This page is in Honor and Memory of Capt. David Craig “Dave” McCarthy.
Capt. David Craig “Dave” McCarthy was an Eagle Driver and instructor pilot with the 550th TFTS flying the Mighty F-15 out of Luke AFB. Capt. McCarthy died in a mid-air collision of two F-15 aircraft at Luke AFB, Ariz., on March 7, 1986. He was performing his duty as an instructor pilot upgrading a student to mission-ready status in the Eagle.
Obituary
Dave was a member of 6th Squadron while at the Academy. His postgraduate career included duty assignments to Vance AFB, Okla. (ATC), where he served as a T-38 IP and flight examiner; Eglin AFB, Fla. (TAC), where he served as an F-l5 pilot and received Top Gun honors and a nomination as 9th Air Force’s F-15 Demonstration Pilot; and Luke AFB, Ariz. (TAC), where he served as an F-15 IP and received Top Gun honors, 832nd Air Division Company Grade Officer of the Quarter (April-June 85), and the nomination as 12th Air Force’s candidate for the prestigious award to Tactical Air Command’s top fighter pilot, the Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Award.
Dave is survived by his wife, Cyndi, and daughters Laura (6) and Lisa (2), all of 6110 West Charter Oak, Glendale, Ariz. 85304; his mother, Mrs. Bobbie McCarthy, of Irvine, Calif., and two brothers, Mike and Rick.