JONATHAN S. COE, LT, USN

Jonathan Coe '55

Date of birth: January 19, 1934

Date of death: June 24, 1960

Age: 26

Lucky Bag

From the 1955 Lucky Bag:

JONATHAN SHELDON COE

Hampton, Virginia

Having taken an Honor Military School competitive exam for his appointment, Jon never found academics to be a problem. When not on liberty, he could be found in one of three places — in the rack, in the boathouse, or in the rack. The first and third took preference over everything, as was established by his all-time record on cruise. Navy air almost got him with the N3N, but he claims salty air and rolling seas will never be the cause for insomnia. The Norfolk area being his home, ships have long been in the mind of this man for Navy line.

He was also a member of the 24th Company Winter Leadership.

JONATHAN SHELDON COE

Hampton, Virginia

Having taken an Honor Military School competitive exam for his appointment, Jon never found academics to be a problem. When not on liberty, he could be found in one of three places — in the rack, in the boathouse, or in the rack. The first and third took preference over everything, as was established by his all-time record on cruise. Navy air almost got him with the N3N, but he claims salty air and rolling seas will never be the cause for insomnia. The Norfolk area being his home, ships have long been in the mind of this man for Navy line.

He was also a member of the 24th Company Winter Leadership.

Loss

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Jonathan was killed east of Mayport, Florida, on June 24, 1960 when his Navy jet fighter plane crashed in the sea after being catapulted from the aircraft carrier Saratoga. Neither the plane nor his body were found.
He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 101 at Key West Naval Air Station and was with a detachment training aboard the Saratoga.
Memorial services were held at Grace Episcopal Church in Newport News.
Survivors were his father Charles Bernard, a shipyard engineer; mother Anne; his wife, the former Anne Windler whom he married on June 12, 1955; sons Jonathan and Dana; daughter Elizabeth; and three sisters Ann, Phoebe and Catherine.

Jon has a memorial marker in Michigan.

Class of 1955

Jonathan is one of 34 members of the Class of 1955 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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