Years on the Team: April 1960 to Aug 1965
HomeTown: Yuba City CA
email_address: gfbourquin@aol.com
Years in the Army: 22
Accomplishments on the Team: Designed the USAPT Pocket Patch and CoDesigned the Owls head Patch with Lt William Goodrich.
USTeam member 61,62,63,&64 National Styl Champion 1964, All Services Champion 1965
Jobs: Compitition Team Leader/Competitor Style & Accuracy
Accomlishments in the Army: Korean War and Two Tours in Viet Nam flying Gun Ships (UH-1B's and Cobras) and survived.
Now: Retired, but still fly and Skydive.
D-22
STRAC Team Member, one of the first 12 members (1960-1961)
USAPT original team member (1961-1965)
I entered the Army in Nov. 1951, went on to Korea in 1952 and returned to the US in 1953, I was assigned to Camp Beale CA. Upon reenlisting in 1953 I was assigned to Fort Belvoire VA , I applied for Jump School in 1957 and was further assigned to Fort Bragg NC and the 82nd and on to the 618th Light Equipment Airborne (Test) under CONARC.
During my time in the 618th, I was privileged to work with a fellow Sgt. by the name of Harry Arter (D-20) a member of the STRAC Team. Harry was relentless in trying to get me to "come up and see what we are doing" in 1959, I gave in and attended a meeting and training session at the 18th Abn. Parachute Club. I was so caught up in the idea that I joined that night (Thursday) bought a rig and started jumping that weekend. I became so devoted to the sport I worked and earned my D-22 by Aug. 1960.
I entered my first competition in April 1960, after the competition was asked by Gen. Joe (Stillwell) if I would like to be assigned to the STRAC team, I thought for about a half a second and said yes.
In the beginning of 1961, we were informed that we were to become an official organization on or about June 1st of that year and we would need of a pocket patch, we were to submit a rendering of what we thought would be a proper patch, My patch was selected and is still in use today.
In the latter part of 1962 we selected the nick name of the "Golden Knights" and again we needed another patch, Lt. William Goodrich (PR) and I designed the patch now referred to as the "Owl's Head" which is also still in use today and known World Wide.
In the beginning, we,( the STRAC Team) only had 12 jumpers, we performed the dual purpose of competition and demonstration parachutists not only in the States but also in World Competition. When we became an official Unit we expanded to 44 enlisted and 7 officers, at that time we formed the competition team and two demo. teams (Black & Gold). I stayed with the comp. team the rest of my tour with the USAPT. When the demo load got heavy, we the comp team did go on the road and perform demonstrations.
I departed the team along with Al Barker and Phil Vanderweg in Aug. 1965. I went on to an assignment in Alaska to start a new airborne Co. at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks AK.
In Dec. 1965 I departed Fort Wainwright for Fort Walters TX to attend Helicopter Flight School.
While on the USAPT, I was a member of the 1961 (A), 1962, 1963 and 1964 U.S.Parachute Teams. I was the 1964 National Style Champion and was second overall National Champion twice, Once behind Dick Fortenberry (D-38)1962 and once behind Jack Ady (D-103)1964.
My DAD (Spc.2 James A. Bourquin) and I were the first father/son team on the USAPT. Spc Bourquin (Jimbo) was the crew chief for the assigned CV-2 Caribou.
I served as competition team leader most of the time during my tour with the USAPT.
Upon completion of Flight School in 1966 I went on to Viet Nam, flying with the 155th AHC out of BAN ME THOUT, flying both Slicks and Gun Ships, I was also selected as the 155th AHC's Check Pilot which brought some Thrills and Chills.
Returning to the US of A in1967 I was assigned to Hunter Army Airfield DOT in Savannah GA. I received my transition into the NEW Cobra Helicopter Gun Ship, working my way into Standards I became an SIP (Standardization Instructor Pilot). I returned to Viet Nam a second time flying the Cobra with the Cobra NETT. I returned to the USA in 1972 , I was assigned to Fort Benning GA with the 121st. AHC as and SIP with the Heuy and Cobra's. I retired in 1973 with 22 years service as a CW-3.
I returned to my home State of California, I flew a helicopter from Porterville CA to Palmer AK then flew on to Bethel AK 400 miles West of Anchorage, ON FLOATS. That helicopter just happened to be a Bell 47 G3B1, that made for a long trip. Later that Summer I returned to Porterville CA to go to work for the Helicopter C. that later became HILLER AVN. we manufactured UH12E (OH23G) and FH1100 (OH5) Helicopters. I became the Chief Test Pilot for Hiller in 1975 flying the experimental flights and production flight tests, I worked in that position full time until 1989. In 1989 I went to contract work with Hiller so I could work in the Movies as a Helicopter Stunt Pilot and Parachute rigger. I also work on commercials. I have traveled out of country for Hiller a number of times checking out Instructor pilots in other countries.
I have been very active in the world of parachuting, I have been an S&TA at Lake Elsinore CA since 1990 and participate in all the SOS World Records (Skydivers over Sixty) and I have (as of Sept. of 2003) qualified to join the JOS (Skydivers over Seventy). I still fly Helicopters and Fixed Wing aircraft along with my jumping.
Along with my D-22, I am also GW-2.
Blue Skies and Skydive
Gerald (Jerry) Bourquin |
