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Navy Gold Star Program Information & Resource Site

Navy Gold Star is the Navy’s official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Sailors who pass while on Active Duty. If you are visiting this page because you are a surviving family member of a deceased service member, please accept our most heartfelt sympathy and gratitude for your loved one’s service and sacrifice in defending our nation . . .

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Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

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Navy Gold Star Tributes


U.S. Navy
LT
Bruce J. Donald
29 Sep 2000

Bruce was born January 12, 1973, in Frankfurt, Germany.  He moved to

Poughkeepsie in June, 1979.  While attending Spackenkill High School, he 

was on the cross country team, was captain of the tennis team, and was

very active in school theater.  Bruce was the class president of the 

Spackenkill High School class of 1991.

 

Saying, "I like the challenge", Bruce accepted a nomination to the US Naval

Academy, entering in July 1991.  In 1995 He graduated with a BS in Ocean

Engineering from the Naval Academy.  He was selected for Naval Aviation

training, earning his "Wings of Gold" in February 1998.

 

Bruce was selected for further training in the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, the 

Navy's primary attack jet.  Upon completion of transition training he was

assigned to Attack/Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25).  VFA-25 deployed aboard the 

USS Abraham Lincoln in August 2000 to enforce the Southern No-Fly Zone in

Iraq.

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U.S. Navy
PO2
Herman "Bud" Bolte IV
28 Aug 2003
Herman "Bud" Bolte IV joined the Navy on his 17th birthday. He graduated 1st in his Aviation Maintenance Training School at Pensacola, Florida and received an early promotion. He was stationed at Cecil Field NAS in Jacksonville, Florida, and Patuxent River NAS, Maryland for four years of shore duty. He served in the Naval Reserves at Point Mugu NAS in Ventura, California until 9/11 when he was called up to Active Reserves. Bud was killed in a homicide while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bud loved the Navy and was admired by his fellow Sailors. He has been dearly missed by his family and friends.
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U.S. Navy
Chief
William J. Hibbs
26 Feb 2007
Chief Hibbs was successful in his Navy career, and dedicated to community service programs as well as a volunteer fireman. 
He was proud to represent the Navy and a very proud father of three!
He was also a true hero on the day that the USS Bonefish had a fire and helped others first before himself. 
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U.S. Navy
AN
Mathew McDaniel
14 Aug 2023

Remembering Mathew

When I think of Mathew, I'm reminded of his incredible sense of adventure. Instead of college, he chose to join the Navy straight out of high school, craving the thrill of exploring the world. Smart, funny, and kind-hearted, his towering 6'5" frame matched his larger-than-life personality perfectly. We lost an extraordinary soul that day, and the void he left behind is immeasurable. To us, he was known as Boo... a nickname that originated from his mischievous childhood antics that always led to another "Boo, Boo" moment. In loving memory of a remarkable son, brother, grandson, and friend who left us all too soon. Mathew, you are missed beyond measure, but your spirit lives on in our hearts and our memories. We love you Boo. Forever & Always.

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U.S. Navy
Commander
S. Carr Kratovil, Jr.
09 Nov 2018

Carr decided to join the Navy and applied to OCS his senior year in college in response to 9/11. Carr grew up in New York City and worked on the 92nd Floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center during the summer before his senior year at college. He left for college 3 weeks prior to the plane hitting the north tower and killing everybody who was at the firm at the time (approximately 8:30 am). He went to OCS at Pensacola and trained to be a Flight Officer and was assigned to E-2 Hawkeyes. He fell in love with the Navy and decided to make it his career. He was deployed 4 times in the Middle East, as well as deployment in South and Central American in conjunction with DEA operations. He flew in over 200 combat missions. He served as a Flag Aide to Admiral Philip S. Davidson. Prior to his death he had been promoted to serve as the Executive Officer to VAW 125, the Tigertails, with CAW 5 assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan in Japan. He is loved dearly by his family and friends and is missed each and every day.

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U.S. Navy
LCDR (DR)
David Hill, USN Medical Corps
02 Dec 2019
Our son David, lived a full and adventurous life.  He accomplished more in his short life of 38 years, than most people do in a lifetime.  He graduated college with an engineering degree and commissioned in the Navy Engineering Corps.  Spending 5 years as an engineer,  he then went back to medical school to earn his Medical Degree.  After spending two years as a Flight Surgeon, he applied and  was accepted to the Pathology Residency Program at Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego, CA.  It was while he was running to an early morning swim practice that he tragically lost his life.  He was a 2nd year Resident.  His passions were world travel, hiking National Parks, and a thirst for knowledge. One of his goals was to run a marathon in every continent. On his trip to Antarctica, he accomplished that by running 26 miles on the ship's treadmill, and then participated in the Polar Bear Plunge.  We honor him by trying to "Live Like Dave" everyday.
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Navy Gold Star Testimonials