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Today in History – September 30, 1966 – LtCol W.M. Fowler ejects from F-100 #553502

30 September 1966 – LtCol Walter “Mel” Fowler’s F-100 #553502 is hit in the engine by gunfire over SVN. He came close to capture or death by closely advancing Viet Cong before his wingman suppressed the advancing VC and he was picked up from the rice paddy by an Army Helo. Fowler was serving with

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Whitley, Alton

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Alton Whitley

Preferred Name: Al
Date of Birth: November 27, 1945
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Lancaster, SC
Alton Whitley - before
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

I grew up in Lancaster, SC. After serving for 26 years, I retired from my last assignment as the Detachment Commander of the Air Force Senior ROTC program at Clemson University. I now live in nearby Greenville, SC.

“I had tours in the F-100 and A-7 in the Vietnam War and in the F-117 during Desert Storm, where I served as the wing commander of the 37 TFW. After leaving active duty, I started and led a high school Air Force Junior ROTC unit near Clemson, SC from July 1994 to December 2008.

I remain indebted to, humbled by, and forever grateful to those of you who gave me insight, guidance, wisdom, and so many unique opportunities. I even appreciate the “fatherly advice” I often got (and needed) along the way. It was an honor to serve with such a special breed of warriors.

My only regret is I never told most of you how much I appreciated you, your friendship, and your help along the way. I’m proud that I served with so many who were not only the heart and soul of the Hun community but also the world’s greatest Air Force.”

Units Assigned

  • 1968-6/1969 Pilot Training, Webb AFB, TX (69-08)
  • 7/1969-2/1970 4511th CCTS, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100C/F)
  • 3/1970-7/1970 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
  • 7/1970-10/1970 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
  • 11/1970-6/1972 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron/416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (F-100 D/F)
  • 7/1972-1/1973 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (A-7D)
  • 2/1973-2/1974 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat RTAFB, Thailand (A-7D)
  • 3/1974-9/1975 422nd Fighter Wing Squadron (OT&E), Nellis AFB, NV (A-7D)
  • 10/1975-1/1976 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Wing Weapons and Tactics, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (A-7D)
  • 2/1976-3/1977 A-10 IOT&E Team, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ (A-10)
  • 4/1977-3/1980 422nd Forward Wing Squadron (OT&E), Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
  • 4/1980-12/1980 66th FWS, (Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, first as a student and then as an instructor), Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
  • 1/1981-6/1985 4450th Tactical Group, Operations Officer and Squadron Commander, Nellis AFB, NV, Tonopah Test Range, NV (F-117, A-7D/K)
  • 7/1985-5/1986 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
  • 6/1986-8/1987 Air Staff, (XOXFM, XOXFT, and WRM Panel Chairman), Pentagon
  • 8/1987-7/1988 4440th TFTG (Red Flag) Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (F-5)
  • 7/1988-6/1989 57th FWW Vice Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (A-10)
  • 7/1989-8/1990 HQ TAC, Director, Fighter Training and Tactics (DOT), Langley AFB, VA
  • 8/1990-7/1992 37th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander, Tonopah Test Range, NV (F-117, AT-38)
  • 7/1992-6/1994 Air Force ROTC Detachment 770 Commander, Clemson University, SC

Awards & Decorations

Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal

Flight Info

F-100 C/D/F
A-7 D/K
A-10
F-117A
F-5
AT-38

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • SOS
  • National War College

Civilian Education:

  • 1968 BA, Clemson University, SC
  • 1975 MA, University of Northern Colorado, CO

531st TFS, Bien Hoa Airbase, RVN, 1970
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