Mcdowell High School Alumni
Erie, Pennsylvania (PA)
Recent Members
Cindy Cindy Schmid | 1975 |
Jamari M | 2025 |
Jody Beemus | 1974 |
Luke Dzurik Luke Dzurik | 1999 |
Parker Merrill | 2023 |
Roger Brownyard | 1976 |
Scott Rubin | 1975 |
Wendy Warren Wendy Warren | 1981 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Mcdowell High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Trojans lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Mel ( Dick) Mando
Class of 1963
Air Force, 6 Years
Last duty, Clark AB Phillippines , Medical Specialist-Field Medic, Air-Evac
Class of 1963
Air Force, 6 Years
Last duty, Clark AB Phillippines , Medical Specialist-Field Medic, Air-Evac
Alan R Ochsenbein
Class of 1964
Air Force, 16 Years
AFROTC grad commissioned in 1968, served in Okinawa, Japan, Alaska overseas and held several command and staff jobs including IG team, worked on Operation Babylift during fall of Saigon, and Coin Alaska, resupply of north slope oil fields, squadron commander of 21st Services Squadron, Tachikawa, Japan.
Class of 1964
Air Force, 16 Years
AFROTC grad commissioned in 1968, served in Okinawa, Japan, Alaska overseas and held several command and staff jobs including IG team, worked on Operation Babylift during fall of Saigon, and Coin Alaska, resupply of north slope oil fields, squadron commander of 21st Services Squadron, Tachikawa, Japan.
Barbara (Graves) Rich
Class of 1972
Air Force, 16 Years
Communications and Computers Systems Officer
Class of 1972
Air Force, 16 Years
Communications and Computers Systems Officer
Bob Kiehlmeier
Class of 1967
Navy Reserves, 20+ Years
Retired in 1994 as Radioman Chief Petty Officer. Served in Keflavik, Iceland, Honolulu,
Hawaii, Persian Gulf -Iranian Hostage event, and other places I cannot tell about......
Class of 1967
Navy Reserves, 20+ Years
Retired in 1994 as Radioman Chief Petty Officer. Served in Keflavik, Iceland, Honolulu,
Hawaii, Persian Gulf -Iranian Hostage event, and other places I cannot tell about......
Christopher Tinsman
Class of 2004
Marine Corps, 12 Years
Still on orders as active duty
Class of 2004
Marine Corps, 12 Years
Still on orders as active duty
Darrell Patten
Class of 1997
Navy, 13 Years
Submarine force, US Atlantic Fleet conventional mechanic.
Class of 1997
Navy, 13 Years
Submarine force, US Atlantic Fleet conventional mechanic.
David Boudreau
Class of 1987
Air Force, 20+ Years
1987 - 1994 Law Enforcement Specialist / US Military Customs
1994 - 2007 Military Training Instructor, Training Superintendent USAF Basic Military Training
Class of 1987
Air Force, 20+ Years
1987 - 1994 Law Enforcement Specialist / US Military Customs
1994 - 2007 Military Training Instructor, Training Superintendent USAF Basic Military Training
David Cooke
Class of 1971
Air Force, 4 Years
Military Police Europe and US Air Force National Museum
Class of 1971
Air Force, 4 Years
Military Police Europe and US Air Force National Museum
David Pamula
Class of 1966
Navy, 4 Years
Boiler tender 3rd class,USS AMERICA CVA66,3years Vietnam war 1967-70
Class of 1966
Navy, 4 Years
Boiler tender 3rd class,USS AMERICA CVA66,3years Vietnam war 1967-70
David Wagner
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Faithfully and honorably Served in the United States Marine Coprs for over 21 years. Participated in Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Retirement Date set for 31 Oct 2010.
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Faithfully and honorably Served in the United States Marine Coprs for over 21 years. Participated in Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Retirement Date set for 31 Oct 2010.
Donald C Thompson
Class of 1951
Army, 10 Years
ROTC at W&J, two active duty tours, 1955-1956, 1961-1962, resigned as Captain 1965.
Class of 1951
Army, 10 Years
ROTC at W&J, two active duty tours, 1955-1956, 1961-1962, resigned as Captain 1965.
Donald L.Wilson
Class of 1967
Air Force, 36 Years
USAF Security Police 4 yrs, Taiwan, Vietnam, & Okla. USAFR 30 more yrs, mostly flying med-evac in the Middle East and Europe.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 36 Years
USAF Security Police 4 yrs, Taiwan, Vietnam, & Okla. USAFR 30 more yrs, mostly flying med-evac in the Middle East and Europe.
Dwain Fugate
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Vietnam Helicopter Door Gunner, shot down 3/2/67. Fractured 3 vertebrae. Purple Heart
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Vietnam Helicopter Door Gunner, shot down 3/2/67. Fractured 3 vertebrae. Purple Heart
Ernie Katzwinkel
Class of 1971
Navy, 20+ Years
Captain Civil Engineer Corps, SEABEEs, 28 Years.
Class of 1971
Navy, 20+ Years
Captain Civil Engineer Corps, SEABEEs, 28 Years.
