SSS member Daniel Guy McIntosh, of Mountain Home, Texas died peacefully in his sleep, Jan 17, 2014. Dan entered the world December 9, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, son of a Plumber, Guy H. McIntosh, and Oneida C. Schoof. Dan worked construction to attract the ladies and, as an afterthought, pay for college. Upon graduation from ROTC at Wayne State University, he set his sights on exploring the Wild Blue Yonder, but not before marrying Junee Lanier in 1951.
He joined the US Air Force in 1954 and, according to pilot friends, he had the ‘right stuff’ of the right size required to fly fighter jets. “Colonel Mac” was an American Hero, flying the F-86, F-100, F-4 and the A-37 for fun. As “the World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot,” he flew the coveted, ferocious F-105 Thunderchief “Thud” in “I Can’t Wait to Go” two volunteer tours during the Vietnam War.
His career spanned many states and three continents including tours in the Cold War, West Germany, Thailand (Land of the “I Can Reach Vietnam by Sunrise”), and three happy years as the US Air Force liaison with the Air Force of the “World’s Best Allies,” South Korea. He retired as a Colonel in 1980, just in time for hunting season. Medals include: the kick-butt Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Meritorious Service Medals, twenty-five Air Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal with five Service Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. He was among a select few of macho pilots chosen to stomach a visit to the White House, where President Johnson had the honor of shaking My Dad’s Hand. Dan was a proud member of the original River Rats Association, the NRA and the Kerrville Hangar of Quiet Birdmen, a testosterone-laden aviation group founded in 1921 after WWI.
Dan is survived by three loving, patient, compassionate daughters and their spouses: Danielle and Robert Woliver of Georgetown, Valerie and Robert (Les) Allen of Austin, and Andrea and John Culpepper of Fredericksburg. Dan was grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren
The family will hold a Private but Not Very Quiet Remembrance Ceremony in Austin. Interment of his ashes will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Memorial contributions should be applied to your beverage of choice, and Hoisted in Honor of this American Hero.
High Flight Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunwards I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds – and done a thousand things You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air, Up, up the long delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, Where never lark, or even eagle, flew; And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of god. by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. –