Foil: 1 Panel: 4 Column: 4 Line: 65

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Born April 14,1925. Enlisted into the USAAC Aviation Cadet program in February, 1943. Graduated multi-engine flying school in the class of 44H. Went into Combat Crew training in B-24 Liberator bombers and, upon completion, ferried a new bomber to the Pacific Theater of Operations, joining the 380th Bomb Group, then in the Philippines. Flew combat from there and from Okinawa, till the end of the war. Remained overseas for two more years and assigned to a Troop Carrier unit flying cargo and passengers throughout the Pacific. Became qualified in C-46, C-47, and C-54 aircraft.
Completed college in 1951 and was recalled from the Air Force Reserve for Active Duty in the Korean War. Volunteered for fighters and qualified in the F-51 Mustang and F-84 Thunderjet with the 514th Fighter Squadron, which rotated TDY to Korea for combat duty there.
Separated in 1953 and after a number of Reserve assignments, joined the New York Air National Guard. Was accepted as a full time Air Technician and qualified as Aircraft Commander, Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner in the C-97G Stratocruiser, and making many flights to Viet Nam hauling priority air cargo and providing instruction and check rides for assigned Guard personnel. Was appointed Deputy Commander for Operations, 106th Military Airlift Group. Conversion to KC-97L Stratotankers then found us, with other Air National Guard units, rotating to Europe to provide aerial refueling for the Air Force fighters meeting their NATO commitments while the jet tankers were providing Viet Nam refueling support.
Was then transferred to another New York Air Guard facility where I was given full time responsibility for Operations and Maintenance of the Tactical Air Control System DASC Squadron. Maintained flying proficiency in the unit tactical and support aircraft. Was then assigned as Commander, Roslyn Air National Guard Station, New York, as Station Commander, having full responsibility for the Tactical Air Control Group and assigned Squadrons and other military tenant units.
Retired as a Colonel in April of 1981 after 38 years of continuous Active, Guard and Reserve duty.
Retired to Florida with loving wife Natalie and am active in the local chapter of the Air Force Association. Enjoy the the visits of our three children, Andrea, Michael and Robert and the joy of our six grandchildren.