JENSEN-WAYNE

Excerpts from obituary published in San Diego Union-Tribune on May 17, 2012:

 

Wayne L. Jensen was born on September 27, 1927 in Elk Point, South Dakota.  He graduated from Elk Point high school in 1944 and attended Bainbridge Preparatory School for one year before being selected in 1945 to attend the United States Naval Academy.  He graduated from the Academy in 1950 at the top of his class.  After a short tour of duty aboard the USS George, he entered flight training and served as a naval aviator for the remainder of his Navy career.  During his 33-year naval career, Wayne traveled around the globe and was stationed in many and varied locations including Hutchinson, Kansas where his first son was born.  In 1954 twins were born in Jacksonville, Florida.  He received numerous citations and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Commendation Medal.  During his career, CAPT Jensen served as Commanding Officer of a helicopter squadron aboard the USS Yorktown (CVS-10), Commander of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Warfare (Light) Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and as Chief of Staff to the Commander of Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  Upon his retirement from the Navy, Captain Jensen remained active in many Navy organizations and community service projects.  He served on the San Diego Grand Jury, Treasurer of the San Diego County Scholarship Foundation, and as Editor of the Navy Helicopter Association publication Rotor Review.  For 43 years he served as the Naval Academy class of 1950 correspondent for the midshipman magazine Shipmate.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy.  His motto was I did my Best and he certainly did.  CAPT Jensen died on May 11, 2012.  Service and interment will be at the U.S. Naval Academy.

 

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)