William Irving MacLachlan

NO. 17645  •  

Died 6 August 1978 at home in Bigfork, Montana, aged 52 years. Cremation


1 July 1946 
Appointed to the United States Military Academy from California

2 June 1950 
Graduation: Second Lieutenant, United States Air Force

17 June 1950 
Marriage to Shirley G. Olson, Kalispell, Montana

7 August 1950 
3565th Training Squadron, James Connally Air Force Base, Texas

14 February 1951 
3525th Pilot Training Wing, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona

23 April 1951 
Son, Kenneth Irving, born

31 August 1951 
196th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Chitose Air Base, Japan

11 February 1952
Promoted to first lieutenant

6 July 1952 
Son, Stephen Gene, born

10 July 1952 
430th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Korea

16 January 1953 
3510th Tactical Fighter Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

25 July 1954 
3600th Maintenance and Service Group, Luke Air Force Base, Texas

3 November 1955 
Promoted to captain

15 August 1956 
67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa

3 December 1956 
Son, Phillip Alan, born

9 January 1959 
354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina

23 March 1959
Son, James Henry, born

15 June 1960
Air Officer Commanding, 9th Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado

15 July 1962
Promoted to Major

29 September 1962 
Daughter, Sandra Claire, born

23 August 1903
Marine Corps Senior School, Quantico, Virginia

1 July 1964
613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England Air Force Base, Louisiana

12 June 1966
Air Liaison Officer, 11th Infantry Brigade, Schofield Barracks, Ha­waii; 604th Direct Air Support Center, Wheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii

21 November 1966
Promoted to lieutenant colonel

16 July 1969
Professor of Air Science, Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps Detacbment 850, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

June 1971
Promoted to colonel

7 August 1972
Kelly Air Force Base,Texas

31 May 1974
Retired as Base Commander, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas

6 August 1978
Died of cancer

His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star.

There are no words to adequately describe the void left in Bill's world by his untimely death. West Point, a loyal alumnus; the Air Force, a staunch supporter; his students at Strand Aviation; Bethany Lutheran Church council; Bigfork Lions Club; Bigfork High School Board; the daily ritual of flying the flag; and, most of all, his honored position as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

My existence has been richly blessed by sharing the life of this quiet, dedicated and affectionate man who has now joined the Long Gray Line.

- His wife