Meridian ‘Wings of Gold’

Four Navy, one Marine, and two French naval aviators received their "Wings of Gold" during an aviator designation ceremony April 26 at Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. The naval aviator designation marks the end of nearly two years of specialized undergraduate pilot training, which prepares the officers for aerial combat and carrier operations and to wear their "Wings of Gold." Among the naval aviators is Navy Lt. j.g. Timothy Francis Walsh, 32, of Weymouth, Mass., a prior enlisted Hospital Corpsman that was injured in Afghanistan and a recipient the Purple Heart. Navy Lt. j.g. Michael Berry earned a Navy "E" for bombing accuracy during Advanced Jet Flight Training. French Navy Lt. Louis Bussiere also earned a Navy "E" for bombing accuracy. Navy Lt. j.g. Richard John Campbell IV was selected as VT-9's Student of the Month for September 2018, and earned a Navy "E" for bombing accuracy. French Navy Ensign Quentin Damien Folin was named to the Commodore's List during Primary Flight Training and earned a Navy "E" for bombing accuracy. Marine 1st Lt. Williams Thomas Horn earned three Navy "E's" for bombing accuracy. Navy Lt j.g. Kevin Henrik Lystad, earned a Navy "E" for bombing accuracy. (Source: Meridian Star 04/27/19)