2 Dave Schultz - WFA(R)

Interest #1: Family - They're featured on the adjoining pages.

Interest #2: Aircraft. I'm a former Marine Aviator, now working as a flight simulator instructor at NAS Meridian. May be too old to fly those jets, but at least I get to talk about it - and work with America's finest, to boot.

While the rumors that I was the finest aviator to hit the sky were not totally true, I came closest to feeling that way while in the A-4. . . In all, I flew four models: A-4B, A-4C, A-4E and TA-4F.

My first Viet Nam tour (1st half) was in the A-4C. Having just come off an 18-month grunt tour, I may well have been the WORST pilot VMA-214 ever saw! By the time I completed my 117 missions, though, I was well on my way to becoming a legend in my own mind. During my second VN tour I was a staff bubba, but flew the TA-4F on PLAYBOY missions. Probably about the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

This is O-1C "Bird Dog." The proper term for the mission in the Marine Corps was "Tactical Air Coordinator Airborne," but we were usually called "FACs." I flew the bird shown in the picture (#140100) on 30 of my 247 missions the 2d half of my first Viet Nam tour. On 6 Aug '67 while on patrol in this same aircraft with 1Lt Joe Pellchia, the manifold crossover was blown off and I dead-sticked into the boonies just S.E. of Gio Linh - the eastern edge of the "Firebreak" in the DMZ. Our friendly helo buddies got us out about a half hour later - while jets overhead kept Charlie away (and my drawers dry). The next day SSGT Fields, our maintenance chief, was flown in to the landing site after the grunts secured the area. He fixed it in place, and I flew it back to Dong Ha a couple of hours later.

This is what I looked like when I got back from my second Vietnam tour.  In all, I flew around 400 missions.  To the right is Sandy - now you see why we have such beautiful kids and grandchildren.  Gives new meaning to the phrase "Better Half," doesn't it?  I am a lucky guy!

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