Richard Albert Mason

Richard Albert "Dick" Mason
Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired)

THE MAKING OF A "FIRST 59ER"

Before he ever stepped onto the temporary Academy grounds at Lowry Air Force Base, Richard "Dick" Mason was already honing his discipline at the University of Missouri. After two years as a "Tiger," he joined the pioneer Class of 1959, bringing with him a reputation for being remarkably sincere and a cadet who was "always willing to try anything once."

Dick’s grit was forged long before the Academy. He grew up attending a one-room country schoolhouse in Missouri, a 1.6-mile walk from his farm home that he made in every type of weather. In a class of only 17 students across eight grades, taught by a single teacher in a building with no running water, he learned the value of hard work. He recalls a time when many of his classmates wore clothes made from printed animal feed sacks—a humble beginning that he now views with immense pride. He credits much of his early success to his mother, a dedicated elementary school teacher with a master’s degree, and his Primary Pilot Training instructor, Mr. Roger Stevens—a "classic Brit" and former RAF Spitfire pilot whose brilliance left a lasting mark on Mason’s piloting career.

THE RECORD-BREAKER: FROM HOMESTEAD TO TURKEY

Upon graduation, Mason’s performance in the cockpit was immediate. He was a "double-distinguished" graduate, finishing first in his class at Primary Pilot Training (Graham AB) and as a Distinguished Graduate at Basic Pilot Training (Webb AFB).

By 1964, Captain Mason was a veteran F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Homestead AFB. In a staggering display of endurance and precision, he set a non-stop distance record for a single-engine, single-seat jet fighter. He flew his F-100D from Florida to Cigli Air Base, Turkey—a 6,600 nautical mile journey that lasted eleven hours and forty minutes. The flight required eight aerial refuelings, four of which were conducted in total darkness over the Atlantic. This mission helped his wing earn the Tactical Air Command Outstanding Fighter Wing Award for two consecutive years.

COMBAT VALOR IN VIETNAM

As the Vietnam War reached its peak, Mason deployed to Phan Rang Air Base with the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Flying the F-100 in the unforgiving environment of Southeast Asia, he completed a staggering 309 combat missions. His bravery under fire earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 19 Air Medals, marking him as one of the most active and decorated fighter pilots of the conflict.

THE AIR FORCE JUMPMASTER

Mason’s career was characterized by a rare ability to excel in any environment. From 1967 to 1968, he served as an Air Liaison Officer with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. While there, he attended the Army Advanced Airborne Jumpmaster School to earn his "Senior Parachutist" status.

In a class of 50–60 U.S. Army soldiers—mostly recent West Point graduates—Dick was the lone Air Force representative. To the "surprise and chagrin" of his Army counterparts, he graduated first in the class. This cross-service achievement, coupled with his "Below-the-Zone" (BTZ) promotions to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel, solidified his standing as a premier leader.

COMMAND AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Mason’s leadership extended from the cockpit to the classroom and the upper echelons of wing command. He commanded AFROTC Detachment 930 at the University of Wisconsin and held a series of vital leadership roles at Moody AFB, serving as the Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations, and Wing Vice Commander for the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Academically, he continued his "first in class" streak at Arizona State University, where he was inducted into the Alpha Pi Mu National Industrial Engineering Honor Society, and completed advanced studies at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

A LEGACY OF SERVICE AND RECOGNITION

After 24 years of distinguished service, Colonel Mason returned to his roots in Mount Vernon, Missouri. He became a cornerstone of his local community, serving as President of the Lawrence County Title Company, the Missouri Land Title Association, and the local Rotary Club.

In a poignant tribute to his journey from that one-room schoolhouse, Colonel Mason has been notified of his induction into the Mountaineer Hall of Fame at Mount Vernon High School, scheduled for March 2026. It is a distinction that honors both his global military achievements and his deep Missouri roots.

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Military Decorations and Awards

• Legion of Merit
• Distinguished Flying Cross (2 Awards)
• Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)
• Air Medal (19 Awards)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (2 Awards)
• Army Commendation Medal (1 Award)

CAREER CHRONOLOGY

Years Duty / Role Location
1959–1960 Pilot Training (Primary & Basic) Graham AB / Webb AFB
1960–1961 F-100 Gunnery Training Luke AFB / Nellis AFB
1961–1962 Pilot, 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron George AFB, CA
1962–1964 Pilot, 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron Homestead AFB, FL
1964–1966 Aide to Commander, 9th Air Force Shaw AFB, SC
1966–1967 Combat Pilot (F-100), 615th TFS Phan Rang AB, Vietnam
1967–1968 Air Liaison Officer, 82nd Airborne Div Fort Bragg, NC
1969–1970 Post-Graduate Studies (Ind. Engineering) Arizona State University
1970–1973 Action Officer, DCS/Plans, HQ TAC Langley AFB, VA
1973–1974 Student, Naval War College Newport, RI
1974–1976 Commander, AFROTC Detachment 930 Univ. of Wisconsin
1976–1979 Assistant Dir. of Operations; Dir. of Operations; Wing Vice Commander, 347th TFW Moody AFB, GA