Checkpoints March 1975

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

from the SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK

Major General

James R. Allen Superintendent U. S. Air Force Academy

ing, hold seminars for the faculty, contribute to research and represent the Academy at national meetings of academic societies. The experience and expertise of these individuals will assist us in broadening our already excellent academic program and provide the cadets with an established expertise in specific areas of study.

You may be aware of the fact that in April of 1973, the GAO, at the request of several members of Congress, began an investigation of the service academies. I can now report to you the progress in two areas of this three-phase study. The first study area addressed drug involvement by cadets, and attrition. The GAO found no problem in the area of drug involvement. In focusing on attrition, a questionnaire was given to cadets and graduates in an attempt to analyze factors influencing losses. The results of that questionnaire are not yet complete.

In the three months since I last wrote to you, a number of developments have occurred which directly affect the Academy and which may be of interest to you.

One of the most significant of these is the impressive promotion record compiled by our graduates. The recent promotion list released in November identified eight individuals to be advanced to the rank of colonel. As of this date, a total of 17 graduates are now serving as colonels or have been selected for that rank. Significantly, 16 of this number were selected below the zone, and I believe we can interpret these results as a validation of the type of training the Academy is providing.

This point was underscored during the 15 November meeting of the USAF Academy Board of Visitors. A number of subjects were discussed with the Board, including Airstrip operations, a profile of the Class of 1978 and the Academy pre-medical program. During the course of their meeting. Board members met with cadet panels and attended academic classes. The Board expressed their satisfaction with the high state of morale of the Cadet Wing and noted with pleasure the progress made by the Commandant of Cadets in reducing attrition among the Fourth Class.

As you may remember, in my last letter to you I explained various changes which were implemented in this area. These included an increased emphasis on mature leadership by the First and Second Class cadets, and on a strong motivation for the basic cadet. This concept has been continued throughout the academic year, and its success is reflected in the fact that the Class of ’78 experienced an attrition of 12.5% as of 14 December, compared to 15.1% for the Class of 'll on the same date last year.

Equally significant is the development of a new visiting civilian professor program. As you may be aware, the Academy for some time has had a visiting Foreign Service Officer from the State Department teaching in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy. Plans are now being made to invite two distinguished civilian professors to teach in the Departments,of Aeronautics and Chemistry for the 1975-76 academic year. An additional State Department officer will be identified to teach in the History Department, bringing the total of visiting professor^to four. The two professors from civilian universities will be on one-year sabbaticals; the two Foreign Service Officers may well be assigned for a longer period. As the concept is now developing, these instructors would, in addition to instruct

Phase II of the study looked at the cost per graduate at each of the service academies, and has just been completed. This study noted that differences between the academies in tabulating costs per graduate were primarily in the support area. It was interesting to note in the final analysis of this report that each of the academies was comparable in the costs for academic, military and athletic programs.

The final phase of that study is just getting underway and will attempt to determine if the various academies are producing the type of officers needed by the services. Many of the issues in these investigations are intangible and do not easily lend themselves to study. They may, however, generate some data useful in establishing goals and procedures for the institution.

Despite a less than stellar football season (with only two wins—Idaho and Navy), we are keeping our spirits up for next fall. In spite of our win/loss record, six losses were by four points or less and could well have gone either way. I personally saw every game and virtually every practice, and I can assure you that our athletes made the maximum effort at every contest. The Academy is especially proud of Dave Lawson, who was named All-American and established a national record with 19 field goals. Dave and 32 of our 44 players will return next year. Hopefully, that depth and experience will predict a winning season in '15. In soccer, two members of the team, Captain Len Salvemini and Jack Shine, received national recognition by being named to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League and Far West Teams, while Salvemini also received second team All-American honors. The water polo team had its best year ever, with a 20/6 record, and participated in the NCAA championships.

As the fall athletic season passed and the holidays approached, more than 1500 cadets became involved in the seventh annual “Operation Christmas” project. Cadets brought gifts, Christmas trees, refreshments and entertainment to children in hospitals, Head Start Centers and other locations. Thirty-seven squadrons raised money through voluntary contributions to purchase gifts for the different institutions and selected a member to act as a cadet “Santa Clatfs” at each location. Cadet involvement in this program reflected the concern of the Cadet Wing and the development of a sense of civic responsibility which will benefit our young men in their careers as commissioned officers.

I hope you and your families enjoyed a happy Christmas, and the Staff and Cadet Wing join me in wishing you the best in the coming year.

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

The Eagle and Fledglings statue has traditionally symbolized academic excellence at the Air Force Academy. For an up-to-date report on the academic state of the Wing, see the article by Brig. Gen. William T. Woodyard, Dean of Faculty, on page 4.

Vol. 4 No. 4

Editor Gares Garber, Jr., ’59

Administrative Assistant Mrs. Freida Weber

OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

Charles F. Stebbins '61 President

Richard G. Head ’60 Vice President

Gares Garber, Jr., ’59 Executive Secretary

Directors

Robert L. Browning, ’59

John S. Brush, ’60

Anthony J. Burshnick, ’60

James L. Cole, Jr., ’64

Jon M. Davis, ’69

Ronald Deep, ’60

Thomas A. Fryer, ’63

Terence J. Gruters, ’68

Gregory G. Hildebrandt, ’64

Carl A. Janssen, ’68

Arthur D. Kerr, ’61

William T. Manning, ’70

Grover E. Musselwhite, ’63

Terrence L. Petrzelka, ’70

David H. Roe, ’62

R. Nels Running, ’64

Brock T. Strom, ’59

Mack Thies, ’64

Paul R. Viotti, ’66

Austin C. Wedemeyer, ’62

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the Association of Graduates, its officers or the editorial staff.

The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Association of Graduates of the products or services advertised.

Captain Stephen R. R o s e m a n, Class of 1968, lost his life in an aircraft accident approximately 25 miles southwest of Andersen AFB, Guam on 12 December 1974. He was assigned to the 60th Bomb Squadron at Andersen.

As a cadet, Captain Roseman was a memher of the football team, was active in the Fellowship of Christian CAPT. STEPHEN R. ROSEMAN Athletes, and, was on the Commandant's List.

Following graduation Capt. Roseman was assigned to Williams AFB. Ariz. and later to Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Services for Captain Roseman were held on 17 January 1975 at the Academy Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Stephanie and his children Melissa, Michael, and Ammie.

Captain Edward D. Solomon, Class of 1971, lost his life in an aircraft accident on 7 December 1974 near Whittier, Alaska. He was an HH3 helicopter aircraft commander assigned to the 5040th Helicopter Squadron at Elmendorf, Alaska.

As a cadet, Captain Solomon was on the Dean’s List and was active in the Ski Club and Saddle Club.

CAPT. EDWARD D. SOLOMON

Following graduation

Captain Solomon was assigned to Randolph AFB, Tx. for helicopter pilot training. Services for Captain Solomon were held in the Cadet Chapel on 16 December 1974. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, and children, Jennifer and Zack, of 920 Arcturus Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

Lieutenant Michael L. Sands, Class of 1971. was killed in an automobile accident near Madrid, Spain on 29 November 1974. He was assigned to the 614 Tactical Fighter Squadron at Torrejon AB.

As a cadet, Lt. Sands was on the Commandant’s List, was active in the Ski, Skeet, Photo and Math Clubs and served on the 1971 Class Committee. He majored in Economics.

Following graduation, Lt. Sands received his navigators training at Mather AFB, Calif. He was subsequently assigned to Luke AFB, Ariz., then to Torrejon.

Funeral services were held for Lt. Sands at the Cadet Chapel on 5 December 1974. He was interred at the Academy Cemetery.

Lt. Sands is survived by his parents, Maj Gen. (ret.) and Mrs. Harry J. Sands, Jr., of Rt. 1, Box 706, Melbourne, Fla.

Captain Mark A. Mraz, Class of 1969, lost his life in a private aircraft accident near Travis AFB, Calif, on 27 October 1974. He was assigned to the 75th Military Airlift Squadron at Travis.

As a cadet, Capt. Mraz was on the rifle team and was active in the Model Engineering, Gun, Math, and Special Warfare Clubs. He

CAPT. MARK A. MRAZ majored in Aeronautical Engineering.

Following graduation, Capt. Mraz was assigned to Columbus AFB, Miss, for pilot training. He was subsequently (Continued on p. 20)

LT. MICHAEL L. SANDS

LETTERS

Dear Association of Graduates Member:

In accordance with Article VI A of the Association Bylaws, I have appointed the following nominating committee to prepare a slate of candidates for the 30 April 1975 election of the Association President, Vice President, and half the members of the Association's Board of Directors:

Name, Address, Home Phone Class

Maj. George L. Butler (Chairman)

1961 5916 N. 9th St. Arlington, Va. 22205

703/536-4626

Maj. Leonard C. Ekman

1963 3811 Cambria Place Colorado Springs, Co. 80918 303/598-6819

Cpt. Stephen K. Conver

1966 509 Birch St. Vienna, Va. 22180

703/938-0239

Cpt. Thomas F. Menza

1967 4155 Hollow Rd. Colorado Springs, Co. 80917 303/597-6317

Cpt. Richard D. Mugg

1968 4300 Gramercy Cir. Alexandria, Va. 22309 703/780-1185

lLt. Kevin W. Krail

1971 5915 Del Ray Colorado Springs, Co. 80918 303/599-8670

The slate of candidates will be published by the committee chairman not later than 15 March 1975. A copy of my instructions to the nominating committee will be sent to any Association member upon request. Please correspond

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Members of the Classes of 1962 through 1969

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DAEDALIAN FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP

The Daedalian Foundation sponsors a fellowship which is awarded to a USAFA graduate every four years. The next such award will be made on 10 May 1975 for the school year beginning in the fall of 1975. The recipient:

a. must be a USAFA graduate (Class of 1962 through 1969) on active duty in the U.S. Air Force

b. must be a rated pilot on flight status with at least five years of cockpit time

c. must wish to pursue an advanced degree in a field of engineering pertinent to aeronautics or astronautics

d. must not already possess a Master’s degree

The winner of the fellowship will have to petition the Air Force to allow him to accept the award via the procedures outlined in AFR 53-18; however, AFIT and the MPC have stated that the winner should have no problem in this regard. The amount of the fellowship grant is $2,500;

directly with members of the committee should you have any personal preferences regarding prospective candidates.

CHARLES F. STEBBINS Major, USAF President

Dear Sir,

I feel that all of us who have the good fortune to return to the Academy and serve, owe the Air Force, the Academy, and the cadets on board a little extra because of the opportunities we were afforded. In my capacity as AOC I often hear cadets make less than complementary remarks about graduates—the kind of remarks we certainly do not need. The cadets know who the graduates are and when we have a subpar uniform or personal appearance, it spreads through the Wing like wildfire. We all know that we must constantly set the example for the Wing in all areas. When I see a grad with a sloppy uniform, long hair, unshined shoes, or running for his car during retreat, I wonder if we really learned anything during our cadet days. These things are important no matter where we are stationed because the cadets do see us; on Third Lt, Squadron sponsor visits, and on leave. So set the example—a good example. The second matter primarily concerns those of us stationed at the Academy. The mission is to produce the finest officers possible for the USAF. To do this we must all work together and support Academy policy. This is paramount no matter what department or section we happen to be assigned. Remember back to your cadet days—which type officer did you respect, i.e., the friendly guy with a sloppy uniform who only wanted to ski, drink, and have a good time, or the sharp, hard-working type who always demanded excellence from you in all areas? It seems to me it is imperative that all of us work together and make sure the present USAF Academy cadets become the finest officers the Air Force has ever seen.

LEROY W. STUTZ, Captain, USAF Air Officer Commanding Second Cadet Squadron

AFIT customarily pays any balance due the university for the schooling.

The winner will be selected by the Graduate Scholarship Committee at the USAF Academy from among qualified applicants. If you are interested in pursuing this fellowship, send a brief career resume along with a statement concerning your desired field of study and choice of graduate school to:

USAFA (DFSCS/Lt Col Simmons) USAF Academy, CO 80840

This information must arrive at USAFA prior to 31 March 1975. Should you wish additional information, the AUTOVON number of the DFSCS office is 259-2229 or 259-4095.

1975 Homecoming is scheduled for the weekend of 17-19 October in conjunction with the Notre Dame football game.

Results of the AOG 20 YEAR SURVEY will be forwarded to the USAFA 20 Year Study Group in mid-February and will appear in the Spring issue of the AOG Magazine.

