Shortly after I graduated from high school in 1956, I joined the USAF as an enlisted man. I tested well in basic training and had my choice of technical schools. I selected K-System, bomb navigation training on the B-52. About 18 months later, my career field was declared overmanned and I was switched to electronic countermeasures on the B-47.

While at Mountain Home AFB, ID, I heard a radio advertisement about H.S. graduates being eligible for the Aviation Cadet program. I tested well and gained a pilot training assignment. I entered Aviation Cadet Class 60-H five days before my three year anniversary in the USAF. I graduated #2 in my class and wanted an F-100, but except for the top gun, the F-100 graduates, of the time, were sent to the B-47. As a result of not wanting to take the risk, I went on to become a pilot training instructor. After five years as an instructor, I got my long desired F-100 assignment. I flew the F-100 for a little over two years. My F-100 time included 200 missions and getting shot down once in Vietnam. I also was an 0-1 forward air controller in Vietnam. I accrued 426 missions and 657.4 hours of combat in Vietnam. I went from there to fly the F-4 at Clark AB, PI.

I had a very pleasing and enjoyable flying career. I got to fly eleven (11) different aircraft and accrued 5,200 hours. Four of the eleven (11) aircraft were new from the factory. I got to pick two different aircraft up at the factory and fly them home.

I retired on August 31, 1976, my 38th birthday. Within two years of retirement, serious problems from my Vietnam ejection injuries terminated my flying career. Of all the aircraft I flew, I have the fondest memories of the F-100 Super Sabre. It was truly a pilot’s aircraft. The skill of the pilot was an essential part of a successful mission of putting ordnance on target.