Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 3 Line: 21

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
H. A. Bickham

Upon graduation from Bowling Green State University in 1956, he received a reserve commission as Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force and immediately entered primary pilot training in the T-34 and T-28 at Bartow Air Base, Florida. He attended basic training in single-engine T-33 at Greenville AFB, Mississippi. He was going to be a fighter-pilot

Fate decided otherwise! After receiving his wings he was assigned to B-47 advanced training, Strategic Air Command, Lake Charles AFB, Louisiana, later renamed Chennault AFB in honor of General Claire L Chennault of Flying Tiger fame in World War II. In 1959 he transferred to Westover AFB, Massachusetts, where he flew the B-52.

In 1966 he came off active duty and went to work for Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), where he flew the B707 and the B747. In 1985 a deal was struck between Pan Am and United Airlines for United to buy Pan Am's Pacific routes. He was one of the fortunate pilots to be acquired by United.

In 1991 he was finally able to achieve his goal -- airline captain. He was checked out in the B757, B767 and B747. In 1999 he retired, closing a 43-year career in aviation.