Biography
Of Lt. Adam A. Dyer, USN
Lieutenant
Adam A. Dyer was born on April 27, 1980 in Lafayette,
Louisiana. He attended Lafayette High School and graduated
from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the
Arts in Natchitoches, Louisiana. As a Boy Scout, he
attained the distinct honor of Eagle Scout. He received
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Louisiana
State University in 2002. While attending college Lt.
Dyer held several jobs, but at the time of his graduation
he worked for the State of Louisiana as an interpreter
in the Department of Tourism. Lt. Dyer was fluent in
Spanish. Following graduation from college, he joined
the United States Navy.
For
a Boy Scout project, Lt. Dyer once wrote that his goal
was to become a Navy Officer. He was commissioned as
a United States Naval Officer in December of 2002. He
completed primary flight training at Training Squadron
27 and advanced flight training at Helicopter Training
Squadron 18 in Pensacola, Florida. During training Lt.
Dyer’s instructors often challenged his knowledge, but
little did they know that he was one of those gifted
people who had a photographic memory. He could recite
correct procedures back to them verbatim, including
the page numbers. On November 5, 2004 Lt. Dyer was designated
a Naval Aviator. He was then assigned to Helicopter
Sea Combat Squadron 3 in San Diego, California for training
in the MH-60S, and upon completion reassigned to Helicopter
Sea Combat Squadron 21. He participated in hurricane
relief operations after Hurricane Katrina for which
he was awarded the Joint Service Achievement Medal and
the Humanitarian Service Medal. Lt. Dyer was instrumental
in the formation of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23.
His awards include the National Defense Service Medal
and the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary
Medals. Lt. Dyer was deployed to the Middle East twice
during which times he and his team were credited with
rescuing numerous people who were in harm’s way. Before
his tragic and untimely death on January 26, 2007, he
was in training to return to the Middle East for a third
tour of duty.
Lt.
Dyer realized his lifelong dream of being a Navy pilot,
and in his final moments, he sacrificed his life as
unselfishly as he lived it, trying to save those around
him. Whatever the circumstances surrounding his all
too sudden death, there is no doubt that to the point
of his last breath, Lt. Dyer's efforts were focused
more on saving his crew than on saving himself.
Lt.
Dyer came from a military-oriented family, with his
father and both grandfathers having served in the military.
In addition to flying helicopters, Lt. Dyer loved golf,
and running, His family and friends remember him as
a strong person who would never quit anything, no matter
how hard things were. He always saw things through from
start to finish. As a naval aviator, Lt. Dyer was the
consummate professional. He knew his aircraft and his
procedures backwards and forwards. Though certainly
possessing natural talent, Lt. Dyer’s best attributes
were his never-ending desire to learn, the great responsibility
he felt for his crew, and the fact that he was a loyal
friend.
Lt. Dyer was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on
March 9, 2007.
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