Donald L. Nealis, August 26, 1928 - November 11, 2002

For Donald, flying was a boyhood dream and a lifelong commitment. His parents took him for his first airplane ride at a local airport. He soloed in a J-3 Cub at the age of 16 in 1944 in Coatesville, PA. He attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was admitted into the United States Air Force Cadet program in 1950. In 1951 he received his USAF wings and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. His flight training included the T-6 Texan and B-25 Mitchell. He served on active duty in the USAF for approximately eight years. During that time he was assigned to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and flew C-54 Sky Masters and C-124 Globe Masters. His duty stations included Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya, McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA, and Dover AFB, Dover, DE. He later served for 16 years in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in the 103rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Willow Grove Naval Air Station. He served as Squadron Commander for the last four years of his service. Aircraft assignments in the Air National Guard included the C-97 Stratofreighter, U-3 Administrator (Cessna 310), O-2 Skymaster and A-37 Dragonfly. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with 23 years of military service.

Don's commercial aviation career began in 1958 when he became an airline pilot with Trans World Airline. His career with TWA spanned 32 years and he retired as a 747 Captain. During his time with TWA he flew the following: Martin 202, Martin 404, Lockheed Constellation, Convair880, Boeing 707, Boeing 727, Lockheed L-1011, and Boeing 747. During his last 10 years, he was assigned to TWA's Training Center at JFK International Airport, NY, and served as an Instructor Pilot and Check Airman on the Lockheed L-1011 and Boeing 747.

During two different furlough periods from TWA, Don flew as a corporate pilot with Avco and American Cyanamid. His aircraft assignments included the Lockheed Lodestar and the Learcraft Learstar.

After his retirement from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and TWA, he continued to enjoy flying, earning his sailplane rating at Somerset Airport, NJ, and as an active member of the Aero Club at McGuire AFB, NJ.

Don was also an active member of the Quiet Birdman New York Hangar, Air Force Association Iron Gate Chapter and the American Legion Aviator's Post 743 in New York.