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

Ott, Franklin D.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Ott, Franklin D.

Franklin D. Ott

Preferred Name: Frank
Date of Birth: February 11, 1934
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: ND
Headed West Date: February 18, 2022
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

Frank enlisted in the Air Force in 1953 and received his pilot’s wings and commission through the Aviation Cadet Program in 1955. This was the year that he met and married the love of his life Kay.

He initially flew in a tactical squadron employing the F-86F and the F-100D aircraft. He was then assigned to Strategic Air Command and commanded the B-47 and B-52 bombers, U2 reconnaissance aircraft and the EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft. His military decoration among others, include the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal. He was a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours, 370 of which were combat.

After his retirement in 1982, Frank owned and operated an insurance agency in Las Vegas. He and his wife Kathryn, later moved to Tucson, AZ.

Units Assigned

  • 1955 Entered Aviation Cadet Program
  • 1957-1958 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron/8th Fighter-Bomber Group/8th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Itazuke AB, Japan (F-100)
  • Strategic Air Command (B-47, B-52, U-2, EB-66)
  • 1/1975 HQ Strategic Air Command, Deputy Chief of Security Police
  • HQ Strategic Air Command, Chief of Security Police for the 5th Air Force and Provost Marshall in the Far East.
  • 1982 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal

Flight Info

F-86F
F-100D
B-47
B-52
U-2
EB-66

Command Pilot

Flying Hours: 5,000, 370 of which were combat

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree, Columbia College

Franklin D. Ott, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on Friday, February 18, 2022.

Frank was born in North Dakota and graduated from high school in Kellogg, Idaho. In his early years, he was educated in a one room schoolhouse. He has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1953 and received his pilot’s wings and commission through the Aviation Cadet Program in 1955. This was the year that he met and married the love of his life Kay.

Frank was a pilot. He initially flew in a tactical squadron employing the F-86F and the F-100D aircraft. He was then assigned to Strategic Air Command and commanded the B-47 and B-52 bombers, U2 reconnaissance aircraft and the EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft. His military decoration among others, include the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal. He was a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours, 370 of which were combat.

In January 1975 he was assigned to HQ Strategic Air Command as the Deputy Chief of Security Police. And was then promoted to Chief of Security Police for the 5th Air Force and Provost Marshall in the Far East.

After his retirement in 1982, Frank owned and operated an insurance agency in Las Vegas. In 1996 Frank and Kay moved to Tucson where they had been stationed twice in his Air Force career. Frank enjoyed his retirement years with golf, travel, family and good friends.

Frank never met a stranger, was kind, humble, compassionate, loving and noble. A true patriot who loved his country.

Frank is survived by the love of his life, Kathryn R. Ott to whom he was married for 66 years. His brother, Gary Ott (Reggie) of Cincinnati, OH, and sister, Bonnie Houston (Alan Jones) of Portland, OR; children, Cathryn DeSalvo (Douglas), Cynthia Ott Binder (Tom), F. Scott Ott (Tracy), 6 grandchildren and 8 1/2 great-grandchildren.

Services were held at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish followed by a celebration of life at La Paloma Country Club. The following day he was laid to rest at Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Marana.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s name be made to the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Pima County (CASA) or to Veterans Services Organizations.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 20, 2022.

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