DWIGHT C. OWINGS, LCDR, USN

Dwight Owings '56

Date of birth: January 20, 1932

Date of death: September 27, 1966

Age: 34

Lucky Bag

From the 1956 Lucky Bag:

DWIGHT CURTIS OWINGS

Sylacauga, Alabama

Dwight, better known by his company mates as "Cowboy," came very near to missing the first trip to Crabtown, because of a schedule conflict with the NROTC Cruise Able. He spent a year at Alabama Polytechnic Institute where he was majoring in chemical engineering. In June of 1954, Cowboy took part in the famous Bermuda sailing regatta. He turned to Battalion wrestling during his Youngster year and grappled successfully on two championship teams. A famed historian on the causes and results of the Civil War, he has never been known to refuse a chance to discuss it. His many close friends were amazed at his consistent easy going pace which was carried through in everything he did.

DWIGHT CURTIS OWINGS

Sylacauga, Alabama

Dwight, better known by his company mates as "Cowboy," came very near to missing the first trip to Crabtown, because of a schedule conflict with the NROTC Cruise Able. He spent a year at Alabama Polytechnic Institute where he was majoring in chemical engineering. In June of 1954, Cowboy took part in the famous Bermuda sailing regatta. He turned to Battalion wrestling during his Youngster year and grappled successfully on two championship teams. A famed historian on the causes and results of the Civil War, he has never been known to refuse a chance to discuss it. His many close friends were amazed at his consistent easy going pace which was carried through in everything he did.

Loss

Dwight was lost on September 27, 1966 when the A-6 Intruder attack jet he was piloting crashed into the Chesapeake Bay.

Other Information

From USNA '56:

Dwight Owings, known as “Cowboy” to his company mates, was an Alabaman and Civil War buff who entered the Academy on a senatorial appointment following a year as a reserve midshipman at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn). At USNA, Dwight showed superior leadership potential, serving as 6th Battalion Operations Officer first class year.
After earning his Navy wings, he flew with Attack Squadron 93 based in Alameda before reporting to Test Pilot School at Patuxent River in 1962. As a project pilot, he participated in testing the Navy’s newest aircraft. Following an assistant navigator tour on the carrier FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT, Dwight returned to flying attack aircraft. His flying proficiency and well-respected officer qualities led to his selection as a candidate for Astronaut. In 1965 Dwight was cited in Naval Aviation News for making the 142,000th carrier landing in a jet attack aircraft. LCDR Owings was serving with Attack Squadron 42 based in Oceana, VA when he was killed in an A-6 Intruder explosion over the Chesapeake Bay in 1966.
His widow, Patricia Ann Bailey lives in Virginia Beach. Their children are Curtis and Mary Christine. He has three sisters and a brother still living in his hometown of Sylacauga, AL. Several nieces and nephews in Alabama also remember him fondly. Dwight’s son Curtis and his niece Carole Jones Newman generously contributed to this bio. His family and classmates salute his service to the nation.

Dwight is buried in Virginia.