Then soon to be Ens D.A. McRae from the USNA Class of 1962 Lucky Bag.
January 5th 1939 - March 1st 1991
David McRae was born on January 5, 1939, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Mac and Sally McRae.
Growing up in Deephaven, Minnesota provided Dave a wonderful environment. Dave started wearing uniforms at a very young age. He started in Cub Scouts at about 7 or 8 and continued through Boy Scouts, eventually earning the Eagle Scout Award. He developed a strong interest in Native American Indian History and made a totem pole in the front yard which was later donated to the camp on Enchanted Island, Lake Minnetonka. Dave also made a full Indian headdress for one of his projects.
Dave graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1957. He attended Northwestern Prep School before being accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Dave graduated from the United States Naval Avademy in Annapolis in 1962 and was then stationed in Pensacola, FL for his flight training. His first tour of duty was with Fighter Squadron 213 on the U.S.S Kittyhawk off the coast of Vietnam.
Dave recieved expert training in the F4 "Phantom" fighter jet at Miramar Naval Base (Top Gun), San Diego, CA. He later served two more tours of duty in Vietnam; once as flight deck commander on the Coral Sea and again as commander of Squadron RVAH 12 on the Independence. He was affectionately called "Barrel."
During his three tours of duty, Dave flew over 600 combat missions and was awarded numerous air medals; the Silver Star, Gold Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Naval Commendation Medal. While in Brendise, Italy, Dave took command of Squadron RVAH 12 on the Independence.
During Dave's tour of duty as a test pilot in St. Louis, MO, he met and married Jan W. Dave retired from the Navy in 1984 and moved his family to Colorado where he enjoyed the rest of his days with his children until his death from the asthma/heart attack he suffered on March 1st 1991.
Replies
I added a memorial for Barrel on the Find A Grave website here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/258349879/david-a-mcrae
May 13th 1991
Dear Ms. McRae
First let me offer my condolences to your and yoru family on the loss of Commander McRae. Judging from his age I have to suppose that this loss was probably unexpected.
At the request of our mutual acquaintance, Captain Art Skelly, U.S. Navy {Retired}, at approximately 0815 on 11 May 1991, Coast Guard Cutter SITKINAK under the command of Lieutenant Michael Giglio, paused in the vicinity of the sea buoy marking the entrance to Key West harbor, and with off-watch ship's company in attendance Lieutenant Giglio conducted a short service with reading of selections from the 23rd Psalm, the 90th Psalm and the Lord's Prayer, following which Commander McRae's remains were scattered.
In closing, let me once again offer my sincere condolences. I hope our small assistance has been of some help in getting through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
R.W Scobie
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Group