LT. COL. DICK E. WILSON |
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Lt. Col. Dick E. Wilson, USAF (Ret) was born June 5, 1930, son of Charles and Geraldine Wilson, in Wabash, Indiana. He had two sisters, Juanita, 3 1/2 years older and Sharon, 2 1/2 years younger. His father was manager of A&P Store until 1938, prior to moving to Huntington, Indiana where he started his own business in home improvement. His father sold business and retired in 1970. Both parents are now deceased.
Dick graduated from Huntington High School in top 10% of his class of nearly 400 seniors. He lettered in four major sports junior and senior years, and received a partial athletic scholarship to Indiana University. He played freshman football and wrestled in the last two years. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He attended AFROTC summer camp at Selfridge AFB, Michigan in 1952. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree as an honor student and was commissioned a 2d lieutenant on June 12, 1953 through the AFROTC program.
While crossing the North Atlantic enroute back to the states, the B-47 Dick was in experienced an external fuel tank failure which resulted in an emergency air refueling prior to diverting to Goose Bay, Labrador for repairs. Upon landing, the crew found that repairs could not be made there, so the following day, they flew on to Malcolm AFB, Lincoln, Nebraska, for repairs and customs. Final destination was at SAC Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska where the four ATC pilots were debriefed by General Powers and his staff. This was followed by a tour of the "war room" where "emergency war plans" are updated on a daily basis and then off to ATC Headquarters at Randolph AFB for a debrief with General Spicer prior to returning to their respective bases.
Upon returning to Webb AFB, Texas, Dick received new orders for TDY to Class 59-C, Squadron Officers School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Dick ranked 2d in his flight and upon graduation, received orders PCS to Randolph AFB, Texas, assigned to the 3510th Flying Training Wing as an instructor in the "Jet Qualification Course" (JQC). He was assigned as an element leader in "A" Flight of the 3510 FTG. In March of 1959, Kristina A. Wilson was born in San Antonio, Texas. In early 1960, Dick was given an additional duty to teach oral and written communication twice a week in the new ATC Classroom Instructors Course, also at Randolph.
In early 1961, Dick was selected to attend a classified experimental program conducted at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas in a somewhat similar curriculum at that of the pre-astronaut selection program. After several weeks of pressure suit training, 24 hour isolation chamber emergency training, high altitude chamber pressure suit training, advanced aerospace physiological aspects of high altitude flight, daily physical and mental exams, it was discovered that Dick had internal scars on the liver and stomach resulting from a sports injury while playing ball in college. As a result, a panel of four flight surgeons met and he was disqualified from the program due to the nature of the test program and the food sources they were experimenting with.
Due to the interest created during this training, Dick volunteered for further training in aerospace physiology and air crew preparedness training, hoping for an assignment with NASA or a high altitude flight program. He was immediately accepted and upon graduation from the aviation physiological training course, also at Brooks AFB, he received PCS orders to Webb AFB as the OIC of the base physiological training unit in July 1962. In September 1962, twin boys, Mike and Marty Wilson were born. Flying consisted of flying as an IP with one student in the T-33, flying maintenance test flights and flying as an IP with base pilots maintaining 60-1 time. In early 1963, 18 new T-38 supersonic trainers arrived at Webb, AFB in preparation for the new class. Dick enrolled in Air Command and Staff College via correspondence prior to be approved to attend the T-38 IP upgrade course back at Randolph AFB. Upon return to Webb AFB, Dick was assigned one student in the new class and flew orientation flights with various flight surgeons and other rated pilots. He continued to fly maintenance test flights in the T-33 at every opportunity. In late 1963, he received the ATC Flying Safety Award. In early 1964, he received TDY orders to "Langley," Virginia, and was interviewed for a "highly classified" program and within six months, following another short interview, received PCS orders to Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon arrival in Las Vegas in June 1965, Dick was assigned to the 1129th Special Activities Squadron, located North of Las Vegas at the Atomic Energy Test Site, now known as "Area 51." Dick was assigned Assistant OIC of the aircrew preparedness and pressure suit training and maintenance unit for a highly classified, high altitude test vehicle. He also served as IP in the T-33 support program, giving instrument checks and 60-1 time to various support pilots in the organization as well as logging time in the F-101 flying chase and in the Titanium Goose at every chance. Later, Dick served as the OIC of the unit from 1967 until PCS assignment to Kadena AB, Okinawa in September 1968. There, he was assigned to the 14th TAC Fighter Wing under the command of Col "Saber" Sams. Upon learning about the 2-year travel restriction into a combat area, orders were cut assigning him to base flight as the operations officer. Here, he was responsible for providing instrument flight checks, 60-1 time and other assigned flying duties as directed by the wing. In addition, the base flight operations was responsible for R&R flights to Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, and Tokyo, as well as providing maintenance support for the entire wing using a C-47 and C-54. Jet operations, consisting of ten T-33 aircraft, was also tasked with conducting daily air defense exercises working with Taiwan air force and air defense officials. Annual exercises required a two week TDY at Taiwan flying daily air defense missions in the local area.
