30 November 1957 – Capt Benny Lacombe is killed when he unsuccessfully attempts to bail out of Lockheed U-2A, 56-6704, Article 371, 13 miles SE of Laughlin AFB. Ejection seats had not yet been fitted to U-2s at this point. The history of the U-2 program is fraught with fatalities and crashes. “CIA pilots Wilburn S.
“So far, this has been one hell of a fine ride, and we ain’t pulled into the station yet!!”
After serving in the USAF, Mike had a number of interesting businesses. He was a Real Estate Broker, a swimming pool contractor (800+), a Regional Sales/Tech Rep for industrial biocides, had a fabric cover/antique aircraft restoration biz, and was a hot sauce entrepreneur.
His hobbies included, sports aviation, Confederate AF, Courtesan, and he was part of organizations that included the VFW, Daedalians, (former), Confederate Air Force, River Rats, Man-Will-Never-Fly-Society, Air Force ASSN, and the Super Sabre Society.
Mike had attended the Maron Military Institue and said that “Approximately 70% of the students at Marion Military Institute had appointments to West Point or Annapolis. The other 30% had daddies that wanted their boys out of jail. I never could pull that appointment deal together.” -Porky
