Wayne Creekmore Pittman

COLONEL WAYNE CREEKMORE PITTMAN, JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

The Journey to USAFA and Early Life
Wayne Creekmore Pittman, Jr. was born on March 16, 1937. Driven by a profound desire to serve his country at the dawn of a new aviation era, he earned an appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. As a member of the historic First Class of 1959 starting at Lowry AFB, Wayne entered Cadet Squadron 10.

He fondly recalled the rugged, pioneering days of the early Academy—vividly remembering how the notorious Colorado winds would promptly tear the center-hinged doors off the temporary buildings, forcing the cadets to live with plywood doors for most of the year. Despite the challenges, Wayne viewed the Academy as the perfect foundation for his military career, deeply valuing the bond and "common education" shared by the pathfinding Class of 1959.

Military Career and Gallantry in Vietnam
Upon graduation in 1959, Wayne was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and went directly into Strategic Air Command (SAC), completing Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base in 1960. He spent the early 1960s flying B-52 Stratofortress bombers with the 60th Bomb Squadron at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, and the 596th Bomb Squadron at Dow AFB, Maine.

Recognizing his sharp intellect, the Air Force sent him to Stanford University, where he completed post-graduate studies in engineering from 1966 to 1967. Following his studies, Wayne transitioned to tactical reconnaissance and was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.

It was during this deployment, on June 17, 1968, that Captain Pittman earned the nation's third-highest military decoration for valor—the Silver Star. Flying an unarmed RF-4 Phantom reconnaissance aircraft deep into hostile territory to secure critical intelligence data, his aircraft came under intense and highly accurate anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire. Though the aircraft sustained heavy damage, Captain Pittman completely disregarded his own safety, focusing entirely on his systems to successfully complete the mission. The vital data he collected contributed directly to allied intelligence efforts across Southeast Asia.

Later in the war, while serving as a Major, he was chosen to contribute to Project CHECO (Contemporary Historical Examination of Current Operations), conducting vital field interviews at bases like Pleiku to document real-time airpower lessons.

LEADERSHIP, COMMAND, AND LATER SERVICE
Following his combat tour, Wayne returned to his alma mater from 1969 to 1972, serving as an instructor and Course Director of Psychology and Leadership at USAFA. He then returned to Vietnam in 1972 as the Staff Report Director of Combat Analysis at Headquarters, 7th Air Force.

The latter half of his 34-year career was marked by distinguished command and staff positions. He returned to his beloved B-52s as a Radar Navigator with the 46th Bomb Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, later transitioning to the Pentagon where he served as Chief of the Policy Programs Branch and Executive Officer to the Director of Personnel Programs. While attending the Air War College in 1980, he authored a definitive monograph on leadership training, “Why PME? The Purpose of Professional Military Education,” which heavily influenced future Air Force training frameworks.

Wayne stepped into major command roles overseas, commanding the 406th Combat Support Group at Zaragoza Air Base, Spain, serving as Chief of the Management Inspection Division at HQ USAFE, and commanding the 7020th Air Base Group. He completed his active-duty service as the Vice Commander of the 17th Air Force, retiring in 1989 in the rank of Colonel.

COMMUNITY LEGACY, HOBBIES, AND FAMILY
Following his retirement, Wayne and his beloved wife, Karen, settled in Dayton, Ohio, where Wayne continued his devotion to aviation history. From 1991 to 1995, he served as the Membership Manager and Editor for the Air Force Museum Foundation at Wright-Patterson AFB.

Wayne became an indispensable figure in the Dayton aviation community. He was the visionary founder of the B-52 Stratofortress Association, acting as the "glue" that kept generations of Stratofortress crew members connected through his masterfully written quarterly newsletters and expertly coordinated reunions. He and Karen spent countless hours volunteering for the Wright B Flyer Association, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (where he helped organize the very first WWI Fly-in), the Wright State University Special Collections and Archives, the Aviation Trail, the 2003 Committee, and the Archives at Carillon Park.
Known by his peers as a man of absolute integrity and a consummate mentor, young officers he trained noted that Wayne "prepared them to handle practically anything and seemingly everything that came their way." Colonel Pittman passed away on October 1, 2015. His passion for history is still honored annually at the Academy through the Col. Wayne C. Pittman Award for Excellence in Airpower History, awarded to top-performing history cadets. He leaves behind his wife Karen, an adoring family, and a grateful nation.

SERVICE HISTORY, EDUCATION, AND AWARDS

EDUCATION

Year Institution / Training Degree / Specialty
1955–1959 U.S. Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science (Class of 1959)
1959–1960 Mather Air Force Base Navigator Training
1966–1967 Stanford University Post-Graduate Engineering Studies

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Assignment Location
1959–1960 Navigator Student, Mather AFB California
1960–1963 Navigator, 60th Bomb Squadron, Ramey AFB Puerto Rico
1963–1965 Navigator, 596th Bomb Squadron, Dow AFB Maine
1966–1967 Post-Graduate Student, Stanford University California
1968–1969 Navigator / Systems Operator, 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Sq. Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1969–1972 Instructor / Course Director (Psychology & Leadership), USAFA Colorado
1972 Staff Report Director of Combat Analysis, HQ 7th Air Force Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1973–1975 Radar Navigator B-52H, 46th Bomb Squadron, Grand Forks AFB North Dakota
1976–1977 Chief, Policy Programs Branch (AFA Acty Gp DCS/P), HQ USAF Washington, D.C.
1977–1979 Executive Officer, Director of Personnel Programs, HQ USAF Washington, D.C.
1980–1983 Commander, 406th Combat Support Group, Zaragoza AB Spain
1983–1985 Chief, Management Inspection Division, HQ USAFE Ramstein AB, Germany
1985–1987 Commander, 7020th Air Base Group Europe
1987–1989 Vice Commander, 17th Air Force Sembach AB, Germany
1991–1995 Membership Manager & Editor, Air Force Museum Foundation Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

MEDALS AND MILITARY DECORATIONS
• Silver Star (1)
• Legion of Merit (2)
• Distinguished Flying Cross (1)
• Meritorious Service Medal (2)
• Air Medal (10)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (2)