Donald D. Henry

Don Henry grew up in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He majored in Business at Indiana University and graduated with a BS Degree, a commission as a Second Lieutenant, and an assignment to Air Force Pilot Training.

He received his wings at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, then attended F-105 Thunderchief training at Nellis, Air Force Base, Nevada. After completing the six-month fighter pilot school, Don reported to the 67^th Tactical Fighter Squadron on Okinawa. During the Vietnam conflict, he flew 129 combat missions into Laos and North Vietnam while on TDY (temporary duty) assignments at both Takhli and Korat Royal Thai Air Force Bases, and, later on permanent assignment as a “Wild Weasel” surface to air missile hunter at Korat. His combat awards include the Silver Star and three Distinguished Flying Crosses.   

He completed several schools, including the Air Force War College, and also earned a Graduate Degree in Psychology. He served in Research, Development, and Acquisition in the  Pentagon as a fighter aircraft requirements officer and then commanded the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron, a nuclear task F-111 operational unit at Upper Heyford Royal Air Force Base, England. Later he headed several flight test organizations evaluating fighter aircraft avionics, electronic warfare systems, and cruise missiles. After completing active duty as a colonel, he consulted on contract to the Pentagon and several aerospace companies.

Don now devotes himself full time to writing. His passion is the natural link between dramatic structure and psychology...turning psychology into behavior on the page.

Don lives and writes in Laguna Beach, CA. He is a member of: The Red River Valley Fighter Pilot Association, The Order of Daedalians, and The American Psychological Association.

Prepared for a combat mission at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. 

Flew three types of missions at different times during the war: day strike, night low level attack, and Wild Weasel surface to air missile hunter-killer. While on permanent assignment to Kadena, Okinawa, served on temporary combat duty at both Korat and Takhli bases in Thailand then returned to Korat on permanent assignment as a Wild Weasel.

Dressed for a sortie to conduct high altitude zoom climb testing in the F-111. Set the unofficial F-111 altitude record of 79,800 feet at the zoom apogee. (14.05 statute miles) Entered maneuver at Mach 2.45 at the tropopause (38,000 feet that day.)