Who knows Capt. J. A. Gillcrist of USN?

Question

I recently got a Vietnam War Zippo "CVA-34 Oriskany" which I liked very much. A name "Capt. J. A. Gillcrist USN" was engraved on it. I guess this man might have served on USS Oriskany in vietnam war era and desperately want to know who is he and what is his story. Is he still alive or already dead in the war? Someone who happened to know him please kindly tell me. Thanks!

Answer 1

Go to these sites fior what you are looking for:

http://accident-report.com/Crew_Names/na...

http://www.naval-aviator.net/network/ros...

http://www.cougarware.com/cva34/

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ship...

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/34....

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-us...

http://www.ussoriskany.com/

http://www.virtualwall.org/units/oriskan...

What  I did read , he was a Navy Pilot aboard the USS  Oriskany , and he is not listed as decased.

Answer 2

go to military.com and look him up  

Answer 3

Well, according to a quick search Captain Gillcrist was a Naval Aviator of some sort that was involved in an aviation related accident.  I did not find anything else but will post the link below that can perhaps give you further information.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I thought maybe a little Naval history may help you get some more insight on your CAPT...

In 1966 USS Oriskany , a twenty-one-year-old Essex -class carrier, was conducting combat flight operations in the Gulf of Tonkin when a night illumination flare ignited on her hangar deck and instantly transformed her into a flaming holocaust. This catastrophe cost the lives of 44 men, injuring hundreds more, and millions of dollars of damage.

BTW, I checked ALOT of Navy historical sites and no info on CAPT James Gillcrist