Subscribe
Sailors from the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band, and Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Detachment conduct full military funeral honors with escort for U.S. Navy Capt. Edward Estes in Section 57 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Aug. 25, 2025.
Estes entered the Navy’s Aviation Cadet Program in 1955 and earned his commission as an ensign the following year. The year after that, he earned his designation as a naval aviator. Following his completion of instructor pilot school, he served for around three years as a T-28 Trojan instructor pilot with the Naval Air Training Command. Estes then attended AD-6 Skyraiders Replacement Pilot Training with VA-44 which led to him serving as an AD-6 pilot with VA-35. Estes subsequently deploying in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the fall of 1962 where he flew in defense of Guantanamo Bay.
After several more years of training on various aircrafts, Estes (now a commander) deployed to support the Vietnam War. On Jan. 3, 1968, Estes was flying over North Vietnam when a surface-to-air missile struck his A-4 Skyhawk aircraft which forced Estes to eject. While he reached the ground safely, Estes was captured and spent more than five years (1898 days) as a prisoner of war in various jungle camps as well as Hòa Lò Prison (nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by the American POWs held there). Estes finally returned home with other American POWs in March 1973 as part of Operation Homecoming.
After recovering from his injuries, Estes continued to serve in the Navy and on August 1, 1986, he retired with more than 30 years of service. His military awards include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merits with valor and three gold stars, the Bronze Stars with valor and three gold stars, and the Purple Hearts and gold star.
Estes’ spouse, Bette Estes, received the U.S. flag from her husband’s funeral service.
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
| Date Taken: | 08.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2025 14:42 |
| Photo ID: | 9295538 |
| VIRIN: | 250825-A-IW468-9301 |
| Resolution: | 2122x3184 |
| Size: | 4.67 MB |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 0 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Full Military Funeral Honors with Escort are Conducted for U.S. Navy Capt. Edward Estes in Section 57 [Image 56 of 56], by Elizabeth Fraser, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
