BIOGRAPHY
Quentin Lusby, Jr. was born 11 February 1938, in Dallas, Texas. He attended
Dallas and Carrollton, Texas, public schools where he excelled in basketball,
football and baseball and was known by his nickname "Butch." He was also a
leader in his high school serving as Student Council and Class Presidents his
senior year. He then attended North Texas State in Denton, Texas, where he
entered the AFROTC and served as the corps commander his senior year. He was
also honored for his outstanding military bearing, received a BA degree in
Personnel Management and a reserve commission as a Second Lieutenant on his
graduation in June, 1963.
Because of his love of flying, he had been working on his private pilot's
license during his college years, and after he reached that goal, he thrilled
his family and friends with sightseeing flights over the local Dallas area.
Next, he was accepted into undergraduate pilot training class 64C at Laredo Air
Force Base, Texas. He placed high in his training classes of both the T-37 and
T-33 programs and at graduation in October, 1963, shortly after the birth of his
son, Michael G. Lusby, he received an assignment to train in the latest fighter
aircraft, the McDonald Douglas F4C.
He was attached to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base,
Florida, (558th Squadron) where he trained as the back seat radar and weapons
officer. In February, the wing left MacDill for a short 90-day temporary duty at
Naha Air Force Base, Okinawa, and during that time, "Quent" (as he was known to
his military buddies,) and the front seat pilot both lost their lives during a
nighttime training mission three miles off the coast of Naha Air Force Base,
Okinawa, on 24 May 1965.
His classmates at Carrollton High School remembered him for many years after his
death with a trophy that they gave to the outstanding high school senior who
excelled in sports and leadership. He is also remembered along with Captain
Larry Morrow, his front seat pilot at the newly dedicated 12th TFW Wing Memorial
wall in Canon City, Colorado.
His widow, son, daughter-in-law and six grandchildren are happy to share his
story with others as are those who knew him and/or served with him and remember
his dedication to his country, his God, excellence and the thrill of flying.
NOTE: The bodies of both Captain Morrow and Lieutenant Lusby were not recovered.
A Memorial Stone was placed in memory of Lieutenant Lusby in 1984 at Arlington
National Cemetery. It is located in Memorial Section J, Site 40.
Arlington National
Cemetery Website
Biography and Photo Courtesy of Linda M. Lusby Pinegar, July 2008
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