Foil: 6 Panel: Distinguished Flying Cross Society Column: 4 Line: 17

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

At 17 I enlisted in the United States Air Force. Continuous active duty until I retired on 31 July 1974. Retired as a Master Sergeant. My Title was Communications Superintendant. I served in Korea in 1956/57 and flew 140, seven hour electronic recon missions over S. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for the purpose of providing real-time enemy locations. I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 4 Air Medals for my efforts in Vietnam. I served in S. Vietnam from Sept. 1970 until Sept. 1971. I was stationed at Phu Cat Air Base with Detachment 1, 6994th Security Squadron.

I have three children, Dorcas Marie who lives in Alaska and has since age 16; she is retired from the Alaskan Oil Fields. Robin Lynn lives next door to Gyla and I in Hale, Michigan. My son, Colin Eugene lives in Brighton, Michigan and supervises MARJO Plastics in Plymouth, Michigan. I advocate the military as a great way of life whenever possible in my conversations with public school students. I am a lifetime member of the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Both my wife, Gyla, and I are also lifetime members of the Distinguished Flying Society. We were married on August 14th, 1954 in Whittemore, Michigan and have led a wonderful, well-traveled life. Our permanent residence is in Hale, MI. However, since 1989 we have spent our winter months in either Alabama or Florida. We have lived in Alaska, California, Mississippi, England, Greece,and Okinawa. Out of 22 years active duty I was stationed overseas over 16 years.