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Trigger
09-21-2004, 02:53 PM
http://www.tucson.com/classified/photos/0003146836-01.jpg

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Iceal E. "Gene" Hambleton

85, Gene Hambleton was called to the Lord's service on September 19, 2004. Gene was born on November 16, 1918 in Rossville, IL, the son of Iceal and Stella (Wilbur) Hambleton. He married Gwendolyn Flessner on August 18, 1942 in St. Louis, MO. She preceded him in death on December 21, 2003.
Gene grew up in Wenona, IL, and went on to serve 30 years in the U.S. Air Force. He completed his distinguished military career at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in AZ retiring in March 1973. During the Vietnam War, he was the subject of one of the largest one-man rescue efforts in Air Force history. This story was later recounted in the book and movie, BAT 21. He was an avid golf enthusiast and was actively involved in church and community service.

The story of Bat-21 (http://www.homeofheroes.com/brotherhood/seals.html)
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/rescue/bat21.jpg
USAF historical display (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/rescue/res13a.htm)

See you at the 19th hole...

chauncy republicans
09-21-2004, 03:22 PM
Is Norris (I think thats his name) still alive?

Novara
09-21-2004, 03:26 PM
Is Norris (I think thats his name) still alive?

Chuck Norris?

aartamen
09-21-2004, 03:43 PM
That was one heck of a movie. And much bigger heck of a story.

Novara
09-21-2004, 03:47 PM
:lol:

Check his website out. Chuck is the cheesiest actor ever...but I still like him.

http://www.chucknorris.com/

Trigger
09-21-2004, 04:09 PM
Is Norris (I think thats his name) still alive?
I believe so. He went on to become an FBI agent after recovering from his wounds in Vietnam IIRC.

HooyahCQB
09-21-2004, 05:07 PM
Yeah he is. He recently spoke at a BUD/S Class graduation. It's in the book: The Warrior Elite by **** Couch

Trigger
09-21-2004, 07:19 PM
I used to see Hambleton occasionally at the golf course on Davis-Monthan AFB. Last time was about a year ago...RIP

DE_Six
09-21-2004, 07:24 PM
RIP

ChuckThunder
09-21-2004, 07:50 PM
Yeah he is. He recently spoke at a BUD/S Class graduation. It's in the book: The Warrior Elite by **** Couch

Not that recent. 228 was over 20 Classes ago.