On 31 Mar. at the Aviation Tracen. Mobile,AL.a Service was held for the last Enlisted Pilot in the Military-John Greathouse.John passed away in 2005 in Biloxi,MS. He was 86. John had over 10,000 Flt.hrs in the HU-16 and a total of over 17,000 hrs.He was the only person in the CG to bail out of damaged aircraft AND it was a Helo. His wife and 2-3 children attended the Memorial. It was a fitting tribute to a great CG Aviator. Charlie Dugan sends.
Heard the whole story at the dedication. He had landed for fuel and they would not let him take off until he and his crew had donned a parachute. They were flying in a severe wind storm. One source says they bailed because he lost control of the aircraft. Other sources are a little clearer saying a wind gust caused the rotor head to depart the aircraft. That would definately cause one to lose control of the aircraft.
Personal reflection from an old CG pilot, as told by him.....
quote:
"I knew Greathouse. He was at ATC Mobile when I 1st came in the Coast Guard. He was a "trip." My best Greathouse story is, his daughter was an Army Captain nurse when he retired. She came to it in uniform. At his retirement a real s@#$ head ring knocker Lt who I really didn't care for, asked him "Hey MasterChief, how does it feel having to salute your daughter?" He replied without missing a beat, "Not half as bad as it does having to salute some of the dumb azz Lts I have had to teach to fly!"
