In Memoriam
Fallen Heroes 2021–2023
We honor the members, veterans, spouses, and friends of the 20th Fighter Wing Association whose memorials were added to the Association record during this period. Their service, friendship, and contributions remain an enduring part of our shared legacy.
Percy D. Leonard
Colonel Percy D. Leonard served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1968 through 1971.
Percy served with the 77th and 55th Tactical Fighter Squadrons and flew both the F-100 and F-111. A longtime Association member, he passed away at the age of 81.
Gordon M. Amsler
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon M. Amsler served the United States Air Force in many capacities, including assignments with the 374th and 474th Tactical Fighter Wings at Nellis Air Force Base and Takhli Air Base from 1971 through 1974.
Known to friends as “Gordo,” he flew the F-111 and was an Associate Member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association. Gordon passed away at the age of 89.
Lynn Latimer Pahl
Lynn Latimer Pahl was the wife of longtime Association member Colonel Robert “Bob” Pahl. Bob and Lynn supported the Association for many years.
Lynn passed away peacefully in Acworth, Georgia, on October 18, 2022, with her family by her side. She was 75 years old and is remembered with gratitude by the Association community.
Melvin Christopher Pannell
Captain Melvin Christopher Pannell served during World War II as a fighter pilot with the 20th Fighter Group of the Eighth Air Force, flying the P-38 and P-51 in the European Theater of Operations.
Chris flew 74 combat missions, including early American missions over Berlin and missions supporting the Normandy invasion. An original member of the 20th Fighter Group and later the 20th Fighter Wing Association, he passed away on June 2, 2020, at the age of 97.
Eugenia “Jeannie” Pannell
Eugenia “Jeannie” Pannell was born on December 17, 1921, and attended Old Knoxville High School and the University of Tennessee. She later worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority.
At the end of World War II, Jeannie married her high school sweetheart, Captain Melvin Christopher Pannell, following his return from combat service in Europe. They shared 74 years of marriage. Jeannie was a Life Member of the Association and passed away on July 1, 2022, at the age of 101.
Albert Gese
First Lieutenant Albert Gese was a P-38 pilot with the 77th Fighter Squadron during World War II and was part of the initial 20th Fighter Group cadre deployed to the United Kingdom in August 1943.
Albert was shot down by ground fire on June 12, 1944, while strafing a German convoy. He evaded capture and returned to Allied lines in August 1944. A longtime member of both the 20th Fighter Group Association and the 20th Fighter Wing Association, he passed away on April 26, 2022, at the age of 102.
James “Bill” Hyatt
Major General James “Bill” Hyatt served with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base as Commander of the 79th Fighter Squadron from 1997 through 1998.
Bill dedicated 33 years of service to his country and the United States Air Force. A member and supporter of the Association, he passed away on March 4, 2023, at the age of 64.
Richard Browning
Brigadier General Richard Browning served the United States Air Force in many capacities, including service with the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing.
His leadership assignments included Wing Maintenance Control Officer and Commander of the Organizational Maintenance Squadron. Richard was an Associate Member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association and passed away at the age of 81.
John Franklin Lewis
Colonel John Franklin Lewis served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield from 1965 through 1967 as a member of the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
John was a previous member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association and is remembered for his honorable service to his country. He passed away at the age of 86.
Michael R. Cook
Colonel Michael R. Cook held several leadership positions with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, including Assistant Operations Officer with the 79th Fighter Squadron and Flight Commander with the 20th Operations Support Squadron.
Mike later served as Operations Officer of the 78th Fighter Squadron, assumed command of the 77th Fighter Squadron in 1996, and became Deputy Commander of the 20th Operations Group in 1998. He passed away on July 31, 2022, at the age of 76.
Betty Shofner
Betty Shofner was the wife of Colonel Robert W. “Nub” Shofner, who served with the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Wethersfield from 1958 through 1962.
Betty loved music and was active in musical ministries throughout their Air Force years. Betty and Nub were longtime supporters of the Association. She passed away in January 2022 at the age of 88.
