Retired Navy Capt. William A. Dean Jr., a double-ace fighter pilot credited with destroying 12 enemy aircraft during World War II, died of heart disease Monday in Coronado Hospital. He was 81 and lived in Coronado.
Capt. Dean was born in Houston and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1934. He earned his wings at Pensacola in 1937 and was assigned to the carrier Yorktown.
During the war, he commanded Squadron VF-2 on the carrier Enterprise and served with distinction in carrier operations from Makin to Manila. He participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Makin and Tarawa .
He also served 18 months aboard the carrier Hornet, taking part in the invasions of Iwo Jima, Truk and the Philippines. By the end of the war, members of his command had shot down 261 enemy aircraft and destroyed an additional 245 aircraft on the ground.
Capt. Dean was awarded the Bronze Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Air Medals.
During the Korean War, he served as executive officer of the carrier Boxer.
Capt. Dean's last duty assignment was at the Pentagon as a member of the Weapons System Evaluation Group.
He retired in 1962 after suffering a heart attack, moved to Coronado and earned a doctorate in psychology at United States International University.
Survivors include his wife, two sons, a daughter, a sister and a brother, and four grandchildren.
A private family service is planned at 2 p.m. today in the North Island Naval Air Station Chapel. Burial will be in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - July 10, 1992
Capt. Dean was born in Houston and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1934. He earned his wings at Pensacola in 1937 and was assigned to the carrier Yorktown.
During the war, he commanded Squadron VF-2 on the carrier Enterprise and served with distinction in carrier operations from Makin to Manila. He participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Makin and Tarawa .
He also served 18 months aboard the carrier Hornet, taking part in the invasions of Iwo Jima, Truk and the Philippines. By the end of the war, members of his command had shot down 261 enemy aircraft and destroyed an additional 245 aircraft on the ground.
Capt. Dean was awarded the Bronze Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Air Medals.
During the Korean War, he served as executive officer of the carrier Boxer.
Capt. Dean's last duty assignment was at the Pentagon as a member of the Weapons System Evaluation Group.
He retired in 1962 after suffering a heart attack, moved to Coronado and earned a doctorate in psychology at United States International University.
Survivors include his wife, two sons, a daughter, a sister and a brother, and four grandchildren.
A private family service is planned at 2 p.m. today in the North Island Naval Air Station Chapel. Burial will be in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - July 10, 1992
Retired Navy Capt. William A. Dean Jr., a double-ace fighter pilot credited with destroying 12 enemy aircraft during World War II, died of heart disease Monday in Coronado Hospital. He was 81 and lived in Coronado.
Capt. Dean was born in Houston and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1934. He earned his wings at Pensacola in 1937 and was assigned to the carrier Yorktown.
During the war, he commanded Squadron VF-2 on the carrier Enterprise and served with distinction in carrier operations from Makin to Manila. He participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Makin and Tarawa .
He also served 18 months aboard the carrier Hornet, taking part in the invasions of Iwo Jima, Truk and the Philippines. By the end of the war, members of his command had shot down 261 enemy aircraft and destroyed an additional 245 aircraft on the ground.
Capt. Dean was awarded the Bronze Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Air Medals.
During the Korean War, he served as executive officer of the carrier Boxer.
Capt. Dean's last duty assignment was at the Pentagon as a member of the Weapons System Evaluation Group.
He retired in 1962 after suffering a heart attack, moved to Coronado and earned a doctorate in psychology at United States International University.
Survivors include his wife, two sons, a daughter, a sister and a brother, and four grandchildren.
A private family service is planned at 2 p.m. today in the North Island Naval Air Station Chapel. Burial will be in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - July 10, 1992
Capt. Dean was born in Houston and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1934. He earned his wings at Pensacola in 1937 and was assigned to the carrier Yorktown.
During the war, he commanded Squadron VF-2 on the carrier Enterprise and served with distinction in carrier operations from Makin to Manila. He participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Makin and Tarawa .
He also served 18 months aboard the carrier Hornet, taking part in the invasions of Iwo Jima, Truk and the Philippines. By the end of the war, members of his command had shot down 261 enemy aircraft and destroyed an additional 245 aircraft on the ground.
Capt. Dean was awarded the Bronze Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Air Medals.
During the Korean War, he served as executive officer of the carrier Boxer.
Capt. Dean's last duty assignment was at the Pentagon as a member of the Weapons System Evaluation Group.
He retired in 1962 after suffering a heart attack, moved to Coronado and earned a doctorate in psychology at United States International University.
Survivors include his wife, two sons, a daughter, a sister and a brother, and four grandchildren.
A private family service is planned at 2 p.m. today in the North Island Naval Air Station Chapel. Burial will be in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - July 10, 1992
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