USAFA Class Heritage Class of 1963

Following flight school at Moody was assigned as a target pilot in the T-33 at Tyndall.  Married Judy “Ladybug” enroute.  We were there for 2 ½ years before upgrading in the F-102 at Perrin (TX) and I was transferred to (`66) Clark AB, PI. From Clark I spent most of the next 14 months, solo, pulling alert duties from four (4) locations in SEA in the F-102, an aircraft that had no business being in that theater. Returning stateside, we were transferred to (`67) Stewart AFB, NY as the aide for a M/G in Eastern NORAD (joint tour) and 1st AF. 

Watching ADC evaporate brought me to the stern realization that I needed to move to TAC, which the General would not help. To prevent his taking me with him to the Hq. ADC in Colorado Springs I had to submit a resignation. Since I still had some directed duty, we were transferred to (`70) Andrews in the T-39 and T-33. While there a chance encounter with BJ (Baby Jesus) Ellis, our first AOC, graciously helped me return to SEA via (`71) George AFB in the F-4. Laser guided ordnance was in its infancy. After a training period at Nellis I was off to (`72) Ubon and the 433 TFS for the next year leading sorties to Hanoi. In early `73 was assigned to 9th AF at Shaw as an exercise plans officer. 

I completed a graduate degree at night and ACSC (seminar) during the next 4 years. After Safety School and requalifying in the F-4 we went to (`76) Soesterberg and the 32nd TFS (Queen’s Finest) for almost 4 years. Due to a disagreement with a subordinate who received my assistance, I felt like we were farmed out to be the Base Commander at (`80) Avon Park Gunnery Range in FL. Turned out it was a leper colony and Col. Canterbury (`59) had chosen me to turn it around which we did during our 2 years there. Col. 

Bill Roberts rescued me from becoming a permanent base commander. We were at Langley for eighteen months before the last promotion. B/G Canterbury (`59) assigned me to command the 425th TFTS at (`83) Williams in the F-5. Two years later I became the DO of the 405 TFTW, (`85) Luke AFB, in the F-15. While there we celebrated our 25th graduation anniversary and I was able to lead the missing man formation for Adjacent Call. 

As a terminal assignment I headed the (`88) ROTC program at the University of Arkansas. After retirement (Nov. `90) I flew for SW for two (2) years before obtaining a job with a large firm in Tulsa, NORDAM. Worked for the Siegfrieds until `10 including four (4) years managing a division in Singapore. 

We retired and moved back to Washington, GA, built a house and planted 11K oaks for our grandchildren to harvest when they retire. Ladybug passed in September `17 after 55 years of marriage. I am a Gideon, deacon, Rotarian, and anything else that can be done to help others since I have been blessed with good health. We have two sons. The eldest is a GA Tech graduate, lives near ATL and travels as a project manager for a large construction firm. The youngest flew tankers for 10 years before separating. 

 

35th Reunion (1998): Following graduation it was off to flight school at Moody AFB for the last of the T-33 era en route to a flying career in a variety of aircraft and locations starting with the T-33/F-104 in ADC. Following UPT I married Judy Whorton of Brunswick, GA. By the grace of God we are still together with two sons, Hamlin and Keith. My first disappointment was TAC’s failure to release their F-104s to ADC. Most people don’t know it, but the F-104 was designed specifically for me, the 95th percentile. It matched my stature (Editor’s note: Terry was so aggressive, most of us never realized he may have been vertically challenged; i.e., short). The next attempt to nail down a TAC slot landed me in an F-102 in SEA via the Philippines. It took two more assignments (1st AF and a year in D.C.) before I could grow up to be a real fighter pilot in the F-4. The 2nd SEA tour was focused on laser-guided ordnance and followed by another staff tour, 9th AF. What a reward! Things got better. Soesterberg, The Netherlands, in the F-4Es/F-15s, but I had to be the Safety Officer, if only for a while. In many ways this was a highlight because our hosts were so open, we placed our boys in their school system for 4 years. Things got even better when I let “Buzzard” talk me into commanding the Air Force Range at Avon Park, FL. Nice to have a job supporting training that let us engage the boys in an ideal situation for Boy Scouts. Both achieved their Eagle awards within a couple of years. Thanks to another friend we were able to rejoin the flying world in training at Langley AFB, VA. Judy wanted to try her hand as a tour guide in Williamsburg but not for long. Within little more than a year we got the good word and the better word; promoted and assigned to command the F- 5 international training squadron at Williams AFB, AZ. That lasted two years before we transferred to Luke AFB, AZ as the F-15/DO. After five total years we requested a ROTC assignment to slow down. Judy completed graduate studies in geography and we decided to hang up the blue suit. Worse things have come from the University of Arkansas of late. We tried a couple of flying jobs before settling into management with a firm from Tulsa specializing in repairs to bonded, aircraft components. In early ‘97 we were asked to manage a $10-million expansion in Singapore that should keep us in Asia for about 4 years. Come and see, 39 Jalan Chelangi, Singapore 509559, Rep. of Singapore. Phone 65-545-3306 or FAX 65-546-8775, or etbos@pacific.net.sg.