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Lt. Col. Alvin M. Welbes USAF (Ret.) Lt. Col. Alvin M. Welbes, USAF (Ret.), age age 85, of Austin passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2010. He was born on June 13, 1924 in Waterloo, Iowa to John Peter and Leona Delagardelle Welbes. Col. Welbes received his Pilot Wings in the U.S. Army Air Force in San Antonio, Texas in 1943, and shipped out to the European Theater as part of the 57th Fighter Group, 65th Fighter Squadron, where he flew P-40s and P-47s in North Africa and Italy, spending the majority of his time in Corsica. As part of the war effort, Hollywood made a major documentary film about the men and mission of the 65th FS, entitled "Thunderbolt", in which then Capt. Welbes makes several appearances. He also flew several combat tours in Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the USAF after 30 years of service. Medals and awards earned while serving in the USAAF and USAF include: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal w/ 15 OLC, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal w/ 1 OLC, National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Bronze Service Star, Air Force Longevity Service Award w/ 1 Silver & 1 Bronze OLC, WW II Victory Medal, European/African/ Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 BSS, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation (20th TASS).