CAPT LEONARD F. REYNOLDS, USAF

Class 1958

Born October 1, 1935

Died July 8, 1964

Age 28

Hometown Missoula, Montana

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1958 Lucky Bag:

LEONARD FARNSWORTH REYNOLDS

Pete caught the stagecoach east from Montana State to don the honored Navy blue and gold. Always discounting the popular Eastern myth that the West was “wild and wooly,” this lad was one of our smoothest operators. Stars and Pete soon became synonymous as did the tenacity and sagacity he’ always displayed in any undertaking. Soccer, contributing to the Christmas Card Committee, and writing letters kept him occupied and out of the way of the Executive Department. Pete’s consuming interest in aviation points to a career in the skylanes; he may even be the pilot of our first rocket ship to the moon.

(Note: Verified that the Lucky Bag entry is correct; he apparently went by Pete.)

Loss

“Pete” was lost when the F-105D he was piloting collided with a KC-135 refueling plane on July 8, 1964, over the California desert.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

While a member of Troop 9 of the Western Montana Council of the Boy Scouts, “Pete” advanced to eagle rank. In 1951 he was honored as the most outstanding member of the council, having accomplished everything possible for him to do. After his death, a memorial fund in his name was set up to fund the Melita Island camp.

As a graduate in 1953 of Sentinel High School, Leonard was known as “Pete.” Honor Roll 1, 2, 3, 4; Key Cub 2, 3, 4; PASF 1, Vice Pres. 2; Radio Club 2; HR Pres. 2; Class Rep. 4; “Heaven Can Wait” 3; played The Professor in “Cuckoos on the Hearth” 4; Cantata 3; Thespians 4.

As a freshman at Montana State in Missoula, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

In August, 1956, Leonard gave a talk and showed pictures of his Naval Academy training at the 10th annual Boys State in Dillon, Montana.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy, he became one of the first five launch control officers in the Air Force missile program at Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming, the first site for launching of intercontinental Atlas missiles. He was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and in July, 1959, he attended Convair School in San Diego.

In November, 1961, Leonard entered Air Force pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in Texas. He was an instructor pilot assigned to the 3561st Pilot Training Squadron at Webb AFB when he was promoted to captain in December, 1962. He entered another school for combat training in F-100 jets of the Tactical Air Force following completion of pilot training.

He was elected to the Order of Daedalians, of which the seven original astronauts are members, on the basis of his being graduated first in his flying school class. In October, 1963, Leonard graduated from the F-100 Super Sabre training course at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. He was recognized as the top rookie in the Air Force in 1963.

In March 1964, Leonard graduated from the training course on F-109 Thunderchiefs at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and was transferred to George AFB, California.

He was a member of Hellgate Lodge 33 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A memorial service was held in his honor on July 11.

He was survived by his parents; his wife, Marilyn Moore whom he married on June 21, 1958; son Thomas Leonard; daughter Laura Lynn; sister Mrs. Simon Carroll; and grandmother Mrs. Edith Reynolds.

He is buried in California.

Photographs

"Leonard receives an award at the Boy Scout father-son banquet at Loyola Auditorium. The award was for most outstanding Boy Scout of the Missoula district of the Western Montana council last year." From The Daily Missoulian on February 7, 1951