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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Enlisted in 1951 and served as a crew chief, USMA cadet candidate and aviation cadet. He was outstanding graduate of Aviation Cadet Class 53-G. In the winter of '54, John attended Fighter Gunnery at Nellis AFB and was subsequently sent to the 4th Fighter Wing (334 Sqdn.) at Kimpo AB, Korea. Moving with the 4th Wing to Chitose AB, Japan, he had the additional duty as Engineering Officer for a short time. Returned to the states in 1956 as a flight Test Maintenance Officer at Williams AFB, AZ. He had accumulated nearly 3000 hours in the F-86 by this time. John obtained a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1962. From there he was assigned to the Joint F-4 & F-5 Test Force at Edwards AFB, CA. as a systems evaluation engineer. Two years later, he volunteered to fly the A-IE Skyraider in Vietnam. Assigned to the First Air Commando Sqdn., John accumulated 540 combat hours and survived being shot down. Returning stateside, he was assigned to the Special Air Warfare Center, Hurlburt Field, Fl. Here he served as a instructor pilot, executive to the Commanding General, Director of Flight Test Operation, project officer for the category HI test programs on the O-2, OV10 Aircraft and chief test pilot for the Pave Nail Project. His next assignment was operations officer for the 19th TAS, Osan, AB Korea. Then two years as Section chief with the Space and Missile System Division at Los Angeles AFS. His final assignment was the position of chief of maintenance at Sunnyvale Satellite Test Center, CA. Among his awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, the Distinguish Flying Cross, 9 Air Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star and others.