Fred E. Perra, III — “Fearless Fred”

“Fred (Fearless Fred) Perra was known as the terror of the volleyball court and the ace spiker of the front line.

Undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic students in the history of UPT, Fred is probably the only living student to have survived the T-37 program with 28 IP changes. Fearless Fred, the Air Force’s answer to John Wayne, was best known during the tween phase for his harmonious working relationship with Capt Brian D. Moats.

…The future may well find Fred anywhere in the world, striving ever onward, soaring to unimagined heights in his sleek gigantic, multi-engined Air Force aerospace vehicle.

71-01 Yearbook, page 51.

Roger D. Hartman — “Fat Rog”

“Roger ‘Fat Rog’ Hartman, later to become known as ‘Fat Daddy,’ came into 01 section B ready to battle his way through spins, burner climbs, and emergency straight-ins. Immediately, his battle was postponed due to diversionary tactics accomplished against him by such organizations as C.E. and a national magazine publishing company. Having put down these threats, he danced through the T-41 phase…

…After graduation, Rog will have a flatter foot (from stomping P. ants) and a set of wings that will eventually enable him to fly out of Tel Aviv Int’l.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 30.

Martin L. Page — “Shovel”

“Marty Page had little trouble acquiring the nickname ‘Shovel’ in the early days of pilot training. That term was derived from a certain propensity of his to shovel it onto everyone else (‘it’ being a familiar but best unnamed entity with which all UPT studs are most intimately acquainted). Few, if any, have managed to escape the barb of the Shovel.

…Shovel was a salient feature on the flight line but he was a rare sight after hours…But who can knock a guy for liking his wife? Everyone liked Gayla just as everyone liked the guy who always gave his classmates a hand when they needed it most. Thanks Shovel.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 50.

William B. Grubbs — “Buzzard”

“On one of his early check rides in T-37s, Buzz dazzled himself with the slick manner in which he pulled off the flight. Such excellence, he thought. In the debriefing when he protested the U for mission planning with the contention that he never punched out of his area, his check pilot answered, ‘That’s true, but you were in the wrong area.’

Let us now set the record straight. Buzz is a man of judgement, and not even multiple encounters with a heady brew will affect his level head…”

71-01 Yearbook, page 26.

Raymond D. White — “Ray”

“Ray, known to some as ‘El Cid’ is normally a reserved calm soft-spoken person. At least most people get this impression. Once in a while, however, his true self comes to life, like during a friendly night of socializing at the club or the ‘Ghetto Lounge,’ or while he mercilessly tortures his poor helpless cat. This cat has been of great use to Ray throughout the entire program…

…All that can be said here is ‘Best of luck,’ to Ray, Olivia, and their offspring-to-be.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 61.

James J. Orgeron — “Orge”

“Arriving at Columbus AFB from ‘Slack Slidell,’ La., Lt. Orgeron, or ‘The Orge’ as he is more commonly known (No one could learn to pronounce his name) immediately proceeded to drink his way through UPT…

A change was soon to come. After a string of multiple pinks in 38s, Jim decided to become a straight arrow… On the third day, he took off on a routine solo flight. Not being in his usual inebriated state, he saw no reason to raise the gear and flaps. At 280 he noticed the plane did not fly like it used to. He then remembered to retract the gear and flaps and came back and landed. He wrote up his error in the 781 and was promptly pinked for his honesty!”

71-01 Yearbook, page 49.

David H. Hartmann — “Fat Boy”

“Dave is one of 71-01’s most ‘easy going’ members, one who was able to make it through the year without complaining all the way. His steadying effect was felt by the class and he certainly did his best to make 71-01 the ‘First of the Finest.‘ One of Dave’s outstanding assets is his wife, Carol, who helped our class in many ways.

Dave was the first member of 71-01 to take advantage of Saturday medical services at the Columbus Base Hospital to correct a minor stomach ailment and headache, apparently the result of something he ‘ate’ at the first ‘Hairy Buffalo Party’ given at the BOQ…

We all enjoyed knowing both Dave and Carol this year and look forward to many years of continued friendship.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 31.

Raymond Keating — “Automatic”

“Ray will be remembered as the man who barely got to classes on time, and then spent most of class time standing in the back to stay awake. On the flight line, Automatic will be remembered as ‘Mr. Dispatcher’ for his unceasing accuracy in filling out 900’s.

…As an individual and a motivated flyer, we wish him all the best in the real Air Force (if there is really such a thing).”

71-01 Yearbook, page 39.

Arthur E. Urschel — “Stick”

“Art ‘Stick’ Urschel’s most profound contribution to the UPT program was in the field of academics. Risking much personal hazard and great animosity from certain academic instructors, Stick persevered and had the honor of being one of the original in the renowned ‘hazy row.’ This group consisted of a few select hand-picked specialists whose duty it was to sit at the back of the class and answer ‘Huh?’ to any question that came their way…

To Stick and his soon-to-be wife Barbara, the best of luck and lots of fun in Cambodia.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 58.

Blaine Totty — “Tenant Totty”

“Blaine (hereafter known as ‘Tenant Totty’) was always a promising student at Columbus. He breezed through the T-41s without incident and moved on to better and noisier things. In T-37s, Blaine gained fame as the first solo student to be caught closing the canopy while taxiing and as the solo student who risked life and tweet to salute the crew chief as he pulled out of the chocks…

Blaine will be remembered as one of the truly nice guys of 71-01 and will undoubtedly be a great success in whatever he undertakes. Good luck, ‘Tenant Totty.'”

71-01 Yearbook, page 57.