I think he was the flight deck safety officer ... 'lost' his legs when the arresting gear came back and 'got' him momentary lapse of concentration will do you every
time .
I remember it well since I was in V-5 division and on the LSO Platform when it occurred. He was near the 3rd arresting gear cable helping to spot a F-4 back on the elevator. He backed across the safety line just as a F-4 hit the cable upon landing. The natural arch of the cable as it reeled out of the deck cut off his left foot at the ankle and the right leg at the knee. Both of them spun off the deck and over the side. Had not been a deck officer for very long when the accident happened.
