Former Aviano pilot to be buried at Academy

  • Published
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A 2003 graduate of the Air Force Academy will be buried at the Academy Cemetery with full military honors March 22.

Maj. Lucas Gruenther, 33, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed into the Adriatic Sea during a nighttime mission Jan. 28.

Gruenther was the chief of flight safety for the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy. His body was recovered by an Italian vessel Jan. 31.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley approved a posthumous promotion to major. Gruenther had been selected for promotion but had not pinned on the rank at the time of his death.

Gruenther was a distinguished graduate and member of the Wings of Blue Air Force Parachute Demonstration Team. He had more than 400 combat hours from flying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He is survived by his wife, Cassy, his daughter, Serene, his mother, Romel Mathias, and his brothers, Alex and Chance.

The family has set up a Major Lucas Gruenther Memorial Fund. Information on the fund is available at Gruenther's memorial website, www.lucasgruenther.com.