August 2021 Veteran of the Month
David Crowden was born in Sterling, IL, in 1954. His Father passed when David was 5 yrs old. David’s mother remarried an NCO in the Air Force, and the family moved to Whiteman Air Force Base, near Warrensburg, MO., when David was 7.
After graduating High School, David enlisted in the Army. Dave
always had a love for airplanes. After narrowly missing selection for the Air Force Academy, he enlisted under a guaranteed enlistment option offered by the Army. After completing Basic Training at Ft Polk, LA he began the Warrant Officer flight training program, spending 6-months at Ft. Wolters, TX followed by 5-months at Ft. Ruckers, AL. The eleven-month training involved flying the TH-55 and the UH-1 helicopters. With a little more than a month before graduation, the U.S. Government stopped sending troops to Vietnam. David said he had mentally accepted his future assignment to Vietnam, so it was an adjustment to thinking what came next.
Immediately after earning his WO1 rank and Army Aviator Wings, WO1 Crowden was sent to Ft. Campbell, KY, where he was assigned to the 158th Aviation Battalion, part of the 101st Airborne Division. Two years later, the now all-volunteer Army had too many Warrant Officers, so Dave applied for and was approved for an early-out option. He enrolled in Wichita State University’s Business Administration degree program. Dave’s desire to fly continued as he participated in the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation in December 1977, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
From there Dave went to Vance A.F.B in Enid, OK to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training. Graduating with honors he was selected to remain at Vance serving as a T-38 Instructor Pilot in the T-38 for 4 years, and was promoted to Captain during this time. In 1982 he began training to fly the C-141 at Altus A.F.B in Oklahoma, then on to Norton A.F.B. in CA. as an Instructor Pilot. In 1985, he left active duty, transferring to the Air Force Reserves, continuing to fly the C-141 at Norton AFB.
Leaving active duty, Dave began a career with Northwest Orient Airlines in Minneapolis, MN. In 2008, Northwest Airlines merged with Delta Airlines with his airline career lasting nearly 34-years. In 1985 flying the 727, and retired in 2019 as a Captain flying the Airbus A330 on international routes. During his airline career, Dave also flew the Boeing 747 (200 and 400), 757 and 767 aircraft.
In 1987, concurrent to his career as an airline pilot, Dave transferred from the Reserves to the Air National Guard in Sioux City, IA. to continue his military flying.. Here he flew the A7-D fighter from 1987-1992, and transitioned to the F-16 until 2002. During his time in Sioux City Dave was promoted to Major, and then Lieutenant Colonel. Dave lead the 174th Fighter Squadron as the Commander for over four years and participated in numerous overseas combat deployments following the 1991 Gulf War.
After his Air Guard service, Dave transitioned back to the Air Force Reserves and from 2002-2006 was assigned to 7th Air Force Headquarters at Osan Air Base in South Korea as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee. Dave served as a plans officer in the 607th Combat Plans Squadron. During this duty assignment, Dave was selected as the Pacific Air Force (PACAF) IMA Officer of the Year for 2004. While serving at Osan, Dave was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
Dave finished his military career working in the Army Reserve’s 75th Training Division in Birmingham, AL. Dave served as the Director, Air Force Element embedded into the Division, providing pre-deployment training related to combat close air support for other Army Reserve and Army National Guard units prior to deploying overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
During his career, Dave received numerous awards and decorations including: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Dave married Peggy in 1997, who has had a 33-year career as dental hygienist. She will retire later this year. They have lived here in the village since 2014, moving here from Eagan, MN.
Dave still enjoys flying, and his picture above shows a few of the many different aircraft he has piloted. He is also in the process of rebuilding a T-34 which he has had in Colorado for 20 years. Dave is a charter member of the Tellico Village VFW, and is also involved with the TV Computer Users Club, T-BART, and the Tellico Car Club. He also enjoys travel, fishing, and driving his 1967 Corvette Convertible here more than he could in Minnesota. AWE has donated a $25 gift certificate in tribute to Dave being selected vet of the month, and gratitude to his years of service.
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