Vern Frye’s “distinguished military career began in 1951 by attending the University of Minnesota ROTC and playing varsity football. In 1955 he went to pilot training and in 1956 – 1961 was deployed to France and Germany as a fighter pilot in F86/F-100 aircraft. From 1961 – 1966 served as a fighter test pilot and attended Air command & Staff College in Alabama. In 1966 – 67 he was a Combat Fighter Pilot flying F-105 aircraft with 100 plus missions over North Vietnam.
1967 – 1971 – USAF Academy Instructor & Army War College. 1971 – 1974 – Chief, Air Force Liaison Office, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC. 1974 – 1975 – Chief, Air Force Inspector Office, U.S. Air Force, Europe. 1975 – 1978 – Base Commander, Sembach Air Base, Germany & Templehof Air Base, Berlin, Germany.
1978 – 1982 – Staff Officer, Lowery Air Force Base, Denver, CO till he retired in 1982. His Distinguished Awards are Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and many Air Medals.”
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal from Oct. 1 to Oct. 4, 2017
Vernon L. Frye, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on September 10, 2017.
Vern Frye “Eagle”, Colonel USAF (retired) passed on September 10, 2017 at the age of 84. Vern was born in Big Falls Minnesota on March 17, 1933 to Leslie Frye & Thelma Miller.
His distinguished military career began in 1951 by attending the University of Minnesota ROTC and playing varsity football. In 1955 he went to pilot training and in 1956 – 1961 was deployed to France and Germany as a fighter pilot in F86/F-100 aircraft. From 1961 – 1966 served as a fighter test pilot and attended Air command & Staff College in Alabama. In 1966 – 67 he was a Combat Fighter Pilot flying F-105 aircraft with 100 plus missions over North Vietnam. 1967 – 1971 – USAF Academy Instructor & Army War College. 1971 – 1974 – Chief, Air Force Liaison Office, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC. 1974 – 1975 – Chief, Air Force Inspector Office, U.S. Air Force, Europe. 1975 – 1978 – Base Commander, Sembach Air Base, Germany & Templehof Air Base, Berlin, Germany. 1978 – 1982 – Staff Officer, Lowery Air Force Base, Denver, CO till he retired in 1982. His Distinguished Awards are Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and many Air Medals.
Survived by His wife of 15 years Florence Frye, his sister Nora (Vonny) Pachaco, His daughter Sandy, his sons John & Steve and stepson Joey Kreutzian, stepdaughter Lauren Meikle. In addition, his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews, a grateful soaring community and many many friends.
Vern and his Wife Carol moved to Reno in 1982, in 1985 – 2000 he was Assistant Director for the Reno Livestock Events Center. All the while he pursued his love of flying gliders at Air Sailing by Pyramid Lake. He was an instructor, tow pilot, record setter and everything in between. Carole passed in 2001 and thus he found his second love. He often said, “I wonder how I was so lucky to have two wonderful ladies to share my life with.”
Celebration of Life for Vern will be at Our Lady of Snows on Friday October 6, 2017 at 11:00 AM. A luncheon celebration will follow the service on the church grounds.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Per his request his ashes will be scattered over the Nevada Mountains that he loved so much at a later date.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal from Oct. 1 to Oct. 4, 2017