ACADEMIC STATE OF THE WING

By: Brig. Gen. William T. Woodyard

Brigadier General

William T. Woodyard Dean of Faculty

I am delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the “Academic State of the Wing” with readers of the AOG Magazine. For the benefit particularly of the older grads who may not have recently visited the Academy, I will briefly trace some of the major changes in the curriculum since the early years. I'll then pass on to more current material in which I think grads will be interested and perhaps should know more about because they can be proud of the academic achievement of their institution and themselves. Lastly, I will address some of the current issues of interest and concern to us here at USAFA.

Historical Development of the Curriculum and Academic Progratns

In the beginning, as the older graduates will recall, the academic curriculum was totally prescribed. The only option available to cadets at that time was the selection of a foreign language. With the arrival of the second class in 1956, the academic enrichment program was established. The purpose of the enrichment program was to provide cadets the opportunity to advance academically as far and as fast as their time and talents permitted. As an incentive to encourage cadets to participate in the enrichment program, and thus fully develop their academic potential, in 1957, the Academy Board approved a plan whereby cadets who participated extensively in an enrichment program could earn an academic major. Under the terms of the program, cadets who completed 17 selected courses beyond the prescribed curriculum would be awarded an academic major. There were four majors offered—one sponsored by each of the four academic divisions. Under this program, cadets could earn an academic major only by extensive overloading. Transfer credit for courses completed by cadets at other institutions prior to coming to the Academy was accepted to meet majors requirements. For the next several years (1961 through 1965), approximately 10% of each graduating class earned academic majors through the enrichment program. In 1965, under the leadership of General McDermott, the Academy Board approved a major curriculum revision requiring all future entering cadets to earn an academic major. The new required majors-for-all program called for a reduction in the core curriculum from 53 to 36 courses. Since 53 courses were and still are required for graduation, completion of the remaining 17 courses in selected areas permitted all cadets to earn one of 28 academic majors. In 1972, this number was reduced to 21.

In 1963, under the terms of the Cooperative Program (Coop), the first graduates attended graduate school immediately following graduation. The Coop Program permitted selected graduates to attend certain graduate schools with which the Academy had established cooperative arrangements. The graduate schools which participated with the

Academy in the Coop Program agreed to accept transfer credit for three or four graduate-level courses completed by graduates while at the Academy. The graduates who participated in the Coop Program were able to earn a master’s degree in six to eight months of residence following graduation from the Academy.

By 1972, the Coop Program had expanded to about 80 to 120 graduates a year. Since the beginning of the Coop Program in 1963, 665 grads have gone directly to graduate school under the terms of the program. All but a handful have earned a master's degree. In 1970, the Curriculum Committee began an evaluation of the program. The fact that Academy grads had been able to go directly to graduate school and compete favorably with their civilian contemporaries had “validated” in a practical way the quality of the USAFA academic program. Retention and obligated service problems of those who had so participated, however, indicated that it would be in the best interests of the Air Force and of the individual to delay entry into graduate school until after a few years of service. Attrition from the Air Force for those who had participated in the Coop Program in some cases amounted to 40 percent. It was the conclusion of the Curriculum Committee, and subsequently the Academy Board, that, while the Coop Program had achieved some of the objectives for which it was established, the program did not serve the best interests of the Air Force. The Coop Program was therefore phased out. The Class of 1975 is the last to have this opportunity.

A new program, the Honor Graduate (Blue Chip) Program was established as a replacement. This program essentially guarantees a cadet who graduates in the top 15 percent of his class in general order of merit the opportunity

Boning Up In the Lihraary

of returning to graduate school in any field for which the Air Force has a requirement and to which he can gain admittance. This option can be exercised sometime between three and eight years commissioned service. The Academy feels that this Blue Chip Program retains the advantages of the Coop Program with the added advantage of investing in Academy graduates’ advanced education only for those who have made a long-term commitment to the Air Force.

Preniedical Program

In 1962, the Air Force established a policy whereby officers who were able to gain acceptance to accredited medical schools were permitted to attend on an excess leave basis. The opportunity to attend medical school under the provisions of this policy was made available to Academy graduates during the years 1962 through 1966. Eighteen Academy graduates matriculated directly to medical school following graduation. In 1966, the Air Force was able to secure from Congress the authority to send officers to medical school not on an excess leave basis but on full pay and allowances. At the same time, the Air Force authorized the Academy to send up to 2 percent of each graduating class directly to medical school to assist in meeting the needs for career Air Force physicians. In 1971, at the request of the Air Force, up to 3 percent of each graduating class authorized for direct entry into medical school.

In 1973, during the hearings on the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, the House Appropriations Committee recommended that service academy graduates not be permitted to attend medical school under service sponsorship. Members of the Appropriations Committee reasoned that the purpose of the service academies was to educate and train officers for positions of combat leadership and that the physicians for service in the armed forces could be procured from other sources. As a consequence, the Academy’s premedical program is being phased out. Graduates of the Class of 1977 are the last to be permitted direct matriculation to medical schools. In summary, 166 graduates have matriculated directly to medical schools; of these, 64 have graduated; 97 are still attending medical schools; seven did not complete the medical program; three have been separated from the Air Force following graduation.

Achievements

Turning very briefly to achievements in the academic area, there are a number of indicators that show we can all be justly proud of the Academy’s performance. As I have said in DOD-level briefings, “Where have we failed?” When virtually all indicators at hand show outstanding achievement, we must be doing something right.

The report from our most recent accreditation visit by the North Central Association (our basic degree accrediting agency) was quite laudatory. Reaccreditation by the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development of our six engineering degree programs for a maximum time was a rare accomplishment and reflected a high degree of excelllence in this area.

As another indicator, cadets have continued to score extermely well in national testing. Cadets taking the basic GRE tests, the LSAT and Med Cat exams, and the professional engineer's exam have achieved scores significantly above the national norm.

A final and different sort of indication of the academic quality of USAFA is in the number of prestige national scholarships won by cadets and graduates over the years. This is a cumulative sort of measure as opposed to the onetime testing score. In this area, the Academy has produced 17 Rhodes Scholars, putting us fifth in the nation behind Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford. This most prestigi

ous scholarship for study at Oxford is extremely competitive —only 32 are given each year for the entire United States. In science/engineering, Academy cadets have won 14 Guggenheim Fellowships for graduate study at ColumbiaUniversity or Cal Tech. Only nine are awarded per year. This year's recipients have not yet been announced. Last year, USAFA graduates received three of the nine fellowships awarded. In the competition for NCAA scholarships, Academy scholar-athletes have won 19 since this program started in 1964, putting us first in the nation, ahead of such outstanding schools as Notre Dame, Stanford, Cal Tech, and Harvard.

As a result of the challenges the demands of the academic program. Academy graduates are able to compete successfully with graduates of the best universities for coveted scholarships. However, the ultimate criterion by which the success of the Academy will be judged is not how many prestigious scholarships were won by graduates or their performance in graduate school, but rather, how well the graduates have performed in the Air Force. In this regard, I am pleased to note that there is a very strong positive relationship between academic order of merit and both the persistence of graduates in the Air Force and their performance as measured by Officer Effectiveness Reports and below-the-zone promotions. It would be tragic if that were not the case.

Graduate Schooling

The chart below indicates the extent of graduate schooling acquired by USAFA graduates still in the service. The data is current as of 1974. The numbers speak for themselves. So, I will comment on only two things. First, you may be surprised at the percentages in those earlier classes which have by now had time to complete an operational commitment and return for schooling. Second, we can all take some pride and satisfaction in that the quality of the USAFA program is validated by the success of graduates in advanced schooling and their motivation in pursuing further education.

Current Issues

As most of you are aware, we have been under close scrutiny (putting it nicely) at the Academy for the past year or so. The General Accounting Office (GAO) has been engaged in a study of the cost, effectiveness, and attrition for over a year. This was undertaken at the behest of Senators Bayh and Proxmire and Representatives Aspin and Stratton. Since its inception, other issues have been added —notably, the combat orientation of Academy training. This (Continued p. 20)

BIRD DOGGING:

A KEY TO SUCCESS

Major Terry Isaacson Receivers Coach

Air Force Academy athletic teams have achieved an enviable overall record. For example, in 18 different varsity sports, our teams have won nearly 70 percent of the contests over the past six years. We lead the nation in total number of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) post-graduate scholarships awarded with 19, including 10 for football. We enjoyed six straight winning seasons in football, but finished the 1974 season with a 2-9 record. Even though there were a few missing ingredients for a winning formula, there was plenty of excitement during the season. Six of the losses were by four points or less; two were one-point losses. In seven of our defeats, we could have won the ballgame in the final one-minute of play! That’s exciting football for the fan who doesn’t care who wins, but unfortunately, most of us who are graduates of this school DO CARE who wins when any of our teams are involved. Ask any coach in the Nation, the real key to winning is suecessful recruiting.

Believe it or not, there is something positive that every graduate can do to help the Academy's recruiting. It may someday mean the difference between winning or losing an athletic contest or it may make the difference in continuing the winning tradition of all sports at the Air Force Academy. It may also have and hopefully will have a long-range beneficial effect on the U. S. Air Force. Air Force Academy graduates can help identify prospects for all sports from high schools across the country. In the recruiting game, this is commonly called “BIRD-DOGGING.” The Air Force Academy needs a more effective system of bird-dogging athletic talent. This is the best way for graduates to remain active in the Academy's athletic scene and have construetive input into the performance of our teams.

Every major school, including the other service academies, has a well-developed system of bird-dogging. Our one huge disadvantage is that we're a young institution and our Association of Graduates is relatively small. Yet one advantage we do have is wide geographical distribution. We should be able to identify that gifted quarterback in New England, or that hot-shot forward from South Dakota or

By Major Terry Isaacson

that straight-A student from Tampa who threw four nohitters during his junior year. With graduates stationed all over the country, our bird-dog system should be one of the best around.

Here are some guidelines and suggestions which should make it easier to take part in bird-dogging for USAFA. Follow a little more closely the high schools near you and watch for standout performances. The local press usually does a good job forecasting those athletes with college potential. If you believe someone near you is a prospect for one of our athletic teams, send a note or call Mr. Jim Bowman (AHD), Candidate Counseling, USAF Academy, CO 80840. Inelude all information on the prospect that you have. This is the single most important action you can take. Followup action and screening begins immediately.

First, members of our staff evaluate your prospect’s transcript to determine whether he has a strong enough academic record to meet the Academy’s entrance standards. Such items as class rank, standard test scores, math background and other scholastic achievements are considered. If the transcript does not meet our standards, we take no further action. When a transcript is approved, we then mail the prospect a letter explaining his status as a prospective cadet and ask him to return a questionnaire to the Athletic Department. When we receive his questionnaire, he becomes a potential cadet-athlete, subject to further screening and evaluation.

After the prospect clears the first hurdle (can he meet all the entrance requirements?), we ask a very simple question: Can he compete at a major college level of athletic competition? Here the individual coaching staffs take a close look at the prospect’s qualifications. We evaluate measurable parameters such as height, weight, strength and speed. We also evaluate the intangible—desire, leadership, effort and how he gets the job done. We visit the prospect’s high school and talk with his guidance counselors, teachers and coaches. We visit the young man’s home and talk with him and his family. Our evaluation continues as we start motivating the prospect toward being a member of a Cadet team, the Wing and eventually the USAF. Extensive screening and personal contact with candidates, school officials and families constitutes a major portion of the candidate counseling role of USAFA athletic coaches.

As a bird-dog for the Academy, you can be assured that all of the above is triggered by your recommendation of a prospect. You should, however, limit your role as a birddog to identifying prospects to the Academy. Athletic recruiting is tightly controlled by the NCAA. There are restrictions concerning when a high school athlete can be contacted by an interested institution. There is legislation pending which will limit the total number of contacts a school can make with a prospect. It is impossible for graduates to be current on all of the NCAA restrictions on recruiting high school athletes, and as members of the Association

(Continued on back cover)

’64

AIR FORCE GRIDDERS LOOK TO FUTURE

With one of the most frustrating seasons in school history now a thing of the past, Air Force football starts looking forward to the 1975 season and the prospect of once again moving into the winners’ circle. Next season will be head coach Ben Martin’s 18th as the Falcon’s mentor.

The Falcons wound up with a 2-9 record after falling to Notre Dame, 38-0, on Nov. 23 but the record was far more deceptive than indiciated. Air Force lost seven games by margins of a touchdown or less and most of the games went into the final minute of play.

