Posted on 02/13/2018 6:52:14 AM PST by Borges
I knew some pilots who had spent time with him back in the 70s. They had the same assessment. But they also said he was a good pilot.
I guess test pilots are like surgeons. They take on “God” and Nature, and most of the time they win. I guess that make a person just a little cocky.
A co-worker’s young teen son used to empty trashcans around the office on Saturdays. I was introduced to him once for all of about 60 seconds and never saw him again until 7 years later at a Home Depot when the kid, now a young man, called me out by name and re-introduced himself.
I wish I had a memory like that.
Glenn’s Shuttle ride was a political payoff. Glenn saved BJ Clinton’s hide in the Senate impeachment trial.
“A great American!”
And truly great Americans don’t suffer fools gladly....for some of the other posters!
My four year tour in Germany was spent at two Tac Fighter Wings: Hahn AB and Spangdahlem AB. I had to live on base my first year, so I spent a lot of time at the O'Club. There was a healthy rivalry between we few Army officers and the fighter pilots.
They learned quickly what an asset our ADA battery was to the base, we added a full point to the Base Survivability rating during a NATO Tac Eval. My guys knew how to put on a dog and pony show when the evaluators visited our positions.
I was down in the "hole", the Wing CP, as the "Army Liasion Officer." The zoomies didn't appreciate having a mere 2nd LT serving in that role, until an NBC input was dropped on them. Their "expert" overreacted, recommending Alarm Red, where everyone on the flight line would have to wear masks and protective equipment.
I had the temerity to speak up with a different recommendation, to go to Alarm Yellow, i.e. no masks. My rationale was sound enough to where the Wing Cdr agreed with me...as did the NATO Team Chief, whom I saw nodding in the background.
I'm sure I was thought of as an Arrogant A$$hole during those four years, particularly my last two years as Battalion S-4 (Supply Officer). I admit that I was a PITA, but my Battalion Cdr liked the job I did for him so much, he asked me to work for him again when we both returned to Fort Bliss, he as a bird Colonel, and I as a Captain.
So do I...I've taught 6th graders at my parish for 20 years, and I see a lot of them at Mass or other church functions. Most are hardly recognizable after maturing over a few years. There's a few whose names I easily remember, but not nearly enough.
Happy Birthday to you and blessings to Glamorous Glennis.
I had the honor, and the pleasure, to spend a week hunting elk in Wyoming with the general. He was gracious and friendly.
One evening the two of us sat in the lodge and talked hunting. He also told me of some of his exploits during his long and storied career. Maybe it was the commonality we shared of hunting? Not once did he appear to be arrogant or impolite.
Can confirm. Met him a few years ago. Never meet your heroes.
Gregory Pappy Boyington — ‘Show me a hero and I’ll show you a bum.’
Thats a big fat True
I’ve got friends who knew him, and they say the exact same thing.
My Hero
Thanks Borges. Ping to APoD. Happy Birthday to the Fastest Man Alive. :^)
One of my Childhood heroes!
Happy Birthday, Chuck! :-)
Years ago, I took my sons to the Oshkosh EAA Fly-in. It might have even been the infamous fry-in. We were walking through one of the un-air-conditioned buildings when I looked over my shoulder and there was Chuck Yeager and Bud Anderson on the stage. They were describing an air fight and they were using their hands to mimic the flight maneuvers. I stopped my boys and said that they were watching history. We stayed until they were finished.. It was awesome.
Awesome!
Thank you for sharing that memory with me. :-)
Where did you pull that tidbit out from?
One of Yeager’s books.
After WWII he got his choice of assignments. He wanted to be close to his home in West Virginia, so he chose Wright Patterson. As a jet mechanic (and pilot) he got more time than the pilots, because he’d take them on a checkout ride after fixing them.
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