R.I.P. Lt. Miroslav S. Zilberman

Navy Lt. Miroslav S. Zilberman
Died April 02, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

31, of Columbus, Ohio; assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, based at Naval Base Norfolk, Va.; died after his E-2C Hawkeye crashed into the Arabian Gulf on March 31, 2010. The recovery effort was abandoned on April 2, 2010 and his body was not recovered.

(The following was taken from www.wbdj7.com of Apr. 8, 2010) NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Hundreds of mourners gathered at Naval Station Norfolk to honor a Navy pilot killed when his plane crashed into the North Arabian Sea on March 31.

Lt. Miroslav "Steve" Zilberman was remembered as a hero Thursday during a memorial at the Virginia Navy base.

Speakers said the actions of the Columbus, Ohio, resident save the lives of 3 crewmembers. They bailed out of the troubled E-2C Hawkeye before it hit the water and were rescued.

The plane was returning to the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower from a mission to Afghanistan when 1 of its engines lost oil pressure and had to be shut down.

Zilberman's widow, Katrina, was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross at the conclusion of the memorial.