Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Air Force.

My two grandfathers served in WWI and my father and several uncles served in WWII. My father was awarded three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars fighting with the 96th Deadeye Division in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. As a young lad, I remember him showing me those medals and I was awestruck. I think I made up my mind then and there that the military was for me.

Two weeks after I graduated from high school I was in Basic Military Training. I found a home in the military and when I put that blue uniform on I knew that is where I belonged.

Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. What was your reason for leaving?

I joined the Air Force in 1960 with no guarantees of any kind, and after BMT graduation I was sent to the Air Police Technical School on the other side of Lackland AFB. I grew to love the sky cops and was assigned to AP/SP units in England, Kansas, Minnesota, Vietnam, Germany, Washington, Wyoming, Turkey, Spain, Nebraska, and California. I retired after 24 years. Life in the Air Force cops was challenging and there were times I wanted to cross-train. However, my AFSC was always critically short of NCO's, and I was destined to remain in the field.

I made the decision to retire based on the fact that my son and daughter were being pulled apart by the constant moving. In a period of 4 years, they went from DOD school in Spain to Nebraska to California and then to Minnesota. Also, I had a commander that I did not see eye to eye with and that convinced me that it was time to retire.

In retrospect, I have always regretted not staying in the 30 years.

If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which made a lasting impact on you and, if life-changing, in what way?

During the cold war, my initial assignment was to RAF (Royal Air Force) Chelveston in England. When the Berlin Wall was built, I was part of a cadre of Air Police from USAFE (U.S. Air Forces in Europe) bases that were sent to Berlin to bolster the security forces. During the Cuban Crisis, I was also in England, and there was minimal impact on us except we were in a constant state of alert and worked long hours with no time off. In 1966, I was sent to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and was part of the 14th APS (Air Police) and later SPS (Security Police Squadron) responsible for law enforcement and air base defense. We had a fairly easy time of it and endured only sporadic mortar/rocket attacks, sappers, and terrorist attacks.

I suppose that my Vietnam experience had the most profound impact on my life. My wife and I had been married only nine months when I got my orders. When the rockets were coming in on Nha Trang, I wondered if I was ever going to see home again.

I shall always be proud of my Vietnam service as the most meaningful of my career.

Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which was your least favorite?

TSgt W.M. Stolpa, RAF Upper Heyford, Eng, 1971

RAF Upper Heyford with the 20th Security Police Squadron was perhaps the most difficult but rewarding assignment of my career. I was a recently promoted Technical Sergeant when I arrived there during the conversion from F-100s to F-111s. I was the assistant flight chief to TSgt Jim Barber. He was a 20 year TSgt and I was a ten year TSgt when were both promoted during the same cycle. I respected him immensely, and in no way did I consider myself his equal. The day after promotions were released, he was pulled into an overhead slot, and the flight was mine. That day, I stood in front of the flight with my legs locked to keep from shaking, and that is where I learned to be a supervisor.

Many of my troops went on to become Senior NCOs and officers and many attributed their success to the times I spent counseling them on the post. The least favorite assignment would have to be Incirlik CDI, Turkey. I was separated from my family, and it was during the hostilities between Turkey and Greece.

We were suffering from an embargo where we could get no package mail, the BX, commissary, all clubs, and the dining hall was shut down because the Turks who worked there went on strike. It was not a very good experience, and we could not even fly the US colors. I lived in the SNCO barracks, and during the bicentennial, we took an American flag and flew it from the roof of the barracks. My cops arrived and said the base commander ordered it taken down and we did.

From your entire military service, describe any memories you still reflect back on to this day.

A2C Stolpa, RAF Chelveston, England 1961

The caring and dedicated NCO's (non-commissioned officers) who mentored and nurtured me instilled in me a desire to emulate them. They taught me honor, integrity, dignity, and love of country. SSgt David H. Johnson was my first flight chief, and he inspired us by his example. It seems that wherever I was assigned, there was always an outstanding NCO looking after me. I also remember the annual Security Police Ball we had at Zaragoza, AB, Spain. It was the social event of the year for everyone, and we never had enough tickets.

