Col Roger McLain (Ret), far left

Colonel Roger W. McLain, USAF Ret. (call sign: Herky the Hawk) was born in Grinnell, Iowa March 1, 1932. He grew up in a small farming community of Brooklyn and graduated with a BA from the University of Iowa in 1954 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the USAF. He completed pilot training and was stationed at bases in Greenville, MS and Randolph, TX. From 1962-1965 he was the Air Force Laison Officer at the US Naval Academy. This was followed by F-101 (the "Voodoo") training and his 100 missions over North Vietnam, which were flown from Udorn, Thailand. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.

After Vietnam, Major McLain had assignments in Upper Heyford, UK and Zweibrucken, Germany (now in the F-4). While in Europe, he earned is MA from the University of Southern California. From 1971-1978 Lieutenant McLain was Chief of Staff at HQ AF (TAC). In 1979 he became Base Commander in Maxell, AL, followed by three years as Chief of Contingency Plans PACAF. He retired in 1984 after 30 years of service.

Roger is married to Dolores also from Brooklyn, IA. They have two sons and a daughter and many grandchildren. He is an avid golfer and a lifelong Rotarian with nearly 40 years of perfect attendance. He was recently recognized as a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation.