Veteran Biographies – North Country Honor Flight #45 – May 13, 2023
Compiled and read at the departure ceremony by former NYS Assemblywoman Janet Duprey
Lee Terry Ackley
U.S. Air Force 1963-1988 Vietnam
As a married electronics draftsman, a non-aviation military career in the Air Force seemed like a good choice.
Completing boot camp, Lee decided to pursue a medical path. Trained as an X-ray Technician, he served both the military and a private hospital sector until 1973 when he was accepted into the Physician Assistant program.
For his 25 years of service to our Country, Lee received many medals and awards; Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and several others.
Kenneth Ackley ` Veteran Guardian for his Dad
U.S. Air Force 1985-2007 Desert Storm
As long as Ken remembers, he wanted to join the Air Force. Initially refused entry due to asthma, on acceptance, Ken began a 22-year Air Force career.
Ken’s duty assignments included: aircraft maintenance; F-16 crew chief; C-141 flight engineering; POW/water/jungle training; crash recovery; support missions to Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
In the footsteps of his grandfather and father, Ken’s son Schuyler is currently serving in Afghanistan.
Nicholas Carter
U.S. Army 1975-1994 Vietnam
Nick’s WW11 veteran father advised Nick at basic training keep your head down, don’t tell the drill sergeant your name. Nick’s first day the drill sergeant hollered “Carter, I know who you are, and YOU will need to perform.” A Rouses Point drill sergeant wasn’t going easy on a Saranac boy.
Nick’s duty assignment was helicopter maintenance. Nick served on an UN-1HC helicopter supporting operations against communist aggression. Flying more than 25 aerial missions, Nick received the Presidential Air Medal.
Two weeks after Nick left Vietnam, a friend David, a door gunner lost his life. Nick will pay respects today at the Vietnam Wall, Panel 2W, Line 137.
Donald Dayton
U.S. Air Force 1960-1985 Vietnam
Don and his siblings had a difficult childhood at home. Don’s escape was enlisting in the Air Force. Don’s duty assignments were aircraft maintenance and crash recovery.
In Guam he had to eat an iguana, and he wants everyone to know that it tastes nothing like chicken!
Don spent his last 10 years at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, retiring as an aircraft maintenance superintendent with 25 years of service to our Country.
While in the Air Force, Don met the woman of his life and proposed after they spent 10 days together. Losing her to cancer was devasting but she travels in his heart on today’s flight.
Penny Day Veteran Guardian for her Dad
U.S. Army 1986-1993 Desert Storm
Penny was inspired to join the military by her family. A childhood illness made it a challenge to be accepted; with persistence she joined the Army, completing boot camp at Fort Jackson.
Penny’s duty assignments were food service specialist in San Antonio, and hospital food specialist at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Deployed to Saudi Arabia Penny served during Desert Storm. Penny has a very proud Dad flying with her today.
Albert John Ettling
U.S. Air Force 1966-1971 Vietnam
A college graduate, John’s draft status was reclassified as he joined the Air Force. John trained for 3 years to learn B-52 aircraft navigation, bomb and survival training.
John flew over 100 bombing flights from the Delta to the DMZ; each flight contained 125 bombs. John would pull the pins pre-flight; when the bombs were released, the entire plane vibrated. Three planes flew together at 29-33 thousand feet. They gave over control flying over canopy clouds of smoke with little guidance for buildings and bridges. John flew missions out of Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand.
Donald Favreau
U.S. Army 1966-1969 Vietnam
Enlisting in the Army, Don was assigned to Fort Knox and Fort Gordon where he would receive training in Military Justice, Code of Conduct, non-judicial punishment, Geneva convention, survival escape and evasion.
Initially ordered to Vietnam, Don was assigned to the 55th MP Company in Korea due to the unrest along the demilitarized zone. Don’s duty assignment was a patrol supervisor. Working with a Korean National Police Officer bridged the language gap.
Back home, at Fort Lee, Don assumed duties of Traffic Accident Division, reporting directly to the Provost Marshal.
Steven Fretwell
U.S. Air Force 1970-1990 Vietnam
Steve continued in his World War11 father’s military footsteps. He enlisted in the Air Force claiming they had the best food of all branches.
Steve was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base and then on to Denver for Tech School. Steve’s duty assignment was Material Storage and Distribution. He named it “Box Kicker”. With Steve’s sense of humor, no one wants him creating MOS titles!
Throughout his 20-year career, Steve traveled the globs spending time in Okinawa, Thailand, Guam, Japan, Iceland, Holland, and many Air Force Bases
Gary “Randy” Kambhampati Veteran Guardian for Steven Fretwell
U.S. Army 2000-2023 Iraq
Since the Revolutionary War, men and women in Randy’s family have served every branch. Enlisting in the Army, Randy completed basic training at Fort Jackson; on to Redstone for a 17-year duty assignment of ammunition and explosives.
Randy was deployed to Iraq serving in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th waves; returning to ARedstone with the 13th 108 Battalion. At the end of May, Randy retires after 23 years of service to our country; proud of his son Ish stationed at Quantico.
Doyle Frost
U.S. Air Force; U.S. Navy 1963-1969 Vietnam
U.S. Army Reserves 1975-2005
Doyle was born into a United Kingdom family of military service. His World War11 father was a radio operator on a B-24; his mother served as a Wren in the Royal British Navy.
