Wilson Denver Key

Year Inducted: 2015

Wilson Denver Key was born on June 22, 1940, in Hays, North Carolina. He graduated in 1958 from North Wilkes High School. With an excellent academic record, Key competed for and won admission to the Naval ROTC program at UCLA. His record there continued at the United States Navel Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, where he was a Class of ’63 graduate. Mr. Key also completed a master’s degree in physics at the University of North Carolina in 1977. Key served with the United States Navy from 1963 until his retirement in 1993.

Lt. Wilson D. Key was a Douglas Aircraft A4 pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 34 onboard the USS INTREPID the morning of November 17, 1967. Lt. Key was the wingman of the third section of surface-to-air missile (SAM) suppressor aircraft in a two-carrier strike two miles southeast of the city of Hanoi, North Vietnam.

Key's section leader, LCDR Teter, was also assigned an A4C. The two aircraft were launched from the carrier and proceeded to the target area. Approximately 10 miles southeast of the target area, the section encountered and evaded the first volley of SAMs. The flight continued to the target area and attacked a firing SAM site with rockets. During the attack, the section was constantly being tracked by missiles and missile guidance radar. At 1155 hours, upon egress from the target area, approximately 6 miles south of Hanoi, Key's aircraft took a direct hit by a SAM. He communicated that he was hit and ejected at about 800 feet altitude. His section leader observed a good parachute. For the next five-and-a-half years, Lt. Key was held prisoner in and around Hanoi. During his captivity, he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Then, in 1973, he was released from captivity along with 590 other Americans.

Since his release in 1973, Captain Key has received many distinguished military awards and held many positions. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit with two gold stars and the Prisoner of War Medal. Capt. Key has served as a physics instructor at the United States Naval Academy, a Missile Projects Officer with the Naval Material Command in Washington, D.C., a Production Management Branch Officer with Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C., a Commanding Officer of the Naval Plant Representative Office at LTV Corporation in Dallas, Texas, an Aerial Targets Program Manager and then Director of Research and Technology with Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, D.C. He later became Director of Mathematics and Science and Commodore of the Sailing Squadron at the United States Naval Academy.

Since his retirement from active duty, Capt. Key has remained close to his Navy life and has taught physics and astronomy at St. John’s River Community College in Jacksonville, Florida.