A pilot, father named Piston

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  A solemn military ceremony was punctured by the sounds of a 21-gun salute, a missing-man formation and the song, "Amazing Grace", as the family of Capt. Dee "Piston" Imlay and fellow members of the Gunfighter community gathered inside a hangar at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, April 6.

Imlay, who is assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron, died March 28, 2012, in an accident involving an F-15E Strike Eagle near a base in Southwest Asia.

"Captain Imlay was a tremendous fighter pilot who played a vital role in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom," said Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "As a member of one of the world's most advanced and highly skilled fighter squadrons, Piston had an enormous impact on our Gunfighter mission."

In a pre-written statement, deployed 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Commander Lt. Col. David Brynteson said, "The entire Mountain Home AFB community joins the Imlay family in mourning Piston. He is an American hero."

Long before he was a pilot, Imlay was a high school and college student who loved to play baseball, video games and go fishing.

"I first became acquainted with Dee when he was 12 years old," stated Capt. Mike Whitmore, brother-in-law of Imlay. "He was a man of character, honor and integrity. The strength of his character was shown through his selflessness, compassion and his contagious smile and sense of humor.

"Demonstrating his love to his wife and his children were vital to Dee," he continued. "He poured himself into those relationships. Much of his personal time was spent playing with his children. They brought an unprecedented amount of happiness to him."

Whitmore continued by explaining the specific way his brother-in-law would build forts with his children.

"He found great joy in taking the entire living room and transforming it into a fort," said Whitmore. "The forts had rooms inside of it and usually you would see Dee's head pop out grinning from ear to ear. He leaves behind an exemplary example to his children of a life of service and sacrifice."

For his family and friends, Imlay's outstanding military service was just one part of the kind of man he was.

During his career, Imlay distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States.

Imlay was named Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Reserve Officer Training Corps from Auburn University, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

"While our hearts are filled with grief, we take consolation in knowing that Dee's legacy is one of loyalty, dedication, commitment, integrity and courage," Whitmore said. "Dee did it right. He was a good man."