Room 13: A Fighter Pilot's Story

This book describes how my career path changed from football coach to fighter pilot. My growth as a fighter pilot in my first Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) and then followed by a combat assignment in the A-1 Skyraider. Our training for war in the A-1 did not prepare us for the challenges of combat. War does not permit OJT so myself and another captain developed seven rules to be a successful combat fighter pilot. The effect of war impacted the remainder of my USAF career and remains with me today. Early promotion to Major and Lt Colonel enabled me to return to the cockpit after non flying assignments and my dream assignment as Operations Officer were I led 30 Fighter Pilots using my seven combat rules. I was promoted early to Colonel but future assignment would remove me from operations so I retired.

Not many people graduate from college and begin a career path they absolutely love but I did and this is my story. After college I entered USAF pilot training and I graduated top in my class. I was able to select the fighter aircraft of my choice. I chose the F-102 and this began my fighter pilot career were I flew the F-101, A-1 and F-106. War in the A-1 were I flew 220 combat missions, shot down on mission 130, and earned many combat awards including 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism. My experience in war shaped the remainder of my USAF career and my life. Early promotions to Major, Lt Col, and Colonel removed me from flying and the career I loved so I retired. After retirement, I was a defense contractor, real estate investor, dog breeder, YMCA football coach and finally a school bus driver for ten years. In am now 83 and actively involved with Veterans of Foreign Wars and assisting veterans.