Dates

• Existence: 1931 - 1969

Biographical Note

Clyde Seiler (1931-1969) was a Continental Airlines pilot and served in the Vietnam War as a fighter pilot.

Clyde Seiler was born on May 24, 1931 to Joseph F. and Mneatha B. (Lasher) Seiler in Erie, Pennsylvania. At some point prior to 1949, he relocated to Seattle, Washington where he attended the University of Washington and played on the football team. In the late 1950s-early 1960s he relocated to Colorado where he worked as Continental Airlines pilot. He was also a member of the Colorado Air National Guard, 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The unit was called to active duty for the Air Force in April 1968 due to the Vietnam War.

On March 27, 1969 Major Clyde Seiler was flying a North American F-100 Super Sabre when he was shot down and killed by enemy ground fire near Bien Ha, South Vietnam while conducting a strafing mission in support of American forces. Two months prior to his death in action, Seiler had set the squadron record of flying its 5,000th combat sortie mission since the unit arrived in Vietnam in May 1968. He received the Purple Heart.

Seiler married Joan Gellerman in 1952 in Seattle, Washington. The couple had a son. At some point the couple divorced and Seiler married Joyce (Redden) Rhoades, who had a son. The couple had a son together in 1967.

Gender

• male

Occupations

• Fighter pilots

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