Lt . Colonel Wendell Ashley U.S. Air Force

Lt. Colonel Wendell AshleyU.S. Air Force King High Remembers Ani Dhruva Cole Azevedo IannBinalber

Early Life • Born January 15th, 1932 in Tuskegee, Alabama • His parents are Beatrice Hyde Ashley and Alonzo Ray Ashley • He had two brothers and one sister

High School & College • he attended Tuskegee Institute High School, where he was involved in ROTC • He attended a 2-week summer encampment for ROTC • Attended Tuskegee University, Alabama

Joining the Air Force • He joined the Air force in 1953, due to his involvement in ROTC and growing up around the famous Tuskegee Airmen • He was working for an Architectural Firm before he joined • Active during the Vietnam and Cold War

First Assignment • Specialized as a civil engineer • On his 3rd day at the base in Mobile, Alabama, was assigned to redesign front entrance of the base • He was featured in the Mobile Press for the design

Air Force Service(60's) • Stationed in Tokyo at the beginning of the war • Later transferred to central Thailand for a "top- secret" mission • Stopped by Phillipines before arriving in Takhli, Thailand

Takhli, Thailand • Filled with dense jungle, had to build cantonment area • Jungle full of tigers, elephants, many snakes, and other exotic animals • had to work with 20-year old supplies (traded with Thai for different food • Only got mail/news once a week

Thailand (cont.) • Massive amounts of snakes would appear during monsoon season, would get stuck on jeeps • had to prepare for potential war during Cuban Missile Crisis • Later stationed in Utapao in the 70's • B-52's came in/out of Utapao 24/7 • had to follow behind B-52's that landed to make sure bombs wouldn't fall off(which was dangerous)

Unusual Events in Thailand During secret mission in Takhli, Thailand a herd of Elephants stampeded and destroyed base which took 2 months to build Had to disassemble and hide weapons on themselves in order to smuggle weapons through Philippines Was on nuclear war alert during stay in Thailand for 2 weeks

Discrimination in Thailand Americans not allowed to sleep in the base Had to sleep outside, had to make latrines and build own sleeping quarters Whole unit was not treated fairly by local militia General of the base gave unrealistic expectations and deadlines

Life in the Air Force • He often thought about his wife and family back home • He kept a stamp collection • Often only stayed in one place of 2-3 years, as he transferred often • Racism prevalent when stationed in south

Life in the Air Force (cont.) • Often spent time in the officer's club • People often went to movie theaters, and went bowling • The bases often had the same kind facilities and entertainment as normal American communities

Retirement from the Air Force • Retired from the Air Force in 1983 at the rank of Lt. Colonel • At one point oversaw up to 1,700 men • Worked in the all around the US, Japan, and Germany

After the Air Force • After his service, he worked for an architectural firm in D.C. • was the COO and Senior Vice President for US Facilities Incorporated

Wisdom from Wendell • Management(3 M's)-Money-Men-Materials • Experience in the military opens doors in life, teaches you life lessons • Military men given responsibility earlier on

Wisdom From Wendell (cont.) • Challenges need to be faced head on • You need to learn to live with mistakes • "People are people, and will treat you as such" • Military career is a great career for anybody

Wisdom From Wendell (Cont.) Don’t take things for granted, sometimes what you get is what you got. Family is what keeps you going through life Education is essentially the key to success Live life to the fullest; no matter what.. 

Lt . Colonel Wendell Ashley U.S. Air Force