HARRY A. LACKEY, II, LT, USN
Harry Lackey, II '52
Lucky Bag
From the 1952 Lucky Bag:
Harry Alfred Lackey, II
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Harry "The Bear" Lackey. It seems that nickname is here to stay and if you know Harry, you can see why. Harry came to Navy from Carlisle, Pennsylvania; while there, as during his days at the Academy, he was very much interested in football. No matter how conscientious Harry was about his studies, a better guy to pitch a liberty with couldn't be found. Just because he always has about five or six girls at once, you can't say he was eager, for the "Bear" would help a friend out on any occasion. He won't admit it, but his favorite food is dried prunes. Because of his ability for making friends, we should hear more of Harry in the future.
He was also a member of the 4th Company staff (2nd set).
Harry Alfred Lackey, II
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Harry "The Bear" Lackey. It seems that nickname is here to stay and if you know Harry, you can see why. Harry came to Navy from Carlisle, Pennsylvania; while there, as during his days at the Academy, he was very much interested in football. No matter how conscientious Harry was about his studies, a better guy to pitch a liberty with couldn't be found. Just because he always has about five or six girls at once, you can't say he was eager, for the "Bear" would help a friend out on any occasion. He won't admit it, but his favorite food is dried prunes. Because of his ability for making friends, we should hear more of Harry in the future.
He was also a member of the 4th Company staff (2nd set).
Loss
Harry was lost on May 19, 1960 when the plane he was aboard crashed near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Other Information
From The Indianapolis Star on May 19, 1960
Jet Ditches, Killing Two Near Cape Cape Canaveral, Fla. (UPI) A Navy twin-jet plane practicing routine landings crashed into the Banana River near here yesterday, killing two and probably all three crew members. The craft, a Navy A3D based at the Sanford Naval Air Station Fla., plunged into the river just west of Patrick Air Force Base 19 miles south of this missile testing center. By late afternoon, two bodies had been recovered and the Air Force said the third man was "presumed dead." Several small boats and a helicopter searched the river for the third victim. The three men were identified as: Pilot Lt. Harry A. Lackey II, husband of Mrs. Betty B. Lackey, 115 Oakland Drive, Sanford. Instructor Pilot Lt. (JG) Louis M. Beverly, husband of Mrs. Norma Jean Beverly, 615 Briar Cliff, Sanford. Aviation Mechanic 2C Glen A. Limbert, husband of Mrs. Joan M. Limbert, 1700 Magnolia, Sanford.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Harry graduated from Carlisle High School in 1948. He was president of both junior and senior classes and was a tackle and captain of the football team. He played the violin in the school orchestra and sang in the octet. As a junior, he was president of the school's Hi-Y and was elected Pennsylvania president of Hi-Y at the State Council meeting in June 1947.
From the yearbook: Found: Everywhere. Dislikes: Cats. Ambition: Medicine. Jr. Hi-Y 1; Orchestra 1, 2, 3, 4; A Cappella choir 3; Operetta 3; Stagecraft 3; Jr. Varsity Football 1; Varsity Football 2, 3, 4; Baseball 1; Camera Club 3; Hi-Y 2, 3, 4; Home Room Officer 4; Student Council 3, 4; Class Officer 3, 4.
Harry was secretary of the Youth Fellowship at the First Evangelical United Brethren Church. Later, he became a member of Grace Evangelical United Brethren Church.
He was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressman John C. Kunkel.
After graduation from the Naval Academy, he reported to USS Muliphen (AKA 61.)
On September 19, 1956, Harry bailed out of his flaming jet plane at 25,000 feet near his Jacksonville, Florida, Naval Air Base. He injured his legs on landing and was operated on for torn ligaments in his right knee.
Harry's son Ray was baptized in June 1960 at Grace EUB church.
Harry's father Ray was a contractor and school board member, and his mother was Anna. His brother James B. ('59) was an ensign serving at San Diego in 1960, and his sister was Lois (Mrs. Hutchinson of Tokyo, Japan.)
Harry's mother later married Captain Morris D. Gilmore '11, retired Navy, who died in October 1960. He served in WWI and WWII and was secretary treasurer of the Naval Academy Athletic Association. He was awarded the Navy Cross during WWI. His son Morris Gilmore, Jr. '39 was killed in the Java Sea in WWII.
He was survived by his wife, Betty, and children Valerie, Laurence, and Roy. (Information from June-July 1960 issue of Shipmate.) He is buried near his infant son, Harry Alfred Lackey III, in Pennsylvania.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
Harry as a Midshipman, from The Sentinel on May 19, 1960
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