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This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and

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Pattison, William W.

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  • Pattison, William W.

William Warren Pattison

Preferred Name: BIll
Date of Birth: February 12, 1933
Highest Military Grade: Select
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Headed West Date: February 11, 2016
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

William Warren “Bill” Pattison, was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on Feb. 12, 1933. He resided in Alamogordo, NM for the past 48 years, after being stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in 1968. Following graduation from Willoughby Union High School (Ohio), Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was selected for pilot training through the Aviation Cadet Training Program. Ensuing assignments took him and his family across the country and to Europe.

In 1967, as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot, Bill was assigned to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Viet Nam, where he completed 363 air-to-air and close air-to-ground combat missions in support of U.S, and R.V.N. troops. During these missions, he earned the United States Air Force’s Distinguished Flying Cross, the 1st through 16th Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

He served in the armed forces to protect his country from foreign enemies and to keep it safe for families to live in peace and freedom. He often suffered from his experiences in Viet Nam, recalling victims that were injured and killed in napalm and strafing missions. After retiring in 1973, he returned to school to earn a degree in psychology and counseling from N.M.S.U., graduating with highest honors.

A member of Grace United Methodist Church since 1968, he used his education to conduct marriage enrichment and divorce recovery programs as well as personal counseling in those areas as the Director of Lay Activities. He also taught the adult JOY Class (Jesus first, others next, and yourself last) for 34 years.

Bill was also a leader and participant in the Emmaus Walk, a weekend of spiritual awakening or renewal promoted by the Upper Room Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Many people’s lives were changed by the “walks” and many lasting friendships were made.

(Source: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/alamogordonews/obituary.aspx?n=william-warren-bill-pattison&pid=177701738&fhid=7158)

Units Assigned

  • 1964-1967 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron/20th Tactical Fighter Wing, Wethersfield RAFB, England
  • 1967-1968 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100 – 363 air-to-air and close air-to-ground combat missions )

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • Aviation Cadet Training Program

Civilian Education:

  • Willoughby Union High School, OH

William Warren “Bill” Pattison, Headed West on February 11, 2016.

William Warren “Bill” Pattison, age 82, passed into the realm of his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Feb. 11, 2016, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on Feb. 12, 1933,  he resided in Alamogordo for the past 48 years, after being stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in 1968. Following graduation from Willoughby Union High School in Ohio, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was selected for pilot training through the Aviation Cadet Training Program. Ensuing assignments took him and his family across the country and to Europe.

In 1967, as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot, Bill was assigned to Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Viet Nam, where he completed 363 air-to-air and close air-to-ground combat missions in support of U.S, and R.V.N. troops. During these missions, he earned the United States Air Force’s Distinguished Flying Cross, the 1st through 16th Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

He served in the armed forces to protect his country from foreign enemies and to keep it safe for families to live in peace and freedom. He often suffered from his experiences in Viet Nam, recalling victims that were injured and killed in napalm and strafing missions.

After retiring in 1973, he returned to school to earn a degree in psychology and counseling from N.M.S.U., graduating with highest honors.

A member of Grace United Methodist Church since 1968, he used his education to conduct marriage enrichment and divorce recovery programs as well as personal counseling in those areas as the Director of Lay Activities. He also taught the adult JOY Class (Jesus first, others next, and yourself last) for 34 years.

Bill was also a leader and participant in the Emmaus Walk, a weekend of spiritual awakening or renewal promoted by the Upper Room Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Many people’s lives were changed by the “walks” and many lasting friendships were made.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou (Hougland) Pattison, their three children and spouses. Bill was very proud of his 6 grandchildren. He was also richly blessed with eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Joseph Perry Pattison, an infant granddaughter and an infant great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Scholarship Fund at Grace United Methodist Church, 1206 Greenwood Lane, Alamogordo, NM 88310.

Memorial Services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, at the Hamilton Funeral Home Chapel. He is buried at the Monte Vista Cemetery in Almogordo, NM.

Published in Alamogordo Daily News from Feb. 14 to Mar. 13, 2016

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