Donald G. Waltman

Donald Waltman attended the University of Idaho, and entered the Idaho Air National Guard on August 2, 1954, receiving his commission as a second lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program on March 14, 1955. Lieutenant Waltman remained in the Idaho ANG on active duty as an Adjutant until going on active duty in the U.S. Air Force on August 29, 1955. He served as an Adjutant with the 84th Material Squadron at Geiger Field, Washington, from August 1955 to May 1957, followed by pilot training from May 1957 until he was awarded his pilot wings at Laredo AFB, Texas, in June 1958. Lieutenant Waltman attended All-Weather Interceptor training at Moody AFB, Georgia, from June to November 1958, and then Advanced Survival School at Stead AFB, Nevada, from November to December 1958. His next assignment was as an F-86D Sabre pilot with the 324th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Sidi Slimane AB, Morocco, from January 1959 to March 1960, and then with the 7221st Air Base Squadron at Sidi Slimane from March to April 1960. Captain Waltman served as an F-102 Delta Dagger pilot with the 525th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Bitburg AB, West Germany, from April 1960 to July 1962, followed by service as an F-102 pilot with the 460th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Portland International Airport, Oregon, from July 1962 to March 1966. His next assignment was with the 4625th Support Squadron at Portland International Airport from March to September 1966, and during this time he completed F-105 Thunderchief Combat Crew Training. Captain Waltman deployed to Southeast Asia in September 1966, and served as an F-105 pilot with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from September 7, 1966, until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on September 19, 1966.