More detail on this person: Colonel Craig Pardoe December 4, 1943 - September 23, 2025 Colonel Craig Joseph Pardoe, age 81, of Laguna Woods, California, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025. Craig was born in Independence, Missouri. At the age of twelve he and his parents moved to Culver City California. He attended Culver City junior high and then attended University High School. He excelled in football and after playing at Santa Monica City College received a scholarship to the University of Southern California. Craig earned his degree from the University of Southern California (class of 1966) before proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps, where he dedicated more than two decades to his country. He served as a CH-46 pilot at Marble Mountain during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970, flying with squadron HMM-263 under the call sign Peach Bush. Following his service in Vietnam, he joined the active-duty training squadron HMMT-301 in Tustin and later served with the Marine Reserve squadron HMM-764 based at MCAS El Toro from 1972 to 1992. Craig retired with the rank of Colonel, a testament to his leadership, commitment, and courage. Along with his distinguished military career, Craig devoted nearly three decades to education as a woodshop teacher from 1979 to 2007, spending most of those years at Serrano Junior High in Lake Forest. Known for his strict but good-humored safety policy, he taught students not only how to work with tools, but how to do so responsibly and confidently. Outside of the classroom, he enjoyed DIY home improvement projects, coaching sports, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family. His work ethic, sarcastic humor and steady presence left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Craig is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Carolyn, his two children, Carri (Geiger) and Cory, his two beloved grandsons Jackson and Carter, his brother Barry Rives and his sister Kellie Rives. Funeral services with full military honors were held on October 3, 2025, at Miramar National Cemetery to honor his service and legacy. Craig will be remembered for his courage, humility, and unwavering love for his family. Semper Fi.
Burial information: Miramar National Cemetery
This information was last updated 04/01/2026
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 04/18/2026
Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association