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<em>Georce Frederick Vlisides</em>—Volunteer. In a time when it is not so popular to be a volunteer as it once was, George was a volunteer and proud to be called one. For almost four years, since before the Vietnam buildup, George’s obituary has been waiting to be written. The months, years, and events of this war have reinforced his memory, and his face, voice, ideals, and beliefs are still strong impressions on the senses and will never be erased. It is possible to think of George as on duty at a station separate from our own, and one day we’ll be standing in the same rank again.</p>
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George asked to go to Vietnam because he considered it his duty to go. Lee once said: “Duty—the most sublime word in the English language.” George understood. The United States had committed military power to Vietnam, and as a Regular officer he wanted to be on the first team of the Air Force.</p>
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George also asked to be assigned to the Air Commandos in order to help in the dual role of flying combat as well as helping build and teach the Vietnamese Air Force. After the rigorous training at Eglin, he arrived in RVN on 5 November 1964 and was assigned as an instructor pilot in the 1st Air Command Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon. Many combat missions followed quickly, most of them flying close air support in A1E ‘‘Skyraider’’ aircraft for the Vietnamese Army. On 29 November, he flew a close support mission, and during his third strike on an enemy position his Skyraider was severely damaged by machinegun fire. George radioed for help and landed on an abandoned and mined airstrip in Viet Cong territory. He and his Vietnamese observer spent an anxious 15 minutes on the ground before being picked up. For this action, George was recommended for a Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism.</p>
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Within six weeks George’s fighting spirit and staff ability were given additional recognition by his appointment on 1 January 1965 as operations officer for the Squadron. He was proud of this job and his outfit. In a letter of 22 January, George said of his Squadron: “We can do anything—and do!” On 27 January, returning from his 48th combat mission, a successful one, George came in for his landing at Bien Hoa and “bought the farm.” It was one of those things—a matter of inches, or microseconds. Observers said it looked like he hit the throttle again, dropped a wing into the runway, and cartwheeled. The bird was “totaled” with George and the AO killed instantly.</p>
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Each of the memorial services was sincere and moving. At Bien Hoa, Ann Arbor, and Fort Myer, those who loved and admired George gathered. At the Bien Hoa ceremony, the Republic of Vietnam paid him tribute by having the commander of the 23d Tactical Wing make a posthumous presentation of the National Order Medal (5th Class) and the Gallantry Cross with Palm. Burial was in the town, Ann Arbor, where he grew up. Later, at a formal review at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st oak leaf cluster, and the Air Medal, 2d and 3d oak leaf clusters for his services to the United States in Vietnam.</p>
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George Vlisides was born in Detroit, Michigan, on 31 December 1924. He attended school in Ann Arbor and was active and popular through the years. He was President of his high school class of 1943. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, took air cadet training, and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant and his bombardier wings on 2 September 1944. During the rest of World War II, he trained and served in heavy bombers. Then, West Point...</p>
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On graduation, George entered the Air Force and won his pilot wings in 1951 after training at Randolph and Williams. In 1952-53, he fought with the 45th Fighter Bomber Group in Korea and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal. On return to the United States, he served at Long Beach and Maxwell Air Bases. He was then assigned to the Tac Dept in the “Master of the Sword's” office until 1957. As operations officer, instructor in many sports in gym classes, and OC, George became known to the classes of ’55-’60 as the “Grey Eagle.” Next came three years in Germany and the Netherlands with the 32d Fighter Squadron and the 36th Air Base Group. During this period, George won a high reputation as a staff officer with ability to handle a multitude of varied problems under pressure. (No surprise to those of us who had watched him during a clothie). He was in the Air CCSC class of 1961 and then applied his talents in the Personnel Directorate, HQ Air Training Command, Randolph, until he volunteered for Vietnam. For his service in personnel duties, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. On the side, George had completed about one-quarter of his work for a law degree.</p>
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George is survived by his mother, Mrs. Elaine C. Vlisides of Ann Arbor, his older brother, and younger sister.</p>
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One can vividly remember the first time we saw the “Greek”: Beast Barracks, late afternoon, 1 July 1946. He was sweaty, bronze, handsome, and scowling. Angry at all the world—as all are the hour before swearing in. George had been an Air Corps officer, and so the drill was double drill. And one can see him slightly ahead and in the right file at that great moment on Trophy Point when we took the oath and General Taylor, looking like all generals ought to look, stepped up in the dappled sunlight and told us where we were and what it meant. Our chins were out then, but the chests were up at least one more notch, and for George it was a day to mark after four years of trying and a boyhood of dreaming. MacArthur said it for George and all of us in his 1947 letter to the Corps :... when I was sworn in on The Plain—that is my greatest honor.”</p>
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Strange how one sees another and then observes him. Strange how some people make such an impression that one can always remember the first sighting. One wonders if George ever knew how closely he was checked over. As 2d Company went to drill, bayonet, tactics, and PT, we saw George. Always with dark visage: boiling, determined, putting-out-hard. We thought him a worthy competitor and one whose challenge was important to meet. Bath formations were grand. If those moments allowed a respite, a cheerful thought was often available if one watched George. George, always determined to do it right, would be set upon, trapped, and have the Firsties attempt to tilt his dignity. It was humorous to watch: the dignity, the hazing, the compliance, the repetition, and back to dignity. For though we all did some ludicrous things, one could never fail to see that George Vlisides had dignity and was somebody. And toward the end before the shower, George would have his moment. Not showing off (because he was ordered to do it, wasn’t he?) but the pull-ups would start and there he would go—beautiful muscles tensing—5—10—chest heaving—15—17—18—201 Not bad for 190 pounds. Muckoid.</p>
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We have talked often with George’s family about his younger days and looked at photographs. The same qualities come through in the conversations and show in the photos. The dignity. The flat, level, “I demand justice” look. The defender. And the photos of George in his first uniform and badge of authority (the white school belt) reminding the observer that at that crossing all could pass safely, and duty would be done. He came from a good solid family. Prosperous, middle class people that knew prosperity (of a sort in the ’30s) because they all worked hard in making the restaurant go. Responsibility. A sister and a brother. Comradeship. A father. A heritage of Greece, leadership, and destiny. A mother. Character and will power and knowing right from wrong. West Point rightfully deserves much credit for its product, but credit must be given where credit is due. Look into the home. Ask Ike if in doubt.</p>
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And then we were assigned to Company C, 1st Regiment. Charley-One—a great company—and a fine home for the next four years.</p>
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George was always our ranking man in C1 and deservedly so. A good mixture of pride, ambition, loyalty, tolerance, and friendliness. He believed in the system, but saw its faults. He tried to change some things without ripping out the keystone or foundation blocks. He had a low boiling point, but a cool head. Is that a contradiction? Not really. No one was more sensitive to wrong or resentful of error, but seconds after the anger the cool head and good judgment would come into control and a flanking instead of a frontal attack on the “aggressor” would be started. He was a doer—you can look it up in the records and the <em>HOWITZER</em>: Solid achievement in soccer, wrestling, debate, Class Vice-President, and commander of the 1st Regiment’s runt battalion as a Firstie.</p>
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You know he had to be a good man for the runts to accept and follow him. And so passed a faithful friend, a good airman and soldier, and a fine man. The nation and the Air Force lost a great leader prematurely. His family and friends lost his companionship much too early. George won his race—he lived life and met death with honor.</p>
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The march of another soldier is o’er;</p>
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His battles all fought, his victories all won.</p>
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And now he lies down to rest awhile</p>
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Awaiting the bugle call...</p>
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<em>—Classmate</em></p>