30 September 1966 – LtCol Walter “Mel” Fowler’s F-100 #553502 is hit in the engine by gunfire over SVN. He came close to capture or death by closely advancing Viet Cong before his wingman suppressed the advancing VC and he was picked up from the rice paddy by an Army Helo. Fowler was serving with
ROTC Cadet Colonel at the University of Florida. F-86F Top Gun in Class 57P at Williams AFB.
In USAFE, qualified Expert in nuclear weapons over-the-shoulder and dive bombing.
One of three pilots in the 48th TFW rated Select Crew and received the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After leaving the Air Force joined the Exxon Corporation with assignments at Bayonne, N.J., Coral Gables, Florida, Buenos Aires, Argentina, New York, N.Y., Houston, Texas, and Mexico City, Mexico. In Mexico City was CEO of Exxon Mexicana until retirement in 1992.