The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
The SEAL community is mourning the loss of Lance M. Vaccaro, a Virginia Beach-based chief special warfare operator who would have marked his 17th year with the Navy this May.
Vaccaro, of Reading, Pa., died in a parachute training accident Thursday in Marana, Ariz. He was 35.
He leaves behind his girlfriend, Becky Whitbeck, of Virginia Beach. Whitbeck's mother, Janet Aiken, called Vaccaro a "great guy, very dependable. We all loved him."
She declined to say more. Whitbeck declined through a family member to speak to a reporter.
Vaccaro's parachuting death was the second in a month for a Virginia Beach-based SEAL. On Feb. 13, 37-year-old Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Valentine died during a predeployment training jump in Casa Grande, Ariz. The Navy has said the two incidents do not appear to be similar. Both still are under investigation.
The planes carrying the SEALs both flew out of Pinal Airpark, a civilian facility that is also used by military planes.
"Chief Lance Vaccaro was an outstanding SEAL, a combat tested leader, and a great American," said Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command.
"His tragic death reminds us of the dangers that he and his teammates embrace daily, in training or in combat, so that all Americans can continue to enjoy the benefits of freedom. On behalf of all Naval Special Warfare, I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends. His sacrifice will not be forgotten," Kernan said in a statement.
Vaccaro graduated in August 1991 from boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., according to a Navy news release. He spent his first tour of duty aboard the carrier George Washington in Norfolk.
Vaccaro transferred to the carrier Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan, in 1994. Two years later, he began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, Calif. He joined an East Coast-based SEAL team in June 1997, the Navy said.
Vaccaro had a host of awards and decorations, including Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq campaign medals.
Kristin Davis, (757) 222-5208, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com
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Focus on Lance, not homeports...
I was forwarded the news by a good friend and former Kitty Hawk shipmate that Lance had passed away. I knew Lance while aboard the Hawk, & remember not-so-fondly when he used to invite me to do 20 minutes of pull ups from the pipes in the overhead of the coop (or our berthing space); I never could hang with him (so to speak). Lance was a perfectionist & once he was dedicated to something he was all over it. He was a great friend & I have many fond memories of him, including some of his dares, antics & his sense of general entertainment during long hours of GQ in CVIC while underway. Yes, the Hawk was in Yokosuka but it was a port call, not a home port; thank God as it was 100 degrees while there. And as I recall Lance, our Warrant Officer, myself and a few other folks put some miles under our feet together there.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his family & to the Navy community. Lance, I hope that you know that you are and will be sorrowfully missed. Thanks for touching the lives of those that you have & for serving each of us.
Respectfully,
Matt Randolph (former IS2, USN; USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 1993-1997)
UCSD
La Jolla, California
P.S. Lance, sorry about that whole
Old Friend
I was stationed with Lance for 3+ years. Lance was one of the most talented Intelligence Specialists and special warfare operators I have ever known. He was very, very gifted intellectually and everyone that knows him, knows what I am talking about. What I remember most about Lance, was his witty sense of humor, his intellect, and gosh darn the guy was a work out machine, even above SEAL standards (40+ dead hang pulls in a row...) He was extremely loyal to his friends and I know that extended to his team mates even more.
Lance's dream was to be a special warfare operator and after a couple of obstacles he achieved that dream. I still work in DoD and received the email today and I am shocked to say the least. Bottomline, Lance loved what he was doing, loved even more to be part of a team and his loss has/will be felt across the Navy and throughout DoD. My sincere condolences to Lance's family and friends...God Bless
CPO Vaccaro
Just one more correction, CPO Vaccaro graduated from boot camp in Orlando, FL. I know because I was in his company. I remember from the day we arrived he made it known he wanted to be a SEAL. He was one of the few people I remember from boot camp because he was such a nice guy and he helped others when needed. I had the pleasure of running into him in Norfolk a few years ago and he said that he became a SEAL a few years after boot camp, and that he slightly remembered me (only because I had the longest hair in the company). When I read his name in the paper my heart sank. Even though I hadn't known him for several years it was sad to know that someone I once trained with had been killed in the line of duty. I'm a police officer so I know what it's like to lose someone in combat. My thoughts and prayers go out to CPO Vaccaro's family. RIP Lance, and thank you for your service.
The Kitty Hawk's location in 199
Indy was the carrier at Yokosuka in 1994, Kitty Hawk was definitely homeported in San Diego.
HOWEVER, just to be fair, Kitty Hawk was on a deployment in the latter part of 1994, primarily in the Far East. It's possible he joined the ship in Yokosuka.
JMHO....
Goodbye to a great friend & shipmate
The untimely death of Lance is hard to digest. It is hard to find out you just lost a friend, and a shipmate. Lance was a great friend of mine in High School in the little town of Oley PA. We both joined the Navy at the same time way back in 1991. His dream was to become a SEAL, and he did it. It is people like Lance that keep this great country going, and give us the freedom we have. He was a great man, and will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family in Reading PA, and his Girlfriend VA Beach.
To Confirm Just-Jai
Just is correct. I lived in San Diego during the time in question. I moved back to Va in 1998. The day I left I took a harbor tour with my son. Tugs were moving the Stennis CVN 74. The Tour Commentator mentioned the Stennis would not fit under the Coronado Bridge. In 1994, the Kittyhawk was stationed in San Diego, & everyone I remember loved the fact the ship was there. Additionally in the late 80's & early 90's, the Ranger, & the Independence were ported there. The ships were a familiar sight. Everyone saw them there. This fact cannot be disputed. CV61,62,63...odd the #'s are consecutive.. lol
Response to the article on Chief Lance Vaccaro
I am disappointed in Kristin Davis choice in stating, "He leaves behind his girlfriend, Becky Whitbeck, of Virginia Beach. Whitbeck's mother, Janet Aiken, called Vaccaro a "great guy, very dependable." I knew Lance personally and know that he does have family in Reading as he was one of my best friends until I moved to Virginia. Also Lance was not stationed on the Kitty Hawk during the time reported by Ms. Davis. Please correct these facts and show respect not only for the military, which the media tends to defame on a daily basis, but also for Lance's family, as in Vaccaro.
My deepest sympathy to the Vaccaro family as well as Becky and the Whitbecks. Chief Lance Vaccaro was an awesome friend who deserves the greatest respect, even from the media.
Thank you for a job well done serving even those who do not support you. See ya in heaven bud.
Incorrect Facts
The USS Kitty Hawk did not move to Yokosuka, Japan until August 1998. I am positive because I was living there at the time. If you are going to report on the Chief's death at least get his facts correct. In 1994 the Kitty Hawk was most likely still stationed in San Diego.
I know nothing about parachute training but it seems pretty obvious that something is wrong with two training deaths in the space of 4 weeks.
pencil packing
As a USPA licensed,civilian skydiver,no one jumping for the first time packs their own chute.I'm not an expert in military training,however regardless,there are AFF standards that exist:a certified rigger packs your reserve,which must be done every 120 days whether it was deployed or not.Cutting corners to save time and fit more packing in, dishonest riggers'pencil pack';completing the card with a date even though they never repacked the reserve(knowing it wasn't deployed since last pack).Not knowing the facts,ie weather conditions etc. and that these men were experienced jumpers leads me to wonder..something went wrong in the packing.Double bag malfunction is very rare as is a hard deployment rendering each unconscious so they couldn't flare on landing.not landing at the DZ isn't enuff to kill u.very sad n if a rigger is responsible,he/she should be punished.this is very sad.
An American Hero....
What ever the case may be, his service was greatly appreciated. Thank you...you will never be forgotten.