Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and then joined the 352^nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s, and always named his planes “The Duchess.”

After the war ended, he became a test pilot with the Thunderbirds. Before he retired in 1970, his resume included establishing aircraft maintenance capability for NATO allies, building and testing the missile defense program, and serving as the Inspector General for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) for two years.

After retiring, he moved to San Diego to join Anthony Schools, where he served as CEO and Executive Vice President for ten years. In 1976 he was divorced and was re-married in 1977. He again retired in 1980 and became a full-time Christian Science Practitioner. From 1989 to 1991 he was a Christian Science Lecturer and he was active in 6^th Church of Christ, Scientist and later, 4^th Church in La Jolla.

Col. Richard C. Brookins passed away on December 7, 2003.

Link to the Collection's Descriptive Finding Guide.