Walter C. Cornelison, Jr

Preferred Name: Skip
Date of Birth: September 18, 1933
Headed West: November 25, 2016
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-4 – Major
Hometown: Austin, TX
Biography

Walter “Skip” Cornelison was born and reared in Hawkins, Texas. He attended East Texas State College at the age of 16 for two years, transferring to and graduating from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Texas A & M University) with a BA in Mathematics and a Second Lieutenant commission (USAF) in 1955. Skip trained in the T-28, T-33, T-34, F-84, and F-100 aircraft. He flew combat in the F-100 in Vietnam from 1964 to 1965. Skip heroically served his country throughout the world. He was stationed in Germany, England, Italy, Japan, Okinawa, Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, Libya, and Turkey. In 1976, he retired with over 3000 F-100 flight hours after 20 years of service at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas.

Skip flew the F-100 From October of 1957 to October of 1970.

In September of 1980 until August of 2001,Skip was the Dean of Business and a Professor of Accounting at Austin Community College.

Headed West

Walter “Skip” Clifton Cornelison, Jr. (Major USAF, Ret) Headed West on November 25, 2016

Skip Cornelison died in his sleep on November 25, 2016, at the age of 83 at his home in Austin, Texas. Skip was born and reared in Hawkins, Texas. He attended East Texas State College at the age of 16 for two years, transferring to and graduating from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Texas A & M University) with a BA in Mathematics and a Second Lieutenant commission (USAF) in 1955.

Skip trained in the T-28, T-33, T-34, F-84, and F-100 aircraft. He flew combat in the F-100 in Vietnam from 1964 to 1965. Skip heroically served his country throughout the world. He was stationed in Germany, England, Italy, Japan, Okinawa, Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, Libya, and Turkey. In 1976, he retired with over 3000 F-100 flight hours after 20 years of service at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas.

Sadly, Skip’s wife of 23 years, Betty Jane Cornelison, was killed in an auto accident in 1978 while Skip was in a Doctoral program at the University of Texas. Skip began teaching Accounting in 1979 at Austin Community College retiring as a Professor of Accounting in 2001. Skip married Martha A. Stewart in 1990. Skip and Martha lived in Austin, Texas and spent many summers at a family cabin in Colorado, and traveled together throughout the United States.

Skip is survived by his 3 children, Michael Cornelison, Clifton Cornelison, and George-Anne Cornelison. He is also survived by his wife Martha and her children, John Hurley, Robert Stewart, and Michael Stewart. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Skip was an old fashioned gentleman and was deeply loved by his family and respected by his friends and colleagues. In the words of one of his beloved granddaughters; “He was a genius, a war hero, a Father and my Grandfather. His strength, courage, and love are things I will aspire to every day.”

Source: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/walter-cornelison-7181284

Pilot Information

Units Assigned

  • 4/1956-12/1956 Spence, AB, GA (T34, T-28)
  • 1/1957-6/1957 Webb AFB, TX (T-33)
  • 7/1957-12/1957 Luke AFB, AZ (F-84)
  • 10/1957-12/19 57 Nellis AFB, NV (F-100)
  • 1/1958-10/1960 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bitburg AB, Germany (F-100)
  • 12/1960-3/1963 612th/615th  Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (F-100)
  • 4/1963-6/1964 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan (F-100)
  • 7/1964-3/1965 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA (F-100)
  • 4/65-6/1966, Danang AB/Bien Hoa AB/Ton Son Nhut AB, Vietnam (F-100)
  • 7/1966-8/1969 Woodbridge AB, England (F-100)
  • 10/1969-10/1970 TACC, Bergstrom AFB, TX
  • 11/1970-12/1971 C/Post, Kunsan AB, S. Korea
  • 1/1972-7/1975 Operations, Kadena AB, Japan
  • 8/1975-8/1976 TACC, Bergstrom AFB, TX

 

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
F-84
F-100

Flight Hours: 3000+

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • Advanced Flying School
  • SOS
  • ABN Parachutist Course
  • AGOS & FAC
  • Military Employment ECI CRS
  • National Security Management
  • Air War College Associate Program
  • Management for AF Supervisors ECI
  • USAF Special Operation School
  • Counterinsurgency Course

Civilian Education:

  • 1949 East Texas State College for 2 years
  • BA/Mathematics, Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Texas A & M University)