LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHARLES FRANKLIN NEEF JR., "Frank" to his many friends, was a typical fighter jockey from the day he stepped into his first cockpit. From the day he graduated from pilot training, Frank flew fighter-type aircraft exclusively, amassing a total of 3,826 hours. He was involved in instructing new fighter pilots and training old ones at the exclusive Instrument Pilot Training School. Even as he gave his life, Frank was trying vainly to save an F-105 Thunderchief from crashing.

Frank Neef was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, on 22 July 1924. At the age of eight his family moved to Independence, Missouri, where he graduated from the William Chrisman High School in 1942. The next two years were busy ones for Frank; he attended Missouri University, Yale University, and was a member of the U.S. Army Infantry. Frank received his appointment to the United States Military Academy and entered in July 1944. Due to a spell of illness plus an inability to cope will the French language, Frank was one of the 5-year men to graduate with the Class of 1949. His problem with French is difficult to understand, for he still managed to graduate in the upper fifth of his Class.

After graduation, Frank married his high school sweetheart, Wanda, at the Cadet Chapel. Two children were born of this happy union: Frankie in 1954, and Nancy in 1959.

Frank left with his new bride for pilot training-basic at Randolph Field and advanced at Nellis AFB, Nevada, where Frank graduated in August 1950. Then came tours at James Connolly AFB, Waco, Texas, and Moody AFB, Georgia, where he instructed new as well as experienced pilots in the basic and finer instrument flying techniques. Finally, he received his most coveted assignment-duty with an operational flying unit. He flew F-89's and F-94's for the Air Defense Command from bases in Delaware, Labrador, and Hamilton AFB, California.

Frank then decided he must broaden his background to keep up with the world around him and the rapidly changing technology and aviation in general and flying in particular.To this end he entered the Air Force Institute of Technology in September, 1959 with the master's degree in aeronautical engineering, a completely new field as his goal. After graduation in 1961, Frank was assigned to the Ballistic Systems Division of the Air Force Systems Command. As Chief of the Advanced Guidance Technology Division in the Advanced Plans Directorate, his work involved futuristic planning and development.

Frand was candidly critical of any Deficiencies exhibited by his associates or superiors relating to performance of or devotion to duty. On the other hand, he was extremely tolerant and patient with junior officers, striving always to promote their potential growth in a difficult technological environment, His own conduct as an officer, gentleman, engineer was highly respected by junior and seniors alike.

Even while he was deeply involved in the scientific and engineering environment of the Ballistic Systems Division, Frank's enthusiasm for flying never waned. 1t was not  unusual, therefore, that he  sought continuously to maintain his proficiency as a jet  pilot in accordance with the highest professional standards.

In April of 1966, with the escalation of the war effort in Vietnam, Frank Neef. now a lieutenant colonel, returned to operational flying. He was to be a fighter pilot, and  no assignment could have made him happier.  He joined the 560th Tactical Fighter Squadron at McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas for  training in the F-105, in preparation for assignment to Vietnam.

Frank was fatally injured during an F105 training flight. His aircraft developed a malfunction in the fuel system requiring the immediate cancellation of the scheduled mission  and a fast decision involving abandonment of the aircraft or attempting an emergency landing at a nearby airfield. Frank decided in favor of the emergency landing. But, having made his decision and while entering the final approach in the traffic pattern, the malfunction became  so acute, and at such a low altitude, that to  abandon the airplane was no longer available to him. Frank crashed and was killed just yards short of the runway strip at Schilling AFB, Kansas.

 Frank Neef was a man who gave his all in everything he did. His off-duty pleasure prior to leaving for the F105 assignment was leading a Boy Scout troup. He was especially well qualified for this work. for he himself had risen to the rank of Eagle Scout.  He welcomed challenges in his work and easily accepted tasks which most people would have avoided

May he rest in peace..