KLAHN Captain (retired) Dale Christian Klahn, age 89, of Jacksonville, passed away Thursday, January 20, 2011, at Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs. The son of Walter and Irma Klahn of Wheatland, Iowa, he was born on May 19, 1921. He grew up in Iowa until the family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, in 1938 and he graduated from Laramie High School. He later attended the University of Wyoming and, although he majored in animal husbandry, he also took a course in civilian flying. He was recruited by the Navy as an Aviation Cadet and was sworn into service on December 1, 1941. He served in the Navy as a fighter pilot. His first assignment out of flight school was Fighter Squadron VF-12, stationed at North Island NAS, near San Diego. On his first cruise in the Pacific in 1943 aboard the USS Saratoga, he was "wingman" for the Squadron Commander, Joe Clifton. He served two tours in the South Pacific and was shot down in early 1944 by AA fire after a successful raid on an enemy manufacturing plant. He was rescued thanks to a British Sub and cover by his Squadron Commander. During his 25 year Navy career, he was stationed on several aircraft carriers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, including the USS Intrepid, where he was Air Boss. His last assignment was COMFAIRJAX at JAX NAS. After his retirement from the Navy, he became Head Golf Professional at The University Country Club for fifteen years. He was married to Marian Lindquist (deceased) in 1944 and raised three children, Gary Ridge Klahn and wife Vicki of Camarillo, California, Jay Doran Klahn and wife Lynn of Longwood, Florida, Gayle VanWagenen and husband Simon of Brooker, Florida, sister Lois Marshall and husband Dan of Laramie, Wyoming, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grand children. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, January 24, 2011, at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home at 850 St. John's Bluff Road in Jacksonville. Burial will follow at Chapel Hills Memory Garden with full military honors conducted by the US Navy. Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be made to Birdies for the Brave, 100 PGA Tour Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082.