WILLIAM M. KURLAK, LTJG, USN
William Kurlak '64
Lucky Bag
From the 1964 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM MICHAEL KURLAK
Kailua, Hawaii
Bill
21st Company
Bill, a Navy junior, came to USNA from high school in our 50th state. Although he graduated in Hawaii and calls it home, he is originally from Brooklyn, New York. Plebe year, Bill found lightweight crew to be his sport and spent the rest of his Fall and Spring afternoons on the Severn. Though not a slash, academically, he had no major problem with studies. He managed to spend a good many weekends concentrating on the more pleasant aspects of Academy life. As far as his career goes, Bill has his sights set on a pair of Navy Wings, but with the Silent Service running a very close second.
WILLIAM MICHAEL KURLAK
Kailua, Hawaii
Bill
21st Company
Bill, a Navy junior, came to USNA from high school in our 50th state. Although he graduated in Hawaii and calls it home, he is originally from Brooklyn, New York. Plebe year, Bill found lightweight crew to be his sport and spent the rest of his Fall and Spring afternoons on the Severn. Though not a slash, academically, he had no major problem with studies. He managed to spend a good many weekends concentrating on the more pleasant aspects of Academy life. As far as his career goes, Bill has his sights set on a pair of Navy Wings, but with the Silent Service running a very close second.
Loss
From the January 1967 issue of Shipmate:
Lt.(jg) William M. Kurlak, USN, died on 23 Nov. in an aircraft accident off USS SHANGRI-LA in the Mediterranean. Services were held on board ship, and at the Naval Air Station Chapel, Pensacola, Fla. Interment was in Ft. Barrancas National Cemetery.
Lt. Kurlak, who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., attended Kailua High School in Hawaii before entering the Naval Academy, from where he was graduated in 1964. He was designated a naval aviator in December 1965, and completed advanced training at the Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Tex. He served with Attack Squadron 45, NAS Cecil Field, then in May was assigned assistant avionics and weapons officer with VA-83. He held the National Defense Service Medal.
Survivors include his widow, Mary Jane, and a son Brian Michael, of 303 Savannah, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; and his parents, LCdr. William B. Kurlak, USN (Ret.), and Mrs. Kurlak of 134 Laurel, Gulf Breeze, Fla., temporarily of 4491 Montalvo St., San Diego, Calif., and a sister, Mrs. Mary Plunkett of Spring Valley, Calif.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
William received a Presidential appointment to the Naval Academy.
He married Mary Jane Kapiolani Gearou at the Sierra Chapel in White Sands, New Mexico, on September 5, 1964. He met her while in Kailua, Oahu.
In October 1965, William received the “High Flyer” award at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Kingsville. He compiled a 71 of a possible 80 average grade mark, which placed in the top ten percent of Kingsville-trained pilots.
In December, he qualified for carrier landings aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, operating in the Gulf of Mexico, while undergoing flight training with Training Squadron 21 at Kingsville, Tex. In order to qualify, he had to make six successful takeoffs and landings from the deck of the carrier.
From the Class of 1964 column: "Always remembered will be his quick smile and easy going nature."
He is buried in Florida.
Photographs
From Honolulu Star Bulletin on May 22, 1960
From Pensacola News Journal on December 20, 1965
Related Articles
Robert Bradley '64 was also in 21st Company.
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