28 June 1965 – U.S. forces launch the first major offensive in the Vietnam War. “In the first major offensive ordered for U.S. forces, 3,000...
Read MoreI was born on Staten Island, New York City, and entered the Air Force on March 9, 1951. After Basic Training at Sampson AFB NY, in June of ’51, I was sent to Lowry AFB for B-29 gunnery training. In Sept of ’51, I was sent to Randolph AFB for Combat Crew Training. On March 9, 1952, on a blind date, I met Barbara Jeanne Ellis.
I was sent to Barksdale AFB as a tail gunner on B-29’s. I collected over 1000 hours as a gunner on B-29’s and applied for Aviation Cadets in the fall of 1952. I was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program and went to Lackland AFB for preflight training in April of ‘53. I took primary training at Hondo in the Piper and T-6.
I took basic at Laredo AFB for the T-28 and T-33. I graduated in June, class of 54-L.
On August 14, 1954, I married Barbara.
I then went to T-33 gunnery training at Laughlin AFB and then on to Luke AFB for F-84 gunnery training. From Luke, I went to Korea, back to Luke, to Clark AB, England AFB, Bien Hoa, Luke, Wheelus, and back to Luke where I retired in March of 1971.
I totaled out at a little over 4000 hours, with just under 3000 in the F-100. The rest was spread out in the aircraft listed above.
As an active reservist with no college degree, I knew I was out in 20.
In Oct of ’71, I started with Cessna Aircraft Company as a Citation Demo pilot. In late summer of ’77 I took over as Manager of the Demonstration D Dept. and held that job till Oct 1990.
I collected many fighter pilots to join the Citation Demo team. I had 15 pilots, 12 who had been fighter pilots, 3 were ex- Thunderbirds. After leaving Cessna I flew a Challenger along with Bill Hosmer for about a year and a half.
My heart attacked me and I hung up the jets in 1992. I flew some photo missions for my son Mike with AOPA for a few years and my heart attacked me again in 2000, so I hung it all up. I closed the book with over 12,000 hours and 2 daughters, one son and 4 grandchildren.
For highlights, I’d have to list the Fighter Weapons School for a 1 1st st Lt. with limited total flying time; a wonderful 12 weeks with 20th Century Fox filming The Hunters; staying in the cockpit for almost my entire career; seeing the world with the Air Force and 128 countries with a Cessna Citation.
Since March 9, 1951, I’ve never worked a day in my life.
I’m totally retired since 2000 and enjoying golf and poker in Wichita KS.
Units Assigned
- 12/1954- 12/1955 310 310th TFS Korea (F-86F, T-33)
- 12/1955 -03/1956 14th-and Academic Squadrons, Luke AFB AFB, AZ (F-84G, T-33, L-20, F-84F, F-100C/F)
- 03/1961-04/1964 510th TFS Clark AB, Philippines (F-100D/F, L-20)
- 04/196-12/1965 510th England AFB, LA (F-100D/F)
- 12/1965-09/1966 510th TFS Bien Hoa AB, RVN (F-100D/F)
- 09/1966-07/1967 Wing Stan/Eval Luke AFB, AZ (F-100D/F, L-20)
- 07/1967-04/1970 Wheelus AB, Libya North Africa. Liaison to 20 20th th TFW F-100C/D/F, L-20.
- 05/1970-03/1971 Wing Command Post, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100D/F)
Awards & Decorations
Flight Info
T-6
T-28
T-33
F-86 F/G
F-100C/D/F
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- SOS
- 1/1959-3/1959 Fighter Weapons School
Civilian Education:
- High School