I graduated from Williams AFB AZ in the 1954 (54-M) Fighter Pilot option. The next assignment was Basic Gunnery at Del Rio TX (T-33). Advanced Gunnery was cancelled --- the F-84-F was grounded.

I was given a temporary assignment to Mather AFB CA and flew the T-29 flying classroom for navigators. Three years later, I went to Okinawa as the Training Officer with the 51st FW, 16th FS. I flew combat in F-86’s (Sabres) during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis defending the Kinmen and Matsu Islands during attacks by the People’s Republic of China.

By urgent Strategic Air Command (SAC) request, I became a B-47 Aircraft Commander at Mt. Home AFB in Idaho after transition training in Kansas. During the six years in Idaho I also taught Instrument School, ran the simulator and was an Instructor Pilot.

Finally, I left SAC with another transition assignment to the 524th FS at Cannon AFB NM. There I fell in love with the Super Sabre (F-100). Then, along came Vietnam.

In June, 1966 I arrived in Bien Hoa and was assigned to the 90th FS (Dice). As a Flight Commander I flew 150 missions and became a member of the caterpillar club when I was shot down by ground fire over the Mekong Delta on October 12, 1966.

During the last five months of my tour I volunteered to replace a friend (who had been wounded in action) as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) flying O-1’s out of Cu Chi covering the US Army 25th Infantry Division. I left Vietnam in June, 1967 with the DFC, the BS, 16 air medals and the Purple Heart.

Jolly ‘ol England beckoned and I was assigned to RAF Wethersfield, 20 TFW, 55th FS. I was an F-100 pilot, worked in the Command Post and ran Base Operations until the Air Force closed the base and I ended my flying career.