Page 43 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2023 - Online Magazine

air force
Korean War era
thunderbirds
vietnaM

John tried to recover from the spin by reducing the retirement home, and I retired as a Colonel with 26
throttle to idle; moving the aileron with the spin, full years of service.
back stick; and opposite rudder—but unfortunately,
the aircraft continued to spin. The rudder is critical “When we retired, Jo accepted a teaching position at
to a spin recovery, so the aircraft would not stabilize. Lubbock Christian School, and I worked at Lubbock
John bailed out, but his chute did not open properly, Christian College/University. After 19 years, we both
and he was killed upon impact. For the next five retired. Jolene and I had been married 62 years when
months, I filled in in the slot position until we could she was diagnosed with Severe Dementia. She died
train a new pilot. April 8, 2020. We now have 18 around our table when
we all gather for a meal at Warren and Denise’s home.
Thunderbird pilots are acquainted with danger, Jo was one of the best Christians you could ever find.
but the worst tragedy in their history occurred in a We are all looking forward to being with her when it
different aircraft. “On 9 October 1958, a C-123 support is our time to leave this world.”
cargo aircraft from Pope AFB, North Carolina crashed
near Payette, Idaho. Nineteen of the 21 persons on 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the USAF
board were killed. Fourteen were members of the Thunderbirds. Since their inception in 1953, they
Thunderbird advance crew heading to McChord AFB, have performed for over 300,000,000 people. It is an
WA, where the team was scheduled for an air show honor that one of their elite pilots chose Lubbock for
on 11 October. Most of the crew chiefs were on board, retirement.
along with Floyd Pulley, the Maintenance Officer.
The Thunderbird pilots heard about the crash from
their headquarters. Upon their arrival at McChord
AFB, they found many base personnel ready to
help them get ready for the show which was flown
in special memory for all those who were lost.
“After a little over 1 1/2 years with the
Thunderbirds, I was assigned to McClellan AFB,
Sacramento, CA, as a test pilot in the Fighter
Aircraft Flight Test Maintenance program. Not long
after I arrived, I began having severe headaches.
The flight surgeon thought I might have a tumor
and sent me to a hospital for evaluation. After
several x-rays and other tests, a tumor was ruled
out, but I was classified as DNIF (Duty Not
Including Flying). I went to the base personnel
office where the Chief asked me if I wanted to be
assigned duty in the Personnel Office. I agreed, so
Jo and I went to Randolph AFB, San Antonio to
attend Personnel Officer School where I began my
duty in Personnel Management.

“I served in several personnel assignments,
including a tour in Vietnam. My last assignment
was at Headquarters Strategic Air Command as the
Director of Personnel Systems. During our service
time, our two sweet daughters, Denise Ann and
Elise Linn, were born. We chose Lubbock as our

Lubbock Senior Link 43