A Remarkable Man Has Stepped Into the Clearing; Captain Carroll LeFon USN (Ret.) 1960-2012

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | March 7, 2012 | Staff

[LucyT]

As the sun’s rays broke over the top of the eastern hills this morning, the military blogging community was coming to grips with the loss of a truly remarkable man. Retired Navy Captain Carroll LeFon, who was known to thousands by his “nom de blog” of Neptunus Lex, died when his Israeli-built F-21 Kfir single-seat fighter aircraft crashed at NAS Fallon at around 0915 yesterday morning.

The challenge in writing about such a man is that my command of the language to do justice to him is insufficient for the task, yet his mastery of words gave vivid understanding on most everything he chose to chronicle.

[snip]

Lex chose to re-grip the flight controls to serve again the Navy he loved, by doing what had been his passion (outside of his wife and children) for his far too brief time this side of heaven. He helped to train Navy pilots to be better Navy pilots, and accepted the concomitant risks long after his time in uniform ended. The value of men such as he cannot be overestimated. His loss leaves a hole, a void, that never really is filled.

Our thoughts and prayers to his wife, his Navy pilot son, and his lovely daughters. Theirs is a deep grief that cannot be assuaged by the words they will read today and in the coming days. But perhaps, as that grief lessens, they can be warmed with a pride of having been the greatest treasure of such a remarkable man.

[LucyT]

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Here is his actual blog:

http://www.neptunuslex.com/

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[LucyT]

A Remarkable Man Has Stepped Into the Clearing; Captain Carroll LeFon USN (Ret.) 1960-2012

RIP. A Grateful Nation Thanks You For Your Service.

[Coldwater Creek]

Thanks for the article!

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[rlmorel]

Sad for everyone.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Captain LeFon. May God hold you and comfort your family and friends.

[Sequoyah101]

A lot of us will miss his wit and tales of his experiences as a Naval Aviator.

I read his account of driving to work and thought that this is a man who does not belong in an office. A fish out of water on the freeways with earth bound men of lesser ability, energy and enthusiasm.

[rockinqsranch]

Thanks for pinging us to the article LucyT. Appreciate it. Truly a remarkable man. May he R.I.P.

[rockinqsranch]

Thanks for pinging us to the article LucyT. Appreciate it. Truly a remarkable man. May he R.I.P.

[LucyT]

Here’s his bio from Military.com:

"Carroll “Lex” LeFon is an 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 includes 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).

"He retired from the Navy in 2008, after serving as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Training on two flag staffs. He is 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."

[LucyT]

Also found this in a blog:

"Retired Naval aviator Carroll LeFon was killed when his F21 Kfir fighter jet crashed near the west gate of Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada."

[LucyT]

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Photo here:

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20120306/NEWS/120309948/1055&ParentProfile=1045

.

[USNBandit]

While I never worked for him, I did get to fly with his squadron while they were in their workup cycle. He was an immensely popular figure in Naval Aviation, and a gifted leader. When you thought Naval Aviation was being destroyed by "the Man," he was one the guys that made you think there was still hope.

Fortunately for America there are enough guys crazy enough to do the mission, but he will still be sorely missed.

[Brown Deer]

Cpt. Carroll F. Lefon's late sister Ann Eppard was chief of staff to former Congressman Bud Shuster of the 9th District of Pennsylvania and former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and ranking member of the Intelligence Committee.