Class of 1963 - Key Data
The class of 1963 was the first full size class, the first to go all four years at the permanent USAFA site in Colorado Springs, and the only class that had President Kennedy as its graduation speaker. Its future was entwined with the Viet Nam War even though that was not known until after its graduation. Eighteen members of the class were killed in action, two were long term POWs and others were killed in training. The majority served in SEA.
- Appointed:755 on 26 Jun 1959
- Graduated:499 on 5 June 1963
- Commissions:USAF-489; US Army-1, US Navy-3; US Marine Corps-5; Not Commissioned-1
- Graduation Speaker:President John F. Kennedy
- Presented Commissions:General Curtis E. LeMay
- Presented Diplomas:President Kennedy for distinguished graduates and Brig General McDermott
- Cadet Wing Commanders:Michael J.C. Roth, Sam Westbrook
- Scholarships:Rhodes: Earl T. Davis, Sam W. Westbrook; Fulbright: Earl T. Davis, Les Denend, Robert Kennedy, Howard M. Tomme; Olmsted: Leonard C. Ekman; Woodrow Wilson: William E. Wilson; NSF: Leslie B. Anderson II, John R. Hoffman, Glenn A. Rowell, Stephen F. Suby, Asa Waterman, Jr.
- All-Americans (sports):Swimming: Barry Bielinski; Baseball Wilson Parma (twice); Fencing John Skoro and Warren Manchess; Gymnastics James Weaver;Pistol Jay Miller; William Povilus (twice)
- Prior Enlisted:54 (Click to see names)
- Class Officers: Members of the class of 1963 combined received two Air Force Crosses, 35 Silver Stars, 361 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 34 Purple Hearts and 2,805 Air Medals in Vietnam. The class lost 18 members in Southeast Asia during that conflict. In addition there were two class members who were shot down and held as Prisoners of War.