For example, the Oregon game was decided with 1:27 to play, the Colorado loss went to the final 13 seconds, the setback at Army was decided by a field goal with 17 seconds to play and Arizona scored with only 11 seconds to play to wrap up the victory.

Of the nine losses, one was by seven points, two by four point margins, one by three points, one by two points and a pair of games, Colorado and Army, were one-point losses.

It was a season of continual frustration but on the other hand there were also some bright spots. Here are just a few:

a. The kicking of Dave Lawson will long be remembered. The strong-legged junior from Shawnee-Mission, Kan., set a national collegiate record with 19 field goals and later was named All-American. He also led the team in scoring with 70 points and as a starting linebacker was the fifth leading tackier with 87.

b. The running of tailback Ken Wood made him one of the top rushers in school history. The spohomore from Schofield, Wis., led all rushers with 708 yards on 203. carries, the most yardage ever gained by sophomore running back in school history. He also was the second-leading scorer with nine touchdowns for 54 points.

c. Of the 44 players on the top two units, a total of 33 will return next season, giving coach Ben Martin a solid nucleus for the 1975 campaign.

d. Defensively, junior rover Ray Wild and senior tackle Terry Young tied for the most number of tackles with 123 apiece but there also was the emergence of some new faces among the defenders. Two of the most notable were sophomores Mark Kenney, a middle guard and Brian Carney, a

Coach Ben Martin

17 Years at the Helm

linebacker. Both moved into starting berths by the middle of the season with impressive results. Kenney wound up as the third-leading tackier with 103 while Carney had 68.

e. Last but certainly not least, the Falcons wound up with a share of the Commander in Chief’s Trophy as Air Force, Army and Navy each finished with 1-1 marks in trophy competition. Air Force edged Navy, 19-16, on Lawson’s field goal with eight seconds to play, Army nipped Air Force, 17-16, then Navy blanked Army, 19-0. The trophy, however, will remain in Navy's possession since they won it in 1973.

Lawson and Wood led two of the major offensive departments but other leaders included junior quarterback Mike Worden, who led in both total offense and passing. He had 849 yards in total offense and 798 passing, completing 61 of 128 passes.

Worden’s favorite target was senior split end Bob Farr, who led all receivers with 32 catches for 467 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior safety Mike Mark led three departments although he suffered a broken leg early in the Army game and missed the rest of the season. Mark was the top man for the third straight year in punt returns with 18 for 86 yards and also was first in kickoff returns with 12 for 267 yards, an excellent 22.3 yard average. Finally, he also was tops in pass interceptions with four for 60 yards.

Graduation will take its toll of top players, including co-captain and guard Larry Fariss, Young, flanker A1 Bready, (Continued on p. 8)

SPORTS (Continued from preceeding page)

offensive tackle Joe Debes, Farr, center Wayne Willis, offensive tackle Tom Peterson, linebacker Ralph Buron, Mark, defensive end Bill Murray and cornerback Rod Hennek, all starters.

However, there are a number of key players returning. Offensively, these include Wood, fullback Chris Miladrogovich, Worden, quarterback Rob Shaw, tight end John Covington, guards John Hazen and Craig Puz and offensive tackle Gary Mittelstadt.

Defensively, key returnees include Lawson, Carney, Kenney, ends Randy Spetman and Gary Potter, tackles Phil Richmond and Doug Kupersmith, Wild, safety T. G. Parker and cornerback Ken Vaughn.

Awaiting these athletes, however, will be one of the most formidable schedules in Air Force football history, one that features five games at home and six on the road. The schedule is as follows:

SEPTEMBER

13—Arkansas at Little Rock

20—at Iowa State

27—U.C.L.A.

OCTOBER

A—at Navy

11—at Brigham Young

18—NOTRE Dame (HOMECOMING)

25—at Colorado State

NOVEMBER

1—ARMY

8—at Tulane

15—CALIFORNIA

22—WYOMING

FALCON TRACKMEN OPEN SEASON

Coach Arne Arnesen has 28 returning lettermen from the squad that posted a 9-3 record indoors last season. The hurdles should once again be a team strength but Arnesen will be seeking more strength in the middle distances and most of the field events.

Three school record holders head the returnees, paced by senior team captain Dick McIntosh, who holds four school marks in the hurdles—the 50 high hurdles at 6.3, the 60 high hurdles at 7.1, the 70 high hurdles at 8.6 and a share of the 120 high hurdles at 14.1. McIntosh has competed in the national collegiate indoor championships the last three seasons and should again be one of the nation’s best.

Other returning school record holders include senior sprinter Joe Shirey, who has several times tied the school mark of 6.2 in the 60-yard dash while senior hurdler Joe Kahiapo holds a share of the 60 low hurdles record at 6.8.

A pair of sophomores, quartermiler Mike Ryan and T. G. Parker, also are top prospects and competed in the national collegiate indoor championships last March although only freshmen at the time. Ryan has a best of 48.8 in the indoor 440 while Parker has run 7.2 in the 60 high hurdles, fastest time ever run by a freshman at the Academy.

The Falcons’ indoor track schedule is as follows:

JANUARY

10—7:00 p.m. ADAMS STATE USAFA

17—7:00 p.m. WYOMING USAFA

24—7:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY

SOUTHERN COLORADO USAFA

1—7:00 p.m. DRAKE USAFA

8— Michigan State Relays E. Lansing, MI

15— Purdue, Indiana State Lafayette, IN

21—7:00 p.m. COLORADO STATE USAFA

28—

MARCH Midwest Championships Columbus, O

1 Midwest Championships Columbus, O

7—7:00 p.m. ADAMS STATE, N. COLO. USAFA 14-15— N.C.A.A. Indoor Champs Detroit, MI

WATER POLO TEAM CLOSES SEASON

—Take a team captain from Hawaii who has an excellent scoring touch, mix well with some talented, unselfish athletes from other states and you come up with a recipe for a winning water polo team.

Those ingredients helped spell a 20-6 season record this season, which includes three tournament titles, winning streaks of 12 and 7 games, a 19-4 win over inter service rival Army and competition in the National Collegiate Championships held Nov. 22 and 23 in Long Beach, Calif.

In that competition, won by the University of California at Berkeley for the second straight season. Air Force team captain Ben Phillips, from Honolulu, completed four highly successful seasons which saw him reign as the top point scorer in each season. He also led the team in goals scored for three seasons and led the squad in assists for two seasons including this year. In four seasons Phillips collected 441 points, 338 goals and 103 assists, all of which are school records.

The season also marked another strong campaign by coach Reggie Pasieceny, whose teams were 37-12 for the past two seasons.

During the 1974 season, the Falcons scored 296 goals to 157 for the foes, and held their opponents scoreless in 27 quarters. The Falcons’ All-America goalie candidate Walt Heidmous, from Lompoc, Calif., swatted away 238 shots for a .653 percentage, a school record, including 43 saves in the NCAA Championships.

The Academy junior has had the most saves in each of his three seasons in the cage, collecting a total of 610 in all for another school record.

In the NCAA Championships Air Force drew reigning champ Berkeley in the first round of play, fell behind 9-0 at the half and then with Berkeley shuttling in fresh players finally fell 12-3. The loss dropped the Falcons into the consolation bracket where they lost to California-Davis 9-2 and UC Santa Barbara 11-7.

The leading Air Force scorer in the Championships was Bill Monroe, from Stockton, Calif., with five goals.

Other players who had fine seasons were juniors Roger Rechsteiner, Novato, Calif., with 31 goals and Don Gresham, Placentia, Calif., with 24. Sophomore Jeff Heidmous, Walt’s brother, was third in assists with 25 and added 12 goals. One of the best shooting percentages by a reserve was Tom Auberry with a .600 percentage. Tom also doubles as the team manager. Team captain Phillips led all players scoring the

(Continued on back cover)

Major Arthur G. Elser

7835 Rectory Lane

Annandale, VA 22003

Once again I am absolutely overwhelmed with noteworthy correspondence from my classmates. I have a total of five change of address cards, two of which I have already reported on, and one hometown news release, all sent to me by the Association of Grads. I am only allowed 750 words but I’ll try to get everything in so you will know what is happening to the class. Oh yes, I also got a form letter from Jerry GARBER reminding me to get my stuff together, submit it in typewritten form, and to proofread it.

Sue and Max

27 November 1974

He even wants me to return the hometown news release. Thanks, Jerry!!!!

Bob DELLIGATTI is the subject of the hometown news release. Del received the Meritorious Service Medal for “his professional skill, knowledge and leadership as an FB111A instructor pilot.” Bob is chief of current ops at the U.S. Support Activities Group at Naked Fanny, Thailand. Nice going Bob! Sounds like Bob has been busy because he also earned an MPA from Auburn this year.

I am sure that you will all be glad to know that Lorin KRUEGER is recovering nicely from his surgery and is back on the job. Lorin is still undergoing physical therapy but looks good. I really think that the PT is an excuse to visit a local massage parlor.

Joanie and I enjoyed ourselves at an open house at Jack HOWELL’s. He and his bride Karen have spent many hours fixing up a very nice place in Alexandria. According to the latest Register of Graduates (Thanks Jerry!) Jack is a PgmMonitor ExploratoryAdvEngDevDirSci&Tech HqAFSC which means that he is the Systems Command Astrologer and Almanac writer. Saw Brad HOSMER, Jack HUNDEMER, Jimmy JAY, C.V. MILLER, and Eddie ROSANE at the Howells. Jack Hundemer moved to DC last year from Big D and is flying 727s out of National for American Airlines.

Karl SCHMIDT is in Weisbaden, Germany—Oh, one must learn to accept the rough assignments too Karl! Phil SMOTHERMAN also to Germany Hahn A.B. Ken THOMPSON leaves Boulder, Colo, to go to the F-15 SPO at Wright-Pat. Thumper, I didn’t know that the F-15 was a helicopter. Jim REED called the other day to let me know that he is over at McNair in the National War College.

The 75-B 0-6 list had some pleasant surprises in it. Congratulations to Bob BLAKE, Hank CANTERBURY, Mike CARNS, H.T. JOHNSON, Pete TODD, and Dean WOOD. Some of you 0-6s get on the next LtCol board, huh?

At this point I feel it appropriate to ask Chaplain Bob BROWNING to do his thing with the Man upstairs and help get those of us who have set the Air Force standards promoted to LtCol. After all, without our rigid standards of correct and decorous behavior, the aberrant behavior of the HOSMERs, OAKS, GOODRICHes, BECKELSs, MA-

SONs, the new batch of Colonels, and all those early LtCols would not stand out so flagrantly. Good luck to us under achievers!!!! You too Jerry!!!

Speaking of aberrant behavior—I really put the hex on Dean WOOD. Right after I wrote that Dean had a B-52 squadron at Wurtsmith, he got tapped to come back to the Pentagon. Sorry Woody. I guess they promoted you to 0-6 to make up for it.

Last but not least, Jerry GARBER reports that Max MILLER and Sue Veges tied the knot on the night before Thanksgiving. Congratulations, Max! But where did you get that crack sabre drill team? Charlie MEIER, Curt COOK, Joe MORGAN, Wayne JEFFERSON, Jim WELCH, and Jerry GARBER. (See picture below. Suck in that ponderous gut, Charlie!)

The very best of everything to all of you for the New Year—even if you don’t write.

'60

Maj. Bill Taylor Qtrs 4301 C USAFA, CO 80840

Greetings from Colorado ski country. I hope that you and Jerry Garber appreciate the sacrifice required to meet a 1 January deadline in the middle of a ski holiday. I suppose that if the Commander in Chief can work during his ski holiday, I can at least crank out a column. I wonder if it’s possible to wangle an assignment as Air Force Ski Aide to the President. That yields an acronym of AFSAP, which somehow seems appropriate.

Recent arrivals at USAFA are Bill HODSON, who is back in math, and John MACARTNEY, who returns to Poli. Sci. Bill claims to be the only military member to have served under every superintendent here. This is his third tour, since graduation. John is struggling with his doctoral dissertation, a position which evokes a great deal of empathy from some of us.

A surprise letter reveals that Dave REED is practicing medicine in Auckland, New Zealand. He finished med school in 1971 and is currently doing his residency in anesthesiology. Dave extends an open invitation to any grads who happen to be down New Zealand way. He can be contacted through the Auckland Hospital Board.

It has been a busy year for Bob FISCHER. He received a DFC for saving a disabled C-141. He lost elevator control on takeoff, but was able to overcome the resulting pitch up with the help of his crew, and eventually landed successfully. As a result of coping with that hairy caper and some other good work, he was awarded the Air Force Association President's Trophy for heading the outstanding Air Reserve Crew for 1974. He apparently completed an MBA in there somewhere as well. Congratulations, Bob.

