in Illinois.
Related Articles
William Muscha '87 was also lost in this collision.
Memorial Hall Error
Travis Manion Foundation says that Wilt was posthumously promoted to 1LT; Memorial Hall has 2LT.
John is one of 4 members of the Class of 2000 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
