Mike Biscayart
1946 - 1970
From Mike’s brother Richard rbiscayart@mail.milford.k12.de.us
Mon Nov 24, 2008 Subj: Mike’s story
After having graduated from Georgetown in 1968, Mike was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Air National Guard. His first assignment was in Larado, Texas, where he learned to fly the F-100. Upon completion of flight school, he was assigned to an air base in Tuscon, Arizona. It was here on a routine training mission in the early winter of 1970 that Mike’s single engine failed in his F-100. He was about 1,440 feet when the engine stalled, and did not have time to bail out. My father thought that Mike was trying to glide the plane away from a housing area. We will never know exactly what happened in Mike’s mind, of course. He died instantly from the crash. Before Mike’s death, he was seriously involved with a Spanish senorita from Casa de Casares, a small pueblo near the Portuguese border. Pepita would go on to become a psychiatric nurse in a British hospital just outside of London.
Richard
RickKepner
10/26/1946 - 12/6/1976
Arlington National Cemetery, Sec 66, Site: 2721
1976 - Richard Kepner email from Rich's sister
From: Anne Schott Date: August 4, 2012
Hi Jim,
Eric Johnigan shared the HH Arnold High School Class of '64 site with me. He told me to go to TAPS and read about my brother, Rick Kepner.
I am his youngest sister...he had 2...Jane went to HH also yet, didn't graduate there...we moved back to the states summer of '64. He went on to the University of Minnesota, Duluth where he graduated in 1968. He did not become a pilot for another year and spent one year at Warner Robbins, AFB, Georgia until he was accepted into pilot training.
What I would like to share with you is the correct info about my brother. He was in the USAF, not the Navy. He was killed on Dec. 6, 1976, at Red Flag, Nellis AFB, NV, flying an F-4. He was the flight commander of his flight and the guys in his flight really liked my brother. I was there that weekend to see him and his fellow pilots in Las Vegas. As a matter of fact, that weekend Elvis Presley was performing at the Hilton.
Everything Rick did as an Air Force pilot he did the best! He loved flying fighters! He was looking forward to flying the F-15 next.
After graduating from pilot training at Craig AFB, in Selma, Alabama, in 1970. He became an T-38 instructor pilot at Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA. Then he went to George AFB, Victorville,CA where he went through RTU to learn how to fly F-4's. After that he was deployed on a remote tour to Reykjavik, Iceland where he flew F'4's. He often escorted Russian spy planes out of the area. I think they called them the Bear. This was during the 'Cold War'.
After his year in Iceland he returned to Moody AFB in Georgia, still flying the F-4.
His squadron was picked to fly in a Red Flag competition the winter of 1976. This is where my loving brother lost his life along with his back seater, Lt. Scott Body.
Rick is buried next to our father, Lt. Col. Richard D. Kepner, in Arlington Cemetary. He left behind his wife, Peg Kepner and his son Jason. They live in Tucson, Arizona. I hope this will clarify my brother's short life! He was such a great person!