When I was stationed at Walla Walla, Washington, as a young SSgt, I worked for the greatest man I ever met. SMSgt John J. Conley. He took me under his wing and mentored me and, under his guidance, was promoted to TSgt way ahead of many contemporaries with more than ten years TIG. I thought so much of SMSgt Conley, he and his wife were Godparents to my daughter when she was christened, and I named my son John Conley Stolpa after him.

In Spain, I worked from Capt Sandy Edge and Chief Joe Arrington. I was an MSgt for eight years when they prodded me to take the SNCO correspondence course and have my training accredited to the CCAF. If not for them, I would have retired as an MSgt.

What professional achievements are you most proud of from your military career?

Larry Bruce, former Special Forces soldier.

I am not a hero and was never awarded a medal for valor, but I served with some heroic individuals. Larry Bruce, pictured here, was such a hero. He was an Army Green Beret, Ranger, and Paratrooper and was one heck of a Flight Chief. I was decorated with one Achievement Medal, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and four Meritorious Service Medals. My first MSM from RAF Upper Heyford meant the most for me because of the difficult transition from a rank and file NCO to SNCO.

The first AFCM from Vietnam meant a lot to me because my service in Southeast Asia was recognized. My Achievement Medal was awarded to me at Vandenberg AFB for leadership during mass protests against the Peacekeeper Missile launch. I stayed on duty for 30 continuous hours in support of that operation and refused to go home until the missile was launched. Every medal presentation meant a lot to me, and I always stood proudly when I was decorated.

In Vietnam, the Wing I was attached to was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and USAF Outstanding Unit Award with V for Valor, and I was proud of what the Wing accomplished and my small contribution.

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or other memorabilia, which one is the most meaningful to you and why?

I was awarded four Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals and one Air Force Achievement Medal. Each was special to me but if I had to select one that was the most meaningful it would be the first Meritorious Service Medal I received for my service with the 20th Security Police Squadron, RAF Upper Heyford, England. I was a jeep TSgt and was promoted to MSgt very rapidly and thrown into the breach as a Flight Chief for 70 men. That is where I learned supervision and leading troops. When I was gonged with that MSM, I was very proud that my hard work was recognized.

Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?

CMSgt John Conley was my NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge) at Walla Walla Air Force Station, Washington. He radiated confidence and enthusiasm and took me under his wing. As both a mentor and a friend, I was awed by him. In fact, he is the Godfather for my firstborn daughter and the name-sake of my son. The Chief has passed now and his ashes scattered on Mount Rainer in Washington State and whenever I see a photo of it, I think of the greatest man I ever knew.

List the names of old friends you served with, at which locations, and recount what you remember most about them. Indicate those you are already in touch with and those you would like to make contact with.

Lt Col Miller pinning on a MSM

Most of the Senior NCO's I served with have passed away. Among them MSgt Wayland B. Cox, RAF Upper Heyford, CMSgt John J. Conley, Walla Walla AFS, WA, CMSgt Joe Arrington, Zaragoza AB, Spain, and CMSgt John Jenkins, RAF Upper Heyford, England. CMSgt George English whom I served with at Incirlik, Turkey lives in Houston, TX and I am in contact with him via email. LTC Chuck Divelbiss lives in San Antonio, TX and I am in contact with him via email.

I would like to contact Jack Clouse, CMSgt, Retired whom I served with at Zaragoza, Spain. Jack was an SSgt at the time and ran Pass & Registration. He was an avid fisherman and took me bass fishing at Caspe Lake in Spain.

I would also like to be in contact with any of the men and women whom I served with at the many bases I was stationed with.

Can you recount a particular incident from your service, which may or may not have been funny at the time, but still makes you laugh?

