JONAS M. PANIK, LT, USN
Jonas Panik '97
Lucky Bag
From the 1997 Lucky Bag:
Jonas Martin Panik
Mingoville, Pennsylvania
Whats up Brother? -Yes, Satan?- I'm your Rosenberry- You’re Naughty, You're Naughty!- What is your malfunction, Panik? Is that the right uniform for formation? Tell Ms. P I want to hear some G&R. Is that a cow bra Ms. B is wearing? Thanks for introducing me to Penn State- I love that place. Mitsy, Molly, BetsyX2,Amy, Jen, Erin, some I don’t remember, some I never knew the names to begin with! Dont forget downtown: “Just shut the door, man, I can’t fight it anymore!” That would've been an ugly wake up. Hospital point-drilling-cold-windy: “Why are we here man?” Aaah well, Cry two tears in a bucket . . .The next time we are in Georgetown and up against six- I will take four and let you off easy with the other two-I promise. Heres to you, Jen and the future. And of course heres to big Hotels.
-EMR
Jonas Martin Panik
Mingoville, Pennsylvania
Whats up Brother? -Yes, Satan?- I'm your Rosenberry- You’re Naughty, You're Naughty!- What is your malfunction, Panik? Is that the right uniform for formation? Tell Ms. P I want to hear some G&R. Is that a cow bra Ms. B is wearing? Thanks for introducing me to Penn State- I love that place. Mitsy, Molly, BetsyX2,Amy, Jen, Erin, some I don’t remember, some I never knew the names to begin with! Dont forget downtown: “Just shut the door, man, I can’t fight it anymore!” That would've been an ugly wake up. Hospital point-drilling-cold-windy: “Why are we here man?” Aaah well, Cry two tears in a bucket . . .The next time we are in Georgetown and up against six- I will take four and let you off easy with the other two-I promise. Heres to you, Jen and the future. And of course heres to big Hotels.
-EMR
Loss
Jonas was lost on September 11, 2001 while working on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.
Other Information
From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's 9/11 page:
Lieutenant Panik was born in States College, PA, and was active in his community and varsity sports at Bellefonte High School. Lieutenant Panik was commissioned as an Ensign with the Class of 1997 with a bachelor’s degree with a major in history. Lieutenant Panik attended Naval Intelligence Officer’s Basic Course in Virginia Beach, VA, and then was stationed in Whidbey Island, WA, on Patrol Squadron 46. He and his wife had recently moved back to the East Coast for a new assignment as part of the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot. He was selected to be a Flag Intelligence Briefer. Lieutenant Panik was working in the Pentagon on 11 September.
Jonas is buried in Pennsylvania; he is also remembered at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the National September 11 Memorial.
Memorial
From The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Jonas Martin Panik was a consummate Naval Officer, an outstanding intelligence professional, a true shipmate, a great friend, and a devoted and loving uncle, brother, son and husband. Jonas passed into the presence of God on September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, as the result of a terrorist attack. He was 26 years old.
Jonas was born in State College, Pennsylvania on November 1st, 1974, All Saint’s Day. He grew up in Pennsylvania where he is still remembered as an outstanding student, a superb athlete, an upstanding citizen, and devout member of the Catholic Church. Growing up, Jonas was always active in sports, and in high school he participated in varsity football, basketball and track. Jonas graduated from Bellefonte High School in 1993, and accepted an appointment at the United States Naval Academy.
On July 1st, 1993, Jonas entered the United States Naval Academy. Over the next four years, Jonas worked incredibly hard. He was a member of the football team and the power-lifting team. Despite the time that these activities required, Jonas also became an exemplary leader within the Brigade of Midshipmen. In addition, Jonas was a strong student and is still well remembered by the faculty of the History Department. Because of the kind of person he was, the upbringing he had, and the strength of his character and convictions, his peers universally respected him. On May 23, 1997, Jonas graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in History and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve.
