Colonel Win E. DePoorter, a distinguished Command Pilot, served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force, accumulating over 6,500 flying hours. Commissioned in 1957, he made aviation history early in his career as the first pilot to successfully survive an ejection using the F-106’s complex rocket-propelled “B” seat in 1961. DePoorter is highly renowned for his Vietnam service, where he flew a record 657 combat missions in the A-1 Skyraider and was instrumental in developing “Sandy” search and rescue tactics to support helicopter operations. He notably flew 23 missions over North Vietnam specifically assisting rescues. Later, he realized his ambition of commanding a fighter squadron, leading the 525th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Germany, before retiring as Vice-Commander of USAF-CAP National Headquarters in 1985. His decorations include two Silver Stars and five Distinguished Flying Crosses