The author was born in Watervliet, NY, where he graduated from high school and entered the service as an Aviation Cadet in January 1954, at the age of 19. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Webb Air Force Base, Big Spring, Texas with Class 55L in April of 1955, received his wings, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Immediately following graduation from pilot training, the he married the former Dolores Grace (“Dee”) Belk, a Registered Nurse who resided in Big Spring, where she was employed in the services of the a prominent ENT Specialist there. After a brief honeymoon, the couple headed for advanced training at Gary Air Force Base, San Marcus, Texas. The author has flown and been qualified in virtually all types of Air Force Aircraft with the exception of bombers. During his 26 year military career, he was assigned as either the commander or operations officer of various rescue units or airlift squadrons and, in addition, ran an Air Training Command Aircraft Maintenance Training Activity. He attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha under the Air Force’s Bootstrap Program, and in 1965 graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. The author served two tours in the Southeast Asian Theater of Operations during the Vietnam Conflict, flying a rescue helicopter in his first assignment and a C-130 “Hercules” tactical airlifter the second time around. Among the author’s more than 20 awards and decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross, thirteen (13) Air Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the MAC Outstanding Safety Achievement Award, the PACAF