Colonel Win E. DePoorter was born on June 24, 1934, in Dodge City, Kansas, though he spent his formative years in Memphis, Tennessee, which he considered his hometown. He entered active duty on March 27, 1957, following his graduation from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program. After completing pilot training in the T-34, T-28, and T-33, he received his wings in 1958 and reported to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, to train in the all-weather F-86L fighter interceptor.
Demonstrating high technical proficiency early in his career, Colonel DePoorter spent six years with the 11th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Duluth, Minnesota. During this time, he flew the delta-wing F-102 and the advanced, Mach-2 capable F-106. He secured a place in aviation history on September 11, 1961, when he became the first pilot to successfully survive an ejection using the rocket-propelled, rotational “B” seat following a complete engine failure. Following this event, he attended the USAF Instrument Pilot Instructor School and served as an F-106 instructor, later logging his 1,000th hour in the aircraft while deployed to Alaska with the 498th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
In 1965, Colonel DePoorter volunteered for combat duty in Vietnam, transitioning to the A-1 Skyraider after completing USAF Jungle Survival School. The Skyraider, a piston-powered ground-attack bomber, was noted for its ability to carry a bomb load comparable to a B-17 Flying Fortress. Assigned to the 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando) at Bien Hoa Air Base and later Udorn, Thailand, Colonel DePoorter played a pivotal role in developing the tactics for “Sandy” search and rescue (SAR) operations and flying support operatios for helicopter rescues. He notably flew 23 SAR missions over North Vietnam during this tour. After a stint as an instructor at Hurlburt Field, where he received the Tactical Air Command’s Outstanding Aircrew Award, he volunteered for a second tour in 1968 with the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Pleiku Air Base. In total, he spent four years flying the Skyraider in support of combat operations.
His proven leadership capabilities led to significant command assignments in the European theater following the war. In 1969, he transitioned to the F-4 jet fighter at Hahn, Germany, and subsequently realized his lifelong ambition by assuming command of the 525th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bitburg. Following graduation from the prestigious National War College in 1973, he served as Director of Operational Requirements at Headquarters USAFE and later as Vice Wing Commander of the 406th Tactical Fighter Wing in Zaragoza, Spain.
Returning to the United States in 1977, Colonel DePoorter served in senior staff roles at the USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center at Eglin Air Force Base and as Base Commander at Nellis Air Force Base. His final active duty assignment was at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he served as Vice-Commander of the USAF-CAP National Headquarters until his retirement in April 1985. Following retirement, he continued his dedication to aviation as the Chief Flight Instructor of the Maxwell AFB Aero Club for eight years, taking pride in the success of his students in both military and civilian aviation.
