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The Tailhook Educational Foundation
2018 Scholarships
Alicia Mitchell
CAPT ROGER CARLQUIST MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Sponsored by
Family, Friends and Tailhook
Awarded To
Alicia Mitchell
Severn, Maryland
University of California, Los Angeles
Scholarship Description
Roger was born in Salt Lake City, UT and raised on a farm nearby. He enrolled in the Navy’s V-12 College Training Program and was selected to attend the University of South Carolina. While attending USC, Roger received orders to USNA graduating in 3 years with the class of ’48. After a brief stint with the surface Navy aboard USS T. E. Chandler (DD-717) and USS J. W. Thomason (DD-760), Roger was designated a Naval Aviator on 15 December 1950. His first aviation assignment was VF-114 in WESTPAC. While assigned to VF-114, he flew the F-4U, AD-4, F-9F and the F-6F. In December 1953, he reported to Moody Air Force Base to fly the T-33 and B-25 as an instructor pilot for a year. In January 1951 Roger was selected to attend Empire Test Pilot School, Farnborough, England, where he flew just about every aircraft in the RAF inventory. Roger was next assigned to VX-3, NAS Atlantic City, as a project pilot flying numerous Navy aircraft and testing early air to air missiles and air to ground rockets. April 1958 - March 1961, Roger was assigned to the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD. Returning to sea duty, Roger was assigned to CVW-7, and then CVW-8, as the CAG LSO aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59). Following his CAG staff tour, Roger attended the Naval War College and then was assigned as XO and then CO of VF-33 at NAS Oceana, flying the F-8E and F-4B. He next served as XO, USS Hancock (CVA-19) January 1968 - 1969. Reporting in February 1969, Roger served in the Pentagon on the JCS and Navy Staff. His last tour was as Commanding Officer, NAS Atlanta, where he continued to fly the F-8D, C-118, T-34 and the US-2A. Roger Carlquist loved to fly! He flew 55 different aircraft, was carrier qualified in 10 different aircraft, and made over 100 night landings in the F-4B. He was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, one during the Korean War and one while assigned at PAX River for test work on the F3H-2 Demon. He was also awarded the Air Medal and the Bronze Star. Roger Carlquist retired from the Navy in June 1973, and after several jobs in the public and private sector, he settled at Heritage Harbour in Annapolis, Maryland. Roger Carlquist was a superb Naval Aviator and leader, and he will be missed.