Hogarty, William A.

“Joined the AF in 1953, as an Aviation Cadet in Class 55G after graduating from USF in San Francisco. I trained at Lackland, Graham AB (T-6) and Greenville AFB (T-28/T-33), then gunnery at Del Rio AB (T-33) and Nellis AFB (F-86).

Flew F-86’s with the 334 Fighter Squadron in Japan and Korea then assigned as an Air Traffic Controller at Whiteman AFB for two years. Attended SOS, and AFIT at UND for EE degree and then assigned to Vandenberg AFB as Missile Flight Safety terminating errant missiles.

Tried to get into the Flight Test School at Edwards but by the time I qualified I was 6 months passed the age limit…BUMMER. Went through Luke AFB in the F-100 and fired an 84% on the gunnery range which won me the “top gun” award for the class. Then I was assigned to Hahn AB in Germany. Was the last pilot to become combat-ready in the F-100 before being sent to Davis-Monthan in the F-4.

Made several trips ferrying F-4’s to Europe from the factory. Lost my wife in Germany so left the AF in 1968 with 3 small children after 15 years of service.

Finished my Master’s Degree in Systems Management from USC by night school then retired from Underwriter’s Laboratories after 22 years as a safety engineer.

Spent many years in big sailboats until deciding to build a kit aircraft (Lancair 4P) which took many, many years. Enjoying my later years with my wife, children, and grandchildren in Livermore, CA.”