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Edde, Richard L.

Edde, Richard

Edde, Richard L.

My Dad was a flying farmer southwest of Fresno, California.  I always wanted to be a pilot.  In my third year at Fresno State College, I applied for Aviation Cadet Pilot training.  The very last pilot class had just started, so my recruiter said he could get me into Navigator Cadets.  The draft board was breathing down my neck so I said yes.

I started with class 64-04 at James Connolly AFB, which was a 9 month program.  Due to my father’s cancer and eventual death, I washed back to class 64-06 and eventually 64-08, which was a year-long program, there I was an outstanding graduate and awarded a regular commission.  I met my future wife Lois Daniel, a Baylor Student, while at James Connoly.

I went to Electronic Warfare Officer training at Mather AFB and was assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Travis AFB upon graduation.  They sent me to Castle AFB for B-52 EWO training and then to Stead AFB for Survival Training.

In the two years I was at Travis AFB I was lucky enough to be on a Select Crew and received a Spot Promotion and also Married  Lois, a Baylor Graduate.  We have been married 57 years and going strong.  When SAC did away with spot promotions, I pursued my dream and applied for Pilot Training.  I was selected for Class 68-E at Vance AFB.  I was a distinguished graduate and chose a single seat single engine aircraft, the F-100. 

I went through F-100 training at Luke AFB and was sent to Vietnam in the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa AFB.  I flew 210 combat missions, was hit 3 times, took the barrier once and ran off the runway once due to loss of nosewheel steering.

I was assigned to Columbus AFB as a T-38 instructor in 1969.  While at Columbus I applied for Bootstrap to get my last year of college.  Graduated from University of Nebraska, Omaha.  While at Bootstrap, I was RIFed and found an assignment in Wing Safety at Travis AFB.  I served my last 4 years enlisted at Travis AFB.

I bought a home in Vacaville, CA five miles from Travis.  I taught Algebra in High School for 20 years.  I have a daughter Michelle and a son Richard.  They live fairly close.  I have 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.