Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | Two new members joined the team in 1964. Capt. Eugene J. Devlin from San Diego, California, thirty-one years old, married with three young sons, reported to the Thunderbirds on February 1, 1964, as a spare pilot in training. Devlin had been a test pilot and an instructor at the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis, and had been sent on temporary duty to Florida during the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962. On March 31, 1964, he took over the left wing position replacing Jerry Shockley. He quickly became a favorite with the team and their fans. Paul Kauttu, recalled, "Gene was a publicist's dream and a model Thunderbird. He had a big smile and was always mingling with kids at show sites. He was absolutely dependable and always ready to do more than required." (32) 
Brought back memories and made me ball like a baby, Gene was killed at an air show - think it was Las Vegas but not sure and was a third cousin who made me want to be a fighter pilot, lost my hearing from messin around with firecrackers and I knew it would never happen. His Mom has been gone a lot of years but I still remember Aunt Ernie as we called her talking about Gene........
None of us get out of here alive, just glad he got to do what he loved, this is why we all ride...... |
Had a great time at the Air Show in Utah. The Thunderbirds put on a fantastic show