Sergi L. Demchuk
Colonel Sergi L. Demchuk served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield from 1967 through 1969 and was assigned to the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Sergi flew the F-100 and was a longtime supporter of the Association. He passed away on January 12, 2022, at the age of 86.
Leslie “Bobby” R. Drane
Colonel Leslie “Bobby” R. Drane served 28 years in the United States Air Force and was a member of the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Wethersfield from 1962 through 1965.
Bobby flew the F-100 and completed 260 combat missions in Vietnam. A longtime supporter of the Association, he passed away on January 11, 2022, at the age of 85.
John R. Long
Colonel John R. Long served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1986 through 1990 and was assigned to the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
John flew the F-111 and was a longtime supporter of the Association. He passed away on February 21, 2022, at the age of 79.
Peter Carnute
Staff Sergeant Peter Carnute served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield from 1955 through 1959.
As a member of the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron maintenance team, Peter supported the F-100 mission. He was a longtime member and supporter of the Association and remained deeply proud of his military service. Peter passed away on January 10, 2022, at the age of 86.
Robert E. Schmid
Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Schmid served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1971 through 1974.
Bob was assigned to the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-111. A supporter of the Association, he passed away on September 13, 2021, at the age of 86. His memorial was added to the Association record in 2022.
Alroy A. Aman
Lieutenant Colonel Alroy A. Aman served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1972 through 1976 and was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the F-111.
Al later served as President of the 20th Fighter Wing Association from 2017 through 2021 and helped lead two successful Association reunions. He passed away on Christmas Day 2021 at the age of 81.
Will Clayton Hendrix
Major Will Clayton Hendrix served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Woodbridge from 1962 through 1964.
He was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-100 Super Sabre. Will was a longtime member and supporter of the Association and passed away on January 17, 2022, at the age of 86.
Kathleen Long
Kathleen Long was the wife of longtime Association member Colonel John R. Long and is remembered as a vibrant member of the F-111 community.
Her family’s Air Force years included assignments at Nellis, Takhli, Cannon, and RAF Upper Heyford. Following a courageous two-year battle with cancer, Kathleen passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 19, 2022.
William “Bill” K. James
Major General William “Bill” K. James served as Commander of the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Upper Heyford from 1975 through 1977.
Bill flew the F-111 and was a past member and supporter of the 20th Fighter Wing Association. He passed away on January 12, 2022, at the age of 87.
Michael J. Harrington
Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Harrington was a member of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing and the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Upper Heyford.
He flew the F-111 and passed away on January 12, 2022, at the age of 65.
Philip V. Lowenthal
Lieutenant Colonel Philip V. Lowenthal served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1971 through 1975.
Phil was assigned to the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-111. A longtime member of the Association, he is remembered as a good friend to many who enjoyed a good round of golf. Phil passed away on July 30, 2021.
Robert “Bob” Zender
Captain Robert “Bob” Zender served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Woodbridge from 1961 through 1964.
Bob was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-100. A longtime member of the Association, he passed away in November 2021 and is remembered with gratitude by his family, friends, and fellow members.
Linda Chartrand
Linda Chartrand was the wife of Association member Roger Chartrand, who served at RAF Wethersfield during the early 1960s.
Linda was an active volunteer at the Wethersfield Airfield Museum and shared more than 55 years with Roger. She passed away on November 25, 2021.
Eugene J. Fleming
Captain Eugene J. Fleming served with the 20th Fighter Group at RAF Kings Cliffe in England. Association records show that he served with the 77th Fighter Squadron in the Army Air Forces from 1942 through 1946.
Eugene passed away in September 2016 at the age of 94. News of his passing was received by the Association in 2021, when his memorial was added to the record.
Graham “Eddy” Shirley
Brigadier General Graham “Eddy” Shirley served as Commander of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1986 through 1988.
Eddy had been a member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association since 1993. He passed away in October 2021 and is remembered for his leadership, service, and longstanding support of the Association.