Edward James Lange

LT. COL. EDWARD JAMES LANGE Lt. Col. Edward James Lange (Ret. USAF) passed away January 18, 2008 at Lutheran Collier Hospice Center. He was born in Pipestone, Minnesota. After graduation from high school, he joined the CCC and was sent to Natches, Washington. One year later, he attended college in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After graduation, he worked for International Harvester. When the war started, he signed up with the Army Air Corps. They sent him to Elmendorf Field, Alaska. When he saw the young pilots fly on missions to Japan, he soon knew he too, wanted to be a pilot. It was then that he was accepted for the Army Air Corps Cadet program and earned his pilot’s wings in Blythe, California. He went on to Roswell, New Mexico for B-17 training and was selected to pilot for Search and Rescue. In one year, the team completed 140 missions and saved the lives of over 200 men. He became an Instructor Pilot, a Test Pilot, and a Command Pilot. He wore the Command Pilot Wings with special pride. When the Korean War started, he was put in charge of the Communication and Electronic Squadron near Pusan. When returning to the United States he was stationed at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. His next assignment was Bitburg, Germany. The ""Cold War"" had started and flying was not a priority. He transferred back to a Radar Site in the United States and served a second tour in Germany, where his family joined him. This time, he became stationed at Birkenfeld. He was put in charge of the 412L System for southern Germany, and then was transferred to Ramstein as Staff Officer. Upon his return to the United States, he became Base Commander at Chandler, Minnesota. Completing weeks of USAF Survival School and PACAF Jungle Survival School, he went on to Vietnam where he flew 126 missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters and many other citations. His last assignment was in Perrin AFB, Texas where he retired. At the end of his career, he had flown 30 different Air Craft and accumulated 7000 hours flying time. When Ed retired, he settled in Arvada, Colorado with his family. Ed stayed active working as a volunteer at Lowry Air Force Base. He worked at Family Services, helped with new ""Wings Over the Rockies"" Museum and became president at the CCC ""Alumni Chapter7"" twice. He kept on skiing and boating at Lake Powell. He was an active member of the Daedalian Flight 18 Pilots Fraternity. He is survived by his wife, Ingrid and four daughters, Teresa (Steve) Lanier, Cindy (Robbi) Scholl, Cheryl (George) McLaughlin & Chris Godbold. He is the Grandfather of Cory, Zach, Keevyn, Leah, Jade & Chloe.