NILE R. KRAFT, LT, USN

Nile Kraft '69

Date of birth: April 28, 1947

Date of death: February 22, 1977

Age: 29

Lucky Bag

From the 1969 Lucky Bag:

NILE ROGERS KRAFT

Gilman, Illinois

Nile graduated from Gilman High School, Gilman, Illinois in 1965 and during his senior year was also a member of the Naval Air Reserves. A month after graduation the boy "from down on the farm" reported to the Naval Academy and during the next four years, not only broadened his naval training and his sports horizons, but also his academic prowess. He was a member of the Scuba Club and the Public Relations Club, spending many Saturday afternoons during the fall in the pressbox at Navy football games as a statistician to avoid march-ons. Upon graduation Nile will enter the fleet and become a very fine and capable officer.

He was also a member of the 2nd Regiment staff (fall).

NILE ROGERS KRAFT

Gilman, Illinois

Nile graduated from Gilman High School, Gilman, Illinois in 1965 and during his senior year was also a member of the Naval Air Reserves. A month after graduation the boy "from down on the farm" reported to the Naval Academy and during the next four years, not only broadened his naval training and his sports horizons, but also his academic prowess. He was a member of the Scuba Club and the Public Relations Club, spending many Saturday afternoons during the fall in the pressbox at Navy football games as a statistician to avoid march-ons. Upon graduation Nile will enter the fleet and become a very fine and capable officer.

He was also a member of the 2nd Regiment staff (fall).

Shipmate

From the May 1977 issue of Shipmate:

Lt. Nile Rogers Kraft USN, a member of the Naval Flight Demonstration Team, died on 22 February 1977 in an aircraft accident near El Centro, California. Mass of Christian Burial and interment were held at Arlington National Cemetery.
Entering the Naval Academy after a period of service with the Naval Air Reserve, he was graduated in the Class of 1969 with a degree in weapons systems engineering. Flight training followed and he was designated naval aviator in December 1970, thereupon reporting to NAS Lemoore to begin training in the A7-E Corsair II. He later joined VA-192 and compiled a record of 223 combat missions flown and 333 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations included two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 26 Air Medals (three of which were for individual action), 8 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V, 2 Navy Unit Commendations, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and service and campaign medals. In March 1974 he returned to VA-122 as an instructor pilot, then joined the Blue Angels in October 1975. His first duties were as narrator of the maneuvers of the team, then he began his training to become Blue Angel number 6, one of the two opposing solos. This training included the winter flight session at the Naval Parachute Test Center, El Centro.
He is survived by his widow, Cathy, of Pensacola FL, and his parents, Capt. (Ret.) and Mrs. Elmer Kraft, of Gilman IL.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

A 1965 graduate of Gilman High School, he participated in: Band 1, 2, 3, 4, Vice Pres. 3, Dance Band (trombone) 2, 3, 4; Student Council 1; French Club 1, 2; Basketball 1, 2, 3, 4; Football 1, 2, 3, 4, Captain 4; Class Pres. 2; Lettermen’s Club 2, 3; Annual 3, 4, Co-Editor 4; National Honor Society 3, 4, Vice Pres. 4; Senior Play “Ask Any Girl.”
Class Will: do will and so forth to Mr. Samide two elusive points and one autographed copy of my new book, HOW TO BE A BASKETBALL STAR IN FIVE EASY LESSONS.
Class Prophecy: Nile, a frustrated unemployed actor, has just been turned down for the star part of double-O-nothing because of fat thumbs.
In June 1965, Nile was named an alternate to the Naval Academy by Rep. Leslie C. Arends (R.)
In June 1968, he served as an usher at Ensign Jack Martin’s (’69) wedding. His future wife, Cathy Griner, played organ music at this ceremony. Other ushers were: Ensigns John O’Brien (‘69,) H. Keith Haynard, and Richard Young (‘69.)
He married Catherine Griner on December 12, 1970, in the Community United Methodist Church in Circleville, Ohio. At that time, he was a pilot serving with Attack Squadron 122 at the Naval Air Station, Lemoore. His father served as best man, and ushers were Lts. George Tzavaras (‘69,) G. L. Murrel, and William Grant.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From the Green Bay Press Gazette on June 24, 1976
From the Pensacola News Journal on February 23, 1977
From the Orlando Sentinel on March 1, 1977
From the May 1977 issue of Shipmate

NILE R. KRAFT, LT, USN

Nile Kraft '69

Lucky Bag

NILE ROGERS KRAFT

NILE ROGERS KRAFT

Shipmate

Other Information

Photographs

Other Articles