Lt. Col. Carl R. Drost was born April 27, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He died April 22, 2018. He was born to Carl E. Drost and Violet J. Drost (Wirth). He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marietta K. Drost (Karczewski).
He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Pamela Drost (Burrier), his sister, Judy Tearney, his daughter and her husband, Theresa and Brad Grimsley, his son Carl D. Drost, his stepdaughter and her husband, Amy and Jason Chesson, and his stepson,… Read More » Michael Coleman, and 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. His interest in aviation began early with his joining an air explorer scout troop, civil air patrol and the Wisconsin Air National Guard at the age of 171/2. He began taking flying lessons and soloed at age 18.
At 20, he began active duty as an aviation cadet at Lackland AFB and Harlingen, Texas for navigator training. He graduated in Sept. 1959 and attended electronics warfare officer’s school t Keesler AFB.
He was subsequently assigned to the 346th Bomb Squadron of the 99 Bomb Wing at Westover AFB. He proceeded through the ranks and was assigned to a Stanboard crew as a spot captain at age 231/2. He was aboard an air born and fully armed B-52 during the “Cuban Crisis” when he Soviet ships turned around.
In 1964 he was chosen for pilot training (class 65G) at Williams AFB. Upon graduating as a pilot, he chose the RF-101 which changed to the RF-4C at Shaw AFB, S.C. Upon completing training, he proceeded to the 32nd squadron at Toul Rosier AFB France. In 1966 the entire squadron was assigned to Ton San Nhut AFB, Saigon, Vietnam which upon arrival became the 12th Recce Squadron.
During his tour he flew 169 combat missions, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, eleven Air Medals, Viet Nam Gallantry Cross with Palm and other foreign decorations. From there, he was assigned to the 22nd Recce Squadron at Mountain Home AFB. He was then transferred to the 10th RTU as an instructor while still at Mountain Home.
In 1970 he was assigned to Three Corp at Ft. Hood as Air Force Recce Liaison, while there, he flew with the 4th Recce Squadron at Bergstom, AFB every Wednesday. Other days he flew the O-2 FAC Aircraft.
There he was awarded, by the Army, the Meritorious Service Medal for “Superior Performance”. Then back to Mountain Home AFB as an aircraft commander. After a short tour flying the F-111F with the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB he was assigned to Bergstrom AFB, Texas as Chief of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Division, then to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska as Chief MWR retiring at Bergstrom AFB, Texas in 1978.
After retiring from the military, he pursued a career in law enforcement starting with the Travis County Sheriff’s Department and went through all the ranks up to being the Police Chief of Westlake Hills. He was a protector and provider of and for people both public citizens and family. Before, during and after his retirement he loved hunting, fishing and working on antique cars.
Interment with Full military and Masonic Graveside services will be at Assumption Cemetery next to his first wife. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home Chapel in Frankston. The service will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel.
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