Captain Victor L. (“Cowboy”) Cerne, USN (Ret)

Gracious, kind, joyful, witty, honorable and a loving husband, father and friend - a man of many virtues. Vic will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. I send love and peace to his family.

Gracious, kind, funny, loving, honorable - a man of many virtues. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him but most of all by his loving family. Sending them love and peace.

It was a pleasure working with Vic over the past several years. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided so much value to our organization. More than that, he was generous and kind. He will truly be missed. We hope that you can find peace during this difficult time. Warm Regards, Jessica Rosenbaum Lone Star Analysis, Inc.

Dear Cindy, Justin, Molly & Andrew, I sent this condolence to you earlier in an Email, but I wanted to share it with others that have posted on the Wiley Funeral Home website. Gloria and I have just ready Victor's obituary online and the condolences that have been posted. We didn't know Vic, but by reading his obituary we know he was an outstanding American and we wish we had know him. In his honor I looked up You Tube videos on the Navy EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare planes like he flew a record number of times (ink below). One thing is for sure, he was a very brave man. Posthumously we all need to thank Victor for his service to our country. Further, we all need to thank his family members for the sacrifices they have made over the years when Victor was deployed. https://youtu.be/Jy04eBLAUrw Your cousin Everett Martin

Cindy, I just heard of Vic’s sudden passing last night. I am deeply saddened for you, Molly, and Justin. I wish you comfort in these difficult days.

Cindy and Family, I was deeply saddened to hear of Victors passing. My heart breaks with yours as you journey through this season of grief. Victor was truly a wonderful, kind human being. I know he will be greatly missed. Lifting you and your family up and offering my deepest sympathy.

Cindy, Justin, Molly & Andrew, We are so saddened to hear about the unexpected passing of uncle Vic. He was the sweetest, kindest man and will be missed dearly but always remembered for his larger than life personality. Prayers and love to you all. Trey & Jennifer

Of all the people I’ve met in my life, few are as warm, kind, competent and good hearted as Bic. He was great to fly with and was a role model and leader. I looked up to Vic and he influenced my life. He helped me early on at VAQ-136 during an event in Kadena. He backed me up to Skipper Westover and his integrity helped me at a critical moment in my life. Vic was one of the greatest and nicest person’s I’ve ever known. I’m deeply saddened by his loss. We’ve lost a great guy

Of all the people I’ve met in my life, few are as warm, kind, competent and good hearted as Bic. He was great to fly with and was a role model and leader. I looked up to Vic and he influenced my life. He helped me early on at VAQ-136 during an event in Kadena. He backed me up to Skipper Westover and his integrity helped me at a critical moment in my life. Vic was one of the greatest and nicest person’s I’ve ever known. I’m deeply saddened by his loss. We’ve lost a great guy

Rest in Peace "Cowboy" Vic Cerne. This is a story you helped write. During my first flight with my new squadron, I had an issue with my right brake. I noticed it dragging right on taxi and takeoff, but during landing, the aircraft started pulling hard right directly into the arresting gear battery – off the side of the runway. I ended up having to put in full left brake and full nose wheel steering to stay on the runway and blew my left main mount in the process, which means I had to be towed back. That flight is another story. Anyhow, the Maintenance Chiefs did not like me one bit for “breaking their jet” and because it was my first flight with them, I had no reputation to fall back on. For my second flight, I was paired with Vic. Vic was a major Department Head and experienced ECMO (Electronic Counter Measures Officer). I am fairly certain that we were paired together in order to assess my actual flying abilities in a covert friendly manner. Whatever the case, Vic made it clear in no uncertain terms how much he was looking forward to the flight and that he had total confidence in me as a pilot. It wasn’t that he directly said it, it was more how he talked to me and related himself to me as the pilot in command. This could be fun. Because we were flying from Cubi Point, (Philippines) Maintenance was located in a small Quonset hut that was probably built during World War 2, and when we arrived, it was raining HARD. By that, I mean Philippine Monsoon HARD. But hey, we had a noon takeoff time. Rain is irrelevant. So we pre-flighted the aircraft in the POURING RAIN. Vic looked like he didn’t seem to notice, so following his lead, I gaffed off the rain and pre-flighted my Prowler like it was a perfect summer day. By the time we got into the cockpit and started strapping in, we were both soaked to the bone wet. We couldn't have gotten any wetter if we had jumped in a pool. The rain started coming down harder as we closed the canopy. The canopies on the EA-6B have a seal that inflates once you get airborne so you can maintain cabin pressure. However, sitting in the line in the rain, they don’t inflate. I remember expressing concern to Vic because water was leaking into the cockpit directly onto the center avionic control panels. LIKE A GARDEN HOSE. Not a little bit of water. A LOT. Vic shrugged it off saying the aircraft was spec’d out for that. Through most of this, I was in denial thinking there was no way we were going to go flying in such horrible weather, but Vic’s demeanor didn't hint that this was just for show. That's when I decided I really needed to focus on the flight and not worry about the rain. I got the jet all started up and ready to go and remember looking at my plane captain - God Bless all Maintainers. As wet as I was, they were wetter. And the Plane Captain never once waivered or lost focus on the job at hand. We finished our checks and taxied out to the runway. The plan was to enter a GCA (Ground Controlled Approach) pattern and bang out as many approaches as we could before we ran out of gas. Weather was at minimums everywhere, but that didn't matter, because we were going flying. These were the same conditions where an A-4 pilot crashed a couple of days prior flying the same exact mission, but Vic didn't seem at all concerned, and still managed to crack jokes. So off we went. Things I noticed after getting airborne: (1) the canopy stopped leaking (2) the cloud ceilings were really low (3) and the air conditioner started to work. Before this, I was soaking wet. Now I was soaking wet and freezing cold. Vic casually adjusted the temperature and was just relaxed as could be. Although the entire flight was flown in Instrument conditions in a Monsoon in a mountainous area and we only saw the ground on touchdown, Vic was totally chill and relaxing to fly with. His attitude was contagious and I started to relax and fly better. During the flight, he’d tell stories at the right time and focus on the mission when that was required, and was always quick with some form of humor. His sincere nature combined with his aerial competence earned my immediate respect and loyalty. And although not necessarily a requirement for success in tactical aviation, Vic was FUN to fly with. And despite his casual demeanor, his situational awareness was profound and he always knew exactly what was going on in and around his airplane. Throughout my career, he was one of the most competent aircrew I’ve ever flown with and he made the pilots he flew with better. And for this nugget (Naval Aviation lingo for newbie aviator), that was a welcome shot in the arm at the exact time I needed it. Fair winds and following seas Cowboy! Your shipmates have the watch! Cindy, Justin and Molly, our thoughts and love are with you always!

I will forever be grateful for Vic's friendship, mentorship, and leadership during our time together in Atsugi and on the USS Midway. He was a great patriot, Naval Officer, father, husband and friend. Our family's experience in Japan was enriched by our relationship with Vic, Cindy, Justin, and Molly and we are very sorry for your loss. With Deepest Condolences to the Cerne Family,

I did not have the honor of meeting Victor Cerne, I'm sad to say, but I know the kind of man he was, because I know his family. My wife Lisa and I send our most heartfelt condolences to Cindy, Justin, Molly and Andrew. We embrace you.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.