Howard King
Rank: TSgt
Entered Into Eternal Rest
2024-03-01
Howard (Sky) King, 87, passed away on March 1, 2024. He was born in Tallulah, Louisiana, April 18, 1936. He acquired the nickname "Sky" after having over 1,000 parachute jumps, day and night. He became a Master Parachutist, served in the 101st Airborne and jumped into enemy territory many times. Sky earned the Bronze Star for heroic combat in Viet Nam. After retirement he spent almost 20 years as an Air Traffic Controller in Mesa, Arizona.
He was laid to rest on March 21, 2024.
2 entries.
I retired from the USAF in 1982 in Phoenix, AZ......I wishI had k own Sky and Gus Rinehardt were in Tempe/Mesa,AZ.
I retired from the USAF in 1982 in Phoenix, AZ......I wishI had k own Sky and Gus Rinehardt were in Tempe/Mesa,AZ.... Collapse
1974 or 5 on base at Langley AFB, VA, we were practicing for the base open house. I had always used the APS 28-11 my Uncle Sammy had provided. I had no free fall equip of my own. Sky asked if I wanted to try his red and black PC. Dumb question. Next lift we exited over water and during the fall I got my down too far and did my first forward flip. What a rush! Pulled one toggle deep and watched the world go round. I eventhought I saw the canopy straight out. Pull the other toggle and... Read more
1974 or 5 on base at Langley AFB, VA, we were practicing
for the base open house. I had always used the APS 28-11 my Uncle Sammy had provided. I had no free fall equip of my own. Sky asked if I wanted to try his red and black PC. Dumb question. Next lift we exited over water and during the fall I got my down too far and did my first forward flip. What a rush! Pulled one toggle deep and watched the world go round. I eventhought I saw the canopy straight out. Pull the other toggle and repeat. The most fun I ever had under canopy. At least until a night equipment jump broke 4 canopy lines and took my canteen. Didn't get to goto Blackstone many times with Sky, but I remember him for his kindness and a wonderful ride... Collapse
for the base open house. I had always used the APS 28-11 my Uncle Sammy had provided. I had no free fall equip of my own. Sky asked if I wanted to try his red and black PC. Dumb question. Next lift we exited over water and during the fall I got my down too far and did my first forward flip. What a rush! Pulled one toggle deep and watched the world go round. I eventhought I saw the canopy straight out. Pull the other toggle and repeat. The most fun I ever had under canopy. At least until a night equipment jump broke 4 canopy lines and took my canteen. Didn't get to goto Blackstone many times with Sky, but I remember him for his kindness and a wonderful ride... Collapse
