Weekend of August 16th and 17th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the weekend of Saturday, August 16th & Sunday, August 17th 

On this weekend, back in 2005 — Fisher DeBerry Day is observed in Colorado Springs, by declaration of Mayor Lionel Rivera.  Coach DeBerry was the Falcons’ head football coach from 1983 until his retirement in 2006. 

…Also on this weekend, back in 1970 — Captains Steven Melnick and James Wood, both members of the Class of ’65, are killed when their F-4E “Phantom II” aircraft crashes after encountering anti-aircraft fire during a night strike mission southwest of Da Nang, South Vietnam.  An alternate account says their aircraft and another F-4E collided in mid-air and crashed.  Their names appear on the Graduate War Memorial on the Academy Terrazzo. 

…all content for the Academy History Update is provided by Retired Lt Col Steve Simon, USAFA Class of ’77. For more heritage information, visit the Association of Graduates website at USAFA.Org