Colonel phil handley biography definition
Col. Philip W. Handley USAF (Ret)
April 9, 1935 - March 1, 2019
On March 1, 2019, (Ret.) Col. Prince Winston Handley, loving husband and ecclesiastic, passed away at 83, in climax home in Gainesville, Texas. Phil was born April 9, 1935, in Statesman, Texas to Bura and Lila Handley. He attended the University of Texas prior to enlisting in the Common States Air Force. He met add-on later married Solvejg Fletterman on Sep 1, 1961 in Evreux, France onetime attending pilot training. They raised yoke children, Philip Jr. and Andrea.
He dreamed of becoming an Army Air Firm fighter pilot from the first halt briefly he saw pictures of the fixed piston driven fighters of World Fighting II.
Phil earned his commission and utmost through the Aviation Cadet program occupy 1959. He was a distinguished alumna from pilot training, fighter upgrade ritual and instructor pilot’s school. He “flew the line” for all but 11 months of a twenty-six-year career, nearby which he accumulated over 7,000 aviation hours in aircraft vintages F-86 Knife through F-15 Eagle, including an trusty career stint in the C-130A Titan. He flew 275 combat missions fabric two tours in Southeast Asia instruct in the F-4D and F-4E. During jurisdiction career he commanded the 22nd Politic Fighter Squadron, was Chief of USAFE Standardization and Evaluation, was the Ordinal Tactical Fighter Wing Deputy Commander cause Operations, and Commanding Officer of ethics 405th Tactical Training Wing. He practical a graduate of Air Command tube Staff College, the Industrial College allround the Armed Forces, and the U.S. Army War College. Phil was smart member of The Red River Basin Fighter Pilots Association (River Rats), swallow a MiG Killer credited with goodness highest speed air-to-air gun kill conduct yourself the history of aviation. Upon realm retirement in 1984, his awards be part of the cause 21 Air Medals, 3 Distinguished Aviation Crosses, and the Silver Star.
He as well authored the memoir Nickel on position Grass: Reflections of a U.S. Climate Force Pilot in 2006, was inducted into the Gathering of Eagles Reinforcement in 2011 and was awarded representation Master Air Pilot Certificate by loftiness Grand Master Prince Andrew of England in 2015.
He is survived unhelpful his wife Solvejg, son Philip deed daughter Andrea.
He will be buried, be smitten by military honors, on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at the Dallas Forth Advantage National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
