In Memoriam
Fallen Heroes 2023–2025
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.
Edward Chase
Colonel Edward Chase served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1971 through 1972.
He was assigned to the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-111. Edward was a longtime member of the Association and passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025.
Dale Thompson
Lieutenant General Dale Thompson served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1973 through 1977.
Dale served with the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later as Wing Commander. He flew the F-111 and was a longtime member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association.
Paul “PK” Kimminau
Lieutenant Colonel Paul “PK” Kimminau served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Woodbridge from 1964 through 1967.
Assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, he flew the F-100 and was a longtime member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association. He passed away on April 1, 2024, 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.
Lloyd A. West
Major Lloyd A. West served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1973 through 1978 and was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
In addition to the F-111, Lloyd flew the C-123, F-101, and F-15. He was a longtime member of the Association and passed away on January 11, 2024, at the age of 82.
Danny D. Howard
Colonel Danny D. Howard served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1971 through 1974.
Danny flew the F-111 and served as Commander of the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron. A longtime member of the Association, he passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 6, 2024, at the age of 83.
Martin “Marty” Gladden
Senior Master Sergeant Martin “Marty” Gladden served the United States Air Force during a distinguished career, including service with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield from 1964 through 1967.
Marty was assigned to the 20th Field Maintenance Squadron and supported the F-100 mission. He was a longtime Association member who attended many reunions. Marty passed away on November 2, 2024, at the age of 78.
Lewis Brad Insley
Major Lewis Brad Insley served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford during two assignments and was a member of the 55th and 77th Tactical Fighter Squadrons.
Brad accumulated more than 5,000 hours in the F-111 and helped many fellow aviators learn the finer points of flying the Aardvark. He was a longtime member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association.
Jon Maynard Buntenbah
Lieutenant Colonel Jon Maynard Buntenbah served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1971 through 1976.
Jon was assigned to the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-111. A supporter of the Association, he passed away at the age of 80.
Mark Charles Walton
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Charles Walton served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1985 through 1987 and flew the F-111.
In 1986, Mark led the overall planning for Operation El Dorado Canyon, the longest aerial strike mission from Europe since World War II and a decisive operation against terrorism. He was a supporter of the Association and passed away at the age of 71.
Larry A. Woodcock
Lieutenant Colonel Larry A. Woodcock served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield from 1964 through 1967.
Larry was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-100. He was a longtime member of the Association and passed away at the age of 84.
Raymond “Jack” Bartholomew
Colonel Raymond “Jack” Bartholomew served the United States Air Force during a distinguished career, including service with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1982 through 1984.
Jack commanded the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew the F-111. He was a longtime member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association and passed away at the age of 81.
Robert Charles “Bob” Brinker
Captain Robert Charles “Bob” Brinker served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield from 1955 through 1958.
Bob flew the F-84F in England, French Morocco, and Western Europe. A pioneering aviator and longtime Association member, he is remembered with gratitude and respect.
John R. Walters
Lieutenant Colonel John R. Walters served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing and 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Wethersfield from 1965 through 1968.
John flew more than 700 combat hours in the F-100 and F-4 and was credited with flying both the first and last combat missions of the Vietnam War, nine years apart. A pioneering aviator and longtime Association member, he passed away at the age of 92.
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.
Kenneth M. Alley
Colonel Kenneth M. Alley served the United States Air Force during a distinguished career, including assignments with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford from 1971 through 1974 and at Shaw Air Force Base from 1997 through 1998.
Ken flew the F-111 and F-16 and was a member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association. He passed away on October 27, 2023, at the age of 75.
William “Bill” Fairfax
Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Fairfax served the United States Air Force during a distinguished career that included two assignments with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford.
Bill served at Upper Heyford from 1974 through 1979 and again from 1984 through 1987. He flew the F-111 and was a longtime member of the 20th Fighter Wing Association. He passed away at the age of 76.