Foil: 11 Panel: 2 Column: 4 Line: 93

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

A lifelong follower of the dramatic progress of Aviation and the amazing unfolding of the Space Age during my lifetime. First flight in an Ercoupe at Hanover Airport, NJ 1957, member of the Civil Air Patrol throughout high school.

Joined Air Force ROTC at Miami U. (Oxford, Ohio), 1961-65, graduated as 2nd Lt. in the Air Force, assigned to Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C. and the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-100 outfit assigned to Tactical Air Command. Remained at Myrtle Beach for all 3-1/2 years in service, assigned to the as the Information Officer for the base and wing.

Was on assignment to Vietnam twice, both times the orders were cancelled. Was announcer for base ceremonies and helped create summer tours of the base for more than 50,000 tourists each year, plus a large annual air show in conjunction with the local Sun Fun festival (w/film stars, etc.). All 4 fighter squadrons were sequentially shipped to Vietnam, leaving Myrtle Beach with only 2 T-33s for many months!

Eventually gained the 113th TFW (F-100's) an Air National Guard unit nationalized after the Pueblo incident. Flew in T-33, F-100F (mach 1+!), HH-43B rescue helicopters plus occasional transports.

Designed the initial logo and graphics for the "launch" of the Young Astronauts organization for students interested in space and the new Shuttle program. Was invited to the launch ceremony at the White House, with President Ronald Reagan making the announcement. Met Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin (he and I went to the same grade school in Montclair and had lived in the same neighborhood!). Imagine shaking hands with 2/3 of the crew of Apollo 11 in one day!

Watched a shuttle launch as guest of NASA as part of Young Astronaut project -- unbelievably spectacular. A lifelong photographer, artist and sometimes journalist, I have many, many aviation photos taken over the years. Several pieces of space art I painted while at Miami U. ROTC were donated to the Air Force Art program.

Proud charter member of Air & Space magazine since Vol. 1, No. 1, as well as a supporter of American Air Museum in Britain at Duxford, Vulcan To The Sky Foundation, Center For Inquiry, and The Planetary Society (with many thanks to Dr. Carl Sagan and Sir Arthur C. Clarke).