Aim High, Fly High, Win
Doug Denny In January of 1968 our Air National Guard unit was activated, and I served in the Active Air Force for 1-1/2 years. From Myrtle Beach AFB half of our unit and aircraft were deployed to Phu Cat Air Base in Viet Nam. I was with the half that remained at Myrtle for the next year. Our mission was training replacement F-100 pilots for Viet Nam. My job was as a Ground Crew Chief responsible for launching, recovering, servicing, and maintaining F-100’s. I received good technical education and training on all aircraft systems. I served in the Air Force with a positive attitude and am gratified by the contributions I was able to make.
Ron Jeffries joined the Air Force after earning a B.S. in nuclear engineering at Kansas State. He later earned an MS from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton, Ohio. A member of the American Nuclear Society and the American Society of Engineers, Ron was serving as a lieutenant and stationed in Colorado Springs in 1968.
Jerry Jones served in the Air Force in Vietnam. After returning from service, Jerry worked as an airplane mechanic at Cessna and Lockheed in Wichita and later in Colorado.
Eric Knorr I was on active duty in the Air Force Communications Service from 9/64-9/68. I was stationed at Hamilton AFB, California, with the Western Communications Region Headquarters in Marin County just north of San Francisco and at McClellan AFB with the 2049th Communications Group in Sacramento, CA. I worked as the Headquarters Squadron Commander attaining the rank of Captain. I served with some great men and women.
Don Lambert served two years in the Air Force, following attendance at Wichita State and graduation from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He then earned a degree in dentistry at UMKC, joining the Air Force in 1967 for the first two years of his practice in dentistry.
Allen Lynn Nelson served as a sergeant in the Vietnam War.
Lynn Walter “Bill” Pinkerton served honorably from 1961-1965.
Earnest Schnurr served four years in the Air Force, including working as a Diesel Electric Power Plant Operator.
Phil Shehi I had a career in the Air Force, 1965-1987. I was stationed in California, New Hampshire, Alabama, New Mexico, Texas, Guam and Thailand. Overall, it was a good experience.
Pat Stevens was stationed in a remote site in the northern mountains of the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
Ronnie Troy I enlisted in July, 1961 and became a Radio Intercept Analyst in the Secu
rity Service. With top secret clearance, I spent time in Germany decrypting Russia’s system for tracking aircraft and other communications. I visited much of Europe, and later became a Non-Commisioned Officer and was located in Japan, quite close to Russia. My service ended in July, 1965 and I was proud to have served our nation.
Bob Wallick is a Retired Air Force Career Pilot who completed more than 2000 hours of accident-free flying. The winner of numerous medals, Bob flew in many roles, including as part of Special Forces and as an instructor. For more about Bob, see Bob Wallick Today.
Editor’s Note: This list of Air Force veterans from the Class of 1960 is incomplete. Please help us expand this recognition by sending names and information to Marilyn (mbellert@niu.edu) or Diane (ddzinn@aol.com).
