Throughout the many, many long years since the United States Army Air Corps 18th Pursuit Group's inception in 1927, there have been many thousands of outstanding notable individuals who have contributed to the overall success of that organization. All too many were called upon to make the supreme sacrifice ... having been killed or missing-in-action during wartime, in aircraft accidents during the artificial peacetime of the Cold War ... or have been taken from us by natural causes long after they had completed their dedicated service to the country and the people whom they loved.

And many, many of those heroic survivors still live ... proudly recalling their service in the various eras with the 18th Pursuit Group, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, or 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, and they continue to foster and protect the hard-won legacy of the 18th ... paid for by the loss of thousands of our country's youngest, brightest, most promising .. and bravest heroes.

Following you will find short biographical sketches of many former 18th members who went on to still greater accomplishments, as well as of many current and former members of our 18th Fighter Wing Association. We welcome personalized biographical histories of 18th friends and acquaintances by our 18FWA members; please forward your typed draft, with appropriate photos, to Tom Ryder. We reserve the right to edit for inclusion on our website and/or our 18FWA 'Status Report' newsletter.