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March mustache madness at ARPC

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Belinda Petersen
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  There was a different kind of March Madness going on at the Air Reserve Personnel Center here last month.

During the month, several ARPC regulars took part in "March Mustache Madness" a tradition that dates back to 1965. Total Force Airmen grow their "bullet-proof" mustaches to honor Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, a decorated triple-ace fighter pilot who was famous for the extravagantly waxes, handlebar mustache he wore in Vietnam. It was a mark of his individuality.

Olds shot down 17 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War. He began combat flying in a P-38 Lightning during World War II, and at the end of the war he was flying a P-51 Mustang. He was credited with 107 combat missions and 24.5 victories, 12 aircraft shot down and 11 ½ aircraft destroyed on the ground.

During the Vietnam War, Olds flew the F-4 Phantom II and completed 152 combat missions and shot down two MiG-17 and two MiG-21 aircraft.

"Generals visiting Vietnam would kind of laugh at the mustache," Olds said in his biography, "Fighter Pilot - The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds." "I was far away from home. It was a gesture of defiance. The kids on base loved it. Most everybody grew a mustache."

Airmen at ARPC who grew their mustaches for a month included Brig. Gen. Jay Flournoy, ARPC commander, Bob Orton, Assignments Branch, Col. Felix Losco, director, Judge Advocate, Lt. Col. Eric Burgener, director, Future Operation and Integration, Col. Ken Klein, vice commander and Senior Master Sgt. John Neeley, first sergeant.

Olds sported his defiant mustache until April 1965 when he reported back to his home station. Then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. McConnell walked up to Olds, stuck a finger under his nose and ordered, "Take it off." Olds replied, "Yes, sir."