William C. Edge

Born Nov 24, 1919 Birmingham, AL

Died Jan 9, 2015 Austin, TX

Lt. Col. Edge made his final flight on the wings of angels after a brief illness at age 95. He is survived by Helen Dettman Edge, his wife of 63 years, and their three daughters: Sandra and husband Ken Balacek of Wimberley, TX, Barbara and husband Dean Word III of New Braunfels, TX, Lee and husband CMsgt. Craig Thomas USAF (Ret.) of Hunt, TX, along with 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

After honorably serving four years in the Alabama National Guard, Edge earned his Army Air Corps wings as a Flight Cadet in January 1943. During WWII, he served in England with the U.S. 8th Air Force, 94th Bomb Group, "The Big Square A" 410th Squadron. April 18, 1944 was his third combat mission - the first daylight bombing mission to Berlin, Germany. Under intense German anti-aircraft artillery and fighter attack, his plane fell from formation and began to lose engines and altitude. He was able to cross the English Channel on two engines and returned to Rougham field with 4 wounded crewmen. Although his aircraft was unrepairable, he and the balance of the crew were back in the air soon afterward carrying out new combat assignments. After completing his 30th mission on 23 June, 1944, he earned the 94th's coveted "Lucky Bastard" award. He ultimately completed 52 combat missions (two full tours of duty) as a B-17 Pilot and returned home in 1945 with the rank of Captain.

In 1947, Edge graduated from helicopter school in San Marcos, TX. While on station, he was assigned to familiarize a Civil Aeronautics Administration evaluator from Washington, DC with requirements necessary for civilian rotorcraft licensing. He was later issued C.A.A. helicopter license #33.

He flew during the Berlin Airlift and completed over 120 peaceful supply missions. As an experienced Instrument Instructor, he was designated an elite "3-engine man" and returned disabled C-54s from Berlin for repairs. He was given the honor of piloting the very last C-54 out of his base when the Airlift ended.

Edge then considered retirement from the military and was granted a personal interview with WWI flying legend Eddie Rickenbacher, president of Eastern Air Lines and was offered a pilot's position. However, due to union rules and because Edge had not attended college, he learned he would have to serve as co-pilot until promoted to Captain. Upon reflection, he chose to remain in the Service and seek further opportunities.

Opportunities abounded, and Edge was next assigned to the 5th Air Rescue Service during the late 1940's, serving at Biggs Field in El Paso. Shortly afterward, the Air Force aquired over 100 new Grumman SA-16 amphibians. He delivered every new plane in the first operational squadron into USAF service from Grumman's Bethpage, NY factory to McDill AFB, FL, and then checked out 4 new instructor pilots. He was next stationed at Eniwetok Atoll during the South Pacific nuclear weapons tests. He flew several missions as personal pilot to Maj. Gen. Robert M. Lee, who commanded A.T.G. 3.4 (Operation Greenhouse). Although relatively brief, he considered this the most enjoyable period of his flying career.

He then returned to heavy aircraft and attained "triple-rated" pilot status for the new B-47 Strategic Jet Bomber. Assigned to the first operational wing for the aircraft at McDill, he commanded the very first designated "Lead Crew." Shortly thereafter, he served as an instructor pilot as new squadrons were deployed for service.

By 1956, he was piloting B-52's at Loring AFB, Maine, then Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX, flying 24 hour alert nuclear-armed SAC missions. In 1959 he took part in the first non-stop circumnavigation of the continental U.S. utilizing in-flight refueling to demonstrate the strategic capability of SAC and the B-52 platform. He was aloft during the intensely dangerous standoff between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

His 1965 retirement from the Air Force came as commander of Bergstrom's 486th Bomb Squadron, 340th Strategic Wing with over 4000 hours of B-52 flight time. Over his remarkable career, he logged nearly 9000 hours flying single and multi-engine planes, helicopters and amphibians. For his service, Lt. Col. Edge was awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Air Medals, 6 Battle Stars and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Upon retirement, he focused on raising his three daughters and pursued his next true passions in life – fishing, and the game of Golf – which he played until age 91. Although he never flew again, he talked his way into the cockpit of a Quantas 747 airliner in 1996 while bound for a New Zealand vacation. The flight crew invited him to ride the jump seat for the last 2 hours of the flight, all the way to the arrival gate. He was a Shriner, an American Legion member and a 32nd Degree Mason.

A private service with full military honors was held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery on January 21. Lt. General Loyd "Chip" Utterback (USAF - Ret.) honored the family with his presence and delivered a stirring message of commitment to God, Duty and Country. Memorial contributions are requested to the benefit of Tarrytown United Methodist Church, Austin, Texas, or the charity of the giver's choice.