During the summer of 1969, Dick was ordered TDY to Osan, Korea to head up an Air Force part of a classified defense operation codenamed "Focus Lens." He worked with all branches of the U.S. services as well as with Korean officers in a coordinated exercise in preparation to prevent a surprise attack from North Korea. Dick participated in many of the island youth sports programs and served as Island Commissioner for the military and civil service youth football program. While stationed at Kadena, he completed the Air War College Seminar program with the exception of the thesis. In late 1970, Dick received orders to Takhli AB, Thailand following F-105 check out at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Prior to departure for TDY to Nellis AFB, he received orders to report direct to Korat AB, Thailand. Because Dick was not currently qualified in the F-105 "Weasel" aircraft, upon his arrival to Korat AB his wing commander determined that Dick could either move his family from Kadena back to the states and enter "Thud" training at Nellis AFB and then rotate back to Karot or he could accept another assignment and stay in country with his family remaining at Kadena until Dick's tour in Nam was completed. During his tour at Kadena, Dick's wife, Jacky, was employed as a DOD school teacher which allowed her to stay on the island even while he was PCS to SEA.
Upon arrival in Keesler AFB, once again his orders were revised from personnel officer and flying the T-28 for 60-1 time to TDY, Randolph AFB to attend the moral, welfare, and recreation course. He returned to Keesler as the OIC of the wing moral, welfare, and recreation division, under the 313th Air Training Wing with no flying involved. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1973 , and since there was little to no chance of getting back into the cockpit, he rendered notification in 1974 requesting retirement in 1975. Retirement, however, was not approved until 1976. Dick's military awards include: DFC, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Award, Air Medal, Air Force Unit Citation, AF Commendation Award, and Vietnam Service Award.
In May 1988, Dick was hired as the superintendent of cultural affairs for the city of Biloxi, Mississippi. He sold the fishing camp business in June of 1990 and devoted full time to his city job. Later, he was promoted to head up the new human resources department. Dick retired from the city in July 1995 and opened a new business in Gulfport, Mississippi with his wife and son, Marty, called Art-FX Studio/gallery. Marty is the featured artist and the business represents over 50 other local artists from the Mississippi gulf coast.
Since retirement from the City, Dick has been extremely active in the coast community. He served 8 years as the president of the board for the 3.1 million dollar Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The board and committee was established in 1988 and the memorial completed in 1997 in Ocean springs, Mississippi. For the past four years Dick has served as vice-president of the board of directors for Mississippi's annual veterans parade held each November on the gulf coast. He has served as the gulf coast area chairman for the Mississippi employer support of the guard and reserve (ESGR) since 1996. For the past two years he has personally worked with over a hundred guard and reservists coming back from deployment overseas only to find they were no longer employed. He is still active in countless community and civic events. During the past 30 years Dick has served as president of the following organizations:
Biloxi Area Council - 1987-88 | John C. Stennis Chapter of Air Force Assoc. - 1989-90-91 |
Biloxi Chamber of Commerce - 1995-96 | Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo - 1994 |
Biloxi Lions Club - 1997-98 | Gulf Coast Chapter of the Military Order - 1993-94 |
Hug Inc. - 1979-1988 | The Military Order - State & Department - 1994 |
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast - 1988-89-90 |
Gulf Coast Chapter of the Retired Officers Assoc - 2001 |
Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi Area Council - 1991 |
Gulf Coast Chapter of Military Officers Assoc. - 2002-present |
Greater Biloxi Economic Development Foundation - 1994 - 03 | Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Assoc. - 1990-present |
Friends of the Gulf Coast National Seashore Board - 1998-03 | Joppa Shrine Temple - 1977-present |
Gulf Coast Chairman of the Mississippi "ESGR" - 1995-present | Order of Daedalions - 1967-present |
Harrison County Jail Board - 1998-2000 | Flight Capt Hurricane Flt. Daedalions - 1997-98 |
Mississippi Museum of Art Board - 1993-94 |
Flight Provost Marshal Daedalions -1977-97 & 1999-present |
George Ohr Arts and Cultural Center Board - 1993-94 |
