Served Mar 23, 53 to Mar 31, 1973. Commissioned 2nd Lt. Dec 3, 54 at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX on graduation from Flying Class 55E. After advanced flying training at Randolph AFB, flew RC121C & D aircraft at McClellan AFB, Sacramento, CA. Was pulled off honeymoon with new bride, Marian Alyce Baker, to attend Jet Qualification Training in Selma, AL. By Dec 57, joined the 12th Tac. Rec. Sqdn. on Yokota AB, Japan to fly the RB-66 B & W. In 1960, volunteered to fly B-57B in the 13th Bomb Sqdn at Johnson AB, Japan. In 1961, flew the EB-57B & E in the 4713th Def. Sys. Eval. Sqdn. at Stewart AFB, NY. In 1962, volunteered to enter the Astronaut Program and was flying in a spacesuit over 70,000 feet in the B-57D. Within a few months, the AF decided all astronauts must have an engineering degree and I was returned to my last unit. In 1962, volunteered for B-66B flying in the 42nd Tac. Rec. Sqdn. on Toul Rosieres AB, France which later moved to Chambley AB. In 1966, flew 80 missions in the Viet Nam War in the EB-66B & C in the 6460th Tac. Rec. Sqdn. from Takali AB, Thailand. Was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a flight on Nov 9, 66 which helped recover an F-105 pilot downed close to Hanoi. Returned to McClellan AFB to fly three 4-month missions over North Viet Nam from Korat AB, Thailand. In all, flew nearly 1,300 hours in combat and was awarded 13 Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal. By careers end, had flown at least 20 different type or model aircraft and had logged over 8,600 hours of flying time.