![]() ![]() It's a fitting end to the tragic events that occurred 35 years ago."ĭry's father, retired Navy Capt. "It's sad that it's taken this long, but the upside is he's finally been recognized," said Wilson, who flew from Hawaii for the event.ĭry's younger brother Robert told the audience that the ceremony "fulfills my parents' fondest wish, that their firstborn son be recognized for his sacrifice. Kernan, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, a speaker at the ceremony. "Today has been a long time coming," said Rear Adm. Standing in the back of the hall were several dozen midshipmen who hope to become SEALs after graduation. John Dramesi, one of the prisoners Dry was attempting to rescue. Also paying his respects was retired Air Force Col. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Naval Academy's Class of 1968 showed up in force, including Adm. The guests included Wilson, the helicopter crew chief, as well as many of Dry's SEAL platoon members and the former commander of the USS Grayback. His name was also formally added to the alumni scroll in Memorial Hall. Yesterday, inside that ornate hall considered the heart of the academy, more than 200 friends and family members from the Washington area and abroad gathered for a ceremony in which Dry was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal with valor. Naval Academy in Annapolis declined to add the 1968 graduate to its listing of alumni killed in action displayed in Memorial Hall, citing the accident classification. Dry was given no recognition by the Navy, and his family received few answers. The circumstances of his death would remain tightly classified for more than three decades. Wilson slapped Dry on the shoulder, the signal to jump, and Dry disappeared into the night, followed by the three SEALs in his team.īut the helicopter was flying too high and too fast, and Dry, 26, died instantly upon impact with the water, the last SEAL to die in Vietnam. "He was adamant that the mission go forward."įinally, the helicopter crew spotted a flashing light they believed to be the submarine's beacon. " 'I've got to get back to Grayback,' " John Wilson, the helicopter crew chief, recalled Dry saying. prisoners of war trying to escape from the Hanoi Hilton, the infamous North Vietnamese prison. Spence Dry didn't hesitate when the time came to jump.ĭry, commanding a SEAL team, was determined to link up with the submarine USS Grayback in the waters below to continue a daring mission to rescue U.S. Riding in the dark inside a Navy helicopter over rough waters off the coast of North Vietnam, Navy Lt. Loss and Tributeįrom the Washington Post, February 26, 2008: He was also a member of the 1968 Brigade Staff staff (3rd set) and the 8th Company staff (1st set). His unique qualities should make him a valuable addition to the surface Navy. His high academic standing, warm personality, and unending energy made us all proud to serve under him when he was selected company commander. Spence has attained his objective of following in his father's footsteps here at the Academy. ![]() Due to a tragic birth defect (2 left feet) Spence was always a stand out in every P-rade. His glib tongue and good sense of humor have made him many friends. Affectionately called "Hot Dogger" by those who know him, Spence can usually be found spit-polishing his vette, answering his feminine fan mail or sleeping. He has done extensive traveling throughout the world as a Navy junior. Spence came to the Academy from nowhere in particular. ![]()
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