Thomas F. Tapman, born in Rosebud Texas on Dec 3, 1932, flew all models of the F-100 and was commissioned as a Distinguished Graduate of Aviation Cadet class 59-c. A caterpillar club member after a Misty mission in enemy territory, Tom went on to be a fighter squadron Commander on a second combat tour.
The services for Tom will be on Wednesday morning, 31 December at 10;00am at the Dossman Funeral Home, 2525 North Main Street, Belton, TX, with an inurnment service to follow at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery on SH 195 south of Killeen. The phone number at the funeral home is 254 933-2525.
His Bio was on file as follows:
- Civilian Education
University of Texas at Austin 3 years
Graduate University of Maryland at College Park, MD in
1963–Business Administration, minor Military Science - Military Education
Laredo Pilot training 59-C, SOS, AC&SC, ICAF - Units Assigned
Graduate Laredo AFB 14 Oct 1958, class 59-C–DG
Luke AFB November 1958 to 7 May 1959 F-100C&F
Nellis AFB May 1959 thru Aug 1959 F-100A,D,F
Kadena AB Oct 1959 thru Dec 1962 F-100D&F
Cannon AFB Jan 1963 thru Aug 1966 F-100D&F
Maxwell AFB–AC&SC– Sept 1966 thru May 1967 T-33
Phu Cat AFB Aug 1967 thru June 1968–F-100D&F–Chief of Current Ops
Bergstrom AFB July 1968 thru July 1971–HQ 12AF Stan/Eval T-33,F-100C,D,F
Davis Monthan AFB Aug 1971 thru July 1975–Chief of Stan/Eval–354th TFS Commander T-33, A-7D
Clark AB, 13AF HQ,Aug 1975–July 1977– Chief of Stan/Eval A-7D, T-39
Electronic Security Command Kelly AFB Aug 1977–July 1980–DCS Plans & Programs
Fort Hood Aug 1980–Aug 1984 CORP ALO - Comments
7 April 1968 shot down on Misty mission in NVN–recovered same day
44th TFS was my first TFS
354th TFS–Squadron Commander of A-7D at Korat, TDY from DM