Clark WALKER and Dick HEAD are both based at Clark now. Clark is with the 7th Airbourne Command and Control Squadron and reported from the University of Tennessee where he finished his master’s. Dick is flying F-4’s following a remote tour at Udorn.

Speaking of remote tours at Udorn, Russ MacDONALD is currently on one. He’s also in F-4’s with the 13th TFS.

Dave SWEIGART is also remote, but at NKP as air ops staff officer (does that translate as Command Post?) with the USAF Support Activities Group. Dave left the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver.

Perhaps we can complete a cycle by reporting that Howie BRONSON is no longer on a remote tour flying F-4's at Udorn. He moved to Hq TAC at Langley last fall.

AFIT news has Derry ADAMSON entering San Diego State last fall and Phil MEINHARDT slated to finish at

UCLA in March. Phil and Ann have been living in Roman Gabriel’s old house; must be tough, huh?

Those good old change of address cards also show that Pat SMITH is now with the 3613th CCTS at Homestead, Reb GUILLOT is with the 355th TFW at Davis-Monthan, Charley WATERMAN is in the 443rd OMS at Altus, and Howie WHITFIELD is ops officer of the HMM-163, MCAS (H) (I don't know what it is, either) at Santa Ana, California.

I’ll close with a wish that each of you has a good year and resolves to write your Class News Secretary a letter whenever something worthwhile occurs (or whenever it doesn't).

Major Thomas L. Sutton 123 Mississippi Dyess AFB, TX 79607

Yes friends, the Class of "61” still lives even though its members are becoming scattered after having spent several years gathered into a few military population centers. They still iive even though they have lost the use of their writing hand. I know because I have seen them. Funny, they still have use of their elbows which are becoming calloused from learning on certain types of furniture.

However, thanks to Twick WILSON, I do have a few pieces of information gleaned from those classmates who were able to make it to the homecoming this fall. As you probably know, TWC is a member of the Commandant’s staff and has a hand on the pulse of the Academy. At least he is able to write with the other hand. Thanks Twick.

Alan BLAISDELL is presently serving CINCSAC in his plans shop at Offutt. I understand that the snow is deep there this year Alan. Randy CUBERO is concluding a pleasant tour in the Foreign Language Department at the Academy this winter and is looking forward to a move to sunny Panama. There Randy will represent the U. S. Air Force as an instructor in the School of the Americas.

Tom and Ann ELLER have returned to the Academy faculty. Tom is returning with a Ph.D. and a new son. Of course neither feat could have been achieved without the help and cooperation of his wife Ann. If I may express an opinion, a good wife is a great blessing, and I think that the 61er's have the greatest!

John and Sheila MAY have returned to the Academy as well. John says that like many of the class, he hopes to get back into an air machine in the near future. That seems to be the move of the present anyway.

I understand that Earl SAUNDERS is planning on staying around the Zoo for a while as he will be pursuing his doctorate this coming year.

Speaking of schooling, I learned that Rich MAYO is walking barefoot in the sand at Galveston between classes as he prepares for a career in medicine. I have it from a reliable source that he is as handsome and youthful as ever.

Perhaps as a result of my wondering how the GRACE'S were faring in the Louisiana swamps, Twick WILSON, Randy CUBERO, and Jim HINKLE decided to call and find out. Bobbie was not too quick to accept the collect call, but after a few choice words rendered the way only Bobbie can render them, he advised us that he is no longer a maintenance officer. He is actually a full time A-7 pilot in a real Air Force squadron and is very happy. Ah happiness.

There were several notable visitors during Homecoming from whom we have not heard for lo these many years. Leo RIESELMAN is a healthy and well paid American Airlines pilot who lives in one of those windswept Chicago suburbs. Phil WOODS is a Dallas resident who sells windswept Texas

real estate to other Dallas residents like Frank KISZELY who pushes the green bananas of Braniff through the airways.

Joe MAN DEL with his wife Karen are happy residents of the now defunct Woodmoor (the houses and the lake are still there, only the salesmen are gone). Joe flys for United Airlines in his spare time, but gets his kicks from the ANGA-7. The proud bird with the golden tail delivered Chin CROLL to the Zoo for homecoming. He and Brigit are still contentedly residing in Thousand Oaks, Cal. and are always happy to hear from a travel-weary classmate.

Jim HOURIN is still roaming the misty alleys of Bourbon Street between trips on Delta Airlines. I guess it is obvious who has the time and the money for trips to the Academy for homecoming.

Although I did not make it for Homecoming I was guest of TAC airlines for a stop over during a weekend more recently. I was pleased to have been a guest at one of our class parties held at the Eller’s prior to one of the usual Saturday afternoon sports debacles. Jim AHMANN told me over one of Ann Eller's scrumptuous bowls of chili that he is soon to leave ADC for a flight instructor slot in ATC (probably a T-37 to Moody). He is even looking forward to it! Clair CARLING will be leaving the Academy in January for Armed Forces Staff College. He is not looking forward to the probability of a remote tour subsequent to his schooling. Cheer up Clair, if it isn’t Korea, there is always Thule.

I learned that Art KERR is living in Seattle and working at Boeing. I was not told what he is doing there, but I certainly hope that you are doing something more aeronauttically oriented than building boats like Ron FULLERTON is doing up there, Art.

TWC WILSON asked me to make special mention of Brice JONES who stopped by the Academy recently with his bare feet still stained from stomping grapes among his California vineyards. We were wondering if you had considered inviting Sam HARDAGE out for a stomp recently, Brice. You could sure get a lot of work done fast with the two of you stomping. I do wish to thank Twick for his help in providing us with many of these sparkling and bubbly vignettes.

Our old friend HOSS, that is HO, Steve, sends word that he is among the back to the cockpit group and has joined us very new MAC guys. In truth though, Steve is an old MAC guy just reinstated. We tactical airlift types have just changed bastard positions, but at least we have Hector NEGRONI with us in the change. Steve HO is now flying the line out at Norton, while I still have no word on what Hector could possibly be doing at Pope.

I want to warn you guys in Europe that I am coming over there after new years for a few months, so keep your eyes peeled. If you see me, hollar, and we can work up a few lines for the spring edition of this epistle while checking out your elbow callouses.

Our Alumni Secretary has correctly observed that the newsletters seem to contain a lot of laundry lists with little worthwhile news. He requests that we remedy that situation. I have tried to adhere to that principle all along, but it is always difficult to fabricate pieces of interesting news from change-of-address cards. I extend my appreciation to those who do frequently help me and I encourage you to remember that the news can only be what you make it. Wives have mentioned that I do not include enough news of interest to them since they claim to read the magazine more religiously than their husbands. But again, if I don’t hear from you, I can’t talk about you accurately. And my wife does not mind if I receive letters from any of you so at least write a hello around the edge of your change of address card.

'62

Maj. F. K. Smith Qtrs. 4312 B USAFA, CO 80840

Well, fellow RTB’S, here we go again. Hope this column finds you all well and happy. We had a white Christmas here at USAFA for the second year in a row and most of it is still on the ground. Holiday festivities were reported in the D.C. area by Dave HOLT, who says that our class has a large and active group around the Pentagon. Dave told of a great gathering at P. K. ROBlNSON’s and of a New Year's party at Jack and Polly SWANSON’s. Thanks very much for your card, Dave, and especially for the offer to take over this column, which I hereby accept. In the future, direct your news items to Dave, although I will be happy to act as an intermediary. I would like to expand briefly an idea of Dave's, which is to have a class “sub-secretary” in places where we have several members of the class close together. Such efforts would add greatly to the news value of the column, so please let Dave know if you are interested. Now for the rest of the news.

Mike TIETGE has checked into the Navy Command and Staff School (which, I am sure, will never be the same afterwards); Willie GRAY just left there for Wright-Patt as a Procurement Officer; “Reb” DANIELS has left Udorn to fly a desk at HQ USAF as an Air Staff Officer. (I frequently mention the nickname of people, at least as I recall them. Does this bother anyone? If so, please advise.) Dick SMULL has left NKP to become a Trajectory Engineer at Offutt; he was replaced at NKP, in a manner of speaking, by Cliff FALLON, fresh out of ACSC; Cliff is a SAC ADVON Officer there. Dave WHITMAN is at HQ SAC in JSTPS, as is Bob ANDERSON, the latter coming from AFSC at Norfolk; no one is quite sure where Dave is from. John LUBBERMAN is still at SAC HQ in personnel, and Don NETZINGER is badgering him for a good SAC assignment, if there is such a thing, out of here; Don will be leaving here this summer. I'm only kidding, John: I hope that you are still there when I come up for reassignment. The “gate” legislation caught me (and many more) right where it hurts, and I am sure that I will go to a flying assignment out of here. Speaking of flying, rumor is rampant here that our beloved T-29's are going to the boneyard before long; their replacement for the NAV training courses might be T-43’s from Mather, TDY (For those of you out of touch, the T-43 is the military version of the Boeing 737 jet). Mike BANKS is flying again-B-52’s at Barksdale; Bob PARKER is also, but for Pan Am out of Miami; he was recalled recently. Howie NICHOLS has evidently gotten out his flying togs again; he is at Richenbacker AFB, OH., probably doing something with or to the KC-135. Paul LANDERS is at the Pentagon, job unknown; D. P. WOOD is back at MeClellen after a tour at Korat; Woody and Judy are parents once again, this time a baby girl. Vern BACKMAN is at RAF Mildenhall after Naval War College; he is doing something with something called Silk Purse (need I say more?.) John RAUSCH has moved around Germany a bit —he is now Chief of Wing Intell at Ramstein. I hear through George THOMPSON that Paul PIRTLE has moved from Norton all the way to Los Angeles and SAMSO.

I did manage to glean a bit of news on my own since last time. Homecoming weekend was thin as far as RTB’s were concerned, but I did see Danny PEMBERTON—he is not on Guam any more, having returned to California. I caught a glimpse of Bill KNIPP at the football game (One of the two that we won this year) and chatted briefly with Bob BAXTER, resplendent in his L/C leaves, etc., as he escorted

the boss. While on a cross-country in Sept., I ran into Gail PECK at Kirtland; we had a nice confab and I’ll say hello to everyone for him. Bo and Nancy OHMAN came up for a visit with us over the holidays. Bo is through with his PhD. course work and hopes to finish his dissertation by Sept., ’75. (Tom KEANY is still working on the dedication of his dissertation.) I have an unconfirmed report that Jerry SINGLETON is in theological seminary in Dallas, preparing for Air Force Chaplaincy. Correct me if I’m wrong, Jerry.

Around here, I still see Roy STAFFORD occasionally (trying to find the library), as well as Bob SCHAUMBERG, J. D. EATON, Bob SCAUZILLO, Norm RODRICK, D. K. VAUGHN (also trying to find the library), Bob SCHALLER (hollering at people), and George THOMPSON (trying to find his office.) Realtor Jon STAPLES and Carolyn have moved into a new home close to the Academy. I saw Kent LAMMERS during the football season. We got a nice Christmas card from Dave and Martha FIELDS. Barring any last minute items, that’s all for now. My thanks to all who corresponded and please support Dave HOLT. His address is 6636 Gordon Ave., Falls Church, Va. 22046.

Maj. Skip Lee, III 3254 Nottingham Rd. Ocean Springs, Miss. 39564

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! Linda and I really enjoyed hearing from so many of you all this Christmas season; however, I regret to say that old man inflation got to us again and we did not send out any cards of our own. I would like to start this little affair out by doing a little bit of front work for Randy REYNOLDS. Randy informs me he has been appointed to a service academy candidate selection board which selects appointees for local congressmen (Dallas-Ft. Worth area). He also stated that the correct description of “Cadet Life” is not getting out to potential USAFA candidates who then arrrive at the Academy with “. gross misconceptions of what is expected of them.” I will personally vouch for the general validity of Randy’s statement as will, I’m sure, many of those grads who have served or are presently serving as AOCs. This, of course, is an item of increasing concern to the Academy and the Air Force. One way we can be of significant assistance to the candidate selection process is to offer our services to the Air Force Academy Liaison Officer (LO) program. There are many different levels of assistance needed even becoming an LO. Yellow Tag Jerry MCCLELLAN has just recently been honored as the outstanding Liaison Officer in the Northeast United States for 1974. BGen WOODYARD presented the award at the annual LO Coordinator Conference and General David C. Jones, USAF Chief of Staff, was the speaker at the awards banquet. Jerry covers 50 high schools in the southern West Virginia area counseling students applying for the Academy. Congratulations Jerry! (See picture below) Any grad interested in an LO assignment should contact LCol Richard F. Abel, at the Academy.

