I was born in Mound City, Missouri on 22 December 1941. I lived there until 1952, then moved to Trenton, Missouri where I graduated from high school. While there I was active in the high school band (trombone 6 years), glee club, mixed chorus, and sports (football and track). I was also active in Boy Scouts and was a member of the Trenton Nazarene Church. I then attended one year of the Naval Academy Preparatory School in 1959 to March 1960. In June 1960 1 entered the Air Force Academy and graduated on June 3, 1964. While at the Academy I was active mainly in the Protestant Choir and the Chorale. I received a BS degree with a major in Engineering Science. From June 1964 to August 1965 I was in pilot training at Vance AFB, Enid, Oklahoma. September 1965 to February 1966 I attended F-4C training at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona. After completing F4C training I reported to my first assignment-81st TAC Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters, England. I volunteered for Southeast Asia and was sent to Da Nang Air Base in the Republic of South Vietnam in late 1966. I flew about 40 missions and was shot down on a MIG Cap mission over Kep Air Field, North Vietnam on 21 January 1967. I was released 4 March 1973 and returned to the United States.
SINCE RETURN
I debriefed at Scott AFB, Illinois. While there I met Captain Alice Braswell. Our relationship grew and resulted in our marriage on 25 August 1973. We honeymooned in the St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and Jamaica. I requested to go to graduate school and reported to Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado on 4 June 1973 to start on my Masters Degree in Biological Science. I have completed my first quarter and have really enjoyed it.
