IRAD B. OXLEY, LCDR, USN

Irad Oxley '43

Date of birth: February 27, 1921

Date of death: October 16, 1951

Age: 30

Lucky Bag

From the 1943 Lucky Bag:

IRAD BLAIR OXLEY

Woodbine, New Jersey

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He was a member of the lacrosse team.

The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

IRAD BLAIR OXLEY

Woodbine, New Jersey

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He was a member of the lacrosse team.

The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Blair was lost on October 16, 1951 when his F2H-2 Banshee, operating from USS Essex (CV 9), was hit by anti-aircraft artillery and crashed near Majon-ni, North Korea. The aircraft exploded on impact with the ground.

He was squadron operations officer for Fighter Squadron (VF) 172. He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

Other

One month before he was shot down, on September 16, 1951, he had a mid-air collision with another aircraft from his squadron. Irad was able to land safely, but the other pilot was lost when his aircraft crashed into another aircraft during recovery aboard USS Essex (CV 9).

Blair was an honorable mention for the 1942 All American Lacrosse team.

Class of 1943

Irad is one of 83 members of the Class of 1943 on Virtual Memorial Hall.