Captain Larry L. Ernst, USN (Ret),
Golden Eagle Emeritus
 

Gentlemen,
 
It is my sad duty to report that on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, Golden Eagle Emeritus CAPT Larry L. “Pappy” Ernst, USN (Ret), made his Last Take Off at his residence in Austin, Texas.
 
Pappy was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on 19 July 1943. He was raised and lived in Beckley, West Virginia, until graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School. His high school academic performance was excellent graduating in the top 10 of his class. After graduation Pappy headed off to Ohio State University (OSU) on a NROTC scholarship. He met Bobbie there and they were married in August 1965. He graduated from OSU in June 1966 with an Aeronautical Engineering Degree and was commissioned an Ensign.
 
Larry Ernst began U.S. Navy flight training in June 1966 earning his Wings of Gold in August 1967 after qualifying in the T-34, T-2, and TF-9. In September 1967 Larry reported to VF-121 for F-4 Phantom II training at NAS Miramar. He completed the RAG syllabus in February 1968 then reported to VF-114 for his first operational assignment aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). During that tour he deployed to the Vietnam War flying the F-4B and F-4J on his first combat deployment. Upon return the squadron was assigned “hot pad” duty for the Cuban Missile Crisis. In December 1968 the squadron deployed again to the Western Pacific for his second combat deployment — this one for 11 months. Upon return Pappy was sent to TOPGUN in an early class graduating in 1969.
 
Larry’s next assignment sent him to the East Coast as a student at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. During this tour Larry logged flight time in the A-4, F-8, F-4, OV-10, NU-1B, T-28, AH-1, C-1, P-3, A-3, RA-5C, B-26, P-2H, T1, UH-1, H-46, S-2, T-38, E-1, U-6, X-26, T-2 and H-13 as a Flying Qualities & Performance Test Pilot. This tour ended in December 1972 when Pappy was ordered to the British Empire Test Pilot School as an instructor flying the F.1 Lightning, PR-7 Canberra, T-5 Jet Provost, DHC-1 Chipmunk, B.206 Beagle Basset, AW.660 Argosy, T-7/8 Hunter, Twin Pioneer Series 3, Sedbergh glider, HS-780 Andover, Mirage-3, Nord-262, Puma Scout, K-6 glider, T22 Canberra, DHC-2 Beaver, Harvard IIB trainer, T.1 Gnat, S-58 Wessex and GR.1 Harrier.
 
In January 1975 Larry returned to the states and reported to VF-111 as Operations Officer followed by Maintenance Officer duties flying the F-4N. The squadron was on board USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV 42) for a Mediterranean Sea deployment from the West Coast. This tour ended in August 1977 and lead to his assignment as TOPGUN Operations Officer and eventually Executive Officer flying the F-5, A-4 and T-38.
 
In March 1980 Pappy left TOPGUN and reported to VF-124 for F-14 Tomcat transition. Having successfully completed his transition in October 1980 he reported to VF-211 (aboard USS Ranger (CV 61) as Executive Officer followed by his assuming Command in February 1982. His command tour ended in July 1983 with follow on orders to the National War College in Washington, D.C. A year later he was selected again for Command and ordered to the F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron VF-101 at NAS Oceana as Commanding Officer. During this tour Pappy was awarded the VADM James B. Stockdale Leadership Award.
 
From March 1986 to October 1987 Larry was Executive Officer of USS Constellation (CV 64). Larry survived that tour and was rewarded with OP-09 Special Assistant job in OPNAV, which he completed in March 1989. After several preparatory training schools, Pappy was selected and reported to USS Milwaukee (AOR 2) as Commanding Officer.
 
In January 1991, Pappy reported to ComNavAirLant as Operations Officer. This turned out to be a four-month assignment with orders to VFA-106 for F/A-18 Hornet training. Once complete Pappy was selected and reported to USS Midway (CV 41) as Commanding Officer and flying the F/A-18 and SH-3 Sea King.
 
In April 1992 Captain Larry Ernst reported to CincPacFlt HQ as the Operations Officer. Larry completed this tour in July 1993 and retired from active duty.
 
In his career, Pappy flew more than 4,600 hours in jets, props and helos. He logged 136 combat missions, 658 fixed-wing carrier landings and 28 rotary-wing landings. His combat awards include a Presidential Unit Citation, 6 Air Medals, and 2 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V.” He was also selected for the West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. During his four command tours the squadrons and ship were awarded the Battle E, Safety S, Golden Anchor and Clifton Awards.
 
In retirement, Larry served as the Business Development Manager at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, developing the Predator UAV system in San Diego, California. In 1999, he was appointed as the Vice President Integrated Systems at Avnet Computer Systems in Phoenix and retired in 2003. Bobbie and Larry subsequently moved to Austin, Texas.
 
Larry is survived by his wife Bobbie of 60 years; his older sister Ruann Ernst and her husband Bill Riffle; younger sister Brenda Lilly and her husband Pete Lilly; eldest daughter Jackie Ernst, her partner Doug George, and her two children Sara and Scott Carsanaro; and youngest daughter Jenni Fluke, her husband Brad Fluke and her two sons Blake and Tyler Rozas.
 
Funeral services and interment specifics will be provided via a subsequent Special Notice.
 
He will be missed.
 
In Sadness
Matt MOFFIT
Pilot