Linda Morelli of Hockessin was Delaware Girl Student of the Year in 1973. Ever on the deans list and leader in sports at McKean High School, she had the "right stuff to soar with eagles.
She enlisted in the Delaware Air National Guard in 1975 and was named "outstanding graduate" in basic training. In 1977, following graduation from the University of Delaware, she accepted a commission in the Delaware Army National Guard. Because of her impressive academic and military records, she was named aide-de¬camp to a general, a first for a female in the Delaware National Guard.
In 1978, Miss Morelli became the first airborne-qualified female in the Delaware National Guard (she has made 30 jumps). In 1980 she won her military wings, the first female to do so while in the Delaware Guard.
Seeking greater opportunity to fly, she transferred to the Arizona Army National Guard as a platoon leader/pilot—the first female pilot in that organization. In 1983, she joined Hughes Aircraft, marketing and flying helicopters around the country, and transferred to the California Army National Guard, where she became a company commander/pilot.When Hughes was sold, she marketed the C-17 "Airlifter" for Douglas. In 1988 she accepted a post with McDonnell-Douglas to field the AH-64 Apache helicopter in the military. In 1993 she became deputy sheriff/pilot for Riverside County, Calif.
While vigorously pursuing parallel military and civilian careers, Morelli completed the Army Command and General Staff College program, and she was graduated summa cum laude from Western International University with an MBA in management.
Major Morelli's flying career ended in 1999 when she suffered a spinal injury in a take-off crash caused by a mechanical failure. She has more than 5,000 helicopter hours and has master pilot wings.
Now in the inactive reserve, she and husband, Charles Zunker, also a Guardsman, live in Winchester, Calif.
