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First Name: Carroll

Last Name: LeFon

Birthplace: USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:





Date of Birth:

Date of Death: 06 March 2012

Rank or Rate: Captain

Years Served: 1982 - 2008
Carroll LeFon
'Lex'

   
Graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1982

Engagements:
•  Operation Southern Watch (1992 - 2003)
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

Carroll "Lex" LeFon was, by his own description, a retired US Navy captain, incipient crank, rapidly aging curmudgeon and used-to-be naval aviator with over 4000 hours in fighter aircraft, predominantly the FA-18C Hornet. His operational experience included seven carrier deployments, including several in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing UN Sanctions in the Southern No-Fly Zone over Iraq. After commanding an operational FA-18 squadron he reported to the USS Constellation in 2001, later serving as her Operations Officer in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shore tours include tours as instructor pilot in basic jet training, as an adversary instructor and as the Executive Officer of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).

Lex retired from the Navy in 2008, after serving as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Training on two flag staffs. He was a 1982 graduate from the US Naval Academy with a BS in Political Science, with a Master of Science in Systems Engineering Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Legions of Merit (2 Awards)
Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)
Air Medal (Strike/Flight Award)
Navy/ Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 Awards)
Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Naval Aviator Badge

In Retirement

After retirement, Lex managed to land a dream job for men of his ilk – flying fighter jets for Airborne Tactical Advantage Company, a civilian firm contracted to provide the opposing force for naval aviators at the TOPGUN school. During his active duty days, Lex had been the Executive Officer at that school.

He also became one of the first (and some say, perhaps the best) military bloggers, known to thousands by his “nom de blog” of Neptunus Lex.

Death and Burial

Carroll "Lex" LeFon was killed in a plane crash on the morning of 6 March 2012 when his Israeli F-21 Kfir fighter jet crashed in bad weather conditions near the west gate of Naval Air Station Fallon, NV; he was 51. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.

Family

Lex had a wife, Mary, two daughters, and a son. The son, naturally, is now a naval aviator.



Honoree ID: 225521   Created by: MHOH

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