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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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Forster, George J.

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  • Forster, George J.

George J. Forster

Preferred Name: George
Nickname/Call Sign: Ace
Date of Birth: October 3, 1936
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Headed West Date: April 27, 2019
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Colonel George John Forster (USAF, Ret.) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 3, 1936. He married the former Helene G. Vento of Greendale, Wisconsin on November 22, 1958. They had four children and seven grandchildren.

George joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1956 after graduating from the Air Force Pilot Training Program, entered active duty in 1962 as a fighter pilot, and retired in October of 1988.

During his career, George flew many frontline fighter aircraft and served overseas in Vietnam, Thailand, and Spain. He worked in various staff positions, including the Pentagon, and commanded a fighter wing.
Upon retiring from the USAF, George and Helene moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. For the next thirteen years, he worked part-time for the ski industry. He enjoyed skiing, baseball, hunting, fishing, and golf. His faith and family meant everything to him.
(source: https://obits.gazette.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=George-John-Forster&pid=192757491)

Units Assigned

  • 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-100)
  • 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star
Silver Star
Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Presidential Unit Citation
Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM)
Humanitarian Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour
Overseas Long Tour Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)
AF Longevity Service Award with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon
RVN Gallantry Cross With Palm
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Flight Info

F-100 – 4+ years
A-1E – 1+ year
F-4 – 1+ year
F-16 – 3+ years
F-15 – 4+ years

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 12/1963 Combat Operations Specialist Course
  • 12/1962 Air-Ground Operations Course
  • 4/1967 Upgrade Training (Correspondence)
  • 9/1967 Personnel Equipment Special Supervisor Course
  • 9/1968 SEA Survival School
  • 4/1969 Aircrew Familiarization (T-39)
  • 8/1969 Water Survival
  • 9/1970 F-4 Conversion Training
  • 1/1971 Para-sail Training
  • 1/1971 Life Support Systems School
  • 5/1971 F-4 Instructor Pilot Upgrading Course
  • 9/1971 Air Crew Familiarization (FB-111A)
  • 11/1972 SAC Central Flight Instructor Course (FB-111)
  • 6/1974 Command and Staff
  • 8/1980 TAC Aces
  • 10/1981 Management Oversight and Risk Tree
  • 11/1984 Commanders Seminar
  • Chemical Warfare Course

Colonel George John Forster (USAF, Ret.) “Headed Wes” on April 27, 2019.

George John Forster was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 3, 1936, to the late George A. Forster and Irene P. (Dreckmann) Forster.

He married the former Helene G. Vento of Greendale, Wisconsin on November 22, 1958. They have four children, George, Ellen (John) Guarente, Maria (Andy) McCracken, and Angela (Rick) Abbott; and seven grandchildren, Andrew, Christian, Forster, Madeline, George K., Clara, and Lena.

George joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1956 after graduating from the Air Force Pilot Training Program, entered active duty in 1962 as a fighter pilot, and retired in October of 1988. During his career, George flew many frontline fighter aircraft and served overseas in Vietnam, Thailand, and Spain. He worked in various staff positions, including the Pentagon, and commanded a fighter wing.

Upon retiring from the USAF, George and Helene moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. For the next thirteen years, he worked part-time for the ski industry. He enjoyed skiing, baseball, hunting, fishing, and golf. His faith and family meant everything to him.

George is interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80236.

Memorial contributions in George’s memory may be made to:
The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, 450 Venard Road, South Abington Township, Pennsylvania, 18411, or online at: https://fssp.com/support/
Colorado Right to Life at: http://coloradortl.org/donate
Assistance League of Colorado Springs at: https://www.assistanceleague.org/colorado-springs/donate/.
(source: https://obits.gazette.com/obituaries/gazette/obituary.aspx?n=George-John-Forster&pid=192757491)

Forster, George
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