LOUIS H. SUGG, LT, USN
Louis Sugg '44
Lucky Bag
From the 1944 Lucky Bag:
Louis Herbert Sugg
Missoula, Montana
"Lou" hails from the wilds of Montana, but after two years in the fleet, he entered the Academy with more salt in his blood than most of us have after three years of studying the lore of King Neptune. A natural sailor, he was "willing and able" when yawl and ketch sailing was proposed. Of course, there were academics, but they never bothered "Lou." He was always pushing the "star men" to their limit. Associate Engraver of the Lucky Bag and an all-around organizer, "Lou" has put his monogram high in the esteem of his classmates. When he goes to the fleet, one will see him at his best.
The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Louis Herbert Sugg
Missoula, Montana
"Lou" hails from the wilds of Montana, but after two years in the fleet, he entered the Academy with more salt in his blood than most of us have after three years of studying the lore of King Neptune. A natural sailor, he was "willing and able" when yawl and ketch sailing was proposed. Of course, there were academics, but they never bothered "Lou." He was always pushing the "star men" to their limit. Associate Engraver of the Lucky Bag and an all-around organizer, "Lou" has put his monogram high in the esteem of his classmates. When he goes to the fleet, one will see him at his best.
The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
From the November 1953 issue of Shipmate:
We regret to report the death of LOUIS HERBERT SUGG in a plane crash off the northeast coast of Spain on 3 September 1953. He is survived by his widow, Irene Cullen Sugg of 146 Chester St. W ., Norfolk, Va., and three children, Dale, Phillip and Kathryn Leigh.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Louis graduated from Missoula County High School in 1938. He was a member of the football team, the Konah staff, Quill and Scroll, orchestra and stage crew, and he was also a boxer. He had two stories published in The Missoulian on June 1, 1938, under his byline. One was about the annual assembly at the school; the other was about the district music festival.
He enlisted in the Navy after high school and received an appointment to the Naval Academy. By then, he had completed nine months of duty aboard the U. S. S. West Virginia.
He married Dosia Irene Callen at the Naval Academy chapel in July 1943.
In April 1946, he became a full lieutenant. He served as an executive officer on a submarine and then transferred to the naval air arm in April, 1947. He received his wings in October, 1948, and was awarded a two-year Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University in England starting in September, 1949. He studied politics, philosophy and history. Achieving the required grades, he was awarded his third year as well. He returned to his family in September, 1952.
His crash was blamed on oxygen trouble while flying at about 32,000 feet. He probably blacked out and never regained consciousness.
Besides his wife Irene, sons Dale and Philip, and daughter Katheryn, he was survived by his father Andrew, a teacher at Missoula County High School, mother Lila, a music teacher, sister Margaret Belle, and brothers Comdr. Howard (non-grad ’39) and Ensign Ross (’52.) Their other brother Max was killed on August 11, 1948, when a light plane he was piloting crashed into a mountain in the Bridger range near Bozeman.
He is listed on the In Memoriam page of the USS Coral Sea (CV 43) 1953 Mediterranean cruise book.
Photographs
From The Missoulian on April 30, 1940
Related Articles
Edward Day '44 was also on the Lucky Bag staff.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
