Col. Beisner

“Col. Beisner”

Col. Beisner assigned to Tac; ends tird tour with the 15^th T.F.W.

Langley’s gain is Macdills, thought the Air Force continues to win.

Col. Gerald J. Beisner, 15^th Tactical Fighter wing director of operations, will depart Macdill next week for his new assignment in the Tactical Air Command office office of Safety at Langley AFB Virginia.

In the two years that Col. Beisner has graced the Macdill scene, the likable and affable man has earned the respect of all those he has encountered.

Establishing a reputation of genuine concern and fairness toward others, the veteran fighter pilot’s departure is welcomed by few, altho accepted, in the light of the Nomadic tendencies of military life.

Keeping these tendencies in mind, it becomes a shock to no one then, that when the Salina KS boy, Native reports to Langley in July, he will have completed his third assignment with the 15^th TFW.

His first association with the wing accord 24 yrs ago when he flew two World War II mainstay aircraft, the durable P-47 Thunderbolt and the sprightly and lethal P-51 mustang, while the wing was located at Wheeler Field, Oahu, then the territory of Hawaii.

Col. Beisner, perhaps feeling a bit nostalgic, commented on the lasting friendships and wonderful people who make up the 15^th now as in 1946.

He confided “Shoe color, people and aircraft have changed, but the spirit which is at the heart of any topnotch organization has remained unchanged.

It has been a rewarding pleasure to be a part of the 15^th history and accomplishments, and I wish continued success to great people of the organization.”

The Col inlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 for the purpose of entering pilot training as an aviation Cadet. He received his commission through the aviation Cadet program in 1944.

Since that time, Col. Beisner has spent virtually his entire career completing an impressive background in fighter operations. He has flown over 4,900 hrs. Almost completely in fighter aircraft, including the P-40, P-51, F-80, F-86, F-100, and finally the F-4-E at MacDill.

During the Korean conflict Col Beisner flew the F-51 mustang on 107 combat missions with the 35^th Fighter Bomber group. He was a warded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while there.

Col. Beisner then alternated stateside and European assignments for several years. He was stationed at Canon AFB, N.M twice and spent 2 different tours at Hahn AB, Germany. Col. Beisner also served as commander of the 355^th Day fighter Sqdn at Myrtle Beach AFB, SC.

Subsequently to his second assignment in Germany, he returned briefly to Canon AFB as director of Safety, 832^nd Air Division, TAC.

Col Beisner was then selected to become the chief of Safety of the newly formed 836^th A Div. at MacDill. Later Col Beisner was checked out in the new Phantom II F-4-C and received command of the 558^th TFS of the 12^th TFW from MacDill on a three-day flight to Cam Rank Bay, Vietnam, thus becoming the second F-4 Squdn to be assigned to support the Vietnam War.

While at Cam Rank Bay, Col Beisner flew 202 combat missions in the Phantom II, of which 35 were over North Vietnam. For his dedication in Combat, Col. Beisner has received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with  thirteen Oak Leaf Clusters and the Bronze Star. He also hold the Combat Readiness Medal, and other Service Awards.

Upon completion of his Vietnam tour, Col. Beisner was assigned to Davis – Monthan AFB Ariz. In Jan 1967, where he assumed command of the 4456^th Combat Crew Training Squdn which trained replacements F-4 crews for south east Asia. He then served as assistant director of operations at Davis-Monthan before his assignment as director of operations for the 15^th TFW in June 1968.

NOTE: This is believed to have been copied from a newspaper article. This was handwritten by Mabel Matheson Wineland. Not sure why she copied this – but she was from KS.