Kriz, William J.

William J. Kriz

Preferred Name: Bill

Date of Birth: November 5, 1931

Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel

Hometown: Berwyn, IL

After USAF retirement, I entered the metal sales arena and served as San Antonio branch manager of Westbrook Metals Inc. for over 19 years. I retired from that job in 1996.

Units Assigned

12/1951 Basic Training, Lackland AFB, TX. (Promoted to PFC upon completion)
3/1952 Control Tower Operator Course, Keesler AFB, MS. (Promoted to Corporal A/2nd class)
7/1952 Aviation Cadet class 53-E, Greenville, MS. Graham Aviation, civilian contract flying school (T-6)
1/1953 Advanced Pilot Training, Webb AFB, TX (T-28, T-33)
8/1953 Commissioned 2Lt and received pilot’s wings
9/1953 Gunnery School, Nellis AFB, NV (F-86F)
1/1954 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron/8th Fighter-Bomber Group, K-55 Korea (F-86F)
1/1955 722nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 450th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Foster AFB, TX (F-86F)
10/1955 722nd Fighter Day Squadron/450th Fighter Day Wing Foster AFB, TX (F-100C)
7/1958 474th Tactical Fighter Squadron/413th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA (F-100D)
1/1959 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron/ 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA (F-100D)
7/1960 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron/31st Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA (F-100D)
10/1960 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron/18th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa (F-100D)
2/1963 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4th Tactical Fighter
Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC (F-105D)
4/1963 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron/4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC (F-105B/D)
7/1965 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany (F-105D)
1/1967 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron/388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat AB, Thailand (F-105D)
4/1967 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron/388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat AB, Thailand (F-105D)
8/1967 – Finished 100 missions North, F-105D. Awarded 2 Silver Stars, 4 DFC’s, & 13 Air Medals.
9/1967 3515th Pilot Training Squadron, 3510th Pilot Training Wing, Randolph, AFB, TX (T-38)
9/1970 Command Studies Division, ATC Plans, Randolph AFB, TX (T-29)
4/1973 ATC IG, RAFB, No Fly.
8/1974 – Retired USAF (Awarded Legion of Merit)

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star (2)

Distinguished Flying Cross (4)

Air Medal (13)

Legion of Merit

Flight Info

T-6
T-28
T-33
T-29
T-38
F-86F
F-100 C/D
F-105 B/D

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

S.O.S. – Personal Equipment Officer course + usual survival courses @ Fairchild & Clark

Civilian Education:

2 years Junior College

Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

William J. Kriz

Units Assigned

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

Military & Civilian Education

Wall of Honor Location

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