Kip Becker
University of Delaware Graduate
Delaware Army National Guard
Honored Professor Boston University
Decorated with DFC & 30 Air Medals
MEDEVAC Pilot in Operation Desert Storm
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program Rep
Kip Becker graduated from Newark High School and in 1966 after two years at the University of Delaware, he pursued his dream to become an army helicopter pilot. In 1967 he earned his Army Aviator Wings as a WO1 having flown the Hughes TH-55 in Primary Flight Training at Fort Wolters, Texas, and the Bell UH-1 in Advanced Flight Training.
Kip was then assigned to 119th Assault Helicopter Company in Pleiku, Vietnam. He led multi-aircraft assaults, troop support missions, and Special Forces Team insertions and extractions. He flew 1,171 combat hours. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 30 Air Medals, and Valorous Unit awards. At Hunter Army Airfield, he accumulated 578 Instrument Instructor Pilot hours in the Bell UH-1.
After returning to Delaware, he joined the Delaware Agency to Reduce Crime earning his Single-Engine Fixed-Wing License. Missing helicopters he enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard, 198th Aviation Battalion, at the Duncan Armory and continued his education earning an MBA at Wilmington College and a PhD from Florida State University.
He represented Delaware to the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program contributing to the establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Office in Wilmington. After accepting a Professorship at Boston University, he transferred to the1059 Air Ambulance Company of the New Hampshire Army National Guard (MEDEVAC).
Kip was recalled to US Army Active Duty in 1990 for Gulf War Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and retired at wars end.
