David Archino
USAFA Graduate, 4,000 flying hours, KC-97, KC-135, C-130 Pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
Col. Archino was born September 23, 1937 in Sussex County Delaware. He graduated from Selbyville High School in 1955. In March of his senior year of high school he was appointed to the first class of the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated and was commissioned in June 1959 and rated as a Navigator. In September 1960 he graduated from pilot training. In March 1968, he obtained his Masters of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering through the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio. He attended Squadron Officer School in residence and is credited with having completed Industrial College of the Armed Forces by correspondence. Once he completed this he began his flying assignments.
Col. Archino served in the Air Force for 26 years. He was a command pilot with 4000 flying hours, 600 of which were combat hours in Vietnam. He was qualified in the following aircraft: KC-97, KC-135, C-130. He also worked on three test drop extracting systems, and then served in command
assignments which included the Pentagon, Air Force Operational Test Center, and commander of the Identification, Friend, Foe or Neutral Joint Test Force. During his 26 year service in the Air Force he was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Col. Archino retired from the United States Air Force in October 1986. Since retiring, he has owned Archino Specialty Advertising, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. In 1995, he began serving on the Meals on Wheels (MOW) executive board as a member at large and served until 2013. Col. Archino served the United States Air Force and the Great State of Delaware withgallantry and honor.
