USAF Lt Col

[Worldwar_Collector]

Haven’t posted in a long time so I figured I would jump back into the forum with one of my more well documented groupings.  I usually stay away from collecting the Korean War and Vietnam War as I’m not as educated on these topics as I am WWI and WWII  but I couldn’t ignore how amazing this grouping was.

Enjoy,

Jared

 

 

Lt Col Darrell “Flip” Pilipovich was born on December 24th, 1930.  Pilipovich joined the Air Force in 1952 as a Lieutenant.  A command pilot, he flew F-84 and F-100 super sabers late in the Korean War and F-4s in the Vietnam War.  He was chief of the Tactical Unit Operations Center in Vietnam.  From October 1968 to December 1970, Lt Col Pilipovich oversaw missile engineering and flight tests in the Minuteman program.  As a squadron commander from 1970 to 1973, he taught younger pilots at George Air Force Base in California.  From 1974 to 1976, he worked in the testing of Laser Guided Weapons in Close Air Support.  Before retiring in 1980, he spent four years as chief of range safety at Patrick Air Force Base.  From 1980 until his second retirement in September 1989, Lt Col Pilipovich was manager of pad safety for Pan American World Services at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

 

He was the recipient of numerous awards including the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

 

Pilipovich earned his first Air Medal for flight from 12 October 1967 to 8 November 1967.  His first oak leaf for the Air Medal was awarded for flight on 8 December 1967 with his second oak leaf being awarded for flight nine days later on 17 December 1967. 

 

His third oak leaf was awarded for flight on 7 April 1968.

The citation states…

 

Major Darrell Pilipovich distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot in Southeast Asia on 7 April 1968.  On that date, Major Pilipovich was scrambled from the Bien How Air Base alert facility to provide close air support for a United States Army battalion which was in fierce combat with a hostile regimental-sized force.  Although targeting was especially hazardous due to poor weather and the close proximity of the friendly forces, Major Pilipovich made repeated low-altitude, low-angle deliveries, placing his ordnance precisely on target.  His aggressiveness and aerial skill resulted in a routing of the hostile force and the saving of many friendly soldiers.  The professional skill and airmanship displayed by Major Pilipovich reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

 

Major Pilipovich earned the Distinguished Flying Cross 8 May 1968.

The citation is as follows…

 

Major Darrell Pilipovich distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a F-100 pilot near Saigon and Can Tho, Republic of Vietnam on 8 May 1968.  On that date, Major Pilipovich was scrambled from the Bien How Air Base alert facility on two separate missions to support friendly forces engaged in heavy contact with hostile forces.  Operating throughout the day under low overcast, poor visibility, and within an envelope of intense ground fire, Major Pilipovich inflicted severe losses to hostile personnel and material, and saved many lives of the friendly forces.  On each mission he made numerous low-altitude, low-angle passes, delivering his ordnance with unerring accuracy while disregarding the intense ground fire directed at his aircraft.  The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Pilipovich reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

 

Lt Col Darrell “Flip” Pilipovich would pass away in January of 1990 after serving our Nation for over 30 years.

 

 

[Worldwar_Collector]

His Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

[manayunkman]

Impressive group 

[Randy]

Just to help you out a bit, the F-100 was not flown in the Korean War but was a workhorse in Vietnam. The insignia on his helmet shows him to be a member of the 90th Tac Fighter Sq., and the aircraft is an F-100D. The Mach Buster pin was awarded by the maker of the F-100, North American Aviation, after breaking the speed of sound in the F-100. It was the first operational fighter to be able to do this while flying level. The F-4 Mach 2 pin was awarded for a similar feat by McDonnell Douglas. Very nice grouping there!

 

Randy

[Worldwar_Collector]

4 hours ago, manayunkman said:

Impressive group 

Thank you! 

4 hours ago, Randy said:

Just to help you out a bit, the F-100 was not flown in the Korean War but was a workhorse in Vietnam. The insignia on his helmet shows him to be a member of the 90th Tac Fighter Sq., and the aircraft is an F-100D. The Mach Buster pin was awarded by the maker of the F-100, North American Aviation, after breaking the speed of sound in the F-100. It was the first operational fighter to be able to do this while flying level. The F-4 Mach 2 pin was awarded for a similar feat by McDonnell Douglas. Very nice grouping there!

 

Randy

Thank you for the information! Like I said at the top I'm not too knowledgable with the two wars so I was going off a summary I have of his life and that is what said what planes he flew and when.  I'll have to do some research on the 90th Tac Fighter Sq. and see if I can find anything else with him tied to it! 

[Randy]

Here's their VN era patch.

 

Randy

[Worldwar_Collector]

16 hours ago, Randy said:

Here's their VN era patch.

 

Randy

 

 

Thanks for the image...I'll have to try and find one to display with the group!

[Randy]

Just ensure it's a Japan made one. There are later Philippine made ones that would not be correct to his era.

 

Randy

[Worldwar_Collector]

21 minutes ago, Randy said:

Just ensure it's a Japan made one. There are later Philippine made ones that would not be correct to his era.

 

Randy

 

Will do.  Thanks again!

-Jared