LCDR David J. Carey

Naval Aviator Wings


Lieutenant Commander DAvid J. Carey left Jeannette, Pennsylvania to enter the Naval Academy, where he received his Bachelor of Science in 1964. He received his wings in March, 1966, and reported to Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, to fly the A-4's with Va-163. They deployed in June 1967, and he was shot down by a SAM near Hiaphong on 31 August 1967. Upon returning to the United States in March, 1973, he went to Flight Refresher Training at Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Texas, and was the assigned to VF-126 as Safety and Operations Officer. He reported aboard VC-7 in January, 1977.

LCDR Carey has accumulated 1630 flight hours during his career, 1330 of which are in the A-4 aircraft. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, five Bronze Stars, six Air Medals and the Purple Heart.

Lcdr Carey is married to the former Karen Nelson of Walnut Creek, California. They have two children, Jeffrey and Alyssa.