Having grown up around Soeterberg AB the Netherlands. I was very happy to receive this great complete and worn set with actual Eagle time from Brigadier General Donald R. Delauter while flying as Commander of the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron Wolfhounds (Nov 1979-August 1981). And one of the first 32 DANG (Dutch Air National Guard) patches, and the old Heineken label design, to me as a collector this is a priceless set and will get a great place and display within the collection.
A little background on General Delauter was born in Myersville, Md., in 1933, and graduated from Middletown High School in 1951. He earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1955 a master of business administration degree from Ohio State University,
Columbus, in 1968; and a master of education degree from Boston University at Stuttgart, West Germany, in 1977.The general graduated from the Naval War College in 1975.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Maryland in June 1955, and entered active duty in March 1956.He completed primary pilot training at Kinston Air Base, N.C., and basic pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, where he was awarded his wings in May 1957.
After completing combat crew training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the general was assigned as an F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Etain Air Base, France, where he was a member of the famed 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the Black Sheep.A year later he transferred with the unit to Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany.
In late 1960 General Delauter returned to Luke Air Force Base, where he served as an F-100 instructor pilot.He completed airborne parachute training at Fort Benning, Ga., in May 1964 and was assigned as a forward air controller with the Army’s 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
In September 1966 the general entered Ohio State University through the Air Force Institute of Technology program.He returned to the cockpit in 1968 and, afterrequalifying in F-100s, was assigned to the 614thTactical Fighter Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base,Republic of Vietnam.Returning from Southeast Asia in August 1969,General Delauter was reassigned to Luke Air Force Base as chief of the F-100 academic program and flew as an instructor pilot with the 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron.
In February 1971 he transferred to Langley Air Force Base, Va., and served on Tactical Air Command’s inspector general staff as chief of the Operations and Scheduling Branch. He later served in the command’s Plans Deputate, Programs Directorate.He entered the Naval War College in August 1974, graduating with highest distinction in August 1975.The general was then assigned to the Plans Division, Plans and Policy Directorate, Headquarters U.S.European Command, Stuttgart, West Germany.
n April 1978 he became vice commander of the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Camp NewAmsterdam, Netherlands, as that unit began conversion from F-4 Phantoms to F-15 Eagles.He assumed command of the squadron in November 1979 and also served as United States country representative there.General Delauter moved to 4th Allied Tactical Air Force headquarters at Heidelberg, West Germany, in August 1981 and served as assistant chief of staff for the Offensive Operations Division until November 1982.
He then became the 4th Allied Tactical Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for support.In October 1983 General Delauter become commander of the 23rd North American Aerospace DefenseCommand Region and Tactical Air Command Division at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.He assumed his present position in April 1986.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours, including 275 combat missions over Vietnam.His military decorations and awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross,Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Air Force \Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with “V” device and five oak leaf clusters.