Cards and Letters: Merrill EASCOTT replied to my query in October's column that he is Chief, Operations and Training for the 4683 ABG at Thule. Merrill will be spending Christmas on leave with the family at Montgomery, Ala. He also says an F-106 assignment is in the offing upon completion of his remote. Dave NUSS is back in the AF! Dave writes he is OIC Environmental Health, USAF Clinic, Peterson Field. He is also the BEE for all ADC sites and Air

Capt. Jerry W. McClellan

Outstanding Air Force Academy Liaison Officer

Guard units in the 25th and 26th Air Divisions. Other notes received include Bud and Joyce GILLIGAN—Yakota, Ray and Ann FULLER—Tempe, Arizona and Corwin and Josette KIPPENHAN—Danville, Ind. Kip is an FAA inspector and in the Air Guard at Grissom AFB.

Awards and Decs: Bob HAYES was recently awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement while serving as Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies with AFROTC at the Citadel. Super! Bob is attending Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell.

School Assignments: The following are at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.: Ev VAUGHN, Richard (Skip) VARA, (Nasty) Niel SORENSEN, Willie RUDD, Ken WEBB and Rod H1MELBERGER. At Air Command and Staff College, besides Bob HAYES, is Bill HELKER. Others attending one school or another are: Pete HAMMERTON— Defense Intelligence School (living at Andrews) and Hank HOFFMAN at IPIS. Hank says Dick TROY is his IP. Hank is stationed at Wright-Patterson flying C-135s and T-37s and has taken up soaring as a hobby. I ran into Dick TROY last October in New Orleans. Dick was doing a little instructing—maybe soaring—on Burbon St. in the French Quarter.

PCS Moves: Due to the length of this column, all moves overseas and conus—will be combined in this paragraph: Henry KRAMER—Norfolk, Va., LANTCOM as as Det OLAU Hqs. TAC; Kent HARBAUGH—Austin, Tex.(?); Jim JOHNSTON—Hickam 6594th Test Gp. in C-130s; and Jeff KOEHLER—Hq TAC Langley.

MUFTI Brigade: Momentous events have recently taken place in the civilian world: Louis MATJASKO has announced his separation from the US Navy and plans to join Bethleham Steel Shipbuilding as a Project Manager—Louis is setting up residence in Beaumont, Texas. John BENDER has also recently changed his status: from single to married. John and Pamela live in Downers Grove, Ill., where John is an Applications Analyst for United Computing Systems. Welcome aboard, Pamela. Other civilian changes include: Byron (NMI) BARTLETT to Reno, Nev. from Mountain View, Calif.; Wayne WARNER from Jeffersonville, Ind. to Fairborn, Ohio; and Robert J. ZAMBOLDI from Lower Burrel, Pa. to Wheaton, Ill. as Regional Manager of (?).

To close, I would like to point out that Les DENED and John BORLING have been selected as White House Fellows, an extremely high honor—congratulations fellows! (ouch!) Everything points to 1974 as having been a great year for '63. Here's hoping 1975 will be even better.

Capt. Glen Coleman Qtrs. 6401E USAF Academy, CO 80840

From the lengthening shadows of Mt. Herman, the doldrums begin to set in, replacing the shock of Falcon football, Christmas bills and the Major’s list. Hope the list brought good news to the 3 or 4 remaining Captains in the class. As a whole the class has done quite well concerning promotions, as well as almost every other category imaginable. I do not recall that our class was so Sierra Hotel while we were cadets, but since then, fate has been very good (or very bad, in some cases) to us. Let's see what news there is.

We welcome smiling Rod WELLS to USAFA and the English Dept. And we bid Ed HARVEY adios, as he heads for OV-lO’s in Korea via Armed Forces Staff College. And Rog NEELAND is on his way back as Mayor of NKP via Helicopter School. Leroy STUTZ was honored here at USAFA the other day with a parade and several more adornments to a chest full of medals. Congratulations, Leroy!

We cannot fail to mention how TAC F-l 11 pilot Hal WATSON showed the SAC boys a few tricks in the Bomb Competition. Returning from Europe are Doug CATCHINGS to Eglin, and John BROWN to Luke. And returning from NKP is John MIKELS to Wright-Pat. From Thule to Tinker is J. D. SMITH. And if your are ever around Albuquerque, watch out for John DENKO, now a chopper pilot for the NM State Patrol.

Now for the folks going back to school: Jeff BAKER to UNC at Durham, Vince HURLEY to FSU at Tallahassee, Jim RICHMOND at AFIT at Wright-Pat., Phil ROBERTS to Purdue, Gary SMITH to Whittier College, Will STACKHOUSE to Oxford, Tom EGGERS to Naval Command and Staff at Newport, and Denny STILES and Mike PAVICH to Armed Forces Staff College. Our class must be pretty smart (or pretty dumb).

Others on the move include John GRAVES to the Pentagon, Bill W1TTRESS to Boeing at Seattle, Gary RYSER to HQ SAC, Jeff LEVY to Germany, Mack THIES to Homestead, Don SMITH to Luke, and J. D. MANNING to Vance and T38’s.

A few notes from the civilian world: I enjoyed talking with Jim ERICKSON at the reunion concerning life with FAA at Ft. Worth. Ben COLLINS is enjoying life just north of here as a broker in real estate. Doug ROTMAN has moved to Clearemore, Okla. as Division Manager of the Hesston Corp and Gary DICKINSON has moved with Exxon to Corpus Christi as their District Engineering Manager. Jim YOUNG is in Sumter, SC.

Other than Leroy, we have received word on a few more having been presented medals: Ralph GRAHAM (Eglin), the AF commendation Medal; Tom MAHAN (Homestead), the Air Medal (10th thru 12th OLC); and John BREEDING (Mildenhall), the Meritorious Service Medal. I know there must be others, but you guys won't toot your own horns and the Pony Express is slow out here in the Rockies.

Drop us a line and let us know what's happening out there. ’Til then

Capt. Joseph A. Koenig 7801 Harshmanville Rd. Dayton, Ohio 45424

I realize that any new year’s greetings I include will be stale; but, from the responses I received since the last news column both on just general information and impressions of the reunion I really look forward to a fine year for the news column and wish all of you and yours a very happy new year!

Bob GOLLING after reading the last edition of the news column asked “why the hell didn’t I write” and sat down and penned a fine letter. He lives with his family on the economy (which he says isn't very economical) near Rhein Main. He is USAFE’s liaison to MAC for all passenger/cargo movement out of RM. He invites anyone passing thru RM to stop by his office for a cup of coffee. Recently Ken and Lois CLARK were thru there while touring Europe. I received word from Ken that he recently completed a Systerns Management masters at USC and is now assigned to the National Hurricane Center. Bob also saw John GRITSAVAGE and Steve TALLEY on their way back to Spangdahlem from Aviano. John was complaining about the range umpires and Steve was talking about women. Tom MESCHKO went through RM on a TDY from Edwards. Bob also reports he saw John KELLY at Ramstein a few monts ago. The Register says John is in Saudi Arabia training 118 pilots. Bob closed his letter by asking for calls from anyone in the area with news to pass along or anyone interested in starting an AOG chapter over there.

Dan FETZER wrote saying he is just finishing an MBA at Washington St. and will be making a cost effective move to Hanscom to apply his new learned knowledge to the SPO business. Neil STONE is up there in the same business— he should be able to indoctrinate you well to the job and area.

Denny SCARBOROUGH wrote a long letter from Holloman but mostly about SEA. He just returned from officially closing Ubon and putting the “Wolfpack” into the archives here at W-P. Pete SUPP has left Udorn for 0-2s at Hurlbert and Jim MINOR is a flight commander at Udorn. Dave BENNETT and Bruce HUNEKE should be at Holloman now after leaving Udorn. Denny reports that Steve CALDWELL is in Taos, N.M.—a building contractor and probably a skier.

Bill GROSVENOR writes from Ft. Leavenworth that he doesn't expect to be at the reunion this coming year since he expects to be in Germany next year. He says that Barry WATTS and Jim THOMAS recently arrived at USAFA as did Hank BONDARUK who came in from SEA.

From all the letters I’ve received and from people I’ve talked to there is a lot of interest in “our” reunion this next year. It seems like we already have quite a few people planning to be there. I've received a few suggestions (if you have some please write—me or Jerry Garber or one of our classmates at USAFA):

(1) get better located seats for the football game—closer to the field,

(2) if we must have the Airmen of Note for the dance request them to practice (and play) some more contemporary music,

(3) perhaps not have a slogan to be put on buttons and flashed all around—rather than that I would suggest just our class number or even better our class motto, and

(4) I had one suggestion to include in our reunion all those non-graduate classmates that are interested. On this last one I’ll take the liberty again to add my opinion. I personally like the idea but think it could only work on an

individual to individual basis. I do not think the Association or the Academy can officially back such a program for both "political" and realistic reasons. Realistically they do not know where these people are now to invite them. Perhaps the best we can hope for is for the Association to let these persons attend as a guest of a graduate.

In addition to the letters I did some checking with local 65ers to see what the Christmas mail had for class news. John BLACKMAR (A-10 SPO) brought me up to date on on recent AF1T grads: Bill CATHEY (Aerospace Engr) has gone to the San Antonio ALA; Bob TINDALL (Aerospace Engr) to Eglin; Gene PUHL and Lyn LUEBKE (Aerospace Engr), Howard ROSE (System Analysis), and Jim VICK (DG in Astro) destination unkonwn. John also says the Leroy SCHROEDER has moved on to Edwards.

Jeanette ROBBINS said that she and Jeff heard from Doug McGRATH. He is flying for Eastern out of Atlanta and weathered a four month cut back in flying earlier this year. Tom KOSS, I believe, she said was coming here later this year and that Myron DONALD was trying to talk the AF into another student tour at U. of Ariz.

Mary McGORRY had quite a bit of news. First off she said Jim would be assigned to FTD here later this year after he graduates from AFIT. Charley THOMAS arrived AFIT this summer to pursue a Systems Analysis degree. Mary said that Steve and Mary DINGMAN (who Bob Golling says need to answer their mail) will be going from UC-Davis to USAFA this summer. Others also at USAFA —Bruce and Gail GROSSETTA and Mike and Linda MASON. Bill and Terry MALERBA have left Ft. Carson for George. Chris NIED and family are living in Englewood and he is working as an industrial construction engineer. She also said that Ed WEBBER wrote from Bethal, Conn, that he was furloughed for six months from the airlines he is flying for.

Jeff SILLIMAN is in the Drone SPO here and from him I learned that Vic GRAZIER has adjusted well to LA and SAMSO and has had to go on some long TDYs—to London. Jim HIGH, a recent AFIT Systems Analysis graduate, has gone to the TWAC at Eglin and invites anyone in the area to stop in for a visit. Jeff says that Orv RAMLO and Bill MORGAN are in Florida also. Orv is a test officer at Tyndall and Bill an environmental engineer in Jacksonville. Brent BOWEN is working for the government and lives in Fairfax, VA.

From Reel TALBOTT who is also working in the drone/ RPV area I got that Jack THOMPSON is studying business at CU. Mike TEDESCO says that he got info that John GRITSAVAGE is planning on getting out. Steve HENDERSON who is teaching in the School of Logistics heard that Rick HANUSHEK is out and going to teach at Yale. He said Dennis VALENTINE wrote that he is now a “Struggling rookie lawyer" in Denver while Cindy is still in school—going for her PhD. Steve said he doesn’t know if John COBLENTZ is in Ireland permanently but he received word from him over there. Dick HUSEMANN who graduated AFIT (Nuc Engr) this past summer and now works at FTD passed on that Bruce WOOD, currently head T29 jock at Charleston, is on his way to AFIT; Ed FARRELL is an F4 IP at Homestead; and Steve SHEEHAN is an F4 pilot in AFSWC at Kirtland.

From our Christmas cards I found out that: J. C. EDWARDS and A1 NATELLA are swapping bulldoozers, etc. from different sides of the test track down at Holloman; Marv ALME is back at Kirtland/AFWL; Greg and Barb CANAVAN expect to go to D.C. when he is finished ACSC; Mike WHITEHORN will be commuting to D.U. from the

Springs in pursuit of his PhD.; Chuck DAHLBERG is back in school in Conn.—studying accounting; Armond TURNER is at Eglin; and that Jim SPITTLER is in Denver.

