Lt. Col. Max Jesperson - Pilot |
389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing |
A Distinguished Veteran |
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| On September 12, 1942, Max Jesperson enlisted in the Reserve Corps in Phoenix, Arizona, and soon was called to active duty as an Aviation Cadet at Santa Ana Army Air Base in Santa Ana, California. He went through basic training and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant of January 7, 1944. He became a flight instructor at Minter Field, in Bakersfield, California, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in August, 1945. After receiving training in the B-17 (specifications), he was transferred in August, 1946, to Lechfeld Army Air Base, Germany, and the 305th Bomb Group, where he participated in the “Casey Jones Project”, which was the mapping of Germany by air in a B-17. He separated from the service and went into the Reserves, and remembers flying a T-6 over the Long Beach Harbor while watching Howard Hughes lift the Spruce Goose off the water. He joined the Arizona Air National Guard, and flew the P-51 Mustang (specifications). He was recalled to active duty in February, 1951, and served as a combat crew instructor at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and then at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He was promoted to Captain and flew the F-86 with the 12th Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, then went on to Korea. After Korea, he was assigned to George Air Force Base, California, where he flew the F-100. He flew the F-104 for six years, two years at squadron level, two years at headquarters level, and two years with the German Air Force, assigned to the 33rd Fighter Bomb Wing, German Luftwaffenamt at Buchel Air Base. He was promoted to Lt. Col. on April 17, 1965. |
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| Max Jesperson signing "The Animal" |
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| After going through F-4 Phantom training at George Air Force Base, he was assigned to the 389th TFS, 366th TFW at DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, where he flew the F-4, C-47, and OV-2. This included 110 combat hours, including missions to Khe Sahn in support of the US Marines. His final tour of duty was with the Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was responsible for air support for underground nuclear testing at the Nevada test site and the Aleutian Chain. During his 26.5 years of active duty, he flew the PT-17, BT-13, AT-6, UC-78, B-17, B-25, B-26, C-45, C-47, P-51, T-28, T-33, U-8, OV-2, F-80, F-84, F-86, F-100, F-104, and F-4. Having serviced in three wars, he received the following medals, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service medal, Air medal, Commendation medal, AF Outstanding Unit award, Combat Ready medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Campaign medal, EAME Campaign medal, WWII Victory medal, Army Occupation medal, National Defense medal with silver star, Korean Service medal, Vietnam Service medal, AF Longevity with silver cluster, AF Reserve, Small Arms Expert, United Nations Service medal, RVN Commendation medal, and RVN Air Service medal. |
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| High Performance Convertible |
 “Our wing moved from Korea to Okinawa. We kept a squadron on rotation to Formosa, Taiwan. I was on a test-hop in an F-86 and had leveled off at 40,000 feet over the China Sea. Cockpit pressure was 15,000. I was leaning forward, writing down the information when, without warning, the canopy left the aircraft. My head was snapped back against the headrest. The next four seconds were quite exciting. I thought I had blown up. The cockpit momentarily filled with condensation, and I realized I still had control of the aircraft. The instruments became fuzzy; I was beginning to pass out. I reached up and touched my mouth, and discovered my oxygen mask was not where it should be. I found it on the right side of my face, still attached to both sides of my helmet. I placed the mask back over my face, popped the speed brakes, and split-s’d. As I was descending, the headrest came floating over my right shoulder. I grabbed one of the arms on the headrest and was about to throw it overboard when I realized it might cause damage to the aft fuselage or tail section. I placed it in my lap, leveled off at about 20,000 feet, and then continued at a normal rate of descent. It was like being in a convertible with the top down, with greatly increased visibility and only light breeze on the back of my flying suit. I called the tower to report my problem, then made a straight-in approach and landed without further incident.” |
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| Boom |
 “Many test-hops turn out to be more exciting than planned. I was on a test-hop in an F-104 out of George AFB. Normal test would be an afterburner climb to 37,000 feet and accelerate to mach 2, checking all systems and instruments, recovering with a simulated instrument approach GCA/ILS. I was cleared #1 on the runway, and began my take-off roll, with the nose wheel lifting off at 180 knots, and then airborne at 210 in under 3,000’ of runway. Sucked the gear up, then boom, the aircraft blew up – at least I thought it did. The plane went in to severe buffet only a few feet off the runway. Noticed the runway going by underneath, the hatch had departed the aircraft (downward ejection). All preflight checks had indicated a safe hatch. I pulled up onto a downwind leg, and was unable to contact the tower as the UHF antenna is in the hatch. Fortunately, there were no aircraft on initial approach. The flight lasted about five minutes.”
Taiwan
“I was chosen to lead a flight of six F-100F’s (two seaters), from George AFB, California, to Formosa, Taiwan, refueling off KB-50 tankers. The transition took three days and approximately 30 hours flight time. Upon arrival, we established a transition program for nine Chinese Instructor pilots and their Commander in their first supersonic aircraft. I had the honor of giving the Chinese Air Force Commanding General a demonstration ride. Afterburner climb, supersonic flight, a couple of slow rolls, some maneuvering, and then a simulated instrument approach. We did a touch and go, then a full stop landing. Our stay on Formosa was approximately two months and was a very rewarding experience. The six of us were awarded Nationalist Chinese Air Force Wings. I learned later that few outside the unit had been so recognized; the one that tops the list: General Claire Chennault.” |
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| Khe Sahn |
| “Of the many missions flown out of DaNang in the F-4, the two that were most satisfying were supporting the Marines at Khe Sahn, and close air support for our ground troops in close proximity to the enemy. My heart went out to both, as we would leave the target area and head home to comfortable quarters, a shower, and a good meal. One particular flight that stands out in my mind was a night mission, two F-4s, along the Ho Chi Minn trail. There were approximately six targets. After releasing our bombs on the last target, we began our climb to altitude. It was first light, but the sun had not come up. The clouds around us were pink. The muffled sound of the engines… looking over at the other beautiful aircraft, it was a very serene feeling with very mixed emotions.” |
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| Max Jesperson is one of our Rogue's Gallery members. |
| (Thanks are due Max for providing photos and stories) |
