Vietnam, Korea Fighter Pilot Will Tell Story April 12 in Rapid City

Charles “Charlie” Summers (USAF ret) of Rapid City  spent three tours in Vietnam flying the F-100 Super Sabre.  On Saturday, April 12th, he will present his combat experiences to the Black Hills Veterans Writing Group at the Western Dakota Technical Institute at 9 am.

    In Vietnam, he became a member of the celebrated “MISTY” Forward Air Control Squadron.   During his second tour he was shot down and ejected.  After recovering from a broken back and ribs, he returned to combat for a third tour.  In Vietnam he was awarded 4 Silver Stars, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses and numerous other medals.

    After his third tour in Vietnam, he turned to F-4s and became a Wing Commander in Korea, spending 24 years in the USAF flying fighters.  After retiring, he became a research scientist for the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, flying the T-28 through thunderstorms.

    Summers watched airplanes while growing up on a farm in Nebraska and remains active in many facets of military and civilian aviation.  Just ask any pilot you know.