In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room podcast, host Ryan Keys sits down with Dave Lorenzo, a former US Marine Corps fighter pilot and Vietnam veteran, to share his remarkable journey from Naval Academy graduate to F-8 Crusader pilot, airline captain, and dedicated museum docent at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Dave recounts the harrowing experience of being shot down over Laos during his 98th combat mission in the Vietnam War, and how his military and aviation career evolved after that life-changing event. Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the tactical challenges of combat aviation, the design and operation of the iconic F-8 Crusader, and the transitions pilots made from military to commercial flight during the golden age of aviation.

Beyond the cockpit, Dave shares how mentorship, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to excellence shaped his decades in aviation—and why educating and inspiring the next generation of aviators is now his greatest mission.

Dave Lorenzo is a distinguished former US Marine Corps fighter pilot and retired Delta Airlines captain with over three decades of commercial aviation experience. A 1964 graduate of the US Naval Academy, he flew the F-8 Crusader during the Vietnam War, completing 98 combat missions before being shot down over Laos in January 1968. His dramatic ejection and rescue story exemplifies the resilience and courage characteristic of naval aviation.

After his military service, Lorenzo enjoyed a 32-year career with Delta Airlines, flying various aircraft including the Convair 880, DC-8, DC-9, and Boeing 777. Today, he serves as a volunteer docent at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, where he narrates Blue Angels practice sessions and shares his wealth of aviation experience with visitors and aspiring aviators. His recent reunion with his long-lost Naval Academy class ring after 50 years made headlines, highlighting his ongoing connection to naval aviation's rich heritage.

With experience spanning military and commercial aviation, Dave Lorenzo brings unique insights into the evolution of aviation technology, leadership, and the enduring importance of mentorship in developing future generations of aviators. His storytelling combines technical expertise with personal experience, making complex aviation concepts accessible to audiences of all backgrounds

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