GABRIEL HERNANDEZ, LTJG, USNR
Gabriel Hernandez '70
Lucky Bag
From the 1970 Lucky Bag:
GABRIEL HERNANDEZ, JR.
Panama City, Panama
Gabe attacked the Naval Academy flying the colors of his many flags. However, the executive department was unimpressed. Mr. Sunshine broke all records for good deals and was in top contention for the coveted bronze banana at graduation. Gabe was widely renowned for his ability to march, get out of step with himself, and start his own applause at the same time. He was a demon for physical fitness and when not sailing or squeezing them off at the rifle range, he worked out daily yawning. Never known as a slash, Gabe nevertheless always seemed to come up with sufficient gravy to keep away from the Green Table. Gabe's major personality trait was a sheathed sense of humor which, when revealed, could be devastatingly sarcastic. Upon graduation, Gabe plans to return to his native Panama, where he will audit courses in Beach dynamics, Latin American biology, and Vintage fluids at the college of non-commitment.
GABRIEL HERNANDEZ, JR.
Panama City, Panama
Gabe attacked the Naval Academy flying the colors of his many flags. However, the executive department was unimpressed. Mr. Sunshine broke all records for good deals and was in top contention for the coveted bronze banana at graduation. Gabe was widely renowned for his ability to march, get out of step with himself, and start his own applause at the same time. He was a demon for physical fitness and when not sailing or squeezing them off at the rifle range, he worked out daily yawning. Never known as a slash, Gabe nevertheless always seemed to come up with sufficient gravy to keep away from the Green Table. Gabe's major personality trait was a sheathed sense of humor which, when revealed, could be devastatingly sarcastic. Upon graduation, Gabe plans to return to his native Panama, where he will audit courses in Beach dynamics, Latin American biology, and Vintage fluids at the college of non-commitment.
Biography & Loss
From Ed Moore '70 and Gary Vine '70 via email on November 1, 2018:
Gabriel Hernandez was born on June 28, 1948 as a citizen of Panama and received an appointment to the US Naval Academy in 1966. His parents resided in Panama City, Panama and while he was at the Academy Gabe spent much of his free time with his Uncle and Aunt’s family in the Washington, DC area. Gabe graduated June 3, 1970 as a member of the 27th Company. Everyone anticipated that Gabe would return to his native Panama upon graduation, but he accepted an appointment in the US Naval Reserve and went to flight school in Pensacola, FL.
Gabe lost his life on March 15, 1973 when an S-2 Tracker aircraft crashed around 4:00 PM at the Naval Air Station, Glynco, GA, which took the lives of both aviators on board. The S-2 Tracker was on a routine training mission, when it apparently developed engine trouble on approach to the Glynco runway and burst into flames on impact south of the main runway. The pilot was LCDR Frederick Butler and LTjg Gabriel Hernandez was a crew member. At the time of his death, Gabe resided at St. Simons Island, GA.
Memorial Services were held at Chapel in the Pines in Glynco, GA and Gabe’s internment was conducted in his native Panama. Gabe was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Hernandez of Panama City, Panama; an Aunt; Antoinette Diemer of Bowie, MD; and a cousin Roberta Diemer of Roseburg, OR.
Photographs
Gabriel, far left, with his high school JROTC unit
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