A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in aeronautical engineering, Col Glidden is a much decorated Marine aviator spending over thirty years on active duty and participating in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. With over 15 awards to his name, his most notable include two Navy Crosses, one awarded at the Battle of Midway and the other at Guadalcanal.

Other citations include the Legion of Merit with one V, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two gold stars, the Air Medal with one gold star and two silver stars, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one silver star, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars.