The Orlando Sentinel published the obituary of Christian Fighter Pilot and US Air Force Brigadier General John P. Russell, also known as “Deacon.”  General Russell flew the F-86 Sabre in 54 combat missions during the Korean War, as well as the F-84F, F-100, F-107. and A-7D later.  While the wing commander at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, he participated in the evacuations of Phnom Penh and Saigon.

Recalling some of his life, his brother recounts a tale that may fall under “the good old days:”

The future general and a fellow fighter pilot were flying side-by-side from South Carolina to Washington, D.C., in the 1950s when they received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to pass over Mill Creek, W.Va., at 2,000 feet.

Russell didn’t mention it was Read more