Jane O’Dea

Jane and I served as flight instructors together in VT-2 at Whiting Field near Pensacola, Florida in the late '70s. Jane was great person, excellent pilot and friend. I believe she was the first Navy female flight instructor. She was thorough in duties, always fun -- and tough. She flew into her sixth month of pregnancy. We stayed in touch over the years and even had a visit in State College, PA when she and her husband stopped by to see us on one of their trips through the northeast. She is missed and credit to the U.S. Navy. She is missed.

Additionally I'd like to add that I read about and remembered Jane by way of an article in the December '23 issue of Shipmate (USNA) magazine - Women in Naval Aviation - where I would also be stunned by seeing her photograph. After all these intervening years, she once again provided a wide smile.

Rest Easy, Miss.

Vr/Albert Frederick (Rick) Beede

Along with many other students attending flight training in Pensacola beginning in March 1973, I was honored to meet Jane during those long-ago hectic days. Sad now to learn of her passing, and not to have been able to re-connect with this Lady in saying how proud I was to experience the very start of her Naval rise to the top. Condolences, certainly, to the Family over their loss.

Jane was a great friend, squadron mate, fantastic mom and wife. We all still miss her and her great wit. She could certainly bring a smile to a room particularly around a bunch of her fellow aviators. She is greatly missed and will be remembered for years to come.

Sorry to hear about Captain O'Dea. I was stationed in Rota at Security with her. The Captain was someone to look up to. YNC K. Driscoll, Ret.

I met Jane in 1976, we were Squadron mates in VR 24 Det Rota Spain. My then wife Cindy and I became good friends with Jane and her husband Tom. In the summer of 1982 I had the pleasure of working with Jane in Pensacola Florida. She was the T34 Cadre OINC and instructor for pilots who were assigned to the recruiting command. Good officer, sharp individual, great sense of humor. Take care Tom!