CWO Thomas “Hoot” Gipson, Jr., the original DUSTOFF 39, twice extended his tour of duty to fly DUSTOFF. Hoot was the first warrant officer to be designated as an Aircraft Commander in DUSTOFF. His strong maintenance background resulted in unprecedented aircraft availability and crew utilization during his tenure as maintenance officer and test pilot. He […]
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Decorated U.S. Army aviator Warren Dale Tinseth, Sr., 80, took his final flight on Saturday, 22 Mar 14. He died at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston due to complications resulting from a five-month battle with congestive heart failure. He was born 8 Jan 1934, in Duluth, MN, to Otto and Gladys (Almos)
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Born in 1927, as the oldest of five children, Willie Mercy Dixson was an extraordinary human being. Instilled with a resounding sense of duty and responsibility, he began working at a young age and continued to support his family at home by sending allotments from his paychecks. In 1948 “Bill” Dixson enrolled at Eta Jima,
Retired LTC John Alexander Dowless Sr., 86, passed away 21 Dec 13. in Saint Vincent’s Medical Center with loving family by his side. John was born in Fayetteville. NC on 18 May 27, to the late Joseph and Manic Dowless. He served his country in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. During WWII. John served
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SPC Ryan J. McDermot 26, of Hampton, died suddenly 21 Dec 13 at Fort Hood, TX. He was born in Portsmouth, 5 Feb 87 a son of Jeffrey and Donna (Carpenter) McDermot of Hampton. Ryan was raised in Hampton where he was graduated from Winnacunnet High School with the Class of 2005. He enlisted in
Charles Edward Williams was called to his Heavenly home on 9 Nov 13, at the age of 69. He was born in Helena, Arkansas, on 8 Aug 44, to Edgar Lee and Catherine (Trainer) Williams. He enjoyed a childhood full of outdoor sports: swimming, diving, water skiing, fishing, hunting, baseball, and football. He attended Ouachita
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James L. Van Horn, age 80, of Shiloh, IL, born June 12, 1933, in Richmond, VA, died 20 October 2013 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL. James was a retired Staff Sergeant and medic with the U.S. Army and a veteran of the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. He was a 33rd Degree Mason of
William Robert Schmidt was born on October 12th, 1924 in Buda, Illinois to Ernest and Minnie Schmidt. He graduated from Neponset High School with the class of 1942. Before graduating, a navy recruiter gave him a ride on a link trainer. He enlisted in the Navy V5 program on his 18th birthday. He received his
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LTC (R) Trotter passed away peacefully on 21 Sep 13 in Houston, TX, surrounded his loving family. He was born in Mexia, TX in 1941 and married his wife, Sandra, in 1959. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army in January 1963. He graduated Flight Training with Class 65-18 and flew in
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COL L. Fred Belcher, (Ret.), age 84, passed away peacefully in San Antonio, TX, on 2 Sep 13, after a brief illness. He was born 29 Oct 28 in Old Hickory, TN, and spent his childhood in TN, OH, OK, and TX. He was graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1950. Fred entered
