Test pilot, aviation executive, and Deputy Secretary of Defense. Childhood in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois; work as a young man in the oil fields; family’s experience in the Great Depression; matriculation at Kansas University; enrollment in Civilian Pilot Training program; enlistment in Naval Air Cadet training program; training at Jacksonville, Florida; graduation and assignment to aircraft carrier-based squadron VF-26; combat in North African invasion; combat in Pacific Theater, including Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Leyte Gulf and China; support for Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs; decision to become civilian pilot; career with Trans-World Airways; career as test pilot for Corsair Aircraft; career with Northrop Corp.; service to Department of Defense.