Maier, Lothar “Nick”, DOB Buffalo, NY 8-30-32. Aviation Cadet Class 55-M, commissioned as pilot at Williams AFB, AZ, April 1955. The first 2nd Lieutenant to enter SAC’s Pilot AOB course at James Connolley AFB, TX, and received a Navigator rating. Assigned as B-47 co-pilot at Smoky Hill AFB, KS. In 1956 his crew was the first from the 40th Bomb Wing to be assigned to B-52 upgrade training at Castle AFB, CA and subsequently remained there in the 93rd Bomb Wing training Cadre.
Nick flew the B-52B through G model, receiving a SAC Crew of the Month Award for an aircraft save in 1966. Served one B-52 Arc Light tour in 1969 with 70 combat missions, and was 8AF Senior Controller at Andersen AFB, Guam, during Linebacker II in 1972. He was qualified in eleven types of aircraft from the C-47 Gooney Bird to the SR-71 Blackbird. Retired as a Command Pilot Major in 1977, and was in Travel Industry Management for 18 years. He and his wife Mary Beth reside in Plano, TX, and their son Robert is an Instrument Rated Private Pilot.