WALTHER G. LANGLOH, LT, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Walther Langloh '52

Date of birth: March 22, 1928

Date of death: September 24, 1957

Age: 29

Lucky Bag

From the 1952 Lucky Bag:

1952 Langloh LB.jpg

Walther Gusteav Langloh

Hammond, Indiana

In an able attempt to dodge the draft, Walt signed up with the Fleet in '46. After going through NAPS as an ETM, Walt found a home in Bancroft that was a little different from the carefree days at Hammond, Indiana. Starring at plebe fencing, intramural sports and relaxation, he still found time to have his account checked for the German, Physics, Radio and Photo Clubs. His classmates will always remember Walt as the happy, blond-headed lad with the keen sense of humor. There were plenty of laughs and good times when Walt was with the troops.

1952 Langloh LB.jpg

Walther Gusteav Langloh

Hammond, Indiana

In an able attempt to dodge the draft, Walt signed up with the Fleet in '46. After going through NAPS as an ETM, Walt found a home in Bancroft that was a little different from the carefree days at Hammond, Indiana. Starring at plebe fencing, intramural sports and relaxation, he still found time to have his account checked for the German, Physics, Radio and Photo Clubs. His classmates will always remember Walt as the happy, blond-headed lad with the keen sense of humor. There were plenty of laughs and good times when Walt was with the troops.

Loss

From Arlington Cemetery:

On September 24, 1957, the Essex with VS-36, along with the USS Intrepid, USS Forestall were participating with NATO forces in operation 'Strike Back' with the USS Saratoga serving as flagship. Operation Strike Back was taking place above the Arctic Circle, off the coast of Norway.

In the early hours of that date the Saratoga was recovering aircraft when one of their F4D Skyray in the landing pattern crashed into the sea. The airborne Saratoga aircraft were joined by aircraft from the other vessels in search and rescue effort. S2F-2 aircraft with a crew of four from the VS-36 Squadron aboard the Essex joined in the search. Two of the S2F's collided in mid-air and crashed into the sea. An extensive search for the missing ensued. Press releases reported that 11 airmen were feared missing. … The bodies recovered from the S2F crash site could not be identified so the policy for a group burial was followed.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Walther belonged to the Independence Park Community Club, Indiana, and played the piano at its Christmas party in 1943.

He graduated in 1946 from Hammond High School, Indiana. Activities: Press Club, Automobile Club (promotes driving and safety), Stage Crew and Visual Aids.

In October 1951, Walther was selected to serve as a midshipman ensign at the Naval Academy.

Walther married Frances Louise Klimes on December 27, 1953. Their son William Earl Langloh married in 1977.

In May 1954, Walther received antisubmarine warfare pilot training in a TBM Avenger at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Kingsville, Texas.

In 1940 father Walther, a painter in a motor plant, mother Dorothy, Walther, and his sister Lois lived with their grandparents Gustao and Ella Langloh.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with his crew.


Class of 1952

Walther is one of 50 members of the Class of 1952 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

QR code

The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.