BRUCE H. PURVIS, LTJG, USN
Bruce Purvis '57
Lucky Bag
From the 1957 Lucky Bag:
BRUCE HANSON PURVIS
Vale, Oregon
The plains of Eastern Oregon claimed Bruce. He came to the Academy from Boise Junior College and Oregon State College where he majored in geology. Bruce found that, with his college experience, academics were not too much of a trial and that just a little well-applied effort could bring favorable results. This left Bruce with ample time for company and batt soccer. Bruce found that life at Navy Tech was not so had after all, as long as he had time for enjoying his fine collection of classical records, reading the latest novel or spending weekend liberty in Virginia.
BRUCE HANSON PURVIS
Vale, Oregon
The plains of Eastern Oregon claimed Bruce. He came to the Academy from Boise Junior College and Oregon State College where he majored in geology. Bruce found that, with his college experience, academics were not too much of a trial and that just a little well-applied effort could bring favorable results. This left Bruce with ample time for company and batt soccer. Bruce found that life at Navy Tech was not so had after all, as long as he had time for enjoying his fine collection of classical records, reading the latest novel or spending weekend liberty in Virginia.
Loss
Bruce was lost on March 24, 1960 when his FJ-4B Fury aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from USS Hancock while operating off the northern California coast. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 216, part of Air Group 21.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Bruce married Alice Louise Jordan on June 15, 1957 in Norfolk. Their daughter Laurel was born on February 29, 1960 at Milpitas, California. She was christened at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in April. He was also survived by his father James Joseph, mother Wylla Nadine (nee Hanson), and sister Mildred (Mrs. Richard Cox.)
He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.
Related Articles
Ejnar Thompson '44 was lost while operating from Hancock on the same day in a separate incident.
Charles Swope '57 and Dwight Worrell '57 were also in 15th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
