Eugene Peyton Deatrick
Eugene Peyton Deatrick Jr. | |
---|---|
United States of America | |
Service/ | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1943–1974 |
Rank | Colonel |
Commands held |
|
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | |
Other work | Aerospace Representative |
Eugene Peyton Deatrick Jr. (November 17, 1924 – December 30, 2020) was a
Early life and education
Eugene P. Deatrick Jr. was born November 17, 1924, in
Military career
United States Military Academy
Deatrick arrived at West Point on July 1, 1943 and began six weeks of military training known as Beast Barracks due to the verbal abuse and
Air rescue
Deatrick entered the
Flight test
In 1949, he was assigned to the 3759th Electronics Test Squadron whose mission was the development of new radar bombing equipment. In 1950 the squadron moved to
Deatrick also participated in nuclear weapons effect tests in these aircraft at the Pacific Proving Grounds in 1954 and 1956. During Operation Castle, he flew a B-47 to test thermal and overpressure effects of an atomic blast on aircraft in flight. A year later, in preparation for Operation Redwing, Deatrick received B-52 instruction at Boeing Field near Seattle, Washington. In August 1955, Col. Guy Townsend "signed off" Deatrick and qualified him to fly the Boeing bomber.[16] B‑52B serial number 52-0004, the first B model aircraft, was extensively instrumented to measure thermal, blast, and gust effects of a nuclear explosion.[17] The aircraft was redesignated a JB-52B and nicknamed by the crew, The Tender Trap, after the movie of the same name. In March 1956, pilot Charles G. "Andy" Anderson and co-pilot Deatrick left Seattle for Eniwetok.[16] They participated in eight "shots" including, Cherokee, the first airdrop of a thermonuclear bomb, and Zuni, the first test of a three-stage thermonuclear design.[17][18][19]
From 1956 to 1964, Deatrick was assigned as executive officer to Major General
Vietnam
In March 1966, Deatrick assumed command of the
Because the wings of a Spad are set into the fuselage right under the canopy, a pilot can see the ground directly beneath him only when he banks ninety degrees. When Gene was perhaps three seconds into this steep bank, and only during those few seconds, he saw a flash of something white on the ground, a thousand feet below. I was lying on a flat boulder and waving a parachute, but all Gene saw was that brief flash of white ... He went back for another look ... Now he saw the waving and this time the form of a man.[25]
On November 10, 1966, Deatrick came to the aid of West Point classmate,
Do you know Colonel Eugene Deatrick, CO of the 1st Air Commando Squadron at Pleiku?"
"Sure do," Partridge replied.
"Good," said Parmly. "Then give him word that his old classmate is in deep shit down here."
Maybe that could be called working the old school tie till the knot got frayed. Even so, Parmly got Deatrick's forget-you-not within less than 10 minutes. … Parmly used the bombardment as cover to move his people to the east of the trail.[26]
To strengthen ties with the soldiers they protected, Deatrick encouraged his flyers to take troops on orientation flights above the battle fields.[29] His pilots also worked on the ground directly with the soldiers to improve communications and select munitions best-suited for close air support missions.[29]
USAF Test Pilot School
Deatrick returned to the United States in early 1967 and was assigned as commandant of the
During Deatrick's tenure at the school, students received the long-awaited
Students who flew the NF-104A while Deatrick commanded the school include Robert Lilac, Harry Blot, and Mike Loh.[38] Student flights lasted only a few more years. Aircraft 56-0756 was scrapped after an inflight rocket motor explosion occurred in June 1971 and training was terminated in December of that year.[39] As of 2016, the surviving NF-104, 56-0760, stands as a static model just outside the entrance of the USAF Test Pilot School.[40]
On May 27, 1967, Deatrick presented an address at
Later years
In 1996, Deatrick portrayed himself in Little Dieter Needs to Fly, the Werner Herzog documentary about the escape and rescue of Dieter Dengler.
In October 2014, Deatrick returned to Edwards AFB to attend the 70th anniversary celebration of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School presented during the Flight Test Historical Foundation's Gathering of Eagles event. Before touring the school to view the many improvements since his tour as commandant in 1967, Deatrick attended a mission briefing presented by current TPS commandant, Colonel Charles Webb Jr. Deatrick was especially pleased to find that TPS students now receive a Master of Science degree in flight test engineering upon graduation.[48]
He died on December 30, 2020, at the age of 96. He was laid to rest with his wife at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 53, Grave 2458 on September 13, 2021.[49][50][51]
Awards and honors
During his career, Deatrick flew more than 50 different types of aircraft and accumulated more than 12,000 hours of flying.
