A memorial service was held for Lieutenant Jonas Martin Panik, USNR, on 24 September 2001 in the United States Naval Academy Chapel. He was a Naval Intelligence Officer.
Jonas was born 1 November 1974 in State College, Pennsylvania. He participated in Varsity Football, Basketball, and Track at the Bellefonte High School. He graduated in 1993.
LT Panik entered the United States Naval Academy on 1 July 1993. He was a strong student, an exemplary leader, and a member of the football and powerlifting teams. He received his Bachelor of Science in History degree and a commission as an Ensign on 23 May 1997.
Jonas married Jennifer Dallas, the love on his life, on 14 June 1997. The couple lived in her home town of Hanover, Maryland, while Jonas was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence for temporary duty. In September 1997 they moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, while Jonas attend the Naval Officers Basic Course.
Upon graduation Jonas was assigned to Patrol Squadron 46 - the "Grey Knights" - at Whidbey Island, Washington. Jonas participated in deployments to the Western Pacific and to the Arabian Gulf.
His last Naval assignment was as a Flag Intelligence Briefer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot (CNO-IP). He had recently begun a graduate degree program through the Naval War College.
His personal awards included: the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Jonas is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his parents, Martin and Linda; his sister, Martina - and by the dogs he and Jennifer loved: Jasper and Logan.
He was killed at his desk on 11 September 2001 while working on issues relating to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers.
[To the editor - this information was distributed at the Memorial Service for LT Panik. I attended. Rear Admiral Roger Gilbertson, U.S. Navy Retired.]