Larry Ernst
Larry L. "Pappy" Ernst | |
|---|---|
 Wax figure of Ernst aboard the USS Midway Museum | |
| Nickname(s) | Pappy |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | June 1966 - July 1993. |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands held | USS Midway (CV-41) VF-211 VF-101 USS Milwaukee (AOR-2) |
| Spouse(s) | Bobbie Ernst 1965 |
| Children | Two daughters, Jackie born 1966 and Jenni born 1968 |
Larry L. "Pappy" Ernst is a retired captain in the United States Navy who served on active duty from 1966 to 1993.[1] A naval aviator designated in 1967, he flew combat missions during the Vietnam War and later commanded multiple aviation units and naval vessels.[1]
Early life and education
Ernst graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.[2]
Naval career
After being commissioned in 1966, Ernst completed flight training and was designated a naval aviator in 1967.[2] He flew the F-4 Phantom II during the Vietnam War, completing in 136 combat missions.[3] While assigned to VF-114 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) from February 1968 to June of 1970.[1]
Ernst attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River from July 1970 to June 1971. From December 1972 to January 1975, he served as an instructor at the Empire Test Pilots' School in the United Kingdom.[1]
From January 1975 to August 1977, Ernst was assigned to VF-111 in operations and maintenance roles. He later served at the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) from August 1977 to March 1980.[4]
From July 1984 to October 1985, Ernst served as commanding officer of VF-101. He subsequently completed shipboard training in Newport, Rhode Island, from October 1985 to March 1986, before serving as executive officer of USS Constellation (CV-64) from March 1986 to October 1987.[5]
Between November 1987 and March 1989, Ernst served as a special assistant in OP-09 in Washington, D.C., followed by participation in the Senior Officials in National Security (SONS) program at Harvard University.[2] After additional shipboard training from May to September 1989, he assumed command of USS Milwaukee (AOR-2), serving as commanding officer from September 1989 to January 1991.[4] Ernst then served as operations officer for COMNAVAIRLANT from January to May 1991, followed by F/A-18 training with VFA-106 from May to June 1991.[1] He assumed command of USS Midway (CV-41) in June 1991 and served until April 1992, overseeing the ship's decommissioning on 11 April 1992.[6][7][8]
Over the course of his career, Ernst accumulated 4,616 flight hours in more than 36 different aircraft and completed extensive operational, test, and instructional assignments.[2]
| Jet | Prop | VF | Rotary | VT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,200 | 300 | 3,500 | 100 | 300 |
Later service and retirement
Following his retirement from the United States Navy in July 1993, Ernst entered the private sector.[9] From 1993 to 1994, he served as Vice President of Operations at Munchkin Bottling Inc. in Los Angeles, California. He subsequently worked as a Business Development Manager at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in San Diego, California, from 1994 to 1999. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Vice President of Integrated Systems at Avnet Computer Systems in Phoenix, Arizona. He later retired and resides in Rio Verde, Arizona.[1]
Awards and decorations
Ernst's combat awards include:
- Presidential Unit Citation
- 6 Air Medals (Strike Flight)
- Navy Commendation Medal (2) with Combat "V"
- 1985 Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Captain Larry L. Ernst biography" (PDF). Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Navy Top Gun speaking at Tonto Verde - Fountain Hills Times". Fountain Hills Times Independent. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ↑ "Station Ship News – USS Midway Veterans Association Newsletter, Issue 22" (PDF). ussmidway.net. USS Midway Veterans Association. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2026-03-25. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Services, Bulldog Creative. "Inductees | WV Aviation Wall of Valor | WVAMA". www.wvama.org. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ "Captain Larry L. Ernst biography" (PDF). Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association.
- ↑ "USS Midway (CV-41) decommissioned".
- ↑ "30 years ago the carrier Midway retired from active service". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2022-04-12. Archived from the original on 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2026-03-25. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Retirement looms for U.S.S. Midway". The Vancouver Sun. 1991-07-27. p. 20. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ "Inspire Your Workplace | Imprints of Honor". www.imprintsofhonor.org. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
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