Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a Foward Air Controller (FAC) Mission audio recording and an oral history interview conducted with Lieutenant Colonel William Tilton. Also included are three watercolor paintings created by LTC Tilton's artist sister Ann Charity Higgins based on photographs of LTC Tilton's USAF service as a pilot and forward air controller with the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron stationed at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand in 1966.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel William Tilton was born in 1938 in Jenkintown, PA. In 1961, he volunteered for the USAF, where he served for 20.5 years. In 1966, he served as a Forward Air Controller with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa and the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. In 1972, he was assigned TDY as a KC-135 (Stratotanker) Tanker Crew Commander stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield and provided support during Operation Young Tiger. He received numerous awards including the Bronze Star and 13 Air Medals. He retired from active duty in 1981 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After his military service, he worked as a consultant for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs and held a position in the policy division of the VA central office. He was also the founding president of the Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Brotherhood veterans organization.