Deatrick was one of the twelve founding members of the East Coast chapter of the
In 2000, Deatrick was awarded membership in the
Insignia | Command pilot
| |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Row 1 | Legion of Merit w/ 1 oak leaf cluster | Distinguished Flying Cross w/ 1 oak leaf cluster | valor device and 1 oak leaf cluster
| |||||||||
Row 2 | oak leaf clusters
|
Air Force Commendation Medal w/ 1 oak leaf cluster
|
American Campaign Medal | |||||||||
Row 3 | World War II Victory Medal
|
National Defense Service Medal w/ service star | Antarctica Service Medal | |||||||||
Row 4 | Vietnam Service Medal | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
|
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
See also
- Commandants of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- List of U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School alumni
- List of United States Military Academy alumni
Notes
- doi:10.1126/science.105.2724.277. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 29, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- . Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Kilanowski 2007.
- ^ McWhorter 1993, p. II-2.
- ^ McWhorter 1993, p. II-7.
- ^ McWhorter 1996, p. D-7.
- ^ Kilanowski 2007, Event occurs at 2:17.
- ^ McWhorter 1993, p. II-15.
- ^ USMA 1946, p. 49.
- ^ McWhorter 1993, p. II-19.
- ^ USMA 1946, p. 33.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Deatrick Eagle Biography". Gathering of Eagles Foundation. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ Hutchison 2009, p. 112.
- ^ (1994) USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond, p. 70
- ^ "U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School History, The Move West". Edwards Air Force Base. United States Air Force. March 22, 2013. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ a b Dorr, Peacock & Holmes (2000), pp. 34–38.
- ^ a b Williams (1959), p. 5.
- ^ Williams (1959), p. 35.
- ^ Darlyrmple, W. Bruce (July 1956). "Flight Into Fury". Boeing Magazine. Vol. XXVI, no. 7. Seattle, Washington: Boeing Public Relations Office. pp. 10–11. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ Keeler, VIP Pilot, p. 170.
- Life. Vol. 61, no. 11. p. 55. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
- ^ Mutza (2003), p. 53.
- ^ Skyraider Association, Escape from Laos Excerpts, retrieved January 15, 2008
- ^ LaPointe, PJs in Vietnam, p. 229
- ^ Dengler, Escape from Laos, pages 207-208
- ^ a b c Marshall, West to Cambodia, p. 88
- ^ Simpson, Inside the Green Berets, p. 203
- ^ Gruenther, The Crusade of a Green Beret, p. 50
- ^ ISBN 978-1-55750-232-2.
- ^ (1994) USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond, p. 63
- ^ (1989) USAF Test Pilot School 45 Anniversary, p. 79
- ^ a b Libis (1999), p. 35.
- ^ Marrett (2008), pp. 60–61.
- ^ Libis (1999), p. 2.
- ^ Marrett (2002).
- ^ Marrett (2008), p. 101.
- ^ Marrett (2008), pp. 101–2.
- ^ Wright, Michael (August 5, 2007). "NF-104 Space Pilot Trainer". Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ Libis (1999), pp. 35–7.
- ^ Thuloweit, Kenji (December 9, 2016). "TPS Class 16A Test Eagles ready to soar to new heights". Edwards Air Force Base. United States Air Force. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Meiser, IX (1983).
- ^ Anderson, Jeffrey M. (May 23, 2002). "The 'Fly' Papers". Combustible Celluloid. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Operation TAILWIND Review, Extract of U.S. Air Force Report". United States Air Force. July 16, 1998. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ Correll (2004), p. 54.
- ^ Miles, Donna (June 19, 2007). "'Rescue Dawn' Premiere Inspires, Provides Example for Today's Troops". DefenseLink. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on May 19, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ Lopez, C. Todd (June 21, 2007). "AF Aviator Recounts Participation in Rescue Operation". Capital Flyer. Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "Zane L. Deatrick Death Notice". The Washington Post. February 5, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
- ^ Amber 2014.
- ^ "Tribute for Eugene Peyton Deatrick Jr". Alexandria, Virginia: Everly-Wheatley Funerals and Cremation. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ "Community deaths - Eugene Deatrick, Air Force colonel". The Washington Post. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ "Burial Detail: Deatrick, Eugene Peyton (Section 53, Grave 2458)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website). Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Engen, Wings and Warriors, p. 216
- ^ "Test Pilots' Symposium". Flight International. Reed Business Information Ltd: 79. July 19, 1962. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "AFAA Honorees". American Fighter Aces Association. 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ "Flightline" (PDF). Daedalus Flyer. LIX (4). San Antonio, Texas: Daedalian Foundation: 45. December 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-58834-104-4.
