Robert Harold Siteman

CAPTAIN ROBERT HAROLD "NOAH" SITEMAN
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Born in Los Angeles, California, Robert Harold "Noah" Siteman received a congressional appointment to join the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy. At the Academy, Siteman distinguished himself academically and athletically. He finished fifth in General Order of Merit (GOM 5) in his graduating class. In addition to his academic achievement, Siteman served as the Cadet Chairman for the Air Force Academy Assembly and was on The Talon Staff for Business.

A standout athlete, Siteman served as captain of the USAFA Rifle Team. Earning the nickname "the fastest gun in the west," he became the very first All-American in Academy history and was named a two-time Rifle All-American (1957, 1958). Classmates fondly remembered him for his sharp intellect, outstanding leadership, and his trademark warm smile and laugh.

MILITARY SERVICE

Following graduation on June 3, 1959, Captain Siteman embarked on a 10-year active-duty Air Force career:

• Pilot Training (1959–1960): Completed primary and basic flight training at Bartow Air Base, Florida, and Webb Air Force Base, Texas.
• Tactical Fighter Pilot (1961–1965): Assigned to the 428th and 429th Tactical Fighter Squadrons at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. During this period, he also attended the Air-Ground Operations School (AGOS) in 1962.
• Combat Tour in South Vietnam (1964–1965): Deployed to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam, flying the North American F-100D Super Sabre in combat tactical strike missions.

For his service and airmanship under combat conditions, Captain Siteman was awarded the Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION CAREER

After completing ten years of active military service, Captain Siteman transitioned to commercial aviation:

• 1965: Joined United Airlines as a commercial pilot based in Los Angeles, California.
• 1989–1991: Served as a Standards Captain for the United Airlines Boeing 727 (B-727) fleet.
• 1997: Retired from United Airlines after a distinguished 32-year career as a Boeing 747 (B-747) Captain.

EDUCATION


United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) B.S. — Graduated #5 in Order of Merit (GOM 5) 1955–1959
Primary & Basic Pilot Training USAF Flight Training (Bartow AB / Webb AFB) 1959–1960
Air-Ground Operations School (AGOS) Tactical Air-Ground Integration Operations 1962

MEDALS & AWARDS


Air Medal Awarded for combat air missions in South Vietnam (F-100D)
Air Force Commendation Medal Awarded for meritorious service
NCAA All-American (Rifle — 2x) USAFA’s 1st All-American Athlete (1957, 1958)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Student Pilot T-28, T-33, T-37 Bartow AB, FL / Webb AFB, TX
1961–1965 Tactical Fighter Pilot / Ops Officer F-100 Super Sabre (428th / 429th TFS) Cannon AFB, NM
1964–1965 Combat Fighter Pilot F-100D Super Sabre (429th TFS) Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1965–1989 Commercial Airline Pilot Commercial Airliners United Airlines (Los Angeles, CA)
1989–1991 Standards Captain Boeing 727 Fleet United Airlines
1997 Line Captain (Retired) Boeing 747 Fleet United Airlines