Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 1 Line: 33

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Kathy E. Monroe

Raymond P. Best was born 15 November 1932, Dr. Allison delivered Raymond at home on Birch Street Lynn Massachusetts. I grew up locally at 26 Jackson Street, and went to local public schools through ninth grade. We went to Holy Family Catholic church in east Lynn, I served as an alter boy for eight years at Holy Family Church. The principal at Ingalls junior high school suggested that I go to a private school after I had an altercation with a teacher. I applied to St. Mary's boys high, after four great years I graduated from St. Mary's boys high. I took the scientific courses, played one year of football in my sophomore year, and started the golf team in my senior year, we won the local league that year. I really enjoyed being in the senior play, Every Family has one . 4/6/1950

The next 18 months I spent at Franklin technical Institute in Boston Massachusetts. Applied to Air Force pilot training at Boston Naval station, and enlisted in the United States Air Force April 1952, completed boot camp at Sampson Air Force Base. Worked as an assistant crew chief on the B-25' S at Connolly Air Force Base, Waco, Texas, was excepted to the triple threat navigator ,Bombardier and radar operator school at Ellington Air Force Base Houston TX. On 27 February, sent to Mather Air Base, Sacramento CA to finish up training. Commissioned 2nd Lieut 6 June 1953, and assigned to B 26's at Laon Air Force Base France for three years, assigned to the 822 bomb squadron. I instructed French pilots and navigators in low-level bombing in the B 26's. I was awarded French wings by General Marett at Orleans, 5 October 1954, at the end of the Indo China war. In May of 1955 I went to Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio TX to train in the B-57 jets. This is where I first met my wife Gretchen Grainge. I returned to France to finish out my assignment. I had two sets of orders one to the Air Force academy and one to pilot training. I started pilot training at Kinston Air Force Base NC, I flew the T-34 and T-28's. I graduated from primary 9 January 1957 and went on to basic jet training in T-33's and received my wings at Big Springs Air Force Base TX July 1957. After pilot training while on leave I got engaged to Gretchen. My first pilot assignment was to fly the B 57's at Yuma Air Force Base in Arizona. Paul Best our oldest son was born on 10 March 1958. I was then assigned to MacDill Air Force Base Florida, after one year I was reassigned to Stewart Air Force Base Newberg, New York, Katherine Elizabeth was born at West Point Academy 2June 1961. I was flying B 57E's for Air Defense Command. The next move was to Kirkland Air Force Base Albuquerque NM, we were flying the B 57 D. High-altitude pressure suits were used in the Christmas Island atomic test series (Operation Dominc). During the very last test we conducted one other pilot and myself received a very highly radioactive reading, we were sent Los Alamos labs in NM for body counts. We returned to Kirkland Air Force Base, and began training in the 57F high-altitude aircraft. B 57Fs were used around the world to sample foreign countries Atomic Bomb tests. In September while flying missions out of Tully Greenland my father Frank Best died on the 23rd of September, 1963. I flew back to the United States landed in New Hampshire, where I met my mother and brother, that afternoon I received a call from Gretchen, Kerry Best was born that day. I computed Flying Safety Course at USC 13 Dec. 1963. My last assignment was Yokota Air Force Base Japan, I flew the 57E's, training foreign countries in air defense, for two years. I resigned my commission as a Major and terminated my Air Force career, 22 June 967,with over 3,000 hours in B 57's.

Returned to the United States, and started pilot training with United Airlines, 10 July 1967, I completed my training at United's training center in Denver CO in September, I was then domiciled at National Airport Washington DC. Thomas Best was born on my birthday 15 November 1967, five years later 23 Aug. Kristin Gene Best was born. I started flying second officer on DC-6's, 727and DC8's, I flew first officer on 737's and 727's. I flew Capt. for my last five years on the 727. I flew the last six months as a Capt. in London England. I then continued to fly as second officer on 747s for two years, I retired on 1 March 1995. From 1952 until 1995 I accumulated over 15,000 hours of flying time, which I immensely enjoyed.

During my retirement I have taken up the hobby of genealogy and worked with T.O. Richardson as a financial adviser. Gretchen and I have enjoyed many trips to Ireland, England in Scotland to play a little golf and do a lot of genealogy have enjoyed spending some of the winters is in St. Petersburg Florida.