Colonel (Ret.) Donald Anthony Flood

He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV, where he excelled in Oratory, placing first in the state and third in the nation in the “I Speak for Democracy” contest. He was hired by the local radio station and worked as a radio announcer from his sophomore year in high school through college at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.

He left college after two years in 1953 during the Korean War to enter the Air Force’s Aviation Cadet Program. He graduated in 1955 as a Second Lieutenant and a rating of Navigator. He served three years with the 1371st Photo Mapping Squadron, Palm Beach AFB, West Palm Beach, FL. He participated in Operation Redwing (1956) and Operation Hard Tack (1958) at Eniwetok/Bikini Atolls where hydrogen bomb tests were conducted.

He graduated from Pilot Training in 1959 and was assigned to Loring AFB, ME as a B-52 Co-Pilot. In 1961, he was assigned to the Chief of Standboard crew and subsequently upgraded to Aircraft Commander in record time and flying hours. His crew was twice given the “Golden Bomber Crew” award by 8th AF for performance during Operational Readiness Inspections.

While assigned to Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY from 1965 to 1969, he served two tours at Andersen AFB, Guam where he streamlined and delivered pre-takeoff briefings to Arc Light B-52 and KC-135 crews. He also flew as Airborne Commander (ABC) on B-52 flights.

In 1969, he was assigned to 8th AF at Westover AFB, MA as Chief of Current Operations for Task Force Deployments. He planned and participated in a major KC-135 Task Force Deployment to Thule AFB, Greenland in support of B-52 operations.

From 1970 to 1971 in Vietnam, he served as the B-52 strike coordinator in the field working with U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. He returned to serve as Director of Operations for the 45th Air Division, Pease AFB, NH.

In 1972, he was selected to assist in the formation of and to command the 4201st Test Squadron. The unit’s mission was to test and evaluate, in an operational environment, new or modified weapon systems as they became part of the SAC inventory. Initially, the squadron completed the ongoing Category 3 Test of the FB111. Soon thereafter, testing began of the Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM) to be launched from B-52 and FB111 platforms.

The 4201st was awarded the Air Force Outstanding unit Award in 1974. In 1975, Colonel Flood briefed SAC’s Director of Operations on the inherent problems of conducting test operations from Pease AFB during the winter. He suggested relocating the unit to Barksdale AFB, LA based on a more favorable climate and collocation with a Numbered Air Force. The move was approved and was conducted with no interruption to test operations.

In 1976, he was assigned to the 3rd Strategic Air Division at Vanderberg AFB, CA as Director of Ground, Air and Ballistic Missile Safety.

He retired from Vanderberg AFB in 1977 with twenty-three years of service, having held ratings as a Senior Navigator and Command Pilot with over 5000 hours of flying time. He received the following decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnam Honor Medal (First Class), Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

In 1998, he retired after twenty years with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter as Vice President of Investments, Portsmouth, NH. He resided in Florida.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Odell and son, Daniel A. Flood and pre-deceased by his son, Robert A. Flood. He was grandfather of eight grandchildren, Tiffany Flood, Alison Odell, Samantha Flood, Jennifer Flood, Stuart Odell, Grace Odell, Kelly Flood, Mckenzie Flood and great-grandfather of two, Kylie Peyton Montana and Marlee Jae Cashman.

Services to be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA on September 24, 2021 at 11:00am.

When rescheduled attendees are to arrive 45 minutes prior to event and meet in the Administration Building. Government issued ID’s will be required. The procession will commence from there to graveside accompanied by a Military Chaplin, Ground Burial with Full Honors. As of now there is a 100 person attendee limitation as per federal regulations due to COVID-19. We appreciate everyone’s patience. Stay safe and be well.