Philip D. Carlson

COL. PHILIP D. CARLSON Philip D. Carlson, age 73, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2006, after a sudden illness. He was born on 4 May 1933 in Isanti, MN and graduated from Princeton High School, Princeton, MN in 1951. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota in 1955 and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Auburn University, AL in 1972. He was also a graduate of the Air Force Air Command and Staff College. Commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program, Col. Carlson began his active duty career in March 1956 with pilot training at Marana Air Base in AZ, and continued at Bryan AFB, TX where he received his pilot's wings. He was then assigned to Moody AFB, GA in June 1957 for F-86D training and in Jan 1958 was assigned as a fighter interceptor pilot with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan. He returned to the United States in Jan 1961 and was assigned as HQ Sq Commander for the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing at England AFB, TX. In June 1963, he was assigned to HQ Pacific Security Region, Wheeler AFB, HI and then was attached to the Intelligence Staff of Headquarters Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, HI. In Sept 1966, Col Carlson was transferred to Headquarters USAF Security Service, Kelly AFB, San Antonio, TX as an intelligence staff officer. His next assignment was as Commander of Detachment 2, 6994th Security Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in July of 1968. Following graduation from Air Command and Staff College in June 1970, he became an education staff officer with the Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL. In Jan 1974, he became Commandant of the AF Logistics Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Robins AFB, GA. In July 1977, Col Carlson returned to HQ UASFSS as Director of Plans and Policies, DCS/Plans and Operations, and later served as Director of Operations Readiness, DCS/Operations. In June 1980, the colonel assumed command of Headquarters Electronic Security Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. In this capacity, he was responsible for all Electronic Security Command units and resources in the European theater. In November 1981, he became assistant DCS/Intelligence, HQ USAF Europe, also at Ramstein. He assumed his final assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, HQ ESC, at Kelly AFB, San Antonio, TX in August 1984. Col. Carlson's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals and the Purple Heart. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Olga Carlson of Minneapolis, MN. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his sons Jeff, Jon & James and his daughter Joan Rish. He is also survived by his son-in-law Rockie Rish, and daughters-in-law Cheryl Carlson and Lisa Carlson. He has two grandsons, Chase and Blake Carlson. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Audrey and Orlo Espeland of South Dakota. Viewing on Tuesday, May 2 at Porter Loring North Mortuary at 6:00pm 8:00pm. Services are 12:30pm on Wednesday, May 3rd at Porter Loring North Mortuary with interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.