- ^ "Escape from Laos Video Lecture" (PDF). Of Wings and Things Guest Lecture Series. United States Air Force. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 30, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "Henderson Trophy Recipient Chronology". Arlington, Virginia: National Aeronautic Association. 1999. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ^ "Gathering of Eagles 2000 Index". Gathering of Eagles Foundation. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman Award" (PDF). NAA News. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautic Association. September 9, 2005. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman Award". NAA Awards. Washington, D.C.: National Aeronautic Association. 2005. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "NCASE Program Guide" (PDF). Civil Air Patrol. 2006. pp. 11–12. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ "NCASE 2006 Remembers Scott Crossfield" (PDF). Civil Air Patrol. 2006. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2006. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
- ^ Boyne 2007, p. 88.
- ^ "Eugene Deatrick Oral History Video". Lancaster, California: The Society of Experimental Test Pilots Foundation. October 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ Siry, David (July 16, 2019). "One Helluva Career: Testing Planes And Rescuing A POW In The Air Force". West Point, New York: The West Point Center for Oral History. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- ^ Hoppes, Jonna Doolittle (Summer 2021). "Gene Deatrick: An Appreciation" (PDF). 68 (2). Clinton, Maryland: Air Force Historical Foundation: 27–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
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References
- Amber, Rebecca (October 22, 2014). "Gathering of Eagles honors 70 years of TPS". Inside Edwards. Edwards Air Force Base, California: United States Air Force. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- Boyne, Walter J. (June 2007). "Airpower Classics, A-1 Skyraider" (PDF). Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- Campbell, Douglas (2003). The Warthog and the Close Air Support Debate. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-232-2.
- Correll, John T. (October 2004). "Into the Valley of Fire" (PDF). Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-89141-076-8.
- ISBN 978-1-84176-097-1.
- ISBN 978-1-56098-795-6.
- Gruenther, Richard L.; Parmly, David W. (March 1992). "The Crusade of a Green Beret". Special Warfare. 5 (1). Fort Bragg, North Carolina: John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School: 42–55. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
- Hutchison, Sheryl (2009). Mentor Inbound: The Authorized Biography of Fred J. Ascani, Major General, USAF Retired: Holder of the 1951 World Speed Record. Authorhouse. ISBN 978-1-4389-9973-9.
- Keeler, Albert T. (2001). VIP Pilot. Privately Published.
- Kilanowski, Dana (Historian) (2007). SETP History Series, Interview with Eugene Deatrick (DVD). Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
- LaPointe, Robert L. (2001). PJs in Vietnam. Northern PJ Press. ISBN 978-0-9708671-0-0.
- Libis, Scott (1999). Lockheed NF-104A Aerospace Trainer (Air Force Legends Number 204). Steve Ginter. ISBN 978-0-942612-97-4.
- ISBN 978-1-58834-104-4.
- ISBN 978-1-59114-511-0.
- Marrett, George J. (November 1, 2002). "Sky High: My Climb to the Top in the F-104". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- LCCN 68031132.
- "Official register of the officers and cadets for the academic year ending 30 June 1946". West Point, New York: United States Military Academy. 1946. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
- McWhorter, John C. Jr (1993). United States Military Academy, Class of 1946, A Chronicle of Duty - Honor - Country. Kerrville, Texas: Herring Printing Company. LCCN 93-91386.
- McWhorter, John C. Jr (1996). West Point Revisited, Reminiscences of the Class of 1946 50 Years Later. Kerrville, Texas: Herring Printing Company. ASIN B00FM0LPXY.
- Meiser, IX, George M. (April 6, 1983). "W. W. Deatrick left his mark at Kutztown". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania: Reading Eagle Press. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- Mutza, Wayne (2003). The A-1 Skyraider in Vietnam: The Spad's Last War. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-1791-0.
- Simpson, Charles M. (1983). Inside the Green Berets. Presidio Press. ISBN 978-0-89141-163-5.
- USAF Test Pilot School 45th Anniversary. Privately Published. 1989.
- USAF Test Pilot School 50 Years and Beyond. Privately Published. 1994.
- Williams, Capt. F. L. (October 23, 1959). "Operation Redwing, Project 5.2 In-Flight Participation of a B-52". Albuquerque, New Mexico: Defense Atomic Support Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
External links
- "Eugene Deatrick Filmography". Internet Movie Data Base. 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- "Express-20 A-1 Skyraider Class Photo". Skyraider Association. March 9, 1999. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- "Pentagon Ceremony for MOH Recipient Bernie Fisher". Skyraider Association. March 9, 1999. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
- Styling, Mark (2004). "Illustration of JB-52B, 52-004—The Tender Trap". AviationIllustration.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.