Donald L. Rebtoy

Preferred Name: Don
Nickname/Call Sign: Centar
Date of Birth: December 23, 1931
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Detroit, MI

“Colonel Donald Rebtoy served his country and contributed to the advancement of aviation through a thirty-one-year career as a fighter pilot & USAF officer. Military service in brief: Attended Michigan & Wayne State Universities, graduating & commissioned in 1955. Completed pilot training in the T-34, T-28, and T-33 and fighter pilot training in the F-84 & F-100, Luke & Nellis AFB prior to 4 years in F-100 units in France & Germany.

While at Cannon AFB, participated in multiple extended TDYs to France & Spain during the Berlin Crisis & Nuclear Alert at Aviano, Italy, Misawa, Japan & South Korea during the Cold War period. During this tour of duty, completed US Army Airborne training earning Jump Wings & later Jump Master training. Also attended U. Ca. Berkley & Webster U., completing a Graduate Degree prior to F100 duties as Instructor/Flight Commander, Luke AFB.

The first one-year Vietnam tour came during the intense TET Offensive completing over 200 combat missions prior to being assigned to the 9th AF HQ fighter training & tactics division. While at 9th AF, flew the F4E & pioneered the ISD team involved in the design of the fighter training program for the new USAF A7D aircraft. This experience resulted in being assigned to the 1st operational A7 wing & TDY assignments to Thailand & selection as commander of the 3rd TFS at Korat. As commander, additional combat missions were flown, one as on-scene Airborne Commander during the Mayaguez ship seizure by Cambodia.

As Flight Leader of 4 A7s, locating the Mayaguez crew and subsequently their recovery, it turned out to be the actual combat end of the Vietnam War. After 2 PCS & 2 TDY combat tours, returned to the US completing command & staff college & assignment as commander of 2 maintenance SQ composed of T37 & T38 aircraft. As a Colonel, was assigned to TAC Langley AFB, as director of Tactical Resources involved in the acquisition of tactical aircraft & weapon systems. Last assignment to the Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB as chief of the A7/KC135/B52 Systems Mgt. Div. supervising 5 engs. branches providing extensive depot maintenance to users of over 1500 aircraft & several billion dollars of annual programs.” (1)

Source: (1) https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/donald-l-rebtoy