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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Donna Hoenninger

At the age of 17, Lt. Col. Hoenninger first enlisted in the Air Force in 1964, right out of High School. After graduating from the University of Arizona, he received his Commission as a Lieutenant and reentered active duty on Dec 10, 1968.
He completed pilot training in Dec 1969 at Big Spring, TX, and after training in the 0-2 went to Vietnam. During his tour in Vietnam he logged 302 combat sorties and 710.4 hours of combat time. He returned as an Instructor pilot in the T-37. He was rapidly moved into the Standardization/Evaluation section and after logging over 900 hours as an instructor/evaluation pilot, he volunteered for and was selected to fly the U-2/TR-1.
In Dec 1973 he reported to the U-2/TR-1 program. He spent 5 1/2 years in the U-2/TR-1 program accumulating over 1000 hours (pilot, instructor, and stan eval) in this high altitude reconnaissance aircraft while at the same time flying the companion aircraft the T-33 and the T-38.
In July 1979, he was assigned to the Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB to work on the reconnaissance programs for the Pacific area. During this tour, he was current in the T-33. Three years later he was assigned to the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA.
After graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College in Jan 1981, he was assigned to Programs and Operations Branch of Space Command, supporting NORAD/ADCOM and Space Command missions. In May, 1988 he retired from active duty while in the position of Deputy Director for Operations Plans, Requirements, and Programs.
He was decorated with the Silver Star, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Purple Heart, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 10 Air Medals, 2 AF Commendation Medals, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, 2 AF Outstanding Unit Awards, and numerous other medals. Foreign medals include the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with device and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He retired with 3433.6 hours of military flight time.