Lt. Colonel Phillip Maywald, USAF (Ret.), graduated from The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in the Class of 1963. The class of 63 was the first full size class, the first to go all four years at the permanent USAFA site in Colorado Springs, and the only class that had President Kennedy as its graduation speaker. Its future was entwined with the Viet Nam War even though that was not known until after its graduation. Eighteen of the class were killed in action, two were long term POWs and others were killed in training. The majority served in SEA. Phil Maywald considers himself an average member of the Class. He was average as a cadet and had an average career. While many, if not all of his classmates and other USAFA graduates, have had opportunities to to do extraordinary things and responded in ways that bring honor to themselves and the USAF there are only sixteen who are recognized in the USAFA Plaza of Heroes. Phil is one of those. (See Photos) He was awarded the Air Force Cross for combat actions as a forward air controller during the Viet Nam war, the highest award the Air Force can give, the only higher award being the Congressional Medal of Honor. This is the account of the combat actions and the UFAFA background that shaped him and led to that award. It was written to honor the class of 63.
