Walter (Mike) C. Givens

MAJOR WALTER "MIKE" CLARENCE GIVENS
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-03

Walter Clarence Givens, known to his friends and classmates as "Mike," was born on June 10, 1937, in the rugged mountains of western Virginia. The son of Charles French Givens and Dorothy Hall Givens, Mike grew up on the family farm in Pearisburg. A standout student-athlete, he graduated from Pearisburg High School in 1955.

When the call went out for the first-ever class of the United States Air Force Academy, Mike answered. He arrived in July 1955 as part of the "First Class," shaking off the Virginia farm dust to become a pioneer at the fledgling Academy. Described in the 1959 Polaris as a "redheaded pool of energy," Mike was known for his tenacity. He successfully balanced the rigors of the "system" and a demanding academic load with his passion for sports—most notably as a pitcher for the Air Force Academy baseball team.

MILITARY SERVICE AND SPECIALTIES
Following graduation on June 3, 1959, Mike entered pilot training at Bainbridge Air Base and Craig Air Force Base. He earned his wings in 1960, beginning a distinguished 25-year career characterized by versatile piloting and steady leadership.

His early assignments took him to James Connally AFB in Texas and Lowry AFB in Colorado. However, the defining chapter of his early career was his service in Southeast Asia. From 1963 to 1964, Mike served as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam. Flying the O-1 Bird Dog, he operated in high-stakes environments, earning six Air Medals for his courage and precision in supporting ground forces.

Mike was a "pilot's pilot," qualified in a vast array of airframes including the T-29, T-33, T-37, T-41, C-47, and O-1. Later in his career, he transitioned into critical evaluation and security roles, serving as the Chief Flight Examiner at Ent AFB and eventually the Chief of Security Police at Tinker AFB. He retired in 1980 at the rank of Major.

A SECOND CAREER IN SERVICE
After hanging up his flight suit, Mike transitioned into the world of real estate in Oklahoma. For over 40 years (1980–2021), he served the Midwest City and Del City communities as an agent, broker, and owner of Team Realtors. His commitment to integrity earned him "Life Member" status in both the local and Oklahoma Association of Realtors.

FAMILY AND LEGACY
While Mike took great pride in his military and professional achievements, his greatest devotion was to his wife, Katy, and their family. The couple spent over 50 years together, spending their summers traveling the United States to visit friends and kin. Mike was the family’s unofficial historian, known for his detailed travel reports and his annual Christmas letters that chronicled the lives of his children and grandchildren.

In his final years, Mike’s character was most evident in his tireless care for Katy. When she required assisted living due to dementia, Mike moved into the facility with her, refusing to let her spend a single day alone. It is truly a profound testament to his character. In an era where "duty" is often discussed in terms of military service, Mike redefined it through his personal life. His decision to move into assisted living simply to remain by Katy’s side is perhaps the ultimate reflection of the "Integrity First" and "Service Before Self" values he learned as a cadet in 1955.

That level of devotion—transitioning from a decorated combat pilot to a gentle, full-time caregiver—speaks to a very rare kind of strength. It shows that while he spent decades mastering the skies and complex machinery, his heart remained grounded in the people he loved.

A lifelong athlete who jogged three miles a day until age 84, Mike passed away on May 8, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of "integrity, courage, loyalty, and patriotism."

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SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
Years Duty / Assignment Location
1955–1959 Cadet, USAFA (CS-03) Lowry AFB / USAF Academy, CO
1959–1960 Pilot Training Bainbridge AB, GA / Craig AFB, AL
1960–1963 Pilot, Flight Operations James Connally AFB, TX
1963–1964 FAC, 19th Tactical Air Support Sq. Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam
1964–1966 Instructor Pilot, Flight Operations Lowry AFB, CO
1966–1971 Chief Flight Examiner, Stdn Eval Ent AFB (4600 Op Squadron), CO
1968 TAC TASS (Temporary Duty) Osan Air Base, South Korea
1971–1972 Chief Stdn Eval, 6314 Air Cr Eval Osan Air Base, South Korea
1974–1980 Chief Security Police / Chief of Airfield Tinker AFB, OK

MILITARY MEDALS & AWARDS
• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal (with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters & 1 Silver)
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor)
• National Defense Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal (with Bronze Star)
• Korean Defense Service Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal