In essence, these reconnais-sance missions

were spy missions against air-defense installations along the borders of the Sovi-et Union and China. Washington’s official response was that these missions were engaged in electro-magnetic research or photographic mapping missions. Most of the families of the missing airmen were never told what really hap-pened to their missing loved ones.

Walter left the Air Force in January 1956 with an interest in electronics. Under the GI Bill, he complet-ed a two-year course in electronics with RCA in Manhattan. He later went to work for Bur-roughs Corporation, which at that time was involved in early warning radar systems located on off-shore, freestanding rigs. His tour of duty on Texas Tower III was 45 days on, one week off. After four tours, Walter was ready to move on.

Burroughs rewarded him by sending him to Cape Canaveral as a field engineer to work on computer guidance systems. He ultimately worked closely with NASA in their space exploration programs, beginning with Gemini through the Apollo programs. He was present at the Cape for almost all of the launches from the 1960s through the 1990s, retiring in 1996 with over 40 years background in our country’s race to the moon and beyond. He lives of quiet life with his wife Susan and their Dachshund Lilly in Vero Beach.

Issue 37 25

Captain David Collins

Captain David Collins attend-ed the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York where he also played on the tennis team. He graduated in 2006. He was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer and attended and graduated from the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Following FAOBC, CPT Collins was assigned to the 4th BCT 1st Cavalry Division where he served as a Fire Support Officer, Fire Direction Officer and a Platoon Leader. CPT Collins then served in the 3rd Ranger Battalion as a Company Fire Support Officer.

Following his tenure with the 3rd Ranger Battalion, he attend-ed and graduated from the Field Artillery Captains Career Course at Fort Sill. He arrived at Fort Carson in February 2012 and served as the Battalion Fire Sup-port Officer for 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment in the Warhorse Brigade. CPT Collins was then assigned to the Thunder Battal-ion as the Battalion Fire Direction Officer.

CPT Collins’ deployments in-clude: one deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. He is currently de-ployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and is scheduled to return in July 2014.

Awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; the Army Achievement Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Combat Action Badge; Ranger Tab; Basic Parachutist Badge; and Air Assault Badge.

David is the son of Tom and Debbie Collins and was born and raised in Vero Beach. He attended Vero Beach High School and graduated Class of 2002. He married Monica Porter of Kansas City in August 2013 and resided in Colorado Springs until deployment to Kuwait in October 2013. His hobbies and interests include live music and any out-doors activity such as hunting, fishing, tennis, and exploring Colorado.

S O L D I E R S P O T L I G H T

Walter Lentz today

Newspaper clipping of the attack.

Joe Del Campo is President of Excalibur Group, Inc., In-vestigations, Business Intelligence, Protective Services. Visit www.excaliburgroup.org.

Joe Del Campo