USAFA Class Histories

   Bill was born in Galveston, TX in 1941. After graduating from Texas City High School in 1959 he entered the United States Air Force Academy where he subsequently received his Bachelor of Science degree and was com­missioned a second lieutenant in 1963. Bill earned his pilot's wings at Vance AFB. OK and was assigned to Luke AFB, AZ for combat crew training in the F-I00. From 1965 through 1967, Bill was an operational fighter pilot with the 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England. In 1968, Bill served in Southeast Asia as a forward air controller fly­ing the 0-2A in support of the U.S. 1st Air Cavalry Division. He participated in extensive combat operations during the 1968 Tet Offensive, including the Battle for Hue, the Siege of Khe Sanla, and the A Shau Valley Offensive. In 1968, Bill was the first forward air con­troller to receive an in-county checkout in the OV-10 Bronco, and he completed his combat tour as an OV-10 instructor pilot with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group at Phan Rang AB, Republic of South Vietnam.

   From 1969 to 1971 Bill flew the AT-33 and F-100 while assigned to the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, NM. In 1971, Bill attended the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, OH where he earned a Master of Science Degree in aeronautical and air weapons design engineering. Following graduation in 1973, Bill was assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA, serving as a flight test engineer on the YF-16 Lightweight Fighter Program and F-16 full scale development program. During this period he was also an academic instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School.

   Returning to primary flying duty in 1977, Bill was,a flight commander and operations officer in the 425th Tactical Fighter Training Syladron, Williams AFB, AZ, flying as an F-5 instructor pilot. In 1979-1980, Bill was Commander, USAF Detachment, U.S. Military Training Mission, Taif, Saudi Arabia, where he was the chief advisor and F-5 instructor pilot to the Royal Saudi Air Force. In 1980, Bill attended the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA, earning a Master's degree equivalent in Indonesian language and cul­tural studies. He then served as Chief, Air Force Division, U.S. Defense Liaison Group, U.S. Embassy, Jakarta, Indonesia, and was also the U.S. Deputy Air Attache. During this tour of duty Bill piloted the embassy C-12 aircraft and flew the F-5 with the Indonesian Air Force. Following this assignment Bill reported to USAFTAWC in September 1983.

   Bill was a command pilot who has flown the F.100, A-37, 0-2, OV-10, AT-33, L-20, C-12, and F-5. He has over 2,800 hours flying time. including 280 combat missions and 600 hours combat time. His decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and numerous expeditionary unit/service awards. His service and skills as a pilot earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

   In 1993 Bill earned a Masters Degree in Psychology.

   Bill loved fishing, boating, writing, reading and spending time with his family and his beloved African Grey, Bobby. Bill was very patriotic and encouraged everyone to exer­cise their right to vote. After Bill retired from the Air Force, the job he loved most was with his last employer, ATAC. He enjoyed being back working with the fighter planes he loved so much and he could once again smell the jet fuel.  Bill had a team of eighteen engineers working under him and he enjoyed working with each of them. He was loved by many and will be missed very much by his family and many friends.

   Lt. Col. William F. Bryant Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, age 62, died peacefully at his home in Niceville on Dec. 8th, 2003. after a short illness.  Bill was preceded in death by his father, William F. Bryant and his mother. Avemell of Texas City, TX and his nephew, Christopher Collier of Harlingen, TX.