CHARLES J. MORROW, LT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Charles Morrow '75

Date of birth: September 12, 1953

Date of death: January 8, 1980

Age: 26

Lucky Bag

From the 1975 Lucky Bag:

1975 Morrow LB.jpg

CHARLES MORROW

Cleveland, Ohio

Chuck left Cleveland, a pretty girl, and an impressive grappling record to offer his mind, body, and soul to Navy. Collegiate wrestling proved too time consuming and interfered with the social life he has become known for. Being one of the three black sheep of the Systems Engineering Department, he never let academics cramp his style. Chuck's interpretation of the Reg Book made him the most popular Co. Sub-CDR in Naval Academy History. Chuck's over the-wall adventures compare to Houdini, Papillion, and Evel Knievel at their best. With an eye for women, a nose for a party, and more luck than an Irish Leprechaun, Chuck will be a valuable asset to the Naval Aviation Community.

1975 Morrow LB.jpg

CHARLES MORROW

Cleveland, Ohio

Chuck left Cleveland, a pretty girl, and an impressive grappling record to offer his mind, body, and soul to Navy. Collegiate wrestling proved too time consuming and interfered with the social life he has become known for. Being one of the three black sheep of the Systems Engineering Department, he never let academics cramp his style. Chuck's interpretation of the Reg Book made him the most popular Co. Sub-CDR in Naval Academy History. Chuck's over the-wall adventures compare to Houdini, Papillion, and Evel Knievel at their best. With an eye for women, a nose for a party, and more luck than an Irish Leprechaun, Chuck will be a valuable asset to the Naval Aviation Community.

Obituary

From Find A Grave:

Charles James "Chuck" Morrow was born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio on 12 September 1953, the son of Emil Edwin and Josephine A. (nee Skrovan) Morrow. He attended St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, graduating in June of 1971. He went on to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with his First Appointment, as a Midshipman, beginning on 30 June 1971. Chuck graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1975, and began his Active Duty on 04 June 1975, assigned to Duty Station: Attack Squadron (VA-75) on board the Aircraft Carrier, the USS Saratoga.

After specialized training, Chuck became a Pilot of A-6 Intruder Jet Fighter Aircraft, with take-offs and landings, on the deck of the USS Saratoga. With less than 1000 feet of "Runway", precision and accuracy were necessities.

On 08 January 1980, after routine naval operations off the coast of Florida, Lt. Morrow and the Commanding Officer of the USS Saratoga, Cmdr. Anthony J. Lynch, headed back to the ship. Lt. Morrow was landing an A-6 Intruder jet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga, about 100 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida at about 7 p.m. A ground wire on the deck of the carrier, grabbed the plane, but malfunctioned, and did not stop the plane's forward momentum. The aircraft careened and struck several parked planes during the night landing and then the plane rolled off the deck and into the ocean.

A search failed to find the plane or the men. The Navy ended its search late that night and listed the men as missing and presumed dead.

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From The Cleveland Plain Dealer (Newspaper)
January 11, 1980

EX-Seven Hills Man Lost in Navy Crash

The crash of an airplane at sea during routine naval operations off the coast of Florida Tuesday (January 08, 1980) is believed to have killed two men, including a former Seven Hills (Ohio) resident.

The Victims who are missing and presumed dead by the Navy are the pilot, Lt. Charles J. Morrow, 26, formerly of Seven Hills (Ohio) and a 1971 graduate of St. Edward High School in Lakewood (Ohio) and Cmdr. Anthony J. Lynch, navigator and bombardier. Both men lived in Virginia Beach, VA.

According to a Navy spokesman, Lt. Morrow was landing the plane, an A-6 Intruder jet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga, about 100 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida at about 7 p.m. A ground wire on the deck of the carrier, grabbed the plane, but malfunctioned, and did not stop the plane's forward momentum.

The plane rolled off the deck and into the ocean, the spokesman said.

A search failed to find the plane or the men. The Navy ended its search last night and listed the men as missing and presumed dead.

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ADDITIONAL NOTE:
Lt. Morrow was preceded in death by his Mother, Josephine A. Morrow, on 29 Oct. 1975. He was Survived by his Father, Emil Edwin Morrow, One Brother, Four Sisters, Nieces and Nephews, Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

About 5 weeks after Lt. Morrow's Death, his Father, Emil Edwin Morrow passed away on 18 February 1980.

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Cleveland Plain Dealer
29 January 1980
LT. Charles J. Morrow (U.S.N.), beloved son of Emil, and Josephine (deceased) Morrow (nee Skrovan), brother of Emil (Lt. Comm) U.S.N.; Karen Durica; Geraldine Graham; Nancy Willimon; and Bonnie Kavanaugh. Died January 08, 1980. Memorial Mass at St. Columbkille Church, 6740 Broadview Rd. on Wednesday, January 30, 1980 at 7 p.m.

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Class of 1975

Charles is one of 8 members of the Class of 1975 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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