CDR Otto E. Krueger   Headlines - NAN: VX - 5 Pilot Flies Again Polio Victim Conquers His Handicap NAS Moffett Field - There's nothing new in a pilot who climbs into a fighter plane, taxis down the runway and takes off. But there is if that pilot happens to have been a victim of polio. LTJG Otto Krueger of VX-5 was paralyzed in his right arm, his back and both legs. The attack came just as he was ready to join VF-831 for a combat tour in Korea. Rushed to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, he felt the situation was hopeless and was convinced he would never walk again. At this point, he began to study boys from Korea, missing arms and legs but determined to build a useful life. From then on, Krueger realized how fortunate he was to have his own limbs and he resolved to shoot for the top. He would fly again. It took many months of therapy treatments, unending encouragement from his wife, a trained nurse, and his parents, but after six months he was examined by a board of flight surgeons and found fit to fly dual-control aircraft accompanied by a qualified safety pilot. This was his first big step back.After eight months of therapy, exercise, calisthenics and disappointing physicals, he passed as a "lone fighter".  |