Our Hangar Bay Hero: LTJG Patrick H. Drury

Some people leave a mark on your life that time never fades. LTJG Patrick H. Drury — Pat — was one of those people.

We met at the Naval Academy, where he was a member of the Class of 2011. That’s where our friendship began, but we grew closer during flight school. Pat had this calm, steady presence and a sharp wit that made him easy to be around. He was always upbeat, always grounded, and always the kind of guy you were proud to know.

Pat grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Bishop Ireton High School, where he played football and graduated as class salutatorian. After a year at Virginia Tech, he transferred to the Naval Academy — and never looked back.

He had a real talent for flying. As a student aviator in VT-9, training on the T-45, he was known for his skill in the cockpit and his professionalism outside of it. Instructors called him one of the best they'd ever seen — not just for his performance, but for his humility, work ethic, and quiet leadership.

Tragically, Pat was killed in a car accident on June 16, 2013, along with our friend and classmate Kyle McArthur. They were returning from a weekend trip during flight training when their vehicle struck a parked truck. Pat was just 25 years old.

After his passing, Pat was posthumously awarded his Wings of Gold — a reflection of the aviator and officer he already was in spirit. He’s laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, and his legacy lives on through the example he set and the lives he touched.

Pat lived with purpose, integrity, and compassion. He brought people together, lifted them up, and made the world better just by being in it.