Thomas Patrick Stack

LIEUTENANT COLONEL THOMAS PATRICK STACK
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 6 ("Fightin' Sixth")
"Duty is the most sublime word in the English language."

Hailing from Castro Valley, California, and a small mountain town in Arizona, Thomas Patrick "Stacker" Stack demonstrated leadership, athletic drive, and dedication early on. After completing two years at the university level, he earned a coveted congressional appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from Senator Barry Goldwater—an honor Tom treasured for the rest of his life.

THE ACADEMY YEARS

As a member of the pioneer Class of 1959, Tom embraced cadet life in Squadron 6 with boundless energy, a keen sense of humor, and deep devotion to his peers. He was a cornerstone of Academy athletics, competing on the gymnastics team and serving as Team Captain. Known for his charismatic personality and public relations talent, he was also part of the famous cadet quartet Rabble Rousers also known as the "CWC Staff."

Tom loved his days at the academy, especially the camaraderie with his classmates in that small first class. Above all, Tom held the Cadet Honor Code close to his heart. The code left a seminal influence on his character, serving as the moral compass for how he conducted himself in service, business, and family life. He graduated in 1959 with a B.S., a smile on his face, and his sights set firmly on the "wild blue yonder."

MILITARY CAREER & AIR COMBAT

Tom entered Pilot Training in 1959 at Moore AB and Reese AFB, embarking on a distinguished 30-year military career spanning Strategic Air Command (SAC), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).

• Strategic Air Command (SAC): Flew heavy bombers across multiple Strategic Bomb Wings (22nd, 3207th, 6th, 444th, 379th, and 96th Bomb Wings).
• Combat Service: Completed two combat tours in Southeast Asia, flying tactical missions with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Takhli Air Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War.
• Air Combat Airmanship: While serving in Europe with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tom was nominated for the prestigious Koren Kolligian, Jr. Trophy for extraordinary airmanship after successfully saving his EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft and crew following an in-flight explosion returning from an ELINT mission along the inner German border.

Complementing his operational flying, Tom excelled in high-level command and operational staff roles, including key assignments at Headquarters USAFE (Ramstein AB), Headquarters SAC (Offutt AFB) in Command & Control/Space & Surveillance, and the Operations Division at SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe). He rounded out his flying credentials with a type rating in the Sabreliner and held heavy duty high-level security clearances overseeing sensitive operations.

POST-MILITARY & CIVILIAN CAREER

Following his retirement from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel, Tom seamlessly transitioned his leadership skills to industry. He earned a Master’s degree during post-graduate studies at the Naval Postgraduate School (1979–1981).

Using his extensive defense background and security clearance, he spent over a decade as a Program Manager for classified defense programs with AT&T Technologies (1986–1996) and Lucent Technologies (1996–1997) in Greensboro, North Carolina. He later founded and operated Stack Enterprises in Greensboro starting in 1998.

PERSONAL LIFE, ATHLETICS & COMMUNITY

Tom was an avid, lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast:

• Swimming: Competed in the 1960 Olympic swimming qualifying meets, winning both the 50m and 100m freestyle events up to the U.S. Air Force level. (He consciously chose not to pursue the national trials further to ensure he graduated on time with his pilot training class).
• Golf: Pursued golf passionately throughout his life, setting a personal goal to "shoot his age" and play "half-bogey"—a milestone he proudly achieved in his late 70s.
• Community & Service: Dedicated time to youth and environmental causes, actively contributing to the Greensboro Youth Soccer Organization, The Dolphin Project, and Richmond Hill community initiatives.

Most importantly, Tom was a devoted family man who cherished and honored his wife, took immense pride in the achievements of his children, and lived every day guided by honor, service, and integrity.

EDUCATION

Degree / Course Institution Year
Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) 1959
Primary & Basic Pilot Training Moore AB, TX / Reese AFB, TX 1959–1960
Post-Graduate Studies (Master's) Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 1979–1981

MAJOR MEDALS & DECORATIONS

• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (1)
• Distinguished Flying Cross (1)
• Soldier's Medal (5)
• Meritorious Service Medal (1)
• Joint Service Commendation Medal (1)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (2)
• Nominee, Koren Kolligian, Jr. Trophy for Airmanship

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Role / Duty Station / Location
1959–1960 Student Pilot (Undergraduate Pilot Training) Moore AB / Reese AFB, TX
1961–1962 Bomber Pilot 22nd Bomb Wing, March AFB, CA
1963–1965 Bomber Pilot 3207th Bomb Wing, Lincoln AFB, NE
1965–1967 Bomber Pilot 6th Bomb Wing, Walker AFB, NM
1967–1968 Bomber Pilot 444th Bomb Wing, Amarillo AFB, TX
1968–1969 Bomber Pilot 379th Bomb Wing, Wurtsmith AFB, MI
1969–1970 Combat Pilot (Vietnam War) 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli AB, Thailand
1970–1972 Operational Pilot (ELINT / EB-66) 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
1972–1973 Air Operations Officer HQ USAFE, Ramstein AB, West Germany
1973–1976 Chief, Mission Development Branch (C2 Division) 96th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, TX
1976–1979 Exec. Actions Officer / Chief, Ops & Training HQ SAC (Dir. Cmd Control, Space & Surveillance), Offutt AFB, NE
1979–1981 Post-Graduate Student Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
1981–1985 Staff Officer, Operations Division SHAPE (NATO), Belgium
1986–1996 Defense Program Manager AT&T Technologies, Greensboro, NC
1996–1997 Defense Program Manager Lucent Technologies, Greensboro, NC
1998– Owner & Principal Stack Enterprises, Greensboro, NC