Rocky Crites
- Air Force
1944-2020
Rocky served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot. In 1969 he was among the first group of pilots assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron flying the first of the AC-47 "Spooky" Gunships. The AC-47s were part of a highly classified operation. After Vietnam, Rocky continued a successful career as an aircraft commander and flight instructor. He flew the C-141 "Starlifter" out of Travis AFB, then moved to Webb AFB as an instructor in the international pilot training program. He flew the C-5A "Galaxy" out of Dover AFB and was a flight instructor out of Altus AFB. He retired as an Aircraft Commander for the C-5A in Travis AFB after more than 20 years of service.He received several honors for his many achievements in the Air Force. Rocky was awarded the Silver Star, our nation's third-highest individual decoration for valor in combat, as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citations, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars and the Humanitarian Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster.After retiring from the Air Force, Rocky flew commercially with Pan Am World Airways, then returned to flight instruction, spending several years as a C-17 Aircrew Training Flight Simulator instructor at Travis AFB.Rocky was an active member of various organizations including VFW, AMVETS, American Legion, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (the "River Rats"), Quiet Birdmen and Military Order of the Cootie.