Shortly after graduation, on June 14, 1997, Jonas married the love of his life, the former Jennifer Dallas of Hanover, Maryland. While awaiting the start of school, the couple lived in Hanover while Jonas was temporarily assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence. In September 1997, Jonas started the Naval Intelligence Officer’s Basic Course in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After successful completion of that course, Jonas and Jennifer moved cross-country and were assigned to Patrol Squadron 46, “the Grey Knights” in Whidbey Island, Washington. In the two years that they were assigned to VP-46, Jonas successfully completed deployments to the Western Pacific and the Arabian Gulf.
Following their tour in Whidbey Island, Jonas and Jennifer moved back across country to their assignment on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot. While there, Jonas was selected to be a Flag Intelligence Briefer because of his superior skill and dedication. Jonas was fulfilling those duties when he passed into the presence of God. Despite the demands of his job, Jonas had also recently begun a graduate degree program through the Naval War College.
Jonas loved medieval history and lore, sports and fitness, and travel. He was warm and gregarious; a friend to all who knew him. He was universally respected by subordinates, peers and superiors as an outstanding Naval Officer who cared for his people, his job and his country. His personal awards included the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He is survived by his parents, Martin and Linda; his sister, Martina; his wife, Jennifer; and their dogs, Jasper and Logan.
From The Baltimore Sun on March 10, 2002:
Piney Orchard garden dedicated in honor of Navy officer, neighbor
....Shaped to resemble the prow of a ship, the small garden in Piney Orchard - the Anne Arundel County community where he lived - marks the loss of a neighbor and husband as well as a military officer.
....Panik, who graduated as a history major from the Naval Academy in 1997, often worked Pentagon shifts from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., colleagues said, gathering worldwide intelligence to brief his unit's admiral early in the morning.
"The admiral considered him the best morning briefer we had," said Lt. Tim Terry, adding that the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot was hit hard by the terrorist attack; seven people from that office were killed.
The associate dean for Naval Academy faculty, Michael C. Halbig, spoke of the "tapestry" of Panik's life - from his hometown of Mingoville, Pa., to his midshipman years in Annapolis when he met his wife, to being commissioned as a naval intelligence officer and serving tours of duty in Virginia Beach and elsewhere. He was stationed at the Pentagon for about a year.
"Jonas had forged golden friendships everywhere he went, from Mingoville, the academy, the fleet, this community," Halbig said. "Everyone loved him like a son or a fallen comrade." ....
Panik's size - about 6 feet 6 inches and 270 pounds - made him a natural for the academy's football team, friends said.
Mostly, they emphasized his gregarious nature, combined with a sense of purpose.
"He made a lasting impression," said his wife, Jennifer Panik, 27, a native Marylander...
Photographs
"Baseline screen by Jonas Panik sets Chad Snare free of a Panther defender to drive to the hoop. Snare and Panik served as JV co-captains to lead the JVs to a 12-2 record." From the 1992 edition of his high school's yearbook.
"Seniors Jon Green and Chris McMurtrie listen to Jonas Panik’s dreams of the future at the US Naval Academy. Panik was named Elks Teen of the Month for his scholarship, service and school citizenship." From the 1993 edition of his high school's yearbook.
Defense position stymies Lewistown shooter (35) with Chad Snare (50) in his face. Eric Amsler (00) and Jonas Panik (52) reacted from their observation posts. From the 1993 edition of his high school's yearbook.
From his high school yearbook
The first of a two-page spread in his high school's 2002 yearbook.
The second of a two-page spread in his high school's 2002 yearbook. Top caption: "Smiling proudly in his officer’s uniform, Jonas Panik was an extremely dedicated individual. He always gave one hundred percent to his family, friends, community, and country. Excelling both academically and athletically, Jonas was accepted into the Naval Academy. Like at Bellefonte, he was a crucial member of their football team."
Bottom caption: "Jonas Panik was one of the most talented football players in Bellefonte Raiders’ history. His enthusiasm for the game on and off the field motivated players and fans alike."
Memorial Hall Error
Jonas is not listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. All active duty service members killed or wounded in the September 11 attacks were awarded the Purple Heart Medal pursuant to section 1129a of Title 10, U.S.C., which was passed into law in 2014.
Jonas is one of 5 members of the Class of 1997 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.
