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New Jersey honors alumnus killed in Iraq 2 p.m., May 18, 2005--National and state flags are being flown at half-staff in New Jersey Wednesday, May 18, in honor of University of Delaware graduate Lt. Col. John C. Spahr of Cherry Hill, N.J., who died May 2 from injuries received when the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft he was piloting crashed in Iraq. The executive order was signed by New Jersey Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, who said the 42-year-old U.S. Marine Corps pilot “bravely served this country and is an exemplary model of patriotism. While we are unable to fully repay him for his courage, we honor his life by flying the national and state flags at half-staff. We will keep his family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.” Lt. Col. Spahr attended St. Joseph's Preparatory High School in Philadelphia and earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education studies in 1987 and his master’s of science degree in exercise physiology in 1988, both from the University of Delaware, where he was a member of the Fightin’ Blue Hens football team. Lt. Col. Spahr played quarterback for former UD Head Coach Harold R. “Tubby” Raymond and lettered in 1982 and 1983. Backing up Rick Scully in 1982, when UD went 12-2 and reached the NCAA Division I-AA championship game, he completed 10 of 15 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown and ran for 43 yards and three touchdowns. Backing up B.J. Webster in 1983, he completed eight of 21 passes for 104 yards and rushed for 90 yards. “The University of Delaware is deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Col. Spahr, who was very much a part of our family having been a member of the Fightin' Blue Hens football team,” UD Director of Athletics Edgar Johnson said. “We are very proud of his service to the nation and pleased that his home state of New Jersey is paying tribute to that service by flying the national and state flags at half-staff today. John will be missed.” After graduating from UD, Lt. Col. Spahr enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he completed his officer training in 1989 and later attended the U.S. Navy’s “Top Gun” fighter weapons school in 1996. He served as an instructor pilot at the “Top Gun” school and was embarked aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation when the Iraq war began in March 2003. Lt. Col. Spahr was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. His unit was embarked aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson. His personal military decorations include the Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, a few months before his death, he learned he was to be promoted from major to lieutenant colonel, and now the promotion will go through posthumously. He is survived by his wife, Diane, daughter, Chandler, his mother, four sisters and a brother. Lt. Col. Spahr was buried Wednesday, May 18, in Arlington National Cemetery. The executive order concludes by noting that Lt. Col. Spahr’s “patriotism and dedicated service to his country make him a hero and a true role model for all Americans and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the state of New Jersey to mark his passing and to honor his memory.” Article by Neil Thomas To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |
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