26 June 1969 – Capt John Casper was serving with the 413th TFS out of Phan Rang AB, Vietnam. On a mission to detect VietCong...
Read MoreEdward A. Gellings
Preferred Name: Ed
Nickname/Call Sign: Slim
Date of Birth: May 13, 1930
Headed West: December 20, 2019
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Atchison, KS
Biography
Headed West
Pilot Information
Album
Biography
Edward A. Gellings was born on 13 May 1930, in Atchison, Kansas. He graduated from Maur Hill Prep School in 1948, and joined the United States Air Force in 1950, graduating from electronics school in 1951. In 1953, he graduated from pilot school and received his pilot wings at Luke Air Force Base.
He and the former Marlene Durst were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Church in Atchison, Kansas, on 28 September 1957.
Ed proudly served his country and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he took on enemy gunfire and was forced to make an emergency landing with no fuel and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. He received numerous medals, including Air Medal (7), USAF Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, USAF Combat Alert, National Defense, USAF Expeditionary Force Vietnam, and Vietnam 4 Battle Stars. He retired after twenty-two years of service in 1972.
After his military service, he returned to Atchison, where he was a salesman for Phalen’s, a supervisor of inventory for Rockwell International, and then began as an operator at Midwest Grain Products, where he eventually became the company pilot; he retired from MGP in 1995.
Source: https://www.arensbergpruett.com/obituary/edward-gellings
Headed West
Edward A. Gellings (LtCol USAF, Ret) “Headed West” on December 20, 2019
LTC Edward A. Gellings was born on 13 May 1930, in Atchison, Kansas the son of Henry and Anna (Ernzen) Gellings. He graduated from Maur Hill Prep School in 1948, and joined the United States Air Force in 1950, graduating from electronics school in 1951. In 1953, he graduated from pilot school and received his pilot wings at Luke Air Force Base.
He and the former Marlene Durst were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Church in Atchison, Kansas, on 28 September 1957.
Ed proudly served his country and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he took on enemy gunfire and was forced to make an emergency landing with no fuel and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. He received numerous medals, including Air Medal (7), USAF Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, USAF Combat Alert, National Defense, USAF Expeditionary Force Vietnam, and Vietnam 4 Battle Stars. He retired after twenty-two years of service in 1972.
After his military service he returned to Atchison, where he was a salesman for Phalen’s, a supervisor of inventory for Rockwell International and then began as an operator at Midwest Grain Products, where he eventually became the company pilot; he retired from MGP in 1995.
He was a member of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison, V.F.W. Post #1175, Fleming-Jackson-Seever Post #6 of the American Legion, and MH-MA 500 Club. He enjoyed playing golf and got a hole-in-one on July 4, 1970, at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. He was awarded Maur Hill Prep Alumni of the year in May of 1986.
He is survived by his wife Marlene, his daughters, Kathy, Diann, and Lisa; his sons, Mike, Rick and Mark; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and his sister, Barbara Flory.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Albert.
To see a tribute video click here https://www.arensbergpruett.com/obituary/edward-gellings
A Parish Rosary on December 27, 2019, and Mass of Christian burial on Dec. 28, 2019, were held at St. Benedict Church Parish. Arensberg Pruett Funeral Home of Atchison, KS was in charge of the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Achievement Services, Benedictine College Athletic Dept. or Maur Hill-Mount Academy.
Source:https://www.arensbergpruett.com/obituary/edward-gellings
Pilot Information
Units Assigned
- 1950 Entered USAF
- 1951 USAF Electronics School
- 1953 Pilot Training, Luke Air Force Base
- 1956 34th Fighter Day Squadron, George AFB, CA
- 1956 25th Fighter Bomber Squadron /48th Fighter Bomber Wing, Sidi Slimane AB, Morocco
- 1956-1957 48th Fighter Bomber Wing
- 1963-1964 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Clark AFB, Philippines
- 1965 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Tahkli AB, Thailand
- 1965-1966 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, LA
- 1966-1967 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
- 1967-1968 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ
- 1972 Retired USAF
Awards & Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (7)
USAF Commendation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
USAF Combat Alert
National Defense Service Medal
USAF Expeditionary Force Vietnam
Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Stars
Flight Info
F-100
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 1951 Electronics School
Civilian Education:
- 1948 Maur Hill Prep School
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