Maj. Karl J. Giese
Air Force 1958-78
DFC/7 Air Medals
Major Karl James Giese enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Navigator program on September 19, 1958. The Air Force needed thousands of navigators for the bomber fleet conversion to B-52s as each crew used three navigators: navigator, bombardier, and electronic warfare officer. For this program they changed the prerequisite from a college degree to only 1 year of college. After three months of preflight training, the cadets moved to Harlingen AFB, Texas for Eight months of flight training. At graduation they were commissioned as Reserve Air Force 2nd Lieutenants and awarded navigator wings. Karl took leave to marry his high school sweetheart Barbara Nelis. Giese then was assigned to Biloxi AFB, Mississippi for Electronic Warfare Officer Training (EWO). After a total of 20 months of flight training he was assigned to Kalispell, Montana Radar Station as the Operations Officer. After 27 months he was assigned to Biggs AFB in El Paso flying as an EWO in ECB-57 fighter bomber providing airborne targets to missile crews training at Bliss Army base. By then they had two boys, James and David. From there he transferred to Otis AFB, Massachusetts to fly EC-121 Radar patrol in the North Atlantic. This assignment allowed him ample off time to complete most of his college requirements and qualify for the Bootstrap program to finish college at Omaha State college. After training in EC-47s he deployed to Vietnam for Electronic Reconnaissance where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and eight Air Medals. Upon his return he was finally assigned to B-52s at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas where he was commissioned as a Regular Air Force Captain and promoted to Major. In 1969, after training at the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada, the family moved to Hahn AB in Germany where he flew in F-4s with the 81st Fighter Squadron. This was the only “Wild Weasel” anti-missile squadron with the capability to launch radar seeking missiles in Germany. In 1971 Major Giese was medically removed from flying and served in the Operations Command Post, Wing Operation Plans, Headquarters Squadron Commander, and Wing Administration Officer. In 1973 he earned a Master of Arts from Ball State University’s European program.
In 1974 he transferred to AFROTC at the University of Iowa and served as Commandant of Cadets. While there he was elected president of the Faculty Club. Upon retirement on September 30, 1978 he worked for Dane Bosworth in Iowa City where he was active in the Optimist Cub, Rotary Club, and the Chamber of Commerce where he chaired the first Military Affairs Committee and helped start the annual Veterans Day dinner to honor Veterans, National Guard and Army Reserve soldier of the year, ROTC cadet commanders, and a Johnson County Veteran for a lifetime of service to their country and Johnson County. In 1985 he and his wife left their jobs to move to Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. After ordination and receiving his Master of Divinity degree he served as pastor of United Methodist Churches in Iowa from 1987-2001. He and his wife retired in Silver City, New Mexico.
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