PHILLIP C. BRAINERD, LTJG, USN
Phillip Brainerd '56
Lucky Bag
From the 1956 Lucky Bag:
PHILLIP CARL BRAINERD
Norfolk, Virginia
From Oklahoma University, Phil came to the Academy to be identified at his approach by the sounds of heavy heels scraping across the deck. With a distant gleam in his eyes, a pleasant smile, and a positive personality, Phil seemed to be able to break the spell of any four N day. Through four years he proved a superior credit to the sport of wrestling, and to those for whom he fought. While drags interested him frequently, Phil never conquered his joy at being chosen as one of the "Cover Boys" for "Seventeen" magazine.
PHILLIP CARL BRAINERD
Norfolk, Virginia
From Oklahoma University, Phil came to the Academy to be identified at his approach by the sounds of heavy heels scraping across the deck. With a distant gleam in his eyes, a pleasant smile, and a positive personality, Phil seemed to be able to break the spell of any four N day. Through four years he proved a superior credit to the sport of wrestling, and to those for whom he fought. While drags interested him frequently, Phil never conquered his joy at being chosen as one of the "Cover Boys" for "Seventeen" magazine.
Loss
Phillip was lost on March 17, 1959 when his F9F Panther jet crashed near Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. He was attached to Advanced Training Unit 202 in Kingsville.
Other Information
From USNA '56:
Following graduation, Phil served in USS Moale (DD-693) for one year. Phil was lost when his F9F Panther jet crashed during his final phase of advanced flight training at NAS Kingsville, Texas.
Phil came from a proud Navy family. His Dad served as a mustang LCDR in the Supply Corps. Phil’s brothers are both USNA graduates: John in ’55, and George in ’59. Phil was the only undefeated member of the wrestling team his First Class year. He stood first in the Physical Training course. Selected by “Seventeen” magazine to represent Naval Academy midshipmen, Phil was featured on the front page in his Midshipman uniform. [Photograph below]
Phil’s remains were escorted home by classmate Duane Barnhart, who was in advanced flight training with Phil. He is buried with his parents in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno CA, South of San Francisco. Phil is survived by his brother George, sister Alice, sister-in-law Roberta (brother John’s widow), twelve nieces and nephews, and nineteen grand nieces and nephews.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In March 1949 he was a football player and a 127 pound wrestler at Norview High School. In February 1951, he was 154 pound wrestler at the state interscholastic wrestling championship in Charlottesville, Virginia.
He and his brother John graduated from Falls Church High School in 1951. “Phil”—Norfolk, Va. 1-2-3; Football guard 4; Track 4; F.C.H.S. Representative in State Wrestling Meet 4.
Phillip was selected as an alternate for entry into the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in May 1952.
He is buried in California.
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag
From The Virginian Pilot on July 11, 1953
John and Phillip.
Phil and John from their 1951 high school yearbook
Phil and John from the Ledger Star on January 20, 1950
From the November 1954 issue of "Seventeen" magazine. (It's unclear which Midshipman is Phillip, but the far left his classmate Robert Scanlon.)
Related Articles
Phil's brother, John Brainerd '55, was lost in an aircraft crash almost exactly a year and a half later.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.