PATRICK W. WILKES, LTJG, USN
Patrick Wilkes '63
Lucky Bag
From the 1963 Lucky Bag:
PATRICK WAYNE WILKES
Barstow, California
Pete took his time getting to the Academy. After graduating from New Mexico Military Institute in 1957, he attended Bullis Prep as his next time-waster. He failed to make it in from Bullis, and so fraternity and college life seemed like the next step. The college turned out to be Arizona State University. This school is well-known for its party life, and Pete was not one to pass up a party. By the end of the first semester he had had enough school. It was while a fireman in Scottsdale, Arizona, that he passed the Academy entrance exams. Plebe year Pat spent most of his time with 150# football and indoor and outdoor track. Pete's final two years were relatively uneventful. He lettered in 150# football and spent some time with the afternoon "drill team." After he makes his service selection, Pete is willing to let the chips fall where they may.
PATRICK WAYNE WILKES
Barstow, California
Pete took his time getting to the Academy. After graduating from New Mexico Military Institute in 1957, he attended Bullis Prep as his next time-waster. He failed to make it in from Bullis, and so fraternity and college life seemed like the next step. The college turned out to be Arizona State University. This school is well-known for its party life, and Pete was not one to pass up a party. By the end of the first semester he had had enough school. It was while a fireman in Scottsdale, Arizona, that he passed the Academy entrance exams. Plebe year Pat spent most of his time with 150# football and indoor and outdoor track. Pete's final two years were relatively uneventful. He lettered in 150# football and spent some time with the afternoon "drill team." After he makes his service selection, Pete is willing to let the chips fall where they may.
Loss
Patrick was lost on November 10, 1965 when the F-4B Phantom II he was piloting crashed off the coast of southern California. The other officer aboard was also killed.
Other Information
From USNA Class of 1963:
An air-sea search for a 26-year old Navy jet pilot from Burbank, presumed lost off the coast of San Diego Wednesday night was called off early today by the Navy. Lt.(jg) Patrick Wilkes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wilkes formerly of Burbank, took off Wednesday night from the carrier Ranger on a routine night patrol with radar intercept officer Lt. Patrick Myers. Navy spokesmen said the carrier lost contact with the plane at 10:20 p.m.
The aircraft's last known position was 50 miles southwest of San Diego just east of San Clemente Island.
A 1963 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Wilkes attended John Muir High School and Burbank High School before his appointment to Annapolis in 1959.
Upon graduation, Wilkes was married to his high school sweetheart, the former Martha Dragna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dragna of 1121 N. Glenoaks Blvd., in Glendale on June 17, 1963.
Wilkes received his airman's wings last March and was scheduled to be transferred for duty in Viet Nam in December. Mrs. Wilkes of Del Mar said early today her husband was "doing what he loved, something he thought was worthwhile. He was looking forward to Viet Nam duty."
Mrs. Wilkes, also 26, is the mother of a 1 1/2-year old daughter and is expecting another child in June. She is a registered nurse.
According to Ranger's log (page 24), they were members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 142; the F-4B they were piloting was last seen at 33°01'N, 118°07.3'W.
Patrick has one memorial marker in California and another in Arizona.
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