Bio: Wirtala, David A. – 2nd Lt. (First Solo Flight – 1968)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wirtala

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 12 Sep 1968

Pensacola, Florida – Marine 2nd Lt. David A. Wirtala, 23, son of Mrs. Vendia S. Wirtala, route 1, Withee (Clark Co., Wis.), has flown his first solo flight.

The flight was made in a T34 "Mentor" trainer aircraft, after approximately one month of Primary Flight Training with Training Squadron One at Saufley Field, Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.

The "Mentor: is the military's version of the civilian Beechcraft "Bonanza."

He will continue on to more advanced phases of his flight training for approximately 13 more months, before receiving his pilot's "Wings of Gold."