Order of the "Quite Birds" - 2000-present |
Mississippi Gulf Coast Conservation Assoc. - 1986-90 |
American Legion Post 33 - Director - 1997-present |
Biloxi Seafood and Industrial Museum Board - 1986-90 |
VFW Post 2434 - Chaplain - member - 2000-present |
Gulf Coast boys and Girls Clubs Board - 1984-present |
Biloxi Elks Lodge #606 - 1983-present |
Point Cadet Civic Action Board - Vice. Pres. - 1988-89 |
Biloxi Moose Lodge #332 - 1982-present |
Mississippi Visitor Industries Council - VP - 1987-88 |
Mississippi Sheriffs Assoc. - 1979-1999 |
Gulf Coast Arts Council Board - 1990-96 |
Black Bay Mission Board - Advisory Board - 2004-present |
Biloxi VA National Cemetery Board - 1994-99 |
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2004 - Seven Seals Award as Area Chairman Esgr |
1994 - Boys and Girls Adult/Youth Award |
2003 - South Mississippi Sport Fisherman of the Year |
1993 - National Meritorious Service Medallion - Boys and Girls |
1987 - 2002 - Biloxi Volunteer of Year - Honorable Mention |
1991 - Air Force Associations Outstanding Service Award |
1999 - Boys and Girls Club 15 Year Meritorious Service Award |
1991 - Mississippi Outstanding Board Member - Boys and Girls |
1998 - Seven Seals Award for Leadership Esgr Committee |
1990 - Biloxi's Outstanding City Employee Award |
1997 - WLOX-TV Outstanding Person of the Week Award |
1988 - Biloxi's Outstanding Citizen Award |
1997 - Sun Herald News - Outstanding Senior Citizen Award |
1987 - Biloxi Mayor/City Council Volunteer of Year Award |
1994 Boys and Girls Club 10-Year Meritorious Service Award |
1983, 84, 85, 86 - Hug, Inc. Outstanding Board Member Award |
1993 Honorary President - MS Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Board |
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Epilogue
Dick and Jacky have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Dick is fully retired and a full time recreational fisherman and holds 5 state plus 3 world records currently pending with the International Big Game Association - however, boating and fishing the Gulf of Mexico will never take the place of flying the big, blue sky.
A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES
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This must be heaven!!
Roadrunners Internationale is saddened to announce the final flight of Lt Col Dick E. Wilson, age 91, on Sunday, February 6, 2022
Dick was born in Wabash, Indiana, on June 5, 1930, to Charles and Geraldine Wilson. He attended Indiana University and joined the Kappa Sigman Fraternity. Later, he joined the United States Air Force.
Dick served as an instructor in jet pilot training early in his career, attending Command & Staff, receiving his Command Wings, and later completing an assignment in Area 51. His combat years included The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. He flew various aircraft including, but not limited to T-33, the F101 Voodoo, and was a crew test pilot for the prototypes of the SR71. Additionally, he flew the QU-22 & the A-1 Skyraider with over 350 missions in his combat years before being assigned to Keesler AFB, where he retired in 1976.
The Roadrunners remember Dick serving with the 1129th Special Activities Squadron as the assistant OIC of the aircrew preparedness and pressure suit training and maintenance unit for the CIA's Mach 3 A-12 reconnaissance plane at Area 51's Project OXCART and operational in Kadena, Okinawa during Operation BLACK SHIELD. He also served as IP in the T-33 support program, giving instrument checks and 60-1 time to various support pilots in the organization and flew F-101 chase for the A-12.
Dick's military awards include the DFC, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Award, Air Medal, Air Force Unit Citation, AF Commendation Award, and Vietnam Service Award.
He received numerous awards throughout his life, including the Pat Santucci Spirit of the Gulf Coast, Lion's Club "Father of the Year," and the Boys & Girls Meritorious Service Award, among many others. He was also personally instrumental in establishing the MS Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He loved his community and consistently demonstrated his sincere commitment by serving an abundance of organizations.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Geraldine Wilson; wife, Jacqueline Lee Wilson; and sisters, Juanita Thrasher and Sharon Ann Wilson.
Survivors include his children, Stephen Wilson, Kimberly (Mark) Lundquist, Kristina (Jim) Adcock, Michael (Megan) Wilson, and Martin Wilson; grandchildren, Mary Lee Melder, Blake (Samantha) Adcock, Nicholas Adcock, Jordan (Keaton) Curtis, Tori Wilson, David Lundquist, Jessica Adcock, Katianne Lundquist, Myia Wilson, Jett Wilson, Jace Wilson, and Jye Wilson; and great-grandson, Everette Thomas Adcock.