The National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor
HONOREE PROFILE

William H. E. Doole

William H. E. Doole received his commission through the AFROTC at the University of Nebraska and served in the US Air Force from 1955 to 1985, retiring as a Colonel. After flying school, he flew as a pilot on C-97 transports (the civilian version is the Boeing Stratocruiser) out of Travis AFB, CA. The normal routing was from Travis to Hickham AFB, Hawaii, Wake Island, and Tokyo's Haneda Airport or Tachikawa AB, Japan. Other stops could include Guam, Midway Island, Eniwetok, and Kwajalein.

After receiving a MScEE from Stanford University, he reported to Vandenberg AFB, CA, to work with launching ballistic missiles or satellites. At Andrews AFB, MD, he entered the intelligence field, investigating foreign technology as it might affect development of Air Force systems.

As a Major, William Doole spent a year at Kunsan AB, Korea, working in Base Operations and Training. His next assignments at Hanscom Field, MA, and the Pentagon in Washington, DC, returned him to working with foreign technology, this time with the Electronic Systems Division of the AF Systems Command and on the Hq USAF Air Staff. During these staff assignments he kept up his flying skills in aircraft such as the U-3 (Cessna 310), T-29/C-131 (two-engine Convair), U-6 (de Havilland Beaver), and C-47 ("Gooney Bird").

Because of his engineering background, he was next assigned to manage the installation and engineering mission of the Southern Communications Area, Oklahoma City Air Force Station, OK. From there he joined the European Communications Division at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, with responsibility for communications operations throughout Europe.

As a final assignment, Col Doole joined the TRITAC joint service organization at Fort Monmouth, NJ, developing a suite of tactical communications equipment to be used by all the armed forces.

Bill Doole's interest in aviation continued after his retirement from the Air Force as he served with the Civil Air Patrol that he joined in 1950. He also flew airplanes such as the Grumman American Tiger, Cessna 182, and other light planes for the enjoyment of his family and himself. After retirement as an engineer with AT&T Bell Labs, Bill Doole volunteered to help with the National Air and Space Museum's planning for the new museum, Dulles Center, and he continues to support the advancement of air and space technology in whatever ways he can.