Remembering Greyhawks

30 November 2007 Update:  Navy reports finding remains of LT Betton.

 LT Ryan K. Betton, USN:  Ryan “Tater” Betton was assigned to VAW-120, following a fleet tour with the Liberty Bells of VAW-115, homeported in Japan and assigned to CVW-15 on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).  Ryan, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native and current resident of Suffolk, Virginia, was a 1998 VMI grad, husband of his college sweetheart, Andrea and father to his son who was born shortly after Ryan and Andrea returned to the States in 2005.  Ryan is survived by his wife and son and his parents’ Janice and Walter Betton of Collinsville, VA and by Rick and Paula MacPhee of Spring Hill, FL and by his grandmother, Iris MacPhee of Hudson, FL.   Ryan’s survivors have provided the following statement:

“The Betton family is deeply saddened by the recent tragedy and wishes to extend their most sincere sympathies to the other officers’ families impacted.  The family is proud and honored for the years Ryan was able to serve his country in the United States Navy.  We stand in strong support of our countries service men and women and the sacrifices they make every single day.  Freedom sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice and we are thankful Ryan was willing to protect the liberties on which our country was founded.   Your prayers and continued support are greatly appreciated,” said the Betton family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to:  VAW/VRC Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 15322, Norfolk, VA23511–0322

 LT Cameron N. Hall, USN: Cameron, a native of Natchitoches, Louisiana had been assigned since April 2006 to VAW-120, the E-2C FRS (Fleet Replacement Squadron), as an NFO instructor following a fleet tour with the Wallbangers of VAW-117 where he qualified and served as a CICO/Mission Commander where he also authored an article in Approach on flight deck safety.  Cameron is survived by his parents.

 LTJG Jerry Smith, USNR: Jerry Smith, a Greenville, Maine native, got his first taste of flying while in high school with Mackie Folosom of Folsom’s Flying Service – and it captured him completely.  His older brother, Eric, recalled “(t)hat was one of the key times I remember that fueled his desire to fly.  I think he knew (then) he was going to look into flight school."  Jerry graduated from Penobscot Valley High School in 1999, where he played soccer and basketball.  He was commissioned via the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., graduating in 2003 with a dual major in mechanical and nautical engineering. Jerry later applied for flight school, earning his Wings of Gold in May 2006.  Jerry was completing his final course of training at VAW-120 by carrier qualifying in the E-2C Hawkeye.  His parents, high school teachers Carroll and Fonda Smith, and his younger sister, Maria, 20, visited him in Virginia in May. Smith was planning a trip home after completing his training and getting his naval assignment, his brother said.  Eric Smith said funeral arrangements would likely be completed within the next week.  "The thoughts and prayers of our family are with the other families, as well," he said.