Military History
Signed up for Aviation Cadet Program October 1942
Graduated from Bombardier School May 1944
15th AF,97th BG Italy July 44 Nov 45
Air Force Reserve Feb 46 Nov 47
LA ANG Nov 47 Feb 51
Active Duty USAF Mar 51 May 73
Points of Interest Along the Way
WWII
15th AF 97th BG (H) Foggia Italy 30 B-17 sorties. Lead Bombardier on 20.
Shot up and crashed landed in Yugoslavia. One member of crew KIA, Co Pilot.
Awards . . . DFC, AM four clusters.
LA ANG Louisiana ANG New Orleans LA
Squadron Nav/Bomb, A-26 Douglas Invader Aircraft.
Called to Active Duty, Korean Conflict.
Trained Crews in Shoran, Nav and precision bombing tactics.
Opted to stay on active duty.
301st Bomb Wing
Transferred to B29's 301st BG 32nd Sq stationed at Barksdale AFB.
Select Crew Bombardier, Selected for Nav/Radar School.
55th SRW
Assigned to 55th SRW 343rd SQ.
Flew in RB 47E then RB 47H Aircraft.
Select Crew, Standboard Nav, Instructor Nav and Squadron Nav.
Wing Mission was to fly recon sorties around Communist countries, during which our crews were shot at and shot down by the Soviets.
While TDY at Thule AFB proposed, and had accepted, change to Polar Navigational procedures.
As Squadron Nav, developed new Celestrial Computation form that was adopted by the Wing.
Selected to fly onboard Russian Aircraft flying in support of Premier Khrushchev's visit to the United States. Made nine trips, eight on civilian versions of the TU-104 and one on the TU-114. The latter returning the Premier back to Moscow.
As a result of these flights, wrote a story, entitled Safety Soviet Style, which was published in the SAC Combat Crew Magazine.
While stationed at Forbes, earned a DFC, AM and AFCM.
Area 51
Assigned to the initial personnel cadre of the 1129th SAS reporting to Area 51 in support of the A-12 program.
Housed in the much written about House Six.
Assigned as Chief, Mission Support Division. Duties, along with assigned staff, were to develop mission planning techniques, briefing techniques.
Worked with Lockheed personnel on Navigational procedures.
Worked with Aeronautical Chart personnel in developing map with unique qualities required for A-12 missions.
Worked with A-12 pilots as to desired data they wished displayed on maps.
Planned and coordinated with FAA, A-12 training sortie routes.
Worked with Baird Electronics personnel on ...
