CARL L. DOUGHTIE, LTJG, USN
Carl Doughtie '63
Lucky Bag
From the 1963 Lucky Bag:
CARL LOUIS DOUGHTIE
Tarboro, North Carolina
Hailing from the tobacco land of North Carolina, Carl came to the Naval Academy after a year at North Carolina State. With this background, plebe academics posed no major problems until he met the Foreign Languages Department. The successful completion of two years of Spanish was Carl's proudest accomplishment, bringing him just a little closer toward winning his "Wings of Gold." Active in the intramural sports program, Carl was a mainstay on the company soccer and football teams. As a member of the Reception Committee and the Log and Splinter Staff, he could always be counted upon to do an outstanding job, and he was a welcome addition to the many football game parties held at the Sheraton in Philadelphia. His profound love of water skiing took him home at every available opportunity. A true gentleman in the strictest sense, Carl's combination of ability and desire have no other choice but to lead him along the path of success.
CARL LOUIS DOUGHTIE
Tarboro, North Carolina
Hailing from the tobacco land of North Carolina, Carl came to the Naval Academy after a year at North Carolina State. With this background, plebe academics posed no major problems until he met the Foreign Languages Department. The successful completion of two years of Spanish was Carl's proudest accomplishment, bringing him just a little closer toward winning his "Wings of Gold." Active in the intramural sports program, Carl was a mainstay on the company soccer and football teams. As a member of the Reception Committee and the Log and Splinter Staff, he could always be counted upon to do an outstanding job, and he was a welcome addition to the many football game parties held at the Sheraton in Philadelphia. His profound love of water skiing took him home at every available opportunity. A true gentleman in the strictest sense, Carl's combination of ability and desire have no other choice but to lead him along the path of success.
Obituary
via USNA Class of 1963:
On Lieutenant Carl Doughtie's 10th mission as a Navy carrier pilot flying missions over North Vietnam in June 1965, his jet was hit by a surface-to-air missile and plunged into a mountainside. For more than 32 years, Doughtie was officially an MIA. Then in late 1997, the crash site was found. DNA testing was done on the remains.
Then, November 10, 1998 Doughtie's parents, Marjorie and Carl Doughtie formally were notified the remains were their son's. Lieutenant Doughtie was buried February 26, 1999 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Doughtie, 24, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1963 and got his Navy wings in December 1964. He was shot down just two weeks after reporting to the carrier Midway.
He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Note: His aircraft was not a jet, and he was not shot down by a surface-to-air missile.
Remembrances
from USNA Class of 1963:
Today I buried a good friend, a classmate, and a patriot at the Arlington National Cemetery. The band played, the horse drawn caisson carried his remains to the grave side, the rifles fired, and all flights at National Airport were suspended as four F-14 Tomcat fighter jets passed overhead in final salute to a fallen comrade. Yes, he was finally home.
Lt. Carl L. Doughtie, USN, Annapolis class of 1963, was shot down in his A-1 Skyraider in 1965 in Vietnam. He was the first of too many Naval Academy graduates to be killed in that war. He laid in his shallow secret jungle grave until being found in November, 1998. For over thirty three years his parents and family mourned, his saddened classmates remembered him, and everyone pondered his fate.
Now, through misty eyes on this brilliant sunny afternoon, I watched the folded flag presented to Carl's mom. Her shoulders were shaking as Carl's dad drew her close to him. My classmates, aging warrior veterans of Vietnam, the Cold War, and Desert Storm, stood at rigid attention; most doing their best to cover my tears with their own.
From the east they came, roaring in at 400 knots. Dots on the horizon at first; then bigger, bigger. When they were overhead one sleek F-14 broke from the other three and roared heavenward, rolling 360 degrees in a sign of victory.
Duty, Honor, Country. A forever young 24 year-old fighter pilot spent the final moments of his life providing close air support to protect his fellow Americans. He didn't have to go. But from his family and others Carl learned and embraced values of commitment, hard work and follow through that are the foundation of Duty, Honor, Country.
In spite of his youth, Carl Doughtie made a difference. He gave his life to protect other young Americans who were in great danger. These are the values that I want to pass on to my children. These are the values that I want America's leaders to have. Today, and for the past thirty-three years, Carl has reminded us -- Duty, Honor, Country. Craig Thrasher
From Find A Grave:
After the memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery, we had a reception at the Army/Navy Country Club. Pat Cecil '60 , Carl's firstie, gave the first "eulogy" and I did the second. I told some of the more ribald stories and adventures Carl and I had experienced. I noticed a sense of disbelief in his parents' faces, but the laughter and cheers by his classmates and friends showed his parents the love we all had for Carl. I miss him greatly. From a friend, Jeff Niss [email protected]
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Carl Louis Doughtie, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an aircraft in Attack Squadron TWENTY-FIVE (VA-25), aboard U.S.S. MIDWAY (CVA-41), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in North Vietnam on 10 June 1965. Participating in a mission against the Than Hoi power plant, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Doughtie pressed home damaging attacks in the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, which ultimately cost him his life. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (August 1966)
Action Date: June 10, 1965
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25)
Division: U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41)
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
