Paul Richard Fridley

On August 31st, 2021 United States Navy Lieutenant Paul Richard Fridley was conducting flight operations off of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in San Diego when a mishap involving his aircraft occurred resulting in the death of all five crew members aboard.

Fridley was born in Rota, Spain but was raised in Annandale, Virginia. He grew up in a close knit Navy family where he was the youngest of three, with two older sisters. Paul loved playing lacrosse and football, woodworking,  reading, and learning about history. Fridley graduated from the University of Virginia before he was commissioned in the Navy in 2015.

Fridley loved being a part of the Navy because it enabled him to help others and fly helicopters, which were two of his favorite things. Throughout his time with the Navy he received numerous awards and accolades including but not limited to, his Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator in 2017, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and becoming a Helicopter Aircraft Commander with 952 accrued flight hours.

Lieutenant Paul Richard Fridley is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their son Paul, who was born six months after his father’s passing.

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