Walter G. (Dubby) LeKites III
AH-1G (Cobra) Gunship Pilot
Instrument Flight Examiner
Standardization Instructor Pilot Flight
Instructor/Flight Examiner
Highly Decorated Aviator
Walter G.(Dubby) LeKites III - Walter is a lifelong resident of Kent County, Delaware. He graduated from Harrington High School and Delaware State University. In l964, he learned how to fly airplanes from Joe Jenkins, owner of Joe Jenkins Airport.
Dubby began his 35 year military career when he enlisted in the United States Army in 1968. He served as an AH-1G Cobra helicopter gunship pilot in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and earned 25 Air Medals while flying over 600 combat missions and over 800 flight hours.
After Vietnam, Dubby served in Germany as an AH-l Cobra Instructor Pilot. He returned home to join the Delaware Army National Guard (DEARNG) as an OH-23 Pilot. During his years with the DEARNG, he became a UH-1 C/M Gunship Instructor Pilot; AASF full-time Instructor Pilot; Instrument Flight Examiner; Pilot of the first U-21 cargo airplane; and State of Delaware Standardization Instructor Pilot for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.
In June 2003, Dubby retired from DEARNG after leading many important missions for the Delaware National Guard and Homeland Security. Upon retirement, he had flown over 10,000 accident-free military hours and was also awarded the Legion of Merit and the Conspicuous Service Cross.
As a Gunship Instructor pilot, Instrument Flight Examiner and Standardization Instructor pilot, Dubby has trained and mentored scores of aviators, each of whom benefited from his personable, professional demeanor.
In2017, he was inducted into the Delaware Army National Guard Warrant Officer Hall of Fame.
