Derrick, Thales A.

Thales A Derrick

Preferred Name: Tad

Nickname/Call Sign: Meteor

Date of Birth: January 19, 1935

Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

“The friendships made in the USAF were among the very best of my life. I have often told those, who asked about my 20-year military career, that I would gladly do it all again! Thanks to the SSS for helping keep all of us in touch. The SSS leadership is doing a great job!”

Units Assigned

1954-1957 Enlisted service and Undergraduate Pilot Training, Advanced Training (T-34, T-28, T-33, F-86F)
1958 94th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100 A/F)
1958-1959 506th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tinker AFB, OK (F-100 D/F)
1959-1961, 4510th Combat Crew Training Group, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100 C/F)
1961-1964 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Lakenheath AB, England (F-100 D/F)
1964-1968 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, NM, (with TDYs to Vietnam/Japan/Korea) (F-100 D/F)
1968-1969 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Korea (F-100 C/F)
1969-1971 HQ PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI (T-33A)
1971-1972 ACSC, Maxwell AFB, AL (no flying except for U-3A “Blue Canoe”)
1972-1974 USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis AFB, NV (A-7D)

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross

Meritorious Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster

Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal

Combat Readiness Medal

AF Good Conduct Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Expeditionary Forces Medal

Vietnam Service Medal (USA)

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Korea Defense Service Medal

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
F-86F
F-100 A/C/D/F
T-33 A
U-3A
A-7D

Flight Hours:
Combat Flying Time – 173.3 hours
Total Flying Time – 3,839.4 hours
Airplane SE Land Prop – 506.4 hours
Airplane ME Land Prop – 56 hours
Airplane SE Land Jet – 3,104.3 hours
Airplane ME Land Jet – 153.4 hours
As Flight Instructor – 1,196.3 hours
As Pilot in Command – 3,258.4 hours