Skip to content

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

Read More »
Join The SSS
Update My Bio
Main Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • What’s New
  • Contact

Silence, Gary H.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Silence, Gary H.

Gary Herbert Silence

Preferred Name: Gary
Nickname/Call Sign: Gunbow
Date of Birth: April 19, 1943
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Lamar, MO
Gary Slience
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

After UPT, I trained in the F-100 at Luke AFB, AZ, (Jan to May 1968) before being assigned to the 77th TFS, 20th TFW, in June 1968 at RAF Wethersfield, UK.  Our primary mission was sitting Quick Reaction Alert as part of a nuclear deterrence role in three different locations around Europe, but we also trained in conventional gunnery, air-to-air, in-flight refueling, etc…

I had numerous TDY’s to Aviano AB, Italy, Izmir in Turkey, Wheelus AB in Libya (before we got kicked out), Spain, and Germany.  I moved with the Wing to RAF Upper Heyford about June 1970 for about 5 months as the Wing was converting to F-111s which were too big for RAF Wethersfield taxiways and runways.  That left the 48 TFW at RAF Lakenheath as the only F-100 Wing in Europe.

I ferried a Hun back to the states via Torrejon AB, Spain, and Myrtle Beach AFB to the New Orleans ANG in the fall of 1970.  After returning to England for my family, I went to Water Survival in Florida, got my family situated in the states and off to Jungle Survival at Clark AB, PI,  Then to Phan Rang AB, RVN in Jan 1971 where I was assigned to the 614 TFS (the Red Devils), 35th TFW.  There were four F-100 squadrons in the wing (612th, 614th, 615th, and 352nd) and they were the last wing of F-100s in the war.   The 35th TFW flew its last mission in June 1971 so I ferried a Hun back in July 1971 to the states via Guam, Hawaii, and Cannon AFB, NM, to the Terre Haute ANG, IN.

I still had almost 6 months remaining on my SEA year-long remote assignment and was selected to work on the 7th AF staff until Dec 1971.  I ended up with a total of about 900 hours in the Hun of which I flew 150 combat missions with 247 combat hours from Jan 1971 to July 1971.

I was awarded a Bronze Star, 8 Air Medals, and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Units Assigned

  • 1/1968-5/1968 Pilot training, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100)
  • 6/1968-6/1970  77th Tactical Fighter Squadron/20th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Wethersfield, UK (F-100)
  • 6/1970-11/1970 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Upper Heyford, UK
  • 1/1971-7/1971 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Red Devils”/35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam (F-100)
  • 7/1971-12/1971 7th AF Staff, IAANG
  • 97th Flying Training Squadron
  • 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
  • 434th Fighter Training Squadron
  • PACAF IGO/DOU

Awards & Decorations

Air Medal
Air Medal (8)
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit

Flight Info

F-100 (900 hrs – 250 combat hrs – 150 combat missions)
F-5 (450 hrs)
T-38/AT-38A (2200 hrs)
T-34A (1700 hrs)
DA-20 (4000+hrs)

Total Flight Hours: 10,000 hrs (6000+ hrs IP)

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • SOS
  • ACSC
  • ICAF
  • WC (correspondence)
  • Water Survival Training
  • Jungle Survival Training

Civilian Education:

  • 1965 BS, USAFA
  • 1981 MS, Central Michigan University

1971 Gary F 100 In Vietnam
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
Click To View

Wall of Honor Location

Our Mission

The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2025 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top