Bernard Strean, 91; Pilot, Admiral Backed Naval Air Museum

Vice Adm. Bernard M. Strean, 91, a Navy combat pilot during World War II who helped establish the Naval Air Museum, died June 1 of pneumonia at a hospital in Arlington, Va.

A native of Big Cabin, Okla., Strean graduated from Annapolis in 1929, where he was a member of the crew and football teams.

During World War II, Strean led a fighter squadron on the aircraft carrier Yorktown and was involved in several engagements in the Pacific. Among his decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit and the Navy Cross.

Strean continued as a naval aviation instructor after the war. In the 1960s, he commanded the first all-nuclear-powered carrier group. He was later chief of personnel for the Navy.

In his last command, he was chief of naval air training in Florida.

While serving in Pensacola, Strean was instrumental in establishing the Naval Air Museum.

He retired from the Navy in 1971.