A Sailor's Story: Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen

 


Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on October 5, 1965. She spent her early years in Chicago, Illinois, and Toronto, Canada, before moving to San Antonio, Texas. Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen graduated from Alamo Heights High School and played basketball for the high school team.

She attended the University of Texas, studying aerospace engineering, and graduated in 1987. Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen enlisted in the US Navy shortly after college graduation.

She attended Officer's Candidate School at the Naval Air Station and completed Naval Aviator training in Corpus Christie, Texas. Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen was then assigned to Key West, Florida, flying the EA-6A Intruders.  

In 1993, when the US Navy integrated women into combat roles, Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen was chosen to become one the first women to train flying F-14s at Miramar. She qualified as a combat pilot in July 1994 and was the first woman in the US Navy. Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen was assigned to the Black Lions Squadron.

Lieutenant Kara Spears Hultgreen would die during her service on October 25, 1994, when her plane crashed during her landing approach to the USS Abraham Lincoln while at sea off the coast of San Diego, California. She rests at Arlington National Cemetery.


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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: San Antonio, TX, USA

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