Sincerely, Anne Kepner Schott
Bill George
A memorial service for Lt. Col. William F. George II, Class of 1968, was held on January 28, 1983 at the Hill Air Force Base Chapel. Colonel George, assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, was declared dead January 24 after being missing since a January 19 F-l6 accident over the Great Salt Lake in Utah. He was interred at the Air Force Academy Cemetery on February 16. He was born on June 25, 1946 in Bayside, N.Y., and was commissioned in the Air Force after graduating from the Academy in 1968. His first duty assignment was with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Westover AFB, Mass. Subsequent assignments took him to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.; the 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.; the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand; the 13th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, MacDill AFB, F1a.; and the 59th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla. Colonel George attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Ala., during which he earned his master of business administration degree from Auburn University. Following Air Command and Staff College, he was assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah in July 1980. While assigned to the 388th. He was a plans officer, an assistant operations officer in the 34th and 42 1st Tactical Fighter Squadrons, and subsequently served as the chief of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Standardization and Evaluation Division. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with six devices, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. While there are those of us who did not have the good fortune of knowing Bill at the Academy, it did not take long to know and cherish his and his family's friendship. Whether it was a friend, a crew chief, a flight lead, or a wing commander, they will all remember Bill for his big smile and firm handshake. He was a leader, dedicated to improving our Air Force. He taught the young and inexperienced, counseled his peers, and always gave his best to his boss. Bill was the consummate professional and those who served with him will be better for the experience. He is survived by his wife, Sheila and three daughters, Jennifer, Katie, and Molly, his parents, Richard and Ruth George and two brothers, Richard and David. Contributions in his memory may be made to the William F. George 11 Memorial Fund, Association of Graduates, U. S. Air Force Academy, Colo. 80840. (Maj. Richard H. White, '69)
6/25/1946 - 1/24/1983
John Kimball
1946 - 1988
* ( email from John's brother Mike Kimball- 2009)
From: Mike Kimball Cushmn59@aol.com to: jim@maloney.com May 21, 2009
Hi Jim,John died of his first and last heart attack at 42. (1988) He was out fishing with friends one evening. Drinking beer and enjoying himself. He came home to the house he built near Torch Lake, MI and had a heart attack in the bathroom. He died on the way to the hospital on a flight for life transport. John had two daughters with his wife Cathy. They were very young when he died. Jessica, the oldest, is a doctor, and is married with one child. She practices in Pontiac, MI. Clara, Jessica's younger sister, lives in Central Lake, MI and is getting married on 8/1/09. John was in the prime of his life when he died. He had his own business building houses and doing various carpentry jobs for the local Torch Lake community. He was truly talented in that profession. He played softball on the church team and was well liked by and respected by everyone who know him. He and I had a wonderful relationship and I still miss him dearly. You may already know, but our father, retired in 1972, had his first and last heart attack in 1977 at 56. My father and John had similar personalities and work ethics. Me I'm pretty easy going and hope to collect my federal law enforcement retirement for 30 years!Thanks for asking,**
Mike Kimball
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( letter from John to classmates prior to 10th Reunion - 17 May 1974)
I can’t really say, “Dear friends” or “Hi gang”, as an opening, because we are all much closer than that – probably always will be. It becomes evident to me- even at this early stage of the letter that I’ve had so many memories of that crazy place called Wiesbaden High, I couldn’t possible relate to each one. Having seen the names of you people expected to be at Washington DC brings back many more experiences. I only wish I could be there ---“The Roaches” could sing again, and start all over again – but that would be a step backward --- which is not what we all left high school for.
I’m sure you all have a separate tale to tell of your lives so I’ll say a few pages about mine to bring you up to date.
Having had a relatively good start at Wiesbaden, I went to Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan --- that’s about 8 miles from Ann Arbor –U. of M. --- I did fair my freshman year --- fair for me is not so good for Shannon Green --- I’m sure she’s still a great looker --- and would like to see her again anywhere !! -- Anyway, after my freshman year I transferred to U. of M. --- played football and tried to take my second year of engineering courses. Well, playing football and trying to compete in the class rooms didn’t mix --- so, big mistake --- the following spring term I went back to EMU and made out real well until I moved into a house (G.D.I.) with 10 other guys – parties to the max !! and the school even let me come back the next fall.. --- This is Sept. of 1966. After spending a summer in Upper Michigan as a carpenter of sorts – built a boat during my spare time –I went back to school for the start of my Junior Year. Also had a girl friend, almost a fiancé – she died about a month later in an auto accident – well, anyway, I got “DRAFTED” in March of ’67 – BAD, BAD !!
So I joined the Air Force – the easiest, and maybe the best thing I could have done – still hate it and I’m getting out October of ’75 --- long time, Eh!? To make a long story short --- July 13th ’68 married Jane P. Morgan --- Dec. 16, 1969 was the proud father of a girl, Mary Melissa. July ’70 spent year in Viet Nam, Phu Cat AB, October ’72 got Divorced from Jane P. Morgan. DUH !
