McCurdy, Clark B., Maj

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
Family history in aviation.
1) Russell N Boardman: world record flight to Istanbul in 1931.
2) Earl Boardman: Businessman, financier, pilot in Army Guard in Mass. during WWII. Test flew airborne radar for Lincoln Labs during WWII in British Beaufort Fighter supplied by the British.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Came into US Air Force to fly many aircraft and then to make it a career choice. Graduated from Vance AB in Class 63C and on to heavy transports, then theater transports then back to teaching flying at Williams AFB. Then on to FB-111A for SAC.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
C-123 theater transports in Viet Nam. Combat air troop drops under fire, Forward based troops, .Special Forces supplied by air and land deliveries under fire. Night flare missions under direct fire.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Flying C-13 aircraft in Viet Nam would be my first and fondest memories because of the combat situations and the people and troops we served. We knew all the stories written about in the book "Green Beret", the people and events were well told in our ranks before the book was published.

Least favorite assignment was as Squadron Commander in USAF Basic Training at Lackland AB. Definitely not a job for a middle ranked officer and ex combat pilot. Better job for a 2nd or 1st Lieutenant.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Red Flag and 1300 kts at 200 feet in the FB-111A, or was it 50,000 ft and 2.3 mach and having to pull the power back to avoid over speeding the plane.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
15 Air Medals for combat flights in Viet Nam. Then the usual assortment of medals for flying and just being there in combat and the Cold War. And then there was the MSN.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My pilots wings in the USAF. I would fly to many places in the world, fly in combat, teach people to fly, fly higher than most and faster than most people would ever dream of and then come back in to land at new and different air fields and new countries.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
My commanders in SAC. These were the best coaches and leaders I could ever think of working with in any time in my life. They helped me through some hard times and cheered me on in the best of times. Gave me things to do that I could prove my worth and lead other less experienced air crew to higher skills and achievements.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Yes, but I can't tell about it here..... But it did involve flying.....

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I flew for an air line company as Flight Engineer and Co-Pilot in Boeing 727s. Flew in air taxis and as a flight instructor to aspiring civilian pilots. Managed an airport.

Then I taught myself Celestial Navigation and delivered sailboats around the world, further developed my mariner skills by sailing on Tall Ships, worked as Mate and Captain on Oil Field Supply Vessels, then worked through the system to become a Second Mate (Ships Navigator).

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Air Force Association, Daedalions. Companionship of other pilots.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Professionalism and Mission Accomplishment.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Hang in there. Things are always there to do and missions as yet unheard of will come along to challenge you in as many ways as you can imagine.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Good place to write down your memories.

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