to the commander of Air Force Recruiting Service. For six years, he traveled across the United States, speaking to approximately 1,100 audiences in support of Air Force recruiting efforts. He also flew more than 100 air show performances in the T-38 Talon. He retired in January 1999, after flying in his last air show at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado working as a motivational speaker, and periodically flies demilitarized civilian F-104 Starfighters on the American air show circuit for "Starfighters International" based in Florida. His wife Marianna was an immigrant from the Socialist Republic of Romania. In 2015, along with other American Aces, he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. Awards and decorations Air Force Cross Citation: References Further reading Ethell, Jeffrey, and Price, Alfred. (1989) One Day in a Very Long War: May 10, 1972, Air Combat, North Vietnam. Random House. Sherwood, John D. (1999) Fast Movers: Jet Pilots and the Vietnam Experience. St. Martins Press. Michel, Marshall L. (2004). Clashes: Air Combat Over North Vietnam 1965–1972, Naval Institute Press, Nordeen, Lon, Jr. (1986) Air Warfare in the Missile Age, Smithsonian Institution. Futrell, L. Frank, et al. (1976) United States Air Force in Southeast Asia: Aces and Aerial Victories – 1965–1973, Air University, Headquarters USAF, on-line edition USAF Fighter Weapons School, Project Red Baron III. (1974) Air-to-Air Encounters in Southeast Asia, Volume II, Part I. External links 1942 births American Vietnam War flying aces American Vietnam War pilots Aviators from North Carolina The Heritage Foundation Living people People from Reidsville, North Carolina Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United States) Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Air Medal Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) United States Air Force Academy alumni United States Air Force generals Recipients of the Jabara Award