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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Walsh, Daniel O.

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  • Walsh, Daniel O.

Daniel O'Brien Patrick Walsh

Preferred Name: Dan
Nickname/Call Sign: Fire Can Dan
Date of Birth: July 22, 1930
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Headed West Date: May 30, 2018
Daniel O'Brien Patrick Walsh - before
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
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“Fire Can” Dan Walsh claimed the longest non-stop flight in an F-100 — 6400 NM, 12 hours and 35 minutes, with three refuelings. After serving in the USAF, Fire Can Dan became a Demo Pilot, Citation 1&2. Civ a/c- CFI, CFII, and Seaplane Instructor.

As an Octogenarian, still giving (kinda mild) aerobatic instruction, RV-6. Proud to be a member of: Aspenosium, Quiet Birdmen, Command Barstoolers, RRVFPA, and SSS (love the reunions).

Married to Susan (pilot), 9 kids, 21 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.

Always remember: “It ain’t easy to be a fighter pilot”!!!

Units Assigned

  • 1952-1953 Pilot Training, Hondo, TX/Foster AFB, TX/Nellis AFB, NV (T-6, T-28, T-33, F-86)
  • 1954-1955 357th Fighter Day Squadron/45th Fighter Day Squadron, Morocco (F-86F)
  • 1955 Transition, Nellis AFB. NV (F-100 A/C)
  • 1955-1957 1738th Fighter Squadron, Kelly AFB, TX (F-86, F-100C/D)
  • 1958-1960 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron/356th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC (F-100D)
  • 1958 USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100D)
  • 1960-1962 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa (F-100D)
  • 1963-1964 Fighter Branch, HQ PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI (T-33)
  • 1964-1966 USAFA, AOC 8th CS, COANG (F-100D)
  • 1966 TDY Bien Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D)
  • 1967 RTU 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, MacDill AFB, FL (F-4 C/D)
  • 1968 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Triple Nickel),Ubon/Udorn RTAB, Thailand (F-4 C/D)
  • 1969-1972 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron CC, 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron CC; 1st Tactical Fighter Wing ADO/DO, MacDill AFB, FL (F-4E)
  • 1973-1975 “Purple Water Fountain”, HQ USAF, Pentagon
  • 1975-1976 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, VC, MacDill AFB, FL (F-4E)
  • 1976-1978 Chief, Flight Safety USAF, Norton AFB, CA
  • 1978 “Courtesy” Checkout, 555Tactical Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ (F-15)
  • 11/29/1978 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (3)
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters

Flight Info

T-6
T-2
T-33
F-86 F
F-100 A/C/D
T-33
F-4 C/D/E
F-15

146 combat missions, 102 of which were over North Vietnam.

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1956 Squadron Officers School
  • 1967 Armed Forces Staff College
  • 1973 National War College

Civilian Education:

  • 1948 Cretin High School
  • 1952 BS, St Thomas College
  • 1973 MS/Int’l Political Affairs, George Washington University

Daniel O’Brien Walsh, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on May 30, 2018.

“Daniel O’Brien Walsh went to fly in the eternal sky on May 30, 2018. He was born on July 22, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to Robert E and Cecilia O’Brien Walsh. Shortly after his birth the family moved to St. Paul, MN. Dan attended Cretin High School graduating in 1948 and attended St. Thomas College graduating in 1952.

There he was awarded a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He went through flight training and became a fighter pilot, a profession he pursued for 27 years. Dan served in Europe, North Africa, Okinawa, Vietnam, Thailand and Hawaii. He also had a number of state-side assignments at various tactical fighter bases. In addition, he served tours at the USAF Academy and The Pentagon.

His military schools include Squadron Officer School, Armed Forces Staff College, National War College and USAF Fighter Weapons School. He also earned a Master’s Degree in International Political Affairs from George Washington University in 1973. His South-East Asia service included 146 combat missions, 102 of which were over North Vietnam. His decorations include 2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and 16 Air Medals.

He retired from the AF in December 1978 as a Bird Colonel but continued to fly in civilian life; most notably as Chief pilot for Hilton Hotels and a stint with United Airlines and the Sierra Aces Acrobatic Team. He also continued flight instruction as a CFI and a CFII. He flew his last instruction flight at the age of 84!

He married Susan Yost in 1957. They had 6 children. In 1980, he married Susan Roberts who had 3 children. So between them there were 9 children which resulted in 21 grand-children and 13 great grand-children.

He was active in the Catholic Church, as a proud member of Aspenosium, The Quiet Birdmen, The Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Assoc, The Super Saber Society, the F-86 Saber Society and the Command Bar-Stoolers Association.”(1)

He loved skiing, golf, fly-fishing and was probably “reasonably proficient at any sport he tried”. He was a fun-loving man and a prankster and perhaps most remembered for “borrowing” a fire truck in Piarco Port Of Spain Trinidad—thus was born the nickname “Firecan”.

Dan is survived by his wife Susan of 38 years; sons Timothy, James, Douglas, and Jonathan; and daughters Christine, Kerrin, Margaret Ann “Meg” and Teri.”

Source: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/daniel-walsh-col-ret-usaf-7867116

Walsh, Dan From Intake
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