MICHAEL A. ZIBILICH, LCDR, USN
Michael Zibilich '52
Lucky Bag
From the 1952 Lucky Bag:
Michael Anthony Zibilich
New Orleans, Louisiana
Mike began his military career some seven years ago when he left Tulane University to join the Marine Corps. A complete control of academics left Mike time to pursue many interests, but we will remember him as an avid golfer. A stalwart on the Navy Chess team, Mike could checkmate the best of them, and as a member of the traveling squad, he spent some enjoyable weekends afield defending the Blue and Gold. The many friends he made at Navy look forward to seeing Mike again in the Fleet, knowing that his capacity and foundation for leadership will have produced a fine officer.
He was also a member of the 1st Battalion (1st set) and the 1st Company staff (3rd set).
Michael Anthony Zibilich
New Orleans, Louisiana
Mike began his military career some seven years ago when he left Tulane University to join the Marine Corps. A complete control of academics left Mike time to pursue many interests, but we will remember him as an avid golfer. A stalwart on the Navy Chess team, Mike could checkmate the best of them, and as a member of the traveling squad, he spent some enjoyable weekends afield defending the Blue and Gold. The many friends he made at Navy look forward to seeing Mike again in the Fleet, knowing that his capacity and foundation for leadership will have produced a fine officer.
He was also a member of the 1st Battalion (1st set) and the 1st Company staff (3rd set).
Loss
Mike was lost when his A-4 Skyhawk crashed near Luzon Island on September 16, 1963. He was operations officer of Attack Squadron (VA) 163 and was on a training mission from USS Oriskany.
Other Information
He graduated from St. Aloyslus high school in 1943; he attended Tulane for a short period until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1944. He taught marine engineering at the Naval Academy from 1959 to 1962, after serving on the aircraft carriers Princeton, Essex, and Saratoga.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
His father Anthony, a Coast Guard captain, predeceased him. His mother Elmira died in 1978. His sister was Marie, and brothers were Raymond and Anthony. Raymond was a Marine TSgt who participated in exercises with the 3rd Marine Division in the Philippines in 1958. Anthony was a Navy constructionman in the Amphibious Construction Battalion One, Pacific Fleet, in 1963.
His wife was Neyda, and the children were: Neyda, Michael, Anthony, and Emilia. One son was a born July 25, 1960, in Annapolis.
Michael is buried in Louisiana.
Related Articles
Harold Hicks, Jr. '52 was also in the chess club.
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