The following I extracted from PIO news releases—Roger MCANIFF is a founding partner in a management consulting firm in NYC; Ken KRAUSE has gone from Okinawa to George as an F4 IP; John LOVE left DIA/Pentagon for SAC at Offutt; Ross ROBERTS is TDY once again to Europe; and Tom THOMPSON is in the System Management AFIT program here. Jim LOTTER’s change of address card stated he's working as a carpenter in Gualala, Calif, but must be working in real estate somehow cause he mentioned something about resort rentals on Mendocino Coast.

'66

Capt. J. O. McFalls

1 10 Chandler Road Goldsboro, NC 27530

As you may have noticed, the “Earl Wilson" of the Class of ’66 has relocated his brood in eastern North Carolina. Yes, I was fortunate to land an assignment to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC in the F-4E. As most of you flying-types can attest, these operationally-oriented jobs are fewer and farther between for our experience levels in the present day Air Force. So keep that Christmas spirit flowing that found some 20 cards and letters from “red-tags” in our new mailbox. Added to various calls and visits during our cross country drive in December, this could be the “gossipiest" column of all. Yes, even you may appear in capitals this issue.

Some new assignments of note: I guess my status symbol of receiving letters from the White House has ended, because Randy JAYNE has been assigned to Udorn after RTU at Homestead. His tour as a White House Fellow as Assistant to Mr. Peter Flanagan had to rank as most interesting of ’74, especially during the turbulent past year. Anyone hear what Terry O’DONNELL is now doing? He was a staff assistant to President Nixon, after working on the re-election campaign. Wouldn't you love to sit down with those two guys for an evening discussion? Got a great letter from Jeff JARVIS who is at Fort Belvoir still in the intell business. Also there, is 66’s only green-suiter, Fred HAWTHORNE, who is a general’s aide in our sister service. John VAN DUYN reports housing “really is that bad” in the D. C. area. He's at the Pentagon in the OSD Manpower business. Eddie SHIRLEY was transferred to Elmendorf with his three-star boss, General Hill. Ed’s title is Executive Officer to CINCAL! Some of that “field grade" thinking was starting to appear as he left his wife Faye in Mississippi to have their second child, Caryn. By the time they're together in February, those early morning feedings should have ceased. (By the way, congrats, Ed and Faye!) I could be wrong, but D. Y. THOMPSON changed his address to just outside Selma, Alabama. Could he be becoming a fixed winger? Speaking of turbulent assignments, Rehn MONCRIEF, I’m sure had a boring year as civil engineer for the Comm Group at Athens, Greece. I see where Bob DUNSHEE made it to Test Pilot School. That’s been his goal for many years. Glenn PERRY is flying U-2’s at Davis-Monthan. Don WALKER is a satellite engineer at Sunnyvale. California. Ed BIELO is also an engineer, but with the B-l Program at Wright-Patterson. Dale ELLIOT is an instructor in T-38's in the TAC “lead-in” program at Holloman. His fellow Olmstead “scholarshipee," Gary VAN VALIN is also home, completing his studies in Arlington,

Mass. Just yesterday I saw Jamie GOUGH, who has been assigned to a sister squadron here at Seymour. Now if I can only get him to smooth out my golf swing! Received a letter from Harry ICKE, who's playing Ray MILBERG’s game as an ROTC professor, but at good ol’ “Hook ’em Horns”, University of Texas. He's (Harry's) interested in hearing from you other ROTC types. Finally, it gives me great pleasure to report that Pete NASH is back in the Air Force! He'll be an AF doctor serving his residency at the Keesler hospital. Welcome back, Pete and congrats to you and Peggy on the arrival of that new baby boy.

I saw loads of 66-ers on leave. Greg and Doris SWANSON offered some pointers to Fynn and my tennis games, as well as our bridge playing. We had a great time while they were at Luke prior to their George assignment. Sid WISE was also there on a short TDY from Nellis. He’ll be off to Command and Staff shortly. Tim BROWN and Bob HOH are setting the F-4 students straight in the RTU program at Luke. Dick WATSON is dazzling his professors at the University of South Carolina Law School in between his Air Guard flying. I’ll bet ol’ “Sleeping Lizard” isn’t “Z-ing” out in many of those classes.

The Class keeps getting smarter: Joe HURST, Jim ROBERTS, and Bill BLITT have checked into AFIT at Wright-Patt. Ed PETERSON is studying for his Master’s in Public Relations at the University of Oklahoma. And old “Hippy Freak” Paul VIOTTI is at Cal., Berkeley. I can see Paul now, after his hair has grown down to his shoulders!

That should do it for this time. I’ll close with just one question for Flash WILEY of '65: How’d you like to have been cheerleading for the Falcons in ’74? And we thought we had it bad. —J.O.

Larry Wilson 1110 Stanford #206 Grand Forks, ND 58201

Lots of news this time, as I received several notes. Most informative was that from Dan ROPER, who reported on his cronies from 17th Squadron. Other contributors were Bill HURLEY, Clete SIMMONS, Gary PETERSON, Dick LA MOTHE and —of course— the Association of Grads. I very much appreciate the information, and I’m certain that all of you will appreciate B.S. from sources other than me for a change.

Dr. ROPER is now in Galveston, Texas, converting an older house into a home and settling into a residency program in opthamology. He sailed, in his sailboat, from Florida to Galveston. I wonder if his travel pay was calculated via highway miles, or direct distance. Larry THAL is living in California where he is finishing up optometry school and working as a part-time cop in Berkeley. After his graduation this summer he and his wife are planning a long vacation in Europe with Cheryl and Jerry LEE, who is now a financial analyst for Exxon in Houston. Bill and Sandy LEXSON are keeping busy: both are MDs, he in pediatrics and she in psychiatry. Their young child, born this past year, will probably be quite well cared for, both mentally and physically. Others from 17th who are now in medicine include Gary PETERSON, who graduated in December from the U. of South Florida College of Medicine; Obbie ATKINSON, who—after spending a year working as a carpenter—is in Illinois’ three-year medical school; and Tod L'HOMMEDIEAN, who separated from the Air Force as a C.O. and is presently a pediatrician somewhere in Appalachia. 17th

Squadron must have set a new record for grads in health professions.

Clete SIMMONS is out of the USAF and in law school at Vanderbilt in Nashville, the home of the Grand 01’ Opry, which lets you know where Clete’s head is culturally. He reports that law school is hard work, quite different from the AFs as he recalls it. He is single again, plans to stay that way for a while, and hopes to eventually settle back in Rapid City, Dakota Territory. His only AFA contacts have been Mike RYAN and Bob DRABANT, both of whom fly desks at Eglin AFB.

Bill HURLEY wrote from Atlanta, where he and his family now live. He has been in touch with Chuck BEATTIE who he said is in the “Air Reserve Tech at Andrews AFB C-130 Reserve Unit”—whatever all that means. Garry RAFFERTY is now a pistol-packing pig with the FBI. This greatly disturbs Bill, as Rafferty has never even read the James Bond books. And Jim WHITE, slim and trim as ever, is a C-5 commander in Northern California.

From Dick LA MOTHE—he is in a missile silo in South Dakota, hoping he will be let out one day. He figures he has a chance to go with the 349th SRS—whatever that is—at Davis Monthan, as he went for an interview and found that Don HECKERT is the outfits manning officer. And the AOG reports that Dan OWEN is now working in an AFIT masters program in systems management, while Tom MENZA recently received his MA in history from CU in Boulder, and has moved down the pike to join the AFA faculty in, of all things, history. That seems somewhat unlike the Real AF.

While visiting in Denver over the holidays, I ran into A1 CHASE and Ralph BOSTON who apparently have the same taste in dives as I do. Both of them recently completed AFIT grad programs and A1 was headed for the Academy to join the history faculty. Incidentally, those first names may not be correct, as our encounter was late in the evening.

For those of you who may recall my battles with the Dean during those wonderful cadet years, I am happy to report that I have survived my most recent semester as a freshman. I am not setting any academic records, but I am still there.

Best wishes for the new year and friends, keep those cards and letters coming in.

Capt. Dick Fast Quarters 4511 D USAF Academy, Colo. 80840

Reializing that this issue of the magazine will arrrive well into 1975, I’ll still wish you all a Happy New Year and best of luck 5 in all your endeavors.

We deceived a few cards and letters since the last issue, so on to them.

Bill and Bea CRIMMEL are returning to the states after 4 years in England. They're heading for Edwards AFB where Grim will be attending test flight school for training as a test flight engineer. They now have two sons, Billy and Bret.

Got a card and letter from Mitch and Barb DORGER, still at Mather. Mitch is Wing Executive Officer and sounds like he is really enjoying his work. Mitch and Barb had a son last May—Scot Mitchell.

Bob DENNY is now at March AFB for one year as a “Spotlight Officer”. Sounds something like SAC’s answer to ASTRA. He writes that the beaches are great, expecially after Omaha!

Glenn and Rita GILLETTE are in Plano. Texas, near Dallas, where Glenn is working as a technical writer for General Computer Systems, Inc. He’s also an aspiring science fiction writer and has had several stories published in national magazines (see Analog, Feb. 1974 for one). They also have a new daughter, born the same day as ours (7 July). Glenn also passes along that Tony BARIBEAU is living comfortably as a civilian in Lexington, Kentucky, with wife and son.

Eric and Pam WENTZEL are now in Reseda, California where Eric works for American Nucleonics Corp., I believe as a comptroller. They had their first child, Kevin, this last summer.

Have a long letter here from Mike LANGLEY. Mike is currently flying for Braniff Airlines and was just moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City. Mike separated in August 1973 at Pope where he was flying C-130's. After graduating from Braniff’s Flight Engineer school last Feb., he worked at being a ski bum for a few months until a job opened with Saturn Airways in Oakland, where he flew the L382 (stretch C-130) for several months. Dewey MROSLA was also with Mike in Oakland and, Mike writes, is still flying for Saturn. Incidentally, word has it that Dewey met a sweet young thing in Sacramento and has joined the married ranks. Congratulations, Dewey!

Mike was with Saturn only a month when Braniff started rehiring and he landed in Kansas City. And in October, it was on to Minneapolis. Mike can be reached through his folks at 6608 Chadwell Road, Huntsville, Ala. 35802. Appreciate the letter Mike!

Also with Braniff in Kansas City is Jim HAZEN. Jim is married and he and wife Boo have one daughter.

We heard from Bob DURHAM, who is presently at Hickam AFB, enjoying 80-85 degree weather. (Who does he know?) Bob says all is fine with him, wife Cathy and almost-four-year-old Jason. Bob is just about through with a USC Systems Management M. S. degree program and Cathy plans to begin work on a Masters in education this year. She is also working as a teacher at the Kiddie Kollege (cute name) at Hickam. The Durhams recently returned from a 15 day odyssey to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo. ‘Way to help the good old USA economy, Bob! As a final note, Bob mentions that they live only five minutes from the Hickam club and asks all ’68ers who find themselves “on the rock” to give him a call.

Pat RUSSELL called a few months back. He was in the area on leave. Pat’s at Wright-Pat as a maintenance IG and travels to the various Air Material Areas. Pat and Nita have two sons.

Bill TURCHICK is at Holloman AFB as commander of a procurement outfit. Bill finished his law degree while in Los Angeles and is now debating the “attractions” of JAG. Bill and Ann have a boy and girl.

Saw a few (very few) classmates at Homecoming. Greg SHUEY was here—he’s currently at Willy as a Flight Test pilot. Bob McGUIRE it at Kirtland in a rated supplement job with Headquarters, Systems Command. Pat HURLEY is an IP at Willy. Mike NASH is at Randolph where he develops software (tests) for UPT. Tony MARSHALL made it back again; he’s due to finish UPT at Willy in February.

Doug WILSON was at the Academy interviewing for an assignment a few weeks back. Doug’s at Kirtland now. Art MILLER is due in here shortly—to teach EE I believe. He’s currently at MIT. Dick ENGEL is also at the Academy working in Operations. And Jack HANNIG just showed up to teach Behavioral Sciences.

To wrap us this issue, a few quickies courtesy of address changes and your Home Town News Center. Bob PULVER

and wife Ann are at Dyess AFB where Bob is A/C on a B-52. John CHAPMAN, A1 DUNKERLEY, and Tony EDEN are at AFIT, Wright-Pat. John is working on his Masters in astronautical engineering, Al in systems management, and Tony in civil engineering. John LAMBERT has been appointed bursar at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass.

