David Anthony Self, Jr. passed away on Sept. 8, 2010 in the care of his loving grandchildren, Brittany M. Self and David A. Self, III.
He was born to Mae and David A. Self on Nov. 13, 1923 in Wattis, Utah. Music was his first love. He worked his way through school playing trumpet in the Big Band era. Then along came Lorraine Black. While still in Air Force cadet training, he married her in May of 1944.
Dave was co-pilot of the B-29 Command Decision, the "World's Most Decorated Bomber", in the Korean Conflict. Flying a combat mission in heavy rain on the night of May 31, 1951, his plane was attacked by 20 MIGs. With the radio, compass and hydraulic system shot out, the #2 engine "feathered," and the left wing flap "Swiss-cheesed," his crew still destroyed their target and eight to twelve MIGs before making an emergency landing with no left tires. The only bomber known to become a "jet ace," its remains are the second most popular exhibit in the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Ohio.
Four children and an MBA later, Lt. Col. Self topped an illustrious career as Deputy Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Lab at Edwards A.F.B. in California during the development of the ICBM.
Preceded in death by his twin, Geraldine Gerrard; brother, Ted; sons, Larry and Greg; and daughter, Jennifer.
Dave is survived by his brother, Art; daughter, Sande Bell; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Lt. Col. Self will be buried with full military honors at Ft. Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Published in Deseret News on September 19, 2010
He was born to Mae and David A. Self on Nov. 13, 1923 in Wattis, Utah. Music was his first love. He worked his way through school playing trumpet in the Big Band era. Then along came Lorraine Black. While still in Air Force cadet training, he married her in May of 1944.
Dave was co-pilot of the B-29 Command Decision, the "World's Most Decorated Bomber", in the Korean Conflict. Flying a combat mission in heavy rain on the night of May 31, 1951, his plane was attacked by 20 MIGs. With the radio, compass and hydraulic system shot out, the #2 engine "feathered," and the left wing flap "Swiss-cheesed," his crew still destroyed their target and eight to twelve MIGs before making an emergency landing with no left tires. The only bomber known to become a "jet ace," its remains are the second most popular exhibit in the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Ohio.
Four children and an MBA later, Lt. Col. Self topped an illustrious career as Deputy Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Lab at Edwards A.F.B. in California during the development of the ICBM.
Preceded in death by his twin, Geraldine Gerrard; brother, Ted; sons, Larry and Greg; and daughter, Jennifer.
Dave is survived by his brother, Art; daughter, Sande Bell; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Lt. Col. Self will be buried with full military honors at Ft. Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Published in Deseret News on September 19, 2010
David Anthony Self, Jr. passed away on Sept. 8, 2010 in the care of his loving grandchildren, Brittany M. Self and David A. Self, III.
He was born to Mae and David A. Self on Nov. 13, 1923 in Wattis, Utah. Music was his first love. He worked his way through school playing trumpet in the Big Band era. Then along came Lorraine Black. While still in Air Force cadet training, he married her in May of 1944.
Dave was co-pilot of the B-29 Command Decision, the "World's Most Decorated Bomber", in the Korean Conflict. Flying a combat mission in heavy rain on the night of May 31, 1951, his plane was attacked by 20 MIGs. With the radio, compass and hydraulic system shot out, the #2 engine "feathered," and the left wing flap "Swiss-cheesed," his crew still destroyed their target and eight to twelve MIGs before making an emergency landing with no left tires. The only bomber known to become a "jet ace," its remains are the second most popular exhibit in the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Ohio.
Four children and an MBA later, Lt. Col. Self topped an illustrious career as Deputy Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Lab at Edwards A.F.B. in California during the development of the ICBM.
Preceded in death by his twin, Geraldine Gerrard; brother, Ted; sons, Larry and Greg; and daughter, Jennifer.
Dave is survived by his brother, Art; daughter, Sande Bell; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Lt. Col. Self will be buried with full military honors at Ft. Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Published in Deseret News on September 19, 2010
He was born to Mae and David A. Self on Nov. 13, 1923 in Wattis, Utah. Music was his first love. He worked his way through school playing trumpet in the Big Band era. Then along came Lorraine Black. While still in Air Force cadet training, he married her in May of 1944.
Dave was co-pilot of the B-29 Command Decision, the "World's Most Decorated Bomber", in the Korean Conflict. Flying a combat mission in heavy rain on the night of May 31, 1951, his plane was attacked by 20 MIGs. With the radio, compass and hydraulic system shot out, the #2 engine "feathered," and the left wing flap "Swiss-cheesed," his crew still destroyed their target and eight to twelve MIGs before making an emergency landing with no left tires. The only bomber known to become a "jet ace," its remains are the second most popular exhibit in the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Ohio.
Four children and an MBA later, Lt. Col. Self topped an illustrious career as Deputy Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Lab at Edwards A.F.B. in California during the development of the ICBM.
Preceded in death by his twin, Geraldine Gerrard; brother, Ted; sons, Larry and Greg; and daughter, Jennifer.
Dave is survived by his brother, Art; daughter, Sande Bell; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Lt. Col. Self will be buried with full military honors at Ft. Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Published in Deseret News on September 19, 2010
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