Bob signed up at 16 and joined the Marines just before he turned 17 -- he graduated early from High School to leave a bad home life in 1962.  He tested and signed up for the MARCAD (Marine Corps Aviation Cadets) program -- he wanted to fly ever since he flew in a Stearman when he was 14.  Starting as a Marine infantry solider, he departed for Viet Nam in late 1964 -- while up to his ass in mud, he was informed that the MARCAD program was closed to non-college grads.

Bob met two Army pilots at Da Nang who told him the Army needed pilots.  So, he did an inter-service transfer and started Army flight training in January 1966.  He departed for his 2nd tour in Vietnam as a WO-1 UH-1 pilot in Nov 1966.  He flew attack helicopters, and was shot down by enemy fire 8 times and wounded 3 times.  The last time he was wounded, Bob received a battlefield commission to 2nd LT and went on to train new attack pilots.  Later, graduated from AH-1G "Cobra" transition and departed for his third tour in Viet Nam -- there, he commanded a Cobra unit in 4 Corps.  He was shot down 5 more times, and wounded again.

He did a number of Army assignments until 1983, when he was selected to join a new classified Army Aviation unit called Task Force 160.  He was the XO until early 1987, and then completed his tour with the TF 160 "Night Stalkers" as their Deputy Commander.  Also, in 1987, he commanded the very first night aviation attack operations using NVGs to capture the Iranian mine layer, Iran Ajr.

Bob qualified in 9 helicopters, 2 fixed wings -- CFI instruments, attack and special operations aircraft.  He has 1940 combat hours, 700 night combat hours, plus regular flight hours.

He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 46 years (together for 52), and has two kids and four grandkids.

Bob retired from the Army in 1989, and retired from full time work November 2011 -- he says he's currently standing on I-10 holding a sign "will fly for food".

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