Foil: 24 Panel: 4 Column: 2 Line: 28

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Ms. Sharon K. Snyder

At the age of eight, Cec knew he wanted to fly. By the seventh grade, he knew he wanted to be one of the first to walk on Mars. He had a plan and until the day he died he lived that plan.

Cec was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy, his first step, and was a member of the 22nd Squadron; he majored in astronautics, consistently making the Deans' List. He graduated in 1970 and completed pilot training at Moody AFB in 1971.

Assigned to McGuire AFB, flying C-141s, he had the opportunity to attend Princeton University in a graduate aeronautical engineering program before being selected to fly U-2s at Beale AFB, CA. In 1981, Cecil achieved one of his major career goals by graduating from the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB. He was assigned to the 6512 Test Operations Squadron at Edwards at the time of his death. He was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Medal, and two Air Force Commendation Medals. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians and a founding member of the Princeton Aeronautical Group.

He was best known by his gregarious personality, his broad and confident grin, his keen sense of humor, a creative energy which touched all aspects of his life, and his love of flying. He loved all types of flying and always managed to fly whatever came his way: hot air ballooning, competition soaring, light aircraft, and of course the mix that came with being a test pilot. He was an excellent instructor, not only in military aircraft, but also as chief instructor of the Princeton University Balloon Club, and the Central New Jersey Soaring Club. He just assumed that everyone within his path had this tremendous love of flight... and if they didn't, they soon would.

At home, his desk featured DaVinci's famous words:
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

His life was a testament to that spirit.