Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter! Aircraft Search Squadron Search Signature Search Artist Search SPECIAL OFFERS Product Search
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF ALL GERALD COULSON PRINTS BY TITLE

Alton C Whitley

Col Alton C Whitley Jr USAF Colonel Alton C. Whitley was born November 27, 1945 in Concord, North Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University in 1968 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and recognized as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program. After pilot training, AI's first assignment was at Luke AFB in Arizona for training on the F-100 Super Sabre. In 1970 he was transferred to Vietnam where he flew a total of 143 combat missions with the 53 1 Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base and the 3 091h Tactical Fighter Squadron operating out of Tuy Hoa Air Base. Following his combat tour Whitley returned to the states and was assigned to the 74 h TFS in Louisiana. In late 1972 he trained on the A~713 Corsair, and in 1973 he returned to Vietnam, flying an additional 90 combat missions with the 3 rd TFS in Thailand. In 1975 Whitley earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1980 Whitley received the Risner Trophy recognizing him as the Outstanding Fighter Pilot in the USAF for that year. From January 1981 until mid-1985 AI was assigned to the 4450 Tactical Group at Nellis AFB, flying the F- 1 17A and A-7 aircraft. He served as group staff officer, operations officer, and squadron commander while assigned to the 445th . He had the honor of being the first operational pilot in the Tactical Air Command to pilot the F-1 17A. After completing the National War College in 1986, he was assigned to the Pentagon for a short time before taking command of Red Flag at Nellis AFB. While commanding Red Flag, Whifley graduated from Adversary Tactics Course and flew the F5-E Aggressor with the 65 h Aggressor Squadron. In his next assignment Whitley flew the A-10 while acting as vice commander of the 57 h Fighter Weapons Wing. In July of 1989 AI was reassigned to the Headquarters Tactical Air Command as Director of Fighter Training and Tactics. In August 1990 Col. Whitley assumed command of the 37th TFW. This unit flew the critical F-1 17A missions during Operation Desert Storm. Whitley personally flew 19 combat missions during the conflict. Col. Whitley retired from active duty in June of 1994 following twenty-six years of service. A command pilot with more than 5,500 flying hours, Whitley has received many decorations and awards including the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with fourteen oak leaf clusters, the Aerial Achievement Award, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Medal with two bronze stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. AI currently resides in South Carolina with his wife Ann. The Whitley's have two children, and AI remains busy as the Director of the Air Force Junior ROTC program, and as an Aerospace Science Instructor with the 941st Unit of Air Force Junior ROTC at D.W. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina.

Items Signed by Col Alton C Whitley Jr USAF

	Second Wave to Baghdad by Stan Stokes. (B) Price : £100.00	The F-117A was developed by the Lockheed Advanced Development Projects team, better known as the Skunk Works. This was a top secret program, and the aircraft flew for several years before its existence was known to the public. Early work on the proj......
	Second Wave to Baghdad by Stan Stokes. (D) Price : £85.00	The F-117A was developed by the Lockheed Advanced Development Projects team, better known as the Skunk Works. This was a top secret program, and the aircraft flew for several years before its existence was known to the public. Early work on the proj......

Packs with at least one item featuring the signature of Col Alton C Whitley Jr USAF

Col Alton C Whitley Jr USAF