The Chief served in Viet Nam in 1968 and 1969 earning the Cross of Gallantry. During his thirty-year active duty Air Force Career, he received three Meritorious Service Medals, three Commendation Medals, the Cold War Certificate, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and five Outstanding Unit Medals. He was a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, the National Enlisted Association and the Prop-wash gang (Airborne Intelligence Aircrew-members).
In 1977, he earned his Associate Degree in Asian Languages at the University of MD, Okinawa Campus. Earl is survived by a Daughter of Yakima, Washington and a Son of Everett, Washington. Earl had five grandchildren and ten greats. Earl’s loving wife, TOMIKO YABE of Tokyo Japan passed away in April of 2017 after sixty years of marriage. No Formal viewings are planned.