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Today in History – July 15, 1967 – T.H. Herndon ejects from F-100D #563275

15 July 1967 – T.H. Herndon was flying F-100D #563275. Enroute to a target of 150 Vietcong in a treeline, he was hit by 57mm AAA during a climb. He ejected and was recovered by USAF Helo. Herndon was serving with the 531st TFS out of Bien Hoa AB.

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Gellings, Edward A

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  • Gellings, Edward A

Edward A. Gellings

Preferred Name: Ed
Nickname/Call Sign: Slim
Date of Birth: May 13, 1930
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Atchison, KS
Headed West Date: December 20, 2019
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

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

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
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal (7)
Air Force Commendation Medal
USAF Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
USAF Combat Alert
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
USAF Expeditionary Force Vietnam
Vietnam Service Medal
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

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

Gellings, Ed And Marlene
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
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