Easterly, Leon, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I knew I was going to be drafted, and I had always wanted to do something involved with flight

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?
basic training at Lackland, tech school at Amarillo, Tex. sent to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in summer, 1965. assigned to 18th Fighter Interceptor Sq. , Air Defence Command, till late summer, 1966. became crew-chief, F101b,s/n 58 -341 , went TDY to England AFB, Louisianna, member of 351st TAC fighter sq. ,351 TAC fighter wing. made wing movement 16 sept., 1966 to Phan Rang AB, Viet-Nam. crewed F-100-c, S/n 56-555. ( pilot encountered, sunk 25 enemy sampans on one mission. transfered to acft crash recovery section, then temp duty driving specialist dispatch truck (call sign black one)
then temp duty to armament ditribution area. ( loading bomb, rockets, napalm onto trucks) then assigned for last 5 moths as acft wheel/tire shop NCOIC. went back to the world in Sept, 1967 HOOORAY!!!! sent to 3902 Orgl Maint sq. , airbase wing, (SAC) as assistant dock chief, phased inspection, for T-39 aircraft. after being passed over for promotion to staff sgt, declined to re-enlist. was offered early out, took it. discharged 11 oct, 1968

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?
yes, served one year, Viet-Nam, all positions there were significant to me

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
I had the cleanest aircraft in the unit, worked HARD to keep it that way. we all seemed to be " brothers in arms" partially, I think, because of the fact we had to deal with extreme cold winter condidtions, partially because our commaner at time, Col Fred Webster, was first man to eject from aircraft at supersonic speed, and live to tell about it! he was the kind of commander who "earned" the respect of his troops, knew it, and took care of them when necessary, re. we didn't have to pull bullshit details, like base beautification., etc. also, because I had the respect of my pilot, and RIO, respected them. especially my pilot, capt. House, as he had worked his way up the enlisted ranks!! PS. we still have 18thFIS reunions!!

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I think mostly, the time I was in 'nam, was on crash recovery, and volunteered ( what a Dumb-Ass move) to help recover remains of US Navy C-47, out in the "boonies" was scared as hell, as we were in "charlie" territory, we thought we only had a plattoon of 101st airborne as escorts. when we got bac to base, we found out we had 3 companies of them

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
now that I think about it, the outstanding unit award was significant, as our unit was constantly evaluated by S.A.C., and they had only two ratings: satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. they always gave us an "OUTSTADING" rating. and, hokey as it may sound, the ribbons from my Viet-Nam service, because I could have done what some did, and went to Canada

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?
the ones for serving in Viet-Nam, it is self- explanitory, I think

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Col Fred Webster. he told us at commander's call early on, Guys, I guaratee you, if you tell the truth, do your best, always try to do the right thing, you got it "dicked"

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?
just one? LOL, had a guy one night in 'Nam, got drunk, went out to the latrine, came back in the barracks, was singing at top of his lungs, buck naked, carrying his fatigue pants out in front of him, held by the waistband. he/we never did find his skivvies!!!

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 worked for 28 years in an aluminum foundry, making auto/truck pistons, then 8 years building fiberglass yachts. am now working for Kellogg's-Keebler, making snack bars.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
18th F.I.S. alumni. get to tell "war stories," get drunk with, and reconnect with the guys been thinking about joining local VFW, and VVA

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?
I learned early on, that doing less than your best is for "loosers" and sooner or later, it will come back on you. I have always done my absolute best at whatever I attempt, I work hard at whatever I do, and I try to always treat my co-workers as I like to be treated. and more importantly, I always try to do the right thing!!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Do your best, do the right thing. make your people proud, because in the end, you have to be true to yourself, and if you don't do theese things, can you live with yourself? I know I couldn't also, hang in there, guys/gals, it will get better. one last thing, I am Proud of you, and THANK YOU for serving

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
as of yet, it really hasn't. I am hopinng someone from some of my other units will see this, contact me