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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. But, many, if not all of his classmates, had opportunities to do extraordinary things and responded in ways that makes them proud to be graduates of USAFA and members of the Class of 63. Phil Maywald had that opportunity in combat as a forward air controller during the Viet Nam War and responded by winning the Air Force Cross, one of fifteen USAFA graduates from all classes to receive the highest award the Air Force can award for heroism, the only higher award being the Congressional Medal of Honor. This is the account of the combat actions and the USAFA background that shaped him and led to that award. It was written to honor the class of 63.

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