Arthur G. Christopoulos was born in Augusta, ME.
Upon graduation from Gardiner High School in 1948, Arthur served with the Maine National Guard while he was also working on his family business. He entered Officer Candidate School, USAF on March 21, 1955, and graduated on September 9, 1955. After his flying training and gaining his silver wings, he was posted to the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-100 Super Sabres. He deployed numerous times in Europe, especially France and Italy. From 1963 to 1966 he served in the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, in RAF Bentwaters, England equipped with the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo. The Voodoos were to remain at Bentwaters for seven years, before the next change of aircraft type, conversion to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the first example of which arrived for the 81st TFW on the 4th October 1965, and the wing’s full complement was reached by 26th April 1966, the 81st TFW’s last five Voodoos left Woodbridge on 3rd January 1966. Arthur played a significant role in the transition to the new fighter and he himself trained in a 12 weeks course in the F-4C during 1965. While serving in the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing the Greek American pilot was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.
For more information and photos go to https://www.greeks-in-foreign-cockpits.com/pilots-crews/fighter-pilots/arthur-christopoulos/
Arthur G. Christopoulos, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on March 16, 2011.
Col. Arthur G. Christopoulos of Sun City Center, Fla., and Gardiner, Maine, died peacefully with his family by his side on March 16, 2011. He was born in Augusta, Maine, on Oct. 7, 1930, to George Arthur and Mildred Mason Christopoulos. As the oldest son, he began working at an early age in the family restaurant, the Central Café in Gardiner, Maine.
Upon graduation from Gardiner High School in 1948, he served with the Maine National Guard, the U.S. Navy and the US Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his 30-year military career, he served with his family in France, Germany, England, Italy, Spain and Korea along with a solo tour of duty in Vietnam. His many decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. During his combat tour in Vietnam of 163 combat sorties in the F-4 Fighter jet, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for an extraordinarily accomplished mission on Nov. 11, 1966, along with 10 additional air medals.
After returning to his last U.S. Air Force assignment to Eglin Air Force Base in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., he retired in 1979 and began a new career as the chief operating officer for AIM Telephones Inc., an east coast interconnect company until his retirement in 1990.
Arthur is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Jacobs Christopoulos; and two daughters, Lynn Christopoulos Milani, of Griffin Ga., and Dana Christopoulos Crosson of Waxhaw, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Clancy Elizabeth Halsted, James Michael Milani Jr., Antonio Mario Milani, Joseph Christopoulos Milani, Lindsey Theresa Milani, Whitney Katherine Crosson and Kelsey Elizabeth Crosson; and seven great-grandchildren, He is also survived by four sisters, Alice Kilroy of Winter Haven, Fla., Mary Pushard of Randolph, Betty Ann and Dan Burr of Del Rio, Texas, and Sandra and Dan Alexander of Farmingdale; four brothers, John and Marilyn Christopoulos of Virginia, William and Dorothy Christopoulos of Litchfield, James and Carol Christopoulos of Auburn, and Paul and Pat Christopoulos of South Carolina. He was predeceased by his daughter, Leslie Ann Christopoulos; grandson Colin Joseph Grasse; sister Pauline Christopoulos Harrington; and brother Oliver Young.
The first born son of a Greek Immigrant, Col. Arthur G. Christopoulos was extremely proud of his heritage, his immediate family and extended family and all of their accomplishments.
A full military honor service [was] held to celebrate the life of Arthur G. Christopoulos at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. (Kennebec Journal 3/22/2011)
