MARK S. GONTKOVIC, LTJG, USN
Mark Gontkovic '76
Lucky Bag
From the 1976 Lucky Bag:
MARK STEPHEN GONTKOVIC
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Whether falling out of the 'vator after a good Friday night or unleashing shaving cream bomb and peanut butter destruction on deserving members of "Skate 28" Mark always kept things lively up on 6-4. A physical education major with a party minor, and several study halls in Oceanography, Gonk always made sure that his "spirit" activities didn't interfere with his two most successful and favorite pastimes — playing baseball and marching E.D. Besides MacDonalds and the Anthony House his favorite place is his hometown, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the All-American city. There he developed Steeler-mania, a taste for Iron City Beer, and a tapered cranium. Canoe U. is certain to lose with Gonk's departure, but his arrival in Pensacola will assure that Naval Aviation will never be quite the same. AER-Aer, FLY NAVY!
MARK STEPHEN GONTKOVIC
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Whether falling out of the 'vator after a good Friday night or unleashing shaving cream bomb and peanut butter destruction on deserving members of "Skate 28" Mark always kept things lively up on 6-4. A physical education major with a party minor, and several study halls in Oceanography, Gonk always made sure that his "spirit" activities didn't interfere with his two most successful and favorite pastimes — playing baseball and marching E.D. Besides MacDonalds and the Anthony House his favorite place is his hometown, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the All-American city. There he developed Steeler-mania, a taste for Iron City Beer, and a tapered cranium. Canoe U. is certain to lose with Gonk's departure, but his arrival in Pensacola will assure that Naval Aviation will never be quite the same. AER-Aer, FLY NAVY!
Loss
Tony was lost on December 6, 1979 when the A-6E Intruder he was piloting crashed in the Mediterranean during practice bombing run at the Avgo Ni Si training range in Crete. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 35, operating from USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Other Information
From the March 1980 issue of Shipmate:
Lt.Jg) Mark Stephen Gontkovic USN was killed in the crash of his A-6 Intruder aircraft in the Mediterranean Sea off the island of Avgo Nisi, north of Crete, on 6 December 1979. Lt.(jg) Anthony J. Bilotti USN '77, the naval fight officer, was also lost in the crash. The plane was operating off the carrier NIMITZ. Memorial services for the two officers held on board NIMITZ on 7 December 1979 at sea.
Lt.(jg) Gontkovic, a native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School at Bainbridge, Maryland, prior to joining the Class of 1976 at the Naval Academy. Upon graduation from the Academy he was ordered to Pensacola to commence flight training, then completed this training at Beeville, Texas, and was awarded his naval aviator's wings in January 1978. He later was assigned to VA-42 at Virginia Beach, Virginia, for training in the Intruder. Upon completion of this training and designation as an attack pilot he joined Attack Squadron 35, also serving as the squadron's legal officer.
He is survived by his widow Nancy, and his mother, Mrs. Ann Gontkovic.
From The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) on May 4, 1980:
On Dec. 6 ... an A6 Navy bomber from the Nimitz was practicing bombing runs with live ammunition on a NATO range just northeast of Crete. Navy investigators still haven't determined the cause, but suddenly Lt. (j.g. ) Mark Gontkovic's medium-weight bomber blew up in midair. Both Gontkovic and bombardier Anton Bilotti were killed instantly.
From Heroes of the United States Naval Academy:
Mark Stephen Gontkovic was born September 7, 1953 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Joseph A. and Ann (Chamer) Gontkovic. In 1971, he graduated from Richland Township High School and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Bainbridge, Maryland. In 1973, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy by the Secretary of the Navy. Midshipman Gontkovic was a Navy three year letterman in Baseball. Midshipman Gontkovic graduated 526 of 830 midshipman from the United States Naval Academy on June 2, 1976. Midshipman Gontkovic’s service selection was Naval Air.
In 1976, Ensign Gontkovic was assigned under instruction at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
In 1977, Ensign Gontkovic was assigned to Naval Air Station Beeville, Texas for jet training.
In January 1978, LTJG Gontkovic was designated Naval Aviator earning his Wings of Gold.
In 1978, LTJG Gontkovic was assigned to replacement air group training in the A-6 Intruder assigned to Attack Squadron 42 (VA-42) “Green Pawns” at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
In 1978 LTJG Gontkovic was assigned as a pilot and Legal Officer to Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35).
On April 11, 1979, LTJG Bilotti was assigned to Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35), “Black Panthers” flying the A-6E Intruder at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach Virginia.
Mark has a memorial marker at the Saint John Gualbert Roman Catholic Cemetery in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Photographs
From Heroes of the United States Naval Academy
Remembrances
From Facebook in November 2024 in response to a post from Mark's sister, JoAnne:
Played basketball, baseball, tag, nearly every day with Mark while growing up in the most awesome neighborhood in Richland. Mark and I drove to our Junior League baseball games every day together during his time off during the summer. What a remarkable "Man's Man," as my dad called him. I enjoyed going to your house to eat lunch along with Rick Costanzo. Your mom was so nice to us! I met you a couple of times when you came home for a visit. I miss your awe-inspiring brother! Daniel Sichak
I played sports with Mark all through our days at St. Benedict's and then baseball in the summer with Highland Boosters. He was a great athlete and a one-of-a-kind friend. Tom Shertzer
I graduated from Richland with Mark, he was an outstanding guy. I still remember the sadness I felt when hearing of his accident. He is sadly missed. 😢 Donald Gindlesperger
I also graduated with Mark. Played a lot of baseball and golf with Mark. He was a fantastic and humble person. I was quite shocked when I heard of the crash. I think I still have a newspaper clipping about the crash. I remember your Mom, sweet lady. Still miss him! Mike Rightnour
Mark was older than me but I remember him, played football - quarterback, if I remember correctly. He was well-liked and respected by everyone that knew him. Delivered the newspaper for a while. Remember how saddened we were when we heard about his death. Bill Keiser
The video of the Naval Academy Alumni Association's Honor Our Fallen Heroes weekend for 2016 includes Mark's brother Charles.
Related Articles
Anthony Bilotti '77 was also lost in this crash.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
