Fred V. Cherry

Fred Cherry was commissioned an Air Force Second Lieutenantand awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, on October 25, 1952. After completing F-84 Thunderjet Combat Crew Training, Lieutenant Cherry served with the 310th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Teagu AB, South Korea, followed by service with the 407th Strategic Fighter Squadron. Captain Cherry served with the 515th Strategic Fighter Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and then as a ferry pilot with the 1737th Ferry Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware. His next assignment was with the 458th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. During this time he deployed with the unit to Ramstein AB, West Germany. Captain Cherry then served as a gunnery instructor pilot with the 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Luke AFB, Arizona, followed by service as an F-100 Super Sabre and F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Itazuke AB and Yokota AB, Japan until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam while deployed on temporary duty to Southeast Asia on October 22, 1965.