Gone But Not Forgotten

Honoring fallen comrades is an important part of the AOG mission and we ask to be notified as soon as possible of the death of any graduate, Air Training Officer or cadet so that we can take appropriate actions. The AOG has learned of the following deaths within the past 90 days.

For best results, try searching by Last Name (e.g. Smith), Class Year (e.g. 1959), or Cadet Squadron (e.g. CS-01). More complex searches may not return desired results.

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2d Lt William Lewis , Jr. - Class of 1979 , CS-30

Deceased on November 28, 1980

Mr. Ronald Long - Class of 1979 , CS-23

Deceased on June 2, 2004

Mr. John Mangan III - Class of 1979 , CS-14

Deceased on September 17, 2011 - Informed on September 20, 2011

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Mr. Mangan passed away when his vintage T-28 crashed during a demonstration at the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House and Air Show in Martinsburg, WV. Visitation will be held on 22 Sept 2011 from 1600-2000 hrs at St Mark's Catholic Church; 14740 Sumptown Rd; Huntersville NC 28078. A Celebration of Life service will be held on 23 Sept 2011 at St Mark's Church followed by a graveside service at Northlake Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Patriot Foundation; PO Box 5069; Pinehurst NC 28374 or online at www.patriotscholarships.com <http://www.patriotscholarships.com>.

1st Lt Michael Mattson - Class of 1979 , CS-01

Deceased on December 18, 1981

Lt Col (Ret) Peter Melim - Class of 1979 , CS-28

Deceased on July 4, 2023

Mr. Frank Mendoza - Class of 1979 , CS-16

Deceased on November 25, 1998

Lt Col (Ret) John Micalizzi - Class of 1979 , CS-04

Deceased on May 31, 2002

Lt Col (Ret) Donald Nelsen - Class of 1979 , CS-06

Deceased on October 14, 2021 - Informed on October 15, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services are currently pending.

Mr. Anthony Paradowski - Class of 1979 , CS-05

Deceased on June 15, 2018 - Informed on June 22, 2018

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be on 23 Jun 2018 from 1200-1300 hours at A. S. Turner Funeral Home; 2773 N Decatur Rd; Decatur GA 30033; (404) 292-1551; www.asturner.com. A memorial service will begin at 1300 at the funeral home.

Brig Gen (Ret) Michael Peplinski - Class of 1979 , CS-11

Deceased on August 7, 2021 - Informed on August 13, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held on 23 Aug 2021 from 1400 - 2000 hours at Lee- Ellena Funeral Home; 46530 Romeo Plank Rd; Macomb Township, MI 48044; (586) 412-8999; www.lee-ellenafuneralhome.com. A funeral service will be held on 24 Aug 2021 at 1100hours at Colonial Woods Missionary Church; 3240 Pine Grove Ave; Port Huron, MI 48060. Burial will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery; 4200 Belford Rd; Holly, MI 48442 on 25 Aug 2021 at 0900 hours. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; 501 St Jude Pl; Memphis, TN 38105; (877) 805-5856; www.stjude.org.

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Next of Kin

For Next of Kin support resources please visit: https://www.usafanextofkin.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten annual publication

The Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation has introduced a new benefit to better memorialize USAFA graduates and support their families.

Gone But Not Forgotten, which appeared in Checkpoints magazine for decades, has transitioned to a dedicated, annual publication. The inaugural edition of Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten published in March 2025.

A: As the Academy’s graduate population ages, Checkpoints has become increasingly insufficient in accommodating the growing number of submitted memorial articles.
A: The new Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten publication honors the Long Blue Line by sharing the personal stories of graduates, cadets, Air Training Officers and AOG Honorary Members. It reflects our mission to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution and Long Blue Line.
A: We considered several cost-effective, impactful options and consulted with our peers at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. West Point’s TAPS publication provided an excellent model for this new publication.
A: One complimentary copy is provided to a loved one of the deceased memorialized in the publication. Additional printed copies are available for a nominal fee of $25 each. The digital version is available at no cost to all AOG members.
A: AOG members can access the digital issue at usafa.org. If you are not a member but wish to join and access this benefit and others, membership is available at no cost to all USAFA graduates here.
A: Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten is available for $25 here or by calling 719-472-0300. The fee supports providing one complimentary copy to families of those memorialized.
A: See below:
A: Past memorial articles printed in Checkpoints are available as a commemorative keepsake for $15 each. These keepsakes include the photo that ran with the tribute and are printed on sturdy paper, suitable for framing. Articles come enclosed in a blue linen folder and can be ordered here or by calling 719-472-0300. Commemorative keepsake orders will ship or be available for pickup within two weeks of the order date.
A: See below:
A: A major benefit of transitioning to an annual publication is that 2025 memorial articles may run up to 800 words — double the current limit. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Email a recent favorite photo of the deceased. The photo (head and shoulders, color preferred) should be emailed as a high-resolution .jpg. Low-resolution image submissions may be declined in favor of a cadet yearbook photo.
A: Submit a memorial article and photo through a form at usafanextofkin.org or email deceasednotifications@usafa.org.
A: One of the major benefits of transitioning to a dedicated, annual publication is that memorial articles can now be up to 800 words. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 should be emailed when ready to ensure the Association and Foundation can post the tribute on usafa.org/heritage/gbnf.
A: The last issue memorial articles appeared in Checkpoints was in December 2024, but death notices will continue to be published in Checkpoints.
A: Death notices will be printed in each issue of Checkpoints.
A: See below:
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 will be printed around March 2026.
A: Call 719-472-0300 or email Terri Davis, next-of-kin support specialist, at deceasednotifications@usafa.org.

Gone But Not Forgotten