Here's a classic, easily recognizable. The man in front is obviously the pilot. The pilot ( my cousin ) recently passed away at the age of 82. He worked 3 wars, mechanic in WW II, flying in Korea & Vietnam. He was awarded the Flying Cross among many other metals. He retired a Colonel in The US Marines.
From May 1952 to March 1953, he served with Marine Attack Squadron 121 in Korea earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals, flying close air support missions in A-1 Skyraiders. He served as Assistant Regimental S-2 of the 6th Marines during the Cuban Missile crisis. From July 1963 to February 1964, Major C. served as Executive Officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 and later as Executive Officer of Marine Fighter Squadron 251 until June 1965 at MCAS, Beaufort, SC. During this time, he transitioned from flying the F-8 Crusader to the recently released F-4 Phantom, the world’s premier fighter aircraft of it’s time.
In July 1966, Major C. reported to Marine Aircraft Group 11 at Danang, Republic of Vietnam and assumed command of the Marine Air Base Squadron 11. In January of 1967, he assumed command of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115. This was a major accomplishment, to achieve a command of a squadron at the rank of Major. He flew over 100 missions.
From September 1967 to January 1969, he served as a Staff Officer in the Current Operations Division J-3, US Strike Command, MacDill Airforce Base, Tampa, FL. From July 1969 to July 1972, LtCol. C. was the Assistant 6th Fleet Representative to the Command Land Forces Southern Europe, Verona, Italy.
Col. C. assumed command of Marine Corps Air Station, Quantico, VA on September 21, 1973 and retired from the command June 18, 1976.
A complete list of personal decorations include: Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star Medal with Combat”V”; Meritorious Service Medal; 13 Air Medals; Joint Service Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster; Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star; Navy Unit Commendation Medal with two bronze stars; Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; American Defense Service Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign;
World War II Victory Medal; National defense Service Medal; with one bronze star; Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star; Vietnamese Service Medal with three bronze stars; Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with two silver stars; Korean Presidential Unit Citation; Vietnamese Air Force Meritorious Unit Citation, Cross of Gallantry Color, United Nations Service Medal; Vietnamese Campaign Medal with clasp; The Order of Cavalier “al Merito della Republica” of Italy.
