JONATHAN B. NOLAN, LT, USN

Jonathan Nolan '91

Date of birth: August 25, 1969

Date of death: May 27, 1998

Age: 28

Lucky Bag

From the 1991 Lucky Bag:

Jonathan Bennett Nolan

Liverpool, New York

Jon Nolan arrived at USNA from Syracuse well fed and bursting with knowledge (unfortunately, none of it professional). He spent his plebe year on the crew team, basketball team, and around the hall dressed like an upperclass greeting his classmates from the other regiment. He got his orders for the Club and arrived three months later in a (HUGE) U-Haul. As I helped him unload his argyle socks, ointments, creams, powders, and his CD collection (all circa 1975), I knew I was in for a real treat. I spent the next three years showing Jon how unimportant academics really are: racing to finish the NS final; who could study the least and still pass EE. Jon spent many nights awake through, finishing aero labs, and writing his girlfriends from around the world via NATS. Our afternoon workout sessions soon became rack sessions. ("You turn off the lights"), and our pull-up bar inevitably became a clothes rack. I'll never forget our Spring Breaks (bug juice and gelato), and numerous trips to steerage. May your eyebrow (singular) and lovely skirt continue to attract the ladies, and as you leave the Victor airways to fly jets, please remember to keep your missiles away from my ship. Thor

Jonathan Bennett Nolan

Liverpool, New York

Jon Nolan arrived at USNA from Syracuse well fed and bursting with knowledge (unfortunately, none of it professional). He spent his plebe year on the crew team, basketball team, and around the hall dressed like an upperclass greeting his classmates from the other regiment. He got his orders for the Club and arrived three months later in a (HUGE) U-Haul. As I helped him unload his argyle socks, ointments, creams, powders, and his CD collection (all circa 1975), I knew I was in for a real treat. I spent the next three years showing Jon how unimportant academics really are: racing to finish the NS final; who could study the least and still pass EE. Jon spent many nights awake through, finishing aero labs, and writing his girlfriends from around the world via NATS. Our afternoon workout sessions soon became rack sessions. ("You turn off the lights"), and our pull-up bar inevitably became a clothes rack. I'll never forget our Spring Breaks (bug juice and gelato), and numerous trips to steerage. May your eyebrow (singular) and lovely skirt continue to attract the ladies, and as you leave the Victor airways to fly jets, please remember to keep your missiles away from my ship. Thor

Loss

Jonathan was lost on May 27, 1998 when his F/A-18 Hornet crashed during an exercise near Fallon, Nevada. He was a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37.

From the Reno Gazette-Journal on May 29, 1998:

Lt. Greg Hicks, a spokesman …. said Nolan's plane and another FA-18 from his squadron were flying in close air support training Wednesday night when the crash occurred. Close air support typically involves airplanes flying in support of ground troops. In this instance, Hicks said ground personnel were in the area.
Although unexploded ordnance is in the area, the airplanes were not carrying live ammunition, bombs or missiles, he said. They were dropping dummy bombs made of concrete.
Helicopters were on scene about two hours after the crash, homing in on the crash site through an emergency transmitter activated when the plane crashed. Hicks said.
The airplane flying with Nolan circled the site after the crash, he said.
Some flight operations continued normally at the air base Thursday, but all of the Bravo 19 area was closed because of the investigation.
Nolan's unit, Strike Fighter Squadron 37, did not fly Thursday. The squadron of 10 to 12 planes is based at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla., and part of Carrier Air Wing 3 assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, based in Norfolk, Va.

Shipmate

Via USNA '91:

I regret to inform you that a fellow shipmate, the strongest link in the chain in the Class of 1991, has died in the line of duty, serving his country and for America's freedom. Lieutenant Jon Nolan was killed on 27 May 1998 in a tragic accident during a night strike mission in Fallon, NV, when his F/A-18C crashed in the desert.
Jonathan Bennett Nolan was born on 25 August 1969 in Syracuse, NY. A native of Syracuse, he graduated from Christian Brothers High School before entering the Naval Academy. While at the Academy, Jon spent the majority of his time in the halls of "Club 34," until graduating as an Aerospace Engineer in 1991.
After commissioning, Jon was attached to Topgun at NAS Miramar in San Diego, CA. He began his flight training in Pensacola in June 1992, with follow on orders to jet training in Kingsville, TX. He earned his "Wings of Gold" in September of 1994 and was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 for F/A-18C Hornet training. Jon reported to the "Ragin Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron 37 at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, FL in September 1995. Assigned as the Avionics/Armament Division Officer, as well as additional duties as Landing Signals Officer, he completed preparations for deployment with VFA-37.
Jon deployed on board Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in November 1996 for Joint Task Group 97-1 to the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Ocean, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. He participated actively in Operation Southern Watch and Determined Guard over the skies of Iraq and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most notably, he enjoyed every bit of the ten port visits and seven countries.
Jon, or "Bass" as he was known to his fellow pilots, will be deeply missed; but more than that, he will always be remembered - his larger than life attitude, his quick wit, his strong faith in God, his love for flying Hornets around the carrier, his honesty, his meals of Slim Fast and salad, his ability to be a true friend, his willingness to give to others and share in so many ways, and most of all for his many laughs. You lived life to the fullest, my friend, and now for you it's only getting better. Save me a seat. We'll miss you brother! Strapping in, pressing on and keeping the faith, like we know you'd want us to. Your friends . . .
Jon is survived by his parents, Thomas and Patricia of Syracuse, NY; his brothers, Robert, Chris and Kevin and his grandfather, Walter Lewczak.
Rob Turner, July-August 1998

He is buried in New York.

Career

From Heroes of the United States Naval Academy:

Upon graduation, Ensign Nolan was assigned temporary duty to the “Top Gun” school at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.
In June 1992, Ensign Nolan began his flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola.
In 1993, LTJG Nolan was assigned jet training at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.
On September 1994, LTJG earned his "Wings of Gold."
LTJG Nolan was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) “Gladiators” for F/A-18C Hornet training.
In September 1995, LTJG Nolan was assigned to the “Bulls” or "Ragin Bulls" of Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37) at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida. LTJG Nolan was assigned as the Avionics/Armament Division Officer, as well as additional duties as Landing Signals Officer.
In November 1996, Lieutenant Nolan, or “Bass” as he was known to his fellow pilots, deployed on board aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) for Joint Task Group 97-1 to the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Ocean, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. He participated actively in Operation Southern Watch and Determined Guard over the skies of Iraq and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most notably, he enjoyed every bit of the ten port visits and seven countries.
At the time of the crash, Lieutenant Nolan's unit, Strike Fighter Squadron 37, was based at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida, and part of Carrier Air Wing 3 assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65), based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Lieutenant Noland was not married.
Lieutenant Nolan is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt New York, Section 82.