Doug BARNARD is with the ACS/Intel at the Pentagon in an ASTRA assignment. PK WALDRON is flying C-135’s from Kadena AB, Okinawa. Chuck LYNCH is with Frontier Airlines in Great Falls, Mont. LeRoy BARCO is a B-52 navigator at Anderson AB, Guam. Roger MOSELEY is also on an ASTRA assignment to HQ USAF with the Deputy for R&D. Mike NAVARRO is aide to the Commander, AFTEC, at Kirtland.

That’s it for this month. Keep the letters coming. Again, our wishes for a great new year.

Capt. Gerald D. Luallin 10745 Beclan Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Ph. 916-635-7719

BAM! POW! STRUGGLE! STRUGGLE!

Nineteen seventy four wants more and Nineteen seventy five wants to be alive.

There always seems to be something significant in death and birth. Years seem to have in them a special quality for fight. Oh, I admit some years appear to fizzle out and some to slide in unnoticed, but there’s always that New Year’s transition—STRUGGLE! STRUGGLE! POW! BAM!

This transition (1974-1975) crept up so nicely and it seemed as if the only results were going to be those New Year's Day hang overs and football games.

This year’s end, UH beginning, was far from easy. However, there was great gnashing of teeth, conflict of emotion. The two times met and a battle ensued that caused the San Andreas Fault to shift to the Sacramento Valley. Being there, in that earthquake, I cowered as they threw back and forth those volatile weapons: ’74 was throwing all his good times, his loves, his experience,' his laughs, his needs to stay. ’75 was counteracting with your violence, your crime, your hate, his changes for the New Year and his needs to be PAM! POW LOVE! Hate! Happiness, Sadness! Give! Take! Violence! Peace! Heal! Hurt! Struggle! Struggle! Struggle! On and on they went until the dawn, and we had a winner! Oh, my head!

I’d like to say I hope we all had a Christmas and New Year’s holiday period that produced some refreshing ideas for our New Year.

Charlotte and I had a most memorable holiday break. We heard from many classmates and wives. We even had a short visit from Chip and Laurie SUMMERS. Chip gave me the low down on SOS and straightened me out on a few misconceptions I had.

I received some interesting mail since the last newsletter. One very interesting facet was that I heard mostly from civilians. Three-fifths of my mail was from graduates working in civilian jobs.

Ken NUSS who went to Laredo for pilot training and Grissom as a tanker driver, is now working for General Dynamics. He’s working for the Convair Division and is “Man In Charge” for space shuttle “flight operations”— Sounds as if Ken found something he really enjoys doing. His wife, Kit, and their twin boys, Jason and Jamey, live in San Diego, which they also really enjoy.

Marily Ross, Bill ROSS’ wife, gave birth to Billy Ross, 111 on May 26, 1974. Bill Ross, II is out of the Air Force

and working in Cypress, Calif. Southern California seems to have special attraction.

Well, it has some attraction and then Ohio also has some. Dave YOST is in the wholesale drug distribution business in Columbus. Dave now has the responsibility of designing, marketing and implementing retail systems to aid independent pharmacists. Wow! Well, Dave can handle it. In July, Dave's wife Jean, gave birth to their first child, Jean Leckie. Dave contacted Steve STURM a while back and Steve's pulling duty in Washington, D.C., after a year in Thailand. Dave and Jean live at 158 N. Remington, Columbus, Ohio 43209 which is very close to Columbus Airport and not far from Rickenbacker AFB. Stop by and say Hello.

To set things straight, Ted LYNCH sent me an Xmas card and a note. After shifting through his explicitives about my inability to get things straight, I figured out he's living in Maine and working for a fibers material co. No doubt designing something new, like a cardboard “purple passion" mixing bowl, reusable of course. Ted's wife, Linny and their son Garrett, live very close to a beach in Maine, which proves southern California doesn't have everything. Especially not all the super cardboard executives.

Marla Hewitt, Jim HEWLITT’s very interesting wife has some good comments about Jim's new job as aide to General Carlton. The job has taken them to some interesting places and they have met exciting people. Jim was an IP at Laughlin prior to this assignment. They and their two children, Courtney and Brittney are enjoying the new job and different life at Scott in Illinois. Jim also flys the T-39 and with expertise. I’m sure.

Frank CROFT, after spending two non-volunteer consecutive overseas tours is flying FCFs at Lockheed Co., in Marietta. He'll be retiring in May of the New Year. He has some poignant information about the AF Reserves and Civil Service he would like to pass on to everyone. You can contact him at 3813 Dilliard St., Power Springs, Georgia. Frank has kept contact with Tom HUBER and Jim MeBRIDE. Tom is in AC-130s at Korat. Tom and his wife, Carole, have two children, Patrick and Christopher. Jim MCBRIDE and his wife, Jerry, have a son, Kevin. Jim’s going to law school in Oregon.

For you Roy REED fans, all two of you, he has finished school at Youngstown and is now headed for Language school in Monterey. Roy was in the OSI at Travis for awhile, he went to Ohio for his Masters in political science. When Roy finishes all his schooling he’ll end up doing embassy work. Roy’s charming wife, Sharon wants his fans to know he is smiling.

Speaking of smiling, Ray HONAKER has not stopped smiling since he came back from Ubon (AC-130), I met the reasons why when Ray first arrived at Mather as an EWO instructor. His wife, Kit, and their daughter, Leah. George DEFILLIPPI is enjoying teaching the finer arts of T-38 piloting. His wife. Penny and their two children Jocelyn and Gwendolyn live in Enid, Oklahoma.

Charlotte, my wife, sends her love and holiday greetings, me too. She also says the garbage has to be put out. OH. Pow! Bam!

and many are not satisfied with the present. Remember your friends—in the Air Force or out, their thoughts are with you.

Here at Grissom, our small contingent of tanker pilots have all upgraded to aircraft commander and currently are not on anyone's "bad guy” list. Dave HIGGINS and Ray OAKSHOTT are in the 70th ARS. Robbie ROBINSON and Arlon 'Mat' MATSUNAGA are in the 305 ARS. I am still in the right seat and the above reference to the “lists” does not include me.

To mention a few classmates and their locations: Tim HUBLEIN (Lynda) is flying B-52's at Dyess AFB in Texas; Mick ROSENBLATT (Nancy) is a T-38 instructor at Williams in Arizona; John VANDERPOEL (Mary Jo) is in North Dakota at Grand Forks as a procurement officer. Frank HEMMING (Linda) is a chemistry instructor at the Academy; and Brian KESSLER is in the Judge Advocate’s office at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Over the holidays I heard from Joyce and Paul HORTON from Kincheloe AFB in Michigan where Paul is flying KC-135’s. I also heard from H. P. “Mich” MITCHELL at Kincheloe, working with the supply squadron there.

This quarterly is slim. The letters were few, (those that came were truly appreciated) and the Association and I didn't get together on the news letters.

A very good friend sent a card with a poem by Karen Ravn, that spoke of seasons—“for beginnings maturing for the harvesting.”

“And each successive season grows still richer than the last as treasurers of the present add to memories of the past”

Other people, thinking of you, hope that this year will be filled with joys you will never forget.

Bill Manning

307 Rue De Maison Kokomo, Indiana 46901

1975—A significant year for many in our class. As this new year begins, everyone should realize that you are not alone in your search for direction. Many lead happy lives

Lt. R. B. Manning

1305 Books Enid, OK 73701

Hello again from Oklahoma. I must begin this issue with an apology for missing the deadline on the last issue. If you will remember, I told you in the spring and summer issues that I would have a new bride in May. Well, it happened as advertised and somehow the time seems to pass a lot faster now. In fact, I now have the opportunity and the privilege to announce the upcoming birth of our first child. We are praying for a son and as God has been our everpresent help so far, we are looking forward to sending out blue announcements following the second week in June.

The other big news from Vance AFB is the recent arrival of Danny ALLEN coming into the T-38. We are happy to welcome him and his wife Cheryl following their tour at the Academy in the T-41. With that I am going to go right into the latest list of change of addresses.

Congratulations are in order for Don BACKLUND who won an Air Medal while working as a pilot in the Jolly Green Giant stationed at NKP RTAFB, Thailand. Dick BALLAS is telling the pilots where to go from the back seat of a KC135 stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mi. Bob BLOLlGH is also winning medals from a helicopter seat assigned at NKP. He is a recent recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. The Commendation Medal was also awarded to Bob BOREN who is a space systems controller at Princilik, Turkey. San Diego Law School is the home for Dan BOUCHARD while Bill BRADFORD is flying out of newly named Rickenbacker AFB, Oh. Wayne BROTHERS and

his wife Chris have finally moved out of the smog-filled L.A. basin and are now living in New Mexico at Kirtland AFB. Finishing out this part of the alphabet is John BUGNER who is navigating an AC 130 out of Hurlburt Field, FI.

Joe CHASE has recently completed the first rung on the professional military education ladder completing SOS in residence. He is working as a physicist at Eglin AFB, FI. The cockpit of the C-140 is temporary home for Tom CHRISTENSEN who is a flight inspection pilot flying out of Clark AB. Philippines. Dan DEVINE has recently given up his "rock” status and his new wife’s name is Christina. They are stationed at Minot AFB, N.D. where Dan is flying the KC-135. Bob DROWLEY is flying the 0-2A out of Shaw AFB, S.C. Aerospace engineer is the job title for Bill DUDLEY who is stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB. Steve DZIUBAN is flying the front seat of the RF-4 from Bergstrom AFB. and he recently returned from a short TDY to Alabama where he completed SOS in residence. A view of Canada is the lot for Dave FROSTMAN (Patricia) who is flying the KC-135 from K.I. Sawyer AFB. Trying for the award for having gotten the farthest from the Academy in the shortest time, we have Mike FARAONE (Susan) who is stationed with the 13th Missile Warning Sq. at Clear AFS, Alaska. Mike was married only recently, getting hitched in May of this past year. His is not the most recent marriage of the class, however, as Mike FOUTS was married just last September. Mike and his wife Rosemary are at McGuire AFB, New Jersey where Mike is flying the C-141. Working half-way around the world is Mike FRATZKE, who is a maintenance supervisor at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand.

It is hard to believe, but we still have a few in our class who did not get enough education while attending our fine boy’s college in the Rockies. One of these is Mike GEBHARDT, who is presently attending Iowa St. Univ. under the AFIT program. Honi GARVIN has also been getting an education, but of a little different kind. He is not too long from the war in Southeast Asia where he received the DFC and is presently flying the AC 130 out of Elmendorf AFB, AL. Laurals have come to the class on the support side also as George HOFFMAN has recently picked up a commendation medal for his job as Information Officer at Andrews AFB, Md. Al JEWELL has gone south for the winter as he is TDY to Howard AFB, Canal Zone with his C-130 from Little Rock AFB, Ark. Ron JOY and his wife Patricia are members of the NORAD family as Ron is working as a defense specialist. Langley AFB, Va. is the landing pad for Russ KELSO who is flying a helicopter.

There are very few people who can claim to be a Chief of anything as a first lieutenant but, Charlie LANGFORD is one of those. He is presently Chief of Admin, at Sparrevohn AFS. Randy LAUTERBACH (Mardee) is piloting the flying gas station stationed out of Blytheville AFB, Ark., while Randy LEAVITT it at Webb AFB, Tx., teaching the basics from the right seat of the hummer. Last year Randy was overseas in the OV-10. It is hard for me to imagine getting paid extra for going straight up and down, but that is the deal for Tom MILLER, who is a Tyndall AFB, FI., where he is piloting a helicopter. Cyd MAATTALA is working as an Equal Opportunity Officer at U-Tapao RTAFB, Th., while Paul MAFFEY is not too far away at Korat RTAFB piloting a helicopter. A second “Chief” in our class is Tom MAHR, who is the Chief of the Information Division for 13th AF Office of Information at Clark AB, Pi. Fred MAI THEWS is claiming the class record for the most aircraft takeoffs and the least landings. He is working with a Combat Control Team assigned at Pope AFB, N.C. The great northwest is the traffic pattern for Mike MeCARTHY who is flying in the C-141 out of McChord AFB,

Wa. Flying in one of the few planes that can tell the C-141 to move over, is Chris MOORE, piloting the “Buff” from Wright-Patterson AFB, Oh.