On the USS Intrepid, Doyle’s Commanding Officer asked why he corresponded with a British Royal Navy Admiral; explanation ‘he’s my grandfather’.
After training at Lackland and Griffith Air Force Bases, Doyle joined the 380th Electrical Maintenance Squad, Plattsburgh Air Force Base loading guns and rockets for pilots.
In the Army Reserves Doyle served in Desert Storm.
Robert ‘Rory’ Boire Veteran Guardian for Doyle Frost
U.S. Marine Corps 1979-1983 Cold War
Air Force; Vermont Air National Guard 1984-2003
Rory, an Infantry Rifleman, with specialist training prepared for responsibility to capture, destroy, and deter enemy forces; assist in reconnaissance; mobilize troops with weapons supporting ground combat forces.
Leaving the Marines, Rory enlisted in the Air Force, joining the Vermont Air National Guard.
In 2003 Rory was one of thirteen Green Mountain Boys, Security Forces Delta Squadron, sent on a 100-day deployment to Qatar.
Gary Giles
U.S. Army 1969-1971 Vietnam
Gary was drafted, sent to Fort Dix for boot camp and AIT with infantry training teaching him first aid and how to get from Point A to Point B.
Arriving at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam Gary was told to watch out for two-step snakes, if bitten he’d die before taking two-steps.
With 10 months left in his commitment, Gary was sent to Fort Riley for tank operations. With 5-weeks left, he shipped out to Germany.
Like many of his fellow soldiers, Gary prefers not to speak of his experiences in Vietnam. The memories remain raw, and the wounds run deep.
Robert Johnson
U.S. Air Force 1974-1994 Vietnam
Bob’s Dad World War 11 POW in Germany, told his son: “don’t let the Army draft you”; “Never volunteer.” Bob enlisted in the Air Force as a KC-135 Boom Operator; he volunteered for every flight he could.
Serving 20 years, Bob’s duty assignment was in-flight refueling; rising from aircrew to instructor, and standardization flight examiner.
Bob was stationed at North Carolina, Kansas and Plattsburgh Air Force Bases; also, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Iceland.
During the Gulf War, Bob recalls bunking down at a fire department, 12 hours on, 12 hours off, as debris and shrapnel rained down.
John McVicar
U.S. Army 1950-1953 Korean
John was influenced by John Wayne’s strength of character in movies. John forged his signature to enlist; was caught; sent home returned at age 17.
Training at Fort Dix, John credits his tough drill sergeant for providing the skills to survive in combat.
John was ready to go to Korea; but 4 times his orders were cancelled. Sent to Germany; he wanted Korea. John wrote a letter to President Truman and his request was honored. John was injured twice and sent to a hospital in Japan.
John recalls hot, cold and lots of hits. For his service to our country, John received a Purple Heart; Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars; and several other commendations.
Gary Miller
U.S. Army 1971-1973 Vietnam
A recruiter went to Willsboro; Gary and 3 friends enlisted. The four trained at Fort Dix but would only cross paths once in Germany.
Gary received AIT training in recovery and evacuation and time on the firing range before going to Germany.
Gary spent 86 days in the field, one shower with water heated in a steel pot; they were expected to shave every day.
In a large mess hall Gary met a guy from Altona. They became lifetime friends. Gary and Richard Wray will travel together on today’s Honor Flight.
Francis Patnode
U.S. Air Force 1971-1975 Vietnam
With a number 13, there was no doubt Fran would be drafted; he enlisted in the Air Force.
A college graduate Fran’s draft status was reclassified. Not wanting to go to flight school, he didn’t go as an officer. Fran attended tech school at Lackland Air Force Base, going on to Griffith and Plattsburgh Air Force Bases.
Fran met and married his wife of 48 years in Plattsburgh. A former Master Sergeant Supervisor called from Italy offering him a position. Recently married Fran wisely declined the offer.
Fran’s duty assignment was Personnel Specialist; he prepared his own promotion and discharge.
James Varno
U.S. Marine Corps 1968-1970 Vietnam
While on base in Hawaii, Jim received orders to Vietnam. With his cousin, he headed to California for jungle training. His cousin broke his arm rescinding his orders. He wanted to break Jim’s arm, but Jim wasn’t having that.
Jim’s duty assignments were Combat Engineer and Carpenter. Jim went to Vietnam as a mine sweeper.
Reassigned as a truck driver did not reduce the worry of road mines. On a dirt road he ran into John Duquette from Morrisonville, who was on tank patrol.
Even in tough times, it’s a small world!
Richard Wray
U.S. Army 1971-1974 Vietnam
Army Reserves
Completing basic training at Fort Dix, Richard went to Fort Riley for AIT training as a field lineman. He quickly realized being 35-feet in the air on a pole was not for him. After TDY at Fort Benning, Richard returned to Fort Riley for radio repair school while spending much of his time on guard duty and KP.
At Fort Riley, Richard met up with Gary Miller. It’s been highly rumored they had very interesting adventures so lots of stories may be told as these friends travel on today’s Honor Flight.
Serving 23 years in the Army Reserves, Richard activated for Desert Storm and went to Korea and Germany.
Posted: May 19th, 2023 under General News.