Stephen Carr Kratovil, Jr.1980-2018
Commander Kratovilwasa native of New York, NY and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bucknell University. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in January 2003 and earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officerin December 2004. CDR Kratovil’s operational assignments include the Bear Aces of VAW-124, as a junior officer, where he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); and the Screwtopsof VAW-123while assigned to Commander Air Group One (CVW-1) onboard USS Enterprise’s last two deployments(CVN 65) as the Assistant Operations Officer. As a Department Head heserved with the Seahawks of VAW-126 as the Safety and Maintenance Department Headonboard USS Harry Truman (CVN 75). Ashore, CDR Kratovil was an Instructor Combat Information Center Officer (ICICO) and Assistant Operations Officer at the Greyhawks of VAW-120, the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). CDR Kratovil was selected for and served as Flag Aide for U.S. Naval Fleet Forces Command. Prior to his death, his orders were to become the Executive Officer of the Tiger Tails (VAW-125) with Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW 5) assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in Japan. CDR Kratovil flew over 200 combat missions and logged over 2200 hours in various aircraft and accumulated over 750 arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Navy Commendation (2 Awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various other medals, unit and campaign awards. CDR Kratovil was belovedby alland admired for his accomplishments by his family and godchildren; as well as his many, many friends, both young & old, from early childhood through school and the Navy.
He is sorely missed by all of us.