Captain Ira Dale Lewey

Dale Lewey passed away peacefully at his home on June 16,2026, surrounded by his wife of 52 years, Martha, and her son, Borden. He is lovingly remembered by his wife; his brother Jim; his sister Pat; his children: Neil, Angie, Mike, and Michelle; stepchildren Borden and Allison; grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dale Lewey was born on Sept. 30, 1934, in Pulaski, Virginia. He was proceeded in death by his parents James Wilbur and Rita Lewey. Dale was so pleased that his daughter Michelle and her family were able to visit him at the hospital.

Dale’s lifelong passion for aviation began at the small airport owned by his father. At just 14 years old, he became one of the youngest pilots to solo an airplane. After attending Virginia Tech, he joined the Navy through the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, becoming an official naval aviator in 1956. Committed to his craft, he later graduated from the Navy Post Graduate School and earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Southern California.

Dale held a highly successful naval career, truly living the life of “Top Gun.” He completed three tours in Vietnam piloting attack jets like the A4 Skyhawk. He also flew A7 Corsair and the F7U Cutlass among others. He safely executed 987 aircraft landings on aircraft carriers and has flown all over the globe. Among his many military achievements, he held a successful tour leading Ocean Venture in South America, coordinating 120,000 personnel, 250 ships, and 1,000 aircraft across 14 allied nations. He was a highly decorated Captain in the Navy, retiring with two distinguished flying crosses and the wings of gold.

Dale lived life to the very fullest and was delighted to share his eccentric stories with others. He truly lived the life of James Bond, attending “spy school” in Washington D.C. and serving as a Naval Attaché in Caracas, Venezuela. His adventures ranged from attending the christening of Prince Albert II of Monaco to flying a fighter jet on a whim to catch a “Rat Pac” concert in Las Vegas. He even had a small one career as an actor, appearing in six episodes of Hawaii-Five-O and flying the Japanese airplanes the epic film “Tora! Tora! Tora!” After retiring to Hilton Head, he created DL consulting specializing in high-tech Information systems.

Dale was a man of many diverse and refined passions. He was a true wine connoisseur who collected and enjoyed rare bottles from all over the world. Twenty-five years ago, he started a group he named the “WINEAUS”. He invited wine enthusiasts to join him on Thursday nights for wine dinners at local restaurants. His last WINEAUX dinner was 5/22/26. Though his travels took him across the world, he always loved the ocean and deeply cherished his home on Hilton Head Island with wife and beloved cat, Pepi. 

Dale will follow the naval tradition and requested a formal ceremony and a burial at sea. His life was 92 years of adventure, service, and passion, and he will be dearly missed.