by Donald K. Richardson

I served in the United States Air Force from March 25, 1952 until May 1, 1972. Trained at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Wore the first Blue uniform, with black shoes. The Army Air Corps wore the green uniform with brown shoes. Went to electrician school at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Stateside bases were Turner AFB, Albany, Georgia, 1953-54; Homestead AFB, Homestead, Florida, 1957-59; Castle AFB, Merced, California, 1960-62; Minot AFB, North Dakota 1962-64; Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1964-68, but had to go to DaNang, Vietnam, for six months' temporary duty for Operation Prime Beef to construct Camp DaNang. Returned to Ben Hoa, Vietnam, 1968-69, then stateside to ENT AFB, Colorado Springs, 1969-71. Went to Woomera Air Base, Woomera, Australia, 1971-72. Returned to ENT AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado, to retire May 1, 1972.