David E. Diefenbach 1960

Funeral service for Captain Davie E. Diefenbach 28, were held Monday, June 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Anna, with the pastor, Rev. Robert Otto and Rev. Richard Teaford, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church Anna, officiating.
McCarty Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Interment was in the Anna Cemetery with a fly-over of jet planes and full military honors performed by personnel of Scott Air Force Base Belleville
Captain Diefenbach, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Diefenbach died in a B57 jet bomber crash Wednesday, June 23 near Boron, California.
Captain Diefenbach is survived by his widow, the former Barbara Walton; one son David Walton Diefenbach; his parents Ernest and Mary E Corzine Diefenbach, Anna; two brother Richard, Medina, Ohio and Philip, Des Moines, Iowa.
He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hester Corzine, Anna, other relatives and a host of friends.
Captain Diefenbach and the pilot of the plane which crashed into the desert 43 miles southwest of Barstow, California, were both flight instructors assigned to the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Major Donald L. Thurman, Shelby, Ohio, died later in the hospital from injuries received in the crash.
The two men were on a routine training flight when the fatal crash occurred. An Air Force investigation is underway into the cause of the crash of the B57 in which the two officers died.
Captain Diefenbach is a 1960 graduate of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, and stood first in his graduating class. This is the standard he maintained throughout his career.
In 1960, David was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he again excelled, graduating in June 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree.Shortly after graduation he married Barbara Walton, whom he had known since early childhood in Anna.
Barbara is the daughter of Edward Drury Ned "Cowboy" and Rosemary Gunn Walton of Anna. His first Air Force assignment was to Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, he completed Pilot Training there in 1965. Upon graduation, he was presented the Commander's trophy as top student at his base and the Order of Daedalians Award for excellence as top graduate in the entire Air Training Command. He was then assigned to Elgin Air Force Base, Florida, where he flew the F-100 and T-38 with Fighter Test operations in 1967. He attended the F-100 Combat Crew Training School at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, in preparation for an overseas assignment.
At Luke, his superior ability was again demonstrated by winning the award "Top Gun" which is presented to the student highest in flying performance. He served in Vietnam as Forward Air Controller, flying 0-1 and 0-2 aircraft.
For service to his country, he was four times awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 17 oak leaf clusters, returning from Vietnam, he was assigned to the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Woodbridge, England.
In 1969, he was selected to attend the Aerospace Research Pilot School, the Air Force test pilot training center. After a year of intense study, he was graduated as outstanding student in the class and was presented the Liethen-Title Award.
He was asked to remain on the school Staff and serve as Chief Academics, Aerospace Division. He was serving in that capacity at the time of his death in an aircraft accident June 23.
His death represents a loss to family, the Air Force and the Community, which cannot be replaced. His dedication to duty and superior ability and performance are inspiration to those he leaves behind.
He set very high goals, but achieved everything in life, of which there were many.
David never neglected the personal details. He was able to maintain a standard of excellence not only professionally but also in the personal relationships with family and his church.
Portions of a letter from his commanding officer to his parents are as follows: "David was one of our most outstanding officers.
His record was exemplary.
His professional ability was a matter of pride to himself and envy of his colleagues. He worked hard to attain his outstanding record and in the process won the respect, admiration and esteem of officers and airmen alike.
Beside his professional characteristics, David possessed many fine personal characteristics which accounted for the prominent role he played in everyday life of our Air Force Community."
"The world is a better one as a result of David's very existence.
His being has touched the heart and soul of more people than you will probably ever know.
Your training and guidance along with his own self-determination are indelibly written in the record."
Shortly after return to the States from Vietnam, he shows slides and narrated some of his experiences in Vietnam, following a family night dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Anna.
The sides depicted life of the natives of Vietnam, the many fire support bases located atop high hills, the life and life and quarters of the men station stationed in Vietnam.


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