The sailor honored was SKGC Henry C. Dillion and he passed on 12 April 1988 following an outstanding Navy career and a long retirement. I don’t have much information on the sailor being honored but, the Captain of the USS Kansas City was a well known aviator who was Commander of Top Gun as well a member of the Blue Angels. You can read more about him below. There are (9) photos, (2) letters, a map of where the remains were laid, and a death certificate in this packet folder. Please review folder for details of this listing, review pictures provided and ask any questions before purchasing. Captain Ernest Edward Christensen, Jr. 13 February 1990 – 21 August 1991. Graduated from the Naval Academy in 1964. Was born in July 1942, in Annapolis, MD, the son of a career naval officer. Following graduation from the U. Naval Academy in June 1964, he entered flight training and received his wings in March, 1966, becoming the first third-generation Naval Aviator. His grandfather took part in the first trans-Atlantic flight in 1919. His father commanded the aircrafter carrier USS Hornet (CVS-12) in 1959-’60 and CarDiv-18 in 1962-’63. Following training in the A-4C Skyhawk aircraft in Lemoore, CA, Capt. Christensen Joined VA-113 and deployed in October, 1966 on the first of his four Vietnam combat cruises aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN-65). In August, 1968, after completing over 200 combat missions over North Vietnam and two cruises aboard USS Enterprise, he was reassigned for duty as an instructor pilot in A-7 aircraft in VA-174 at NAS Cecil Field, FL. In October, 1968, he was selected for duty as a pilot with the Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. Following two years with the Blue Angels, he was transferred to duty flying the F-4 Phantom in VF-142. He completed two additional combat cruises in VF-142 between June 1971 and June 1973. In 1975, following a one-year tour as a student at the Naval War College, where he graduated with highest distinction, Capt. Christensen was ordered to the F-4 fighter training squadron, VF-121, as Operations Officer until screening for command in November, 1977. From April 1978 until June 1981, he served as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of VF-114, flying the F-14A Tomcat. Between July and November, 1981, he served as Operations Officer for Commander, Fighter Early Warning Wing, U. He was selected to command TOPGUN, the Navy Fighter Weapons School, in December, 1981. In August, 1983, he assumed command of CVW-2. He was ordered to the Pentagon in December, 1984, and served first as the Tactical Aircraft analyst, then Deputy Director and for four months as acting Director of the Office of Program Appraisal, the principal military staff advisor to the Secretary of the Navy. Detaching in August, 1986, and following six months of shipboard training, he commanded USS Kansas City (AOR-3) from April 1987 to January 1989. On February 13, 1990, Capt. Christensen became the 27th CO of USS Ranger (CV-61). Christensen has accumulated over 5000 hours in tactical aircraft and over 1000 carrier-arrested landings. He flew 360 combat missions over North Vietnam between 1966 and 1973. His awards include the Legion of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, 27 Air Medals.