Remembering Brother Phil Craig ’63 and Brother Scott “Harv” Waldinger ’86
[Posted May 28, 2010] During Memorial Day weekend, Michigan Alpha remembers, and salutes, all members of America’s armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
We pay a special tribute to Michigan Alpha members who gave their lives while defending our nation. In coelo quies est Brother Cmdr. Phil Craig ’63 and Brother Lt. Scott “Harv” Waldinger ’86.
January 22, 1992, Brother Lt. Scott “Harv” Waldinger ’86 was navigating a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat fighter during a night-flight training exercise in a mountainous area of Nevada when his plane experienced “catastrophic hydraulic failure” and crashed. The pilot of the jet was also killed. It is believed that the plane malfunctioned at an altitude that was too low for ejection. Lt. Waldinger flew 43 combat missions as an electronic systems officer aboard a U.S. Navy jet fighter during the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
Brother Waldinger grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and graduated from Dearborn High School. He earned an Engineering degree from the University of Michigan (U of M) in 1986. During his years at U of M, Brother Waldinger was a very active member of Michigan Alpha. He was an outstanding intramural athlete as well as one of the most well-respected and popular members of the fraternity. Nearly all of his pledge brothers attended his memorial service.
In coelo quies est Brother Waldinger.
Brother Cmdr. Phil Craig ’63 was piloting an A-4C fighter from the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid when he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire on July 4, 1967 during a bombing mission over a railyard in North Vietnam. It is not known whether he survived the crash, and his body was not recovered at that time. Cmdr. Craig had flown numerous successful sorties before his final flight. In early 1987, Cmdr. Craig’s remains were recovered and positively identified by the U.S. Army. On May 2, 1987, Cmdr. Craig’s remains were buried during a memorial ceremony in his hometown of Hornell, New York.
During his freshman year, Brother Craig pledged Michigan Alpha. He quickly established himself as one of the most dedicated members of the fraternity. He held the responsibility of House Manager during his junior year. Close friend and fellow Michigan Alpha Brother Dave Hood ’63 described Brother Craig as “a generous man who loved his country deeply.”
In coelo quies est Brother Craig.