29 September 1965 – Capt Samuel H. Holmes was serving with the 481st TFS out of Tan Son Nhut AB in Vietnam. On a mission over South Vietnam, his F-100D was hit by gunfire in the right wing. Holmes ejected and was recovered with minor injuries.
Colonel Young was born February 8, 1936, in Anderson, Indiana. He graduated from Columbus High School, Columbus, Indiana in June of 1974. He attended Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in June 1958. At that time, he received his Air Force Commission through the Purdue ROTC Program. Following graduation, Colonel Young was employed by Boeing at their Seattle Flight Test Facility.
Colonel Young entered active duty in December 1958. He attended primary and basic flying schools, graduating in January 1960, and following F-100 combat crew training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, he was assigned to the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
In September 1964, Colonel Young was assigned to England Air Force Base, Louisiana, and deployed in November of that year with the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. While at Da Nang, Colonel Young flew 44 combat missions over North Vietnam in the F-100. In February 1966, Colonel Young was assigned to the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa, the Republic of Vietnam, where he flew an additional 141 combat missions in the F-100. From November 1966 to March 1970, Colonel Young served as instructor pilot in the F-100 weapons course at Luke Air Force Base.
Colonel Young’s next assignment was with Headquarters Command as Special Projects Officer. Based primarily at Edwards Air Force Base, California, he participated in the evaluation and flight testing of the U-2 Reconnaissance systems, flight instruction of Allied Air Force personnel, and as advisor to an Allied Air Force. Colonel Young next attended War College, class of 1975 and following graduation, served as the Commander of the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand, until the installation closed in 1976. He then transferred to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, serving as Commander, Detachment 2, 9th SRW, Osan AB, Korea.
Returning to Beale AFB in September 1976, Colonel Young was assigned as the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing’s Deputy Assistant, Deputy Commander for Operations, and later as the Deputy Base Commander. In July 1977, Colonel Young became the Assistant Deputy Commander for Maintenance, 9th SRW and in August 1978 he became the Deputy Commander for Maintenance. On 1 February 1979, Colonel Young assumed duties as Vice Commander, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. In July 1980, Colonel Young became Commander, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, a position he held until July of 1982.
Colonel Young is married to the former Margaret Hoag of Tucson, Arizona. They have a son, William and a daughter, Lucinda. The Young’s claim Tucson as their hometown.
Source: Colonel Dave Young, 9th Wing Commander (sr71.us)
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
F-100 – 2700 Hours
U-2 – 800 Hours
Total Flight Hours = 4,000
Military Education:
1975 War College
Civilian Education:
Co-Author of USAF monograph “The Tale of Two Bridges and The Battle for the Skies Over North Vietnam” (USAF Southeast Asia Monograph Series)
