31 Facts About Vermont Garrison

Vermont Garrison was a career officer in the United States Air Force, and a flying ace credited with 17.33 victories in aerial combat.

Vermont Garrison was one of only seven Americans to achieve ace status during World War II, then again against jet fighter opposition during the Korean War.

In 1966, Garrison participated in his third war, as vice commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, and flew a full tour of bombing and fighter missions over North Vietnam.

Vermont Garrison was born on a farm near the tiny hamlet of Mt.

Vermont Garrison graduated from Pulaski County Public Schools in 1933, then went on to two years at Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, and earned a teaching certificate after a term at Sue Bennett Junior College in nearby London.

Vermont Garrison taught elementary school in one-room schools between 1936 and 1941.

Vermont Garrison died of a heart attack on February 14,1994, in Mountain Home.

On March 17,1941, Vermont Garrison enlisted in the United States Army and became an aviation cadet in Class 41-C at Muskogee, Oklahoma, but washed out of advanced flight training at Brooks Field, Texas, in October.

Vermont Garrison promptly enlisted in the Royal Air Force at Dallas, Texas and completed flight training at El Centro, California.

On July 13,1943, Vermont Garrison transferred from the RAF to the United States Army Air Forces, receiving a commission as a first lieutenant.

Vermont Garrison recorded his first combat victory returning from a bomber withdrawal support mission to Bremen on December 16,1943.

Vermont Garrison was part of a flight of nine P-51s of the 4th engaging more than 60 Luftwaffe fighters attacking bombers at 24,000 feet near Wittenberg.

Vermont Garrison remained with the 336th FS until it was inactivated in September 1945, then transferred to the 406th Fighter Group on occupation duty in Germany.

Vermont Garrison rejoined the 4th Fighter Group at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, in April 1947, was promoted to captain, and became part of the US Air Force when it became an independent service on September 18.

Vermont Garrison organized and led a jet aerial demonstration team for the 4th FW, flying P-80 Shooting Stars, and participated in the first official delivery of air mail by jet to celebrate the 30th anniversary of air mail on May 15,1948.

Vermont Garrison's noted gunnery skills and prior instructor experience resulted in his transfer in May 1950 to Las Vegas, now Nellis Air Force Base, where the USAF converted its flying training establishment into the USAF Aircraft Gunnery School.

At the outbreak of the Korean War, while many experienced fighter pilots deployed to combat, Vermont Garrison continued in his combat crew training role at Nellis.

Vermont Garrison was promoted to major in 1951 and took command of the 3596th CCTS.

In January 1953, Vermont Garrison took command of the 335th FIS.

Vermont Garrison was promoted to lieutenant colonel on June 25,1953, and scored his final MiG victory on July 19, eight days before the armistice.

Vermont Garrison finished his tour on Korea on October 28,1953.

Vermont Garrison attended the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare Senior Officers Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico from September 1957 to June 1958, then served a tour at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon.

Shortly after, Vermont Garrison moved up to vice commander, and on January 5,1966, advanced to his first wing command.

Vermont Garrison remained in command of the 405th until August 4,1966, when he was succeeded by Colonel Chuck Yeager.

From Clark AB, Vermont Garrison was assigned as vice commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in August 1966.

Vermont Garrison flew the F-4C Phantom II on 97 missions over North Vietnam and Laos, although Olds noted that Vermont Garrison never formally "checked out" in the type, as a result of which he always flew with an instructor pilot in the rear seat.

Vermont Garrison got furious with me because I wouldn't let him get up there among the MiGs.

Vermont Garrison finished his tour on June 5,1967, turning over his vice commander's slot to James.

None of Vermont Garrison's assigned aircraft was named or featured nose art.

On that date, while leading a flight of four F-86 aircraft near the Yalu River, Colonel Vermont Garrison sighted a formation of ten MIG-15s far below.

Diving down, Colonel Vermont Garrison pressed dangerously close behind the lead MIG in order that the remainder of his formation could assume attacking positions.