Northern Louisiana is the home port for Dick NASH where he is a pilot in the KC-135 out of Barksdale AFB, La. Paul NIPKO meanwhile, has decided forecasting continual snow is a soft life and so he is “in the weather” at Shemya AFB, Al. John O'CONNELL has become onother of the class of ’71 features here at Vance AFB and is working hard instructing in the T-37. Instructing seems to be a big part of our class as Moody AFB is the home for Mike OONK and his wife Patti. Dave PATTON can tell us that it is not restricted to pilots either, as he is instructing navs at Mather AFB, Ca. If instructing has the majority of our class, then Thailand has most of the rest. Mike QUIRK (Roxann) is flying for the 23rd TAS at NKP RTAFB.

Coming into the final stretch of the class for this issue, George SCHULTZ is flying the C-130 out of Langley AFB, Va. with the 36 TAS. The civilian-type of life fills the workplace for Chris SCOTT, who is working with the Boeing AFPRO in Seattle as a contract specialist. Almost directly across the country from Chris is John SEVERSKI (Barbara), who is watching the northern lights from the cockpit of an F-106 based out of Griffiss AFB, NY. Continuing across the world to the east, Jim SKEEN is presently reporting weather to a good many F-4 pilots from his station at Lakenheath RAFB, United Kingdom. Bob SLUSARZ is working as an EWO in the basement of a B-52 assigned out of Barksdale AFB, La. Mountain Home AFB’s hospital is under control by our class as the Medical Squadron Commander is Don SOLTMAN. Still trying to get a college education is Jim STOBIE. He is working on his MS degree at C.S.U. Jon TIMMER and his wife Gloria are residing on the east coast at Langley AFB from where Jon is moving men and equipment with his C-130. Not far from Jon at Seymour-Johnson AFB is Pete TULLY who is in the back seat of the F-4E. The T-38 back seat is a little crowded for some people, but not for Kirk TYREE, who is flying out of Laughlin AFB, Tx. Ron VICKORY is still working hard at NKP in his helicopter and has recently moved up to flight examiner. Carswell AFB is the home station for Gary WILSON who is telling the bomber pilots where to go. One of these pilots who is being told, but at Griffiss AFB, N.Y., is Ken YANNI. Ken is also the final representative of the class for this issue.

Somehow these articles seem too long at the beginning and all too short by the end. I apologize again for my missing last issue and I hope you all have enjoyed hearing about our class spread around the world. It is enjoyable for me to write the news as it happens. My prayer for the start of this new year is that we all are able to be where we are happy and that promotions after this next one will be as easy for us all. Thank you for your continuing support and please keep sending in the news. God bless you, everyone.

1 Lt. Bill Beck

3271 47th Street Kirtland AFB, NM 87116

Dear 72’ers:

I hope you are all enjoying this new year and will find it prosperous in every way. I’m sure a number of us will be transferring to new jobs this year and I hope the news can be passed along.

I must begin by apologizing for an editorial error of the last issue. I understood from Mike McNABB, who is at

Robbins AFB in the intelligence business, that Ron GOLLEHON was still in the Air Force and residing in Denver. 1 misunderstood Mike; Ron is in Denver but out in the civilian world as an entrepeneur in private business. Sorry, Ron, and continued good luck.

Paul SCHMIDT wrote me from Korea enroute to his seventh PCS (must be a record for our class so far) to Beale AFB in California. Perhaps the Air Force will let him stay in one place for a while.

Don GILLMORE wrote from Germany (a rural town named Neubrucke) where he is in the GCI/Air Defense Radar business. He has offered a room to any passers-by in his area; all he asks is some advanced notice to insure he will be home.

I saw John DUKE and his recent bride Susan in California over the December holidays. He and Lou BUTTINO will be finishing Medical School at Baylor University in June, probably the first physicians from our class, and be off to do their internship and residency. John and Susan will head for Wilford Hall in San Antonio where John will specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Good luck to both of them as they finish the first hurdle of their long academic grind.

passed along word that Truman HALL was at MPC at Randolph—anybody need a job?

Finally, I've had this job for a year and I’m ready to retire. Anyone willing to take it drop me a line.

Hope to see some of you soon.

Lt. Lester K. Katahara 4424 N. Chestnut, Apt. 201 Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Bill McLoughlin Receives Resource Conservation Certificate

I received a call from George ASH who is in the process of finishing law school at Denver University. George and his wife Angel are living in Denver while he completes school and works part-time with JAG at Buckley.

I received a very nice letter from Jim ROBERTSON's wife Kathe. She had lots of news to pass along—most importantly that she and Jim are proud parents of a September born son Brett Taylor; congratulations to you both. She said additionally that Bill HEMPHILL, Gary WINTERBERGER, Harry CALCUTT, and Jim are assigned together flying the B-52 at Blytheville. Harry is an EW while the other three are co-pilots. Jim and Harry are crew members on the same aircraft and currently flying Arc Light missions out of Utapo. They should return in mid-February. Thanks so much for the letter Kathe; again congratulations on your new family addition.

While sitting with a broken T-39 at Tinker AFB, I bumped into Terry O'DAY who was out of Reese in a T-38 instructing a student on a low-level navigation mission. He

Season’s Greetings!

It's that time of year when wedding bells start ringing again, and the USAFA Chapel wasn't left out. J. J. ROMANO (Jackie) bit the dust as did Tom COUDEN (Debbie). There must be a few more guys out there just as whipped, but these are the only two I know of. Out here for J.J.’s wedding were Craig ANDERSON from law school at Indiana University at Bloomington and Ted MACEY from I.U. at Indianapolis. Tough life, fellas! Frank BREWER (Steph) was out from Williams; Kevin COURT and Steve STERNE from Moody, Riley STEVENS from Craig, and Nick PUZAK from Columbus. According to my roommate, Mike CRANFORD, a good time was had by all. Mike, incidentally, recently was released from the hospital where he was in traction for five weeks. He was riding his motorcycle when a drunk driver hit him. Now the lucky devil will get to stay in the MT department as long as it takes his leg to get strong enough for UPT. (Some people will do anything to stay here!)

A letter from Gary PENNETT says he’ll be done with Communications Electronics school at Keesler in March. The Air Force will then give him a “hardship” tour at Wheeler AFB, Hawaii. Allan JENSEN (Kimberly) and William FRULAND are through with school at Keesler and have been assigned to ENT as Space Systems Analysts. Also completing schools at Keesler are Paul HANKINS (Shelia), who will be assigned to Hurlburt Field, Florida, as a Personnel Officer; Billy DILLARD (Connie) to Tinker also in Personnel, and John SOLAN to Castle.

Some of our classmates who have graduated from SAC’s “Missile Combat Crew Operational Readiness Training Course” at Vandenberg are Ron CRENSHAW, Sherman McALPIN, Dennis STOCKERT, John WEAVER, and Joseph DORRIS. Joseph will be at Malmstrom and everyone else goes to Francis E. Warren AFB.

One last note: Ensign Nate ROSENBERG is learning to fly at Pensacola with the Navy now what was the score of the Navy game? ! ?

Please keep those cards and letters coming!

Nate Rosenberg

Solo at Pensacola

ACADEMIC

STATE (Continued from p. 5)

latter is aimed at the Congressional pressure to open the military academies to women. Needless to say, a great deal of time and effort have gone into “cooperating” with these investigators. We anticipate that the GAO inquiry will last at least another year. The first GAO report probably will emerge within a month or two. I might add, in a congratulatory footnote, that the overall performance of cadets and graduates has helped to place us in a particularly strong position in defense of our programs.

The other major issues of academic relevance have arisen from visits by the DOD Committee on Excellence in Education. Created in 1973, this committee consists of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the secretaries of the three services, and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Primary issues of interest to this group in the academic area have been the all-military faculty, curriculum development, and majors. Again, performance of cadets and graduates has placed us in a very favorable position.

Concluding Thoughts

Much of this article has been concerned with the curtailment of academic options that have been available to cadets in the past. Does this mean that the Academy has gone soft and that there has been an effort to degrade the academic program? I think not. Grades have not escalated, as has been the case in many institutions of higher education. Classes are not optional, as cadets from time to time suggest they ought to be. Fifty-three courses are still required for graduation. And, a grade-point average of 2.0 overall and 2.0 in the majors courses also remains a firm graduation requirement. Finally, scores by cadets on the Graduate Record Examination clearly suggest that levels of achievement are equal to those of the past. Curriculum changes have been made so that the Academy’s total program clearly supports the needs and the interests of the Air Force.

It now seems clear that the effect of the Gate legislation will preclude assignment to the faculty of significant numbers of rated officers holding a Ph.D. As a matter of fact, we forsee some difficulty in achieveing our objective of having 50 percent of the faculty members holding aeronautical ratings. We are currently seeking authority from the Air Force to give Gate credit to those rated officers who are assigned to the faculty and who fly in support of the cadet flying programs. If we are successful in this effort, it will

assist in maintaining a representative number of rated officers on the faculty.

We presently have some 152 USAFA grads on the faculty. I believe a mix should be maintained in the order of not less than 40 percent of the faculty being graduates. This, for our present manning, would come to approximately 220 officers. Let me take this opportunity to encourage graduates to apply through normal channels and to contact the academic departments directly to express interest in one of the most rewarding tours the Air Force offers.

GONE (Continued from p. 2)

assigned to CCK, Taiwan, followed by his assignment to Travis.

Funeral services for Capt. Mraz were held on 31 October 1974 at the Cadet Chapel followed by interment at the Academy Cemetery.

Capt. Mraz is survived by his wife, Catherine, and his sons Christopher and Michael.

Captain William H. Bussey, Jr., Class of 1965, lost his life in an 0-2 aircraft accident near Ft. Greeley, Colorado on 9 Decernaer 1974. He was assigned to the 25th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Eielson \FB, Alaska.

As a cadet, Captain Bussey was a member of the Pistol Team, was active in the Aero Club and Sport Parachuting Club, and was on the Dean’s List. He majored in Basic Sci.

Following graduation Captain Bussey was assigned to Laughlin AFB for pilot training. He was subsequently assigned to George AFB, Eglin AFB, Homestead AFB, Ubon RTAB, McConnell AFB, Takhli RTAB, and again to Ubon RTAB.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. BUSSEY, JR.

BIRD-DOGGING (Continued from p. 6)

of Graduates, we become representatives of the Academy, subject to the recruiting rules of the NCAA.

Additionally, bird-dogs must not conflict with the USAF Academy Liaison Officer program or the Candidate Counseling officers at USAFA. Liaison Officers and USAF Academy Candidate Counselors have the most current information about all phases of the appointment cycle, admission requirements, current trends at USAFA and other significant data. They are specifically trained and periodically briefed by Academy officials for the role of advising and assisting official candidates. We cannot afford to lose a highlyqualified prospect or incur a NCAA violation because of the actions of a well-meaning graduate.

We really need top-rated high school athletes here at the Academy. In order to continue competing successfully against first-rate competition (Arkansas, Iowa State, UCLA, Tulane and Notre Dame are all on the 1975 football schedule), we need genuine major college talent on our rosters. We need young men who can devote much time and energy to intercollegiate competition, yet do a good job in the classroom. We need young men who will be sharp Cadets, who will graduate and move on toward a career in the USAF.

We as Academy graduates, can take an active part in identfying prospects that may turn out to be a real credit to our institution. Let's improve our bird-dogging. Perhaps you will one day watch one of your “recruits” dive into the end zone to upset the number one team in America. WE’RE ALL FALCONS!

SPORTS (Continued from p. 8)

most goals in a game with 12, and marked the fourth straight season doing so.

GOLF

—Second Lieutenant Kevin Bench, who was last year’s leading Air Force Academy golfer, was recently named AllAmerica by a selection committee composed of national collegiate golf coaches.

Bench was among 62 selected out of more than 10,000 collegiate golfers. He was a consistent golfer throughout his years at the Academy, having twice equaled the 67stroke collegiate record on the Academy’s Eisenhower Golf course.

The highlight of his collegiate golfing career came last year when he won medalist honors at the Pacific Coast Invitational. He fired scores of 78, 70 and 73 in chilly and rainy weather to claim the title. He defeated 90 of the outstanding golfers in the nation including the former National Amateur Champion Craig Stadler of Southern California and Oly Trompas, the former national junior amateur champion who was Stanford’s number one player.

The left-handed swinging Bench also captured medalist honors in three other tournaments—the Denver, Falcon and Colorado Mines Invitationals. He finished fifth out of 42 golfers in the tough Brigham Young Cougar Classic. The Falcon golf captain also had the lowest stroke average for the season with 74.7 for 20 competitive rounds.

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