U.S.M.C.        

                   3D 155s MIKE 4/12

             WACHA, DUANE E.

    Entered USMC in November 66 as enlisted personnel, boot camp in San Diego with advanced training including a short course in artillery fire direction control and arrival at Da Nang in June of 67. From that point on a northward migration came about stopping just short of the DMZ. After a thirteen month tour and two six month extensions I found myself forced with a decision, get out of the Corps or stay in as a SSGT. I had served as an E5 for the last year. I chose to return to civilian life, an adjustment which did prove to take a while. That was October 10th 1969. Most of the experiences have been lost over time, some run together, some can be revived by talking to others and some should remain silent.

    In May of 71 the husband thing came to life, and naturally two children beginning in 73. Thirty-three years last May. Guess she is a keeper or I am a keeper!!. I began taking flight lessons in 1971 while I was working the building construction trade. In 1974 we moved to our present location to accommodate my first position as a flight instructor. Through various capacities I eventually entered corporate aviation in 1985, a position I hold today. As a pilot, I crew a Learjet and a Cessna Citation from the Des Moines, Iowa municipal airport.