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 MoreWilliam R. Hockensmith
Preferred Name: Bill
Nickname/Call Sign: Hock
Date of Birth: February 21, 1940
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Biography
Pilot Information
Album
Biography
Bill says of his USAF career that he had “Great memories of good people, interesting places, fantastic airplanes, and the wonderful flying and good times that went with them.”
After serving in the USAF, Bill worked for Chrysler Technologies Airborne Systems, Waco, TX from 1990-1991. From 1991-1998 he was in Tech Operations for Northwest Airlines out of Eagan, MN. Then from 1998-2005, he worked with Aviation Services at Rockwell Collins in Pomona, CA.
In September of 2005, he retired and says “luckily we sold the CA house at the market peak, and moved to Texas [to be] near the grandkids.”
Pilot Information
Units Assigned
- 1962 OTS class 63-C, Lackland AFB, TX
- 1963-1965 576 Strat Missile Sq, Vandenberg AFB, CA, Atlas E launch crew and VAFB aero club (T-34)
- 1965-1966 UPT class 66-G, Williams AFB, AZ (T-37, T-38)
- 1966 Class 67-C-2, 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100)
- 1967-1968 416 TFS, Bien Hoa AB/Phu Cat AB, Vietnam (F-100)
- 1968-1970 55 TFS, RAF Wethersfield, England (F-100)
- 1970-1971 311th, 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100)
- 1971-1972 418th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron/58th Tactical Training Squadron Luke AFB, AZ (F-104G)
- 1972-1973 Air Command and Staff, Maxwell AFB, AL
- 1973-1976 Rated Officer Mgt, AFMPC, Randolph AFB, TX (T-39)
- 1976-1977 Arabic Language Training, DLI, Presidio of Monterey, CA
- 1977 425th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Williams AFB, AZ (F-5E)
- 1977-1979 American Embassy, Air Attache/Ch, AF Mil Assistance Program, with Royal Jordanian Air Force, Amman, Jordan (F-5 A/E)
- 1979-1981 479th Tactical Training Wing, ADO, Holloman AFB, NM (AT-38)
- 1981-1982 388 TFW DCO, Hill AFB, UT (F-16)
- 1982-1983 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
- 1983-1985 Ch, Systems Mgt Div (MMS), SA-ALC, Kelly AFB, TX
- 1985-1987 Ch, Resources Mgt Div (MMM), SA-ALC
- 1987-1989 Dir, Communications-Computer Sys, SA-ALC
- 9/1989 Retired USAF
Awards & Decorations
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
UPT flying training award
Flight Info
T-34
F-100
F-104 G
T-39
F-5 A/E
AT-38
F-16
1629 hours in F-100; 300 F-100 combat missions
F-100 class top gun
Military & Civilian Education
Military Education:
- 1973 Air Command and Staff College
- 1983 Air War College
- Distinguished graduate of OTS, UPT, ACSC, and AWC
Civilian Education:
- 1962 BA/Math, William Jewell College, MO
- 1972 MBA, University of Utah
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