Bill Gilchrist

Naval Aviator Wings

Bill Gilchrist Pic


Bill Gilchrist was accepted into the NROTC Program in September, 1953 and graduated with a BME from Auburn University on 15 March 1957 and was commissioned as an Ensign, USN the same day. He reported to NAS Pensacola on 1 April 1957 and began Pre-flight soon thereafter. He then flew the T-34B in Primary and the T-28B/C in Basic, which included Carrier Qualification on USS Antietam. After completion of Advanced Flight Training at NAS Kingsville, he reported to VS-30 at NAS Norfolk, VA. He was to remain in VS-30 for over 5 years, which also included a 3-year tour as a RAG instructor. Bill then attended CIC School at NAS Glynco, GA and reported to USS Essex (CVS-9) at Quonset Point, RI as the Assistant CIC Officer and Senior Air Intercept Controller. While attached to Essex, he qualified as an Officer-of-the-Deck Underway. Bill was then ordered to VS-34 via the Naval Aviation Safety School at the University of Southern California. While there, he met several A4 Pilots from NAS Lemoore and since the USN was then actively recruiting volunteers for the Attack Program, he applied for jet transition immediately after reporting to VS-34 in Quonset Point, RI. Bill was then ordered to VA-127 at NAS Lemoore for jet transition and following that, he reported to VA-125 as a Fleet Replacement Pilot. After completion of the attack training, Bill reported to VA-23 which was slated for a WestPac Combat Cruise in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) followed by another combat cruise in USS Oriskany(CVA-34). As a member of VA-23, Bill flew 196 combat missions over North and South Vietnam. Following the tour in VA-23, Bill was ordered to VT-9 at NAS Meridian, MS and after one year as Aircraft Maintenance Officer, he was assigned to VT-19 as the Director of Training. Bill was then assigned to COMSEVENTHFLT(Detachment C) in Saigon, RVN as Air Operations Officer and remained there until the end of hostilities in Vietnam. The staff was then relocated to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand where Bill served as Operations Officer. He then returned to NAS Miramar to fly the A4 in VC-7. After an eye problem, Bill was forced to end his flying career and was assigned as the OINC of FASOTRAGRUPAC at Miramar. Bill retired from active naval service in July 1977.