Spent a couple of years in Florida, the big city of Ft. Walton Beach --- Air Force town – liked the area anyway. Sep. 1973 ordered to Bittburg AB, Germany for two year tour --- So that’s where I am right now. In the old country of my high school days --- in a slightly different uniform, “Air Force Blue” or green --- yea ! it’s called O.D. and I do that sometimes too !
Anyway --- that’s my short story – just as it happened – blow by blow. You can ask Judy D. or rather Honegger about New Mexico, and Don Rakestraw about the Air Force Academy and Mike Rudd about a crazy phone call in the middle of the night – and Carter Harris about a meeting in Ann Arbor --- also Suzanne Butterfield Armstrong (you lucky man) about another Ann Arbor meeting.--- also talk to Mark Scheiber about a certain Christmas of 1967. I’ve had the fortune to see a few of you here and there --- never really had much time to talk a lot, but it was great knowing people --- and it is great to know that we still remember each other.
The SBHDA is still active somewhere. John Cobb --- the “Liter” and Mark Schreiber , the Sgt. At Arms --- and well, just everyone , everywhere doing a life time of living and enjoying life as it comes. --- and goes so rapidly on it’s way. You see, I still have a bit of nostalgia for the “good-ole-Days” ---. Would love to see everyone again because of what we all have, not because of what we all had.
If ever you have the opportunity to visit Germany in the next 18 months, I’ll be here. I would like to hear from anyone interested in writing. I’m not much for letters, but I do my best. Chris Phippen and Suzanne Butterfield once read a paper I wrote in English class --- or Don’t you remember --- the round man never forgets !! Don’t take “round man” seriously --- I’m still the same old John I used to be. Haven’t changed in several years --- grew a mustache cause the Air Force doesn’t like them, but that’s about the only change I can see --- maybe you’d think differently if you could see me – and vice-versa.
I sincerely regret that I am not able to make it to DC --- you could come over here, Hint Hint !! (Shannon Green) and we could discover more --- but, and well !, and whatever. And a gigantic DUH !! Mark Schreiber ! Don Rakestraw – Craig O’Neill --- Tell Jim Maloney I’m sorry for leaving his name off the class mug --- that was Judy’s fault !! Ha Ha – and also I’m sorry I tripped you in the gym that Saturday – you cut your elbow. Wow !! ole John strikes again.. Never was a round ball player, was I? !
What ever happened to Barron Wilk – Did he ever figure out why he was so smart? ! Say, that reminds me --- thanks to Mark S. and Judy D. I passed Biology --- got a B. what a riot – cheat- Hell no! Judy and Mark took my test – at least they may as well have.
What ever we each discovered about each other during the three years at Wiesbaden, will never be a secret – ‘cause Kathy Richardson knows all about us. Oh, well, the best laid plans and all that sort of thing.
Hey gang, Bill George is weird but really he’s a great guy --- and robin Draper --- don’t eat yellow snow with Kimball in the Taunus Mountains in the back seat of that silver “Silver Bullett” DUH ! --- and Mark, Don, Craig, Bill G., Don’t throw eggs at the whores down on MainzerStrasse. --- Oh yes, I should have mentioned that Danny Kithcart did the same thing – nobody thought he did, but we know better, don’t we, guys.
Did you know that Larry Sander was told by his dad that Mike and John Kimball were bad guys ‘cause they stole 36 bottles of bier the second week in Wiesbaden ---- and that he should watch out --- and not get too involved with them while playing football ?!
If Rich Wilhelm ever found out that JK took one of the PTA systems to ythe states after the Senior Class Variety Show was over, he’d never forgive him.---- and ‘prophilactic’ Kovalik is really the “tooth fairy”, WOW !! How we ever got along without big Jim, I’ll never know.
Well, yes, I do have a lot of memories ---- of a lot of good times, and with a lot of good people. Thanks for giving me my chance to say---- anything.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Kimball
John E. Kimball, SSGT. 212-44-9978, CMR Box 4693, APO New York 09132
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