THOMAS P. LANGE, LT, USN
Thomas Lange '67
Lucky Bag
From the 1967 Lucky Bag:
THOMAS PAUL LANGE
Toledo, Ohio
Tom came to the Naval Academy from Toledo, Ohio, where he graduated from Macomber Vocational High School. Before leaving Toledo, Tom managed to finish one year of college at Toledo University. While an ROTC cadet there, Tom's military bearing was so great that he figured the only natural place for him would be the Naval Academy. Since hockey, Tom's forte, is not offered at Navy, he has made minor adjustments and taken up soccer, fieldball, and lacrosse. His determination and drive have made him one of the toughest competitors on the sports field. Tom has had little trouble with academics except for Second Class year when he became acquainted with every member of the Science Department. Tom's most outstanding characteristic is his easygoing nature.
He was also a member of the 13th Company staff (spring).
THOMAS PAUL LANGE
Toledo, Ohio
Tom came to the Naval Academy from Toledo, Ohio, where he graduated from Macomber Vocational High School. Before leaving Toledo, Tom managed to finish one year of college at Toledo University. While an ROTC cadet there, Tom's military bearing was so great that he figured the only natural place for him would be the Naval Academy. Since hockey, Tom's forte, is not offered at Navy, he has made minor adjustments and taken up soccer, fieldball, and lacrosse. His determination and drive have made him one of the toughest competitors on the sports field. Tom has had little trouble with academics except for Second Class year when he became acquainted with every member of the Science Department. Tom's most outstanding characteristic is his easygoing nature.
He was also a member of the 13th Company staff (spring).
Loss
Thomas was lost on August 7, 1970 when the OV-1 Bronco he was piloting crashed while practicing touch-and-goes at Naval Air Station North Island, California. He was the student pilot; the instructor was also killed. (Link has an extensive account by eyewitnesses.)
Other Information
From the November 1970 issue of Shipmate:
Born in Toledo, Ohio, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1967. His first orders were to the USS LOFBERG and, while aboard her, he deployed to Vietnam. After returning to the United States he entered flight training at Pensacola and completed Advanced Jet Training in June 1970.
At the time of Lt. Lange's accident he was a student at VS-41, North Island, preparing to deploy to VAL-4, home based in Binh Thuy, Vietnam.
He is survived by his widow, Wendy Dombroff Lange, 1482 San Altos Place, Lemon Grove, CA 92045 and his parents.
Thomas is buried in California.
Photographs
From the November 1970 issue of Shipmate.
Remembrances
From the Class of 1967's 50th Reunion Yearbook, courtesy of William Belden '67:
Coming from the northwest corner of Ohio with one year of ROTC and the University of Toledo, Tom was fully prepared for the rigors of USNA. Tom’s roommate from first class year, Ken Barausky, remembers him as a determined and driven individual who still had plenty of time for good times and liberty. Tom did very well in academics and led the 13th Company to a number of Brigade Championships in Soccer and Fieldball. Tom went to the USS Lofberg for one year following graduation and then reported to Flight Training in 1968. While in flight training he and Ken were able to reconnect for a flight in a T-28 out of Whiting Field. It was a day of memories.
At the time of his death on 7 August 1970, Tom was a student in VS-41 preparing to deploy to VAL-4 based in Vietnam. He was survived by his widow, Wendy Dombroff Lange and his parents.
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