Arthur George Elser

Arthur G. "Art" Elser
COMBAT PILOT, EDUCATOR, AND WRITER
Art Elser’s journey with the United States Air Force began as a member of the Academy’s "First Class." A native of New York, Art made his mark early as a standout athlete, competing on the USAFA Fencing team for all four years and serving as Team Captain for three.

FROM STRATEGIC TANKERS TO THE "BAD SPAD"
After graduation and pilot training, Art joined the 42nd Air Refueling Squadron at Loring Air Force Base. Flying the KC-135A Stratotanker, he provided critical support to "BUFFs" (B-52 bombers) during the height of the Cold War, including the tense days of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

In 1967, Art transitioned from the heavy jets of the Strategic Air Command to the rugged, low-level world of the Forward Air Controller (FAC) in South Vietnam. Flying his O-1E Bird Dog (affectionately known as the "Bad Spad") with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron out of Da Nang, Art became the eyes of the sky for Special Forces teams on the ground.

GALLANTRY IN THE SKIES OVER VIETNAM

Art’s service in Vietnam was defined by a selfless "life-over-self" philosophy. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on November 22, 1967. During a night interdiction mission, Art discovered an enemy anti-aircraft site. In a daring move to protect the strike fighters, he intentionally turned on his aircraft lights to draw the enemy’s fire toward himself, allowing the fighters to silence the guns and destroy an enemy convoy without loss to friendly forces.

In May 1968, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism in supporting a pinned-down Special Forces patrol. Despite heavy fire, Art coordinated artillery, marked targets, and performed low-level ammunition drops to the beleaguered "grunts" below, ensuring their survival.

SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION

Between and after his combat tours, Art dedicated himself to the intellectual development of future officers. With an MA and PhD in English, he served multiple tours as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, and eventually Associate Professor/Deputy Head of the USAFA English Department. He often remarked that his final mission—starting cadets on their journeys—was as vital as any he flew in theater.

A LEGACY OF TECHNICAL AND CREATIVE EXCELLENCE

Art retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) after 24 years of service. He transitioned into the burgeoning tech industry in Colorado, serving as a Senior Technical Writer and Learning Products Specialist for Digital Equipment Corp, Hewlett Packard, and Qwest IT. Today, Art continues to use his voice through poetry, documenting the "nightmares, daymares, and memories" of the Vietnam era, ensuring that the human cost of war is never forgotten.