I don't know if this is funny or not, but my son was born at RAF Ruislip in England. We had no hospital at RAF Upper Heyford, and all babies were delivered at Ruislip. You hear stories about families rushing across town to get to the hospital. Ruislip was 60 miles away from Heyford, and when my wife said it was time, we drove those 60 miles in a hurry, and I had visions of my son being born in the back seat of our Volkswagen in a lay by off the M1 highway. We made it in time, and my son was born about an hour after we arrived.

Another time at Walla Walla I had the opportunity to get one over on SMSgt Conley. Sometimes he could be rather profane. His desk was adjacent to mine, and we also had a work counter in front of us where we served Pass & ID customers. He was fumbling in his desk and uttering some profanity over an item he couldn't find. I voiced up to no one "Can I help you, Ma'am?". He froze and turned to beat red as he looked up. There was no one there and I took off running with him in pursuit. We both had a good laugh over that.

What profession did you follow after your military service and what are you doing now? If you are currently serving, what is your present occupational specialty?

When I retired, I went to work at a local nuclear power plant. I worked my way up to full-time security officer and then into a position as a training specialist, and eventually took over the entire training program. I next ascended to a nuclear security specialist position and was responsible for plans, programs, and procedures for the plant. Ultimately, I was promoted to Superintendent of Security for the plant. Upon leaving that position, I joined the Police Department for Red Wing, Minnesota as a Community Service Officer and evidence custodian for both city and county. I retired from that position after eleven years.

What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?

Chiefs Gordy & Stolpa at a military funeral

At one time or another, I was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, Air Force Security Forces Association, and Vietnam Security Police Association. I am a charter member of the Air Force Security Forces Association (AFSFA). For seven years, I wrote the militaria collectors column for "Tiger Flight," the professional journal of the AFSFA. That column covered everything collectible, jeeps, trench art, AP/SP badges, firearms, edged weapons, AF challenge/honor coins, and on and on. I prefer the AFSFA because we take care of our own and look after the survivors of our KIA (Killed in Action) and our wounded warriors. They do things to advance recognition of the Security Forces, such as erecting a Security Force statue outside the museum at Wright Patterson AFB.

I am currently a member of the American Legion in Johnstown, Colorado. I augment the VFW Post 2121 in Greeley, Colorado, during funerals for Air Force veterans. The Marine Corps League provide the funeral details and call upon me when they are short. I fall out in my AF blues and find that very rewarding to render honors. The benefits of belonging to any military association are mainly you can converse with others you have something in common with.

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career? What do you miss most about your time in the service?

SSgt Walter M. Stolpa, Jr. Walla Walla, WA

You can take the boy out of the military but not the military out of the boy. I never really left the military in my mind and in every job I had I strive for excellence and received recognition for superior service. I found my military experience allowed me to easily eclipse my colleagues.

It has been over 30 years since I retired from the Air Force now. As I look around my home office I still have many items from my career hanging on the wall. I am proud to have been a military man, and I want everyone to know that. I have told my wife and kids that when I pass on don't even think of putting me in a civilian cemetery. Fort Logan is waiting for that day. I told the kids when they see that flag-draped casket that dad would be proud of.

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Air Force?

Retirement at Vandenberg AFB, CA 1984. My troops marching to the retirement site.

Always do more than is expected, and when you reach the supervisory level, do your utmost to take care of your troops. Lead by example, and don't expect your troops to do anything you would not do. One of the proudest moments of my career is when my troops marched up to the retirement ceremony in front of Division Headquarters at Vandenberg, AFB.

My advice to all my troops was one I didn't follow, and that was, to take advantage of the educational opportunities that were available to them. Many did and went on to be SNCOs and Officers, and I was proud of each one of them.

In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.

The TWS allows me to keep in touch with old friends and introduced me to many other folks who share my values. The forum keeps me in touch with current events and allows me to keep up with the active force. The site is my window to reach out and touch people I have something in common with.

 

Get Started On Together We Served

Watch our video and see what TWS is all about