Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 4 Line: 71

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

I was born in Willimantic, Connecticut in 1937. During World War II the US Navy trained pilots at Windham Airport about five miles away. The numerous airplanes, mainly T-6s, constantly flying overhead fascinated my brothers Donald, Richard, and I, and motivated us to fulfill our dreams of becoming pilots.

Donald flew various helicopters and Richard flew B-52s, both in the Air Force. As a young boy after the war, I often found myself bicycling to the airport just to watch the small planes take off and land. I came to know the fixed-base operator, and he entrusted me to answer the phone and refuel some of the small airplanes. After I got my first flight in an Ercoupe, followed by a flight in an Aeronca Champion, I was hooked!

After college I joined the US Navy and started basic flight training in Pensacola, Florida, in early January of 1963 While in the Navy I flew T-34, T-28, S-2, P2V-5, and P2V-7 aircraft.

After my tours in Vietnam were completed in late 1967 I applied with and was accepted by United Airlines. In the succeeding 30 years, I flew DC-6, B-737, B-727, DC-8 as a Navigator, B-757, and B-767. It all has been one wonderful and enjoyable career. I have been most blessed.