Last Flights

Volabamus

Volamus

LTC WILLIAM C. CHRISTIAN (L) 1932—2009
LTC William Christian made his last flight on September 16, 2009. He graduated with Pilot Training Class 55F. Bill was involved in some of the early Air Force flying to the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the world. After retiring from the USAF, he flew commercially for Southern Air Transport. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

M/GEN HERBERT J. GAVIN 1921—2009
M/Gen Gavin made his last flight on 27 June 2009. He graduated with Pilot Training Class 43D. In WWII he served as a test pilot in the China-Burma-India Theatre of operations. After the war, he joined the California Air National Guard and graduated from Northrop Institute of Technology where he studied aeronautical engineering. Recalled to active duty in 1951, General Gavin flew more than 70 different types of aircraft during his long career and had several assignments at McClellan AFB. He was the Commander of Sacramento Air Logistics Center when he retired in 1978. M/Gen Gavin was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

LTC RALPH M. FLINN (L) 2009
LTC Ralph Flinn made his last flight 2 July 2009. He entered the Army Air Corps in 1943 and graduated with Pilot Training Class 50G. He was a Life Member of the Order of Daedalians.

LTC ROBERT N. STONE (L) 1920—2009
LTC Robert Stone made his last flight on 3 July 2009. His Pilot Training Class number is unavailable. He flew B-24s in WWII and was interned in Switzerland after crash landing there. He was recalled to active duty as a Maintenance Officer, his specialty being radial engines. He served in that career field until his retirement. His last assignment was at Mather AFB where he was Chief of Maintenance for the Navigator Training Wing (ATC). For many years he was a volunteer at the Mather and then the McClellan AFB museums. He was a Life Member of the Order of Daedalians.

LTC CHARLES R. "CHIP" HALL
FEBRUARY 28, 2009
LTC Hall was a former member of Flight 27 who some years ago moved to the St. Louis area to be near family when his wife preceded him in death. He graduated with pilot class 49C, flew B-47s and then was selected to fly the B-58. In SEA he flew the "Jolly Green Giant" helicopter. When he retired from active duty, Chip became a highly regarded local school teacher. He was an active volunteer with the McClellan Aviation Museum and served as the Flight Provost Marshal.

Hail, Fare Well, and Happy Landings