FRANK E. MEHLER JR.
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 4 Years
SERVED AS AN AEROGRAPHER WITH THE 5 MARINE AIR WING DIVISION
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 4 Years
SERVED AS AN AEROGRAPHER WITH THE 5 MARINE AIR WING DIVISION
Gary Hines
Class of 1970
Navy, 20+ Years
Master Chief Electrician's Mate EMCM(SW) E-9
Served 30 years 22 Sept 1970 - 1 October 2000.
Served on 7 ships, went around the world twice, served 2 years overseas (Iceland). Based in Norfolk, VA most of the time to avoid uprooting my family every few years. Served as a Command Master Chief several times. Mentored thousands of young sailors during my career. Would do it all again if asked to.
Class of 1970
Navy, 20+ Years
Master Chief Electrician's Mate EMCM(SW) E-9
Served 30 years 22 Sept 1970 - 1 October 2000.
Served on 7 ships, went around the world twice, served 2 years overseas (Iceland). Based in Norfolk, VA most of the time to avoid uprooting my family every few years. Served as a Command Master Chief several times. Mentored thousands of young sailors during my career. Would do it all again if asked to.
Gary Porter
Class of 1964
Air Force, 20+ Years
Flew F-15s and F-105s for 2200+ hours including 303 combat hours. Retired as Major in 1989.
Class of 1964
Air Force, 20+ Years
Flew F-15s and F-105s for 2200+ hours including 303 combat hours. Retired as Major in 1989.
Heidi Cornell
Class of 1985
Army, 20+ Years
I served over 22 years in the Army and served in Iraq in 08-09.
Class of 1985
Army, 20+ Years
I served over 22 years in the Army and served in Iraq in 08-09.
Jason French
Class of 1996
Army, 4 Years
Served in the 101st, 82nd 1st Ranger Bat. and 160th SOAR. Ranger School graduate 10-97
Class of 1996
Army, 4 Years
Served in the 101st, 82nd 1st Ranger Bat. and 160th SOAR. Ranger School graduate 10-97
Jeffrey T. Claypool
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Served from 1983-2006, including 3 tours in Iraq, as an aerial navigator/tactical systems officer on the KC-130. I worked my way through the enlisted ranks to Gunnery Sergeant and then received a commission as a Warrant Officer, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer-3.
I was stationed at MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms, CA: Camp H.M. Smith, HI; Camp Elmore, VA; Mather AFB, CA; MCAS Cherry Point, NC; MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan; and NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX.
I participated/supported numerous operations throughout my career including Somalia and Iraq, accruing over 5,800 flight hours around the world and flying 166 combat missions.
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Served from 1983-2006, including 3 tours in Iraq, as an aerial navigator/tactical systems officer on the KC-130. I worked my way through the enlisted ranks to Gunnery Sergeant and then received a commission as a Warrant Officer, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer-3.
I was stationed at MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms, CA: Camp H.M. Smith, HI; Camp Elmore, VA; Mather AFB, CA; MCAS Cherry Point, NC; MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan; and NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX.
I participated/supported numerous operations throughout my career including Somalia and Iraq, accruing over 5,800 flight hours around the world and flying 166 combat missions.
Jim Kruger
Class of 1965
Navy, 4 Years
Served on USA Goodrich DDR831 supported theFleet in the Mediterranean during the Arab Israeli War then Vietnam 1967-1968 with communication facility in Danang and PBR boats South of Hue supporting the Army on river patrols then back to Charleston, SC. on USS Hunley AS 31supporting the Nuclear Submarine Fleet
Class of 1965
Navy, 4 Years
Served on USA Goodrich DDR831 supported theFleet in the Mediterranean during the Arab Israeli War then Vietnam 1967-1968 with communication facility in Danang and PBR boats South of Hue supporting the Army on river patrols then back to Charleston, SC. on USS Hunley AS 31supporting the Nuclear Submarine Fleet
Karl E Groters
Class of 1957
Air Force, 20+ Years
USAF Security Service - Hill AFB Command Post
Class of 1957
Air Force, 20+ Years
USAF Security Service - Hill AFB Command Post
Karl Wurzbach
Class of 1991
Army, 17 Years
Intelligence sergeant and formerly a weapons sergeant with the 3rd Special Forces Group.
Class of 1991
Army, 17 Years
Intelligence sergeant and formerly a weapons sergeant with the 3rd Special Forces Group.
Kevin Weilacher
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years
I joined the Air Force on 22 December 1976......
Just three days before Christmas.
It took me to alot of great places and lots of cool jobs from loading Nukes on B-52's, to be an Structural Airframe repair and even did a stint in a recruiting, which was a blast.
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years
I joined the Air Force on 22 December 1976......
Just three days before Christmas.
It took me to alot of great places and lots of cool jobs from loading Nukes on B-52's, to be an Structural Airframe repair and even did a stint in a recruiting, which was a blast.
LAURIE (DEANGELO) MIXTER
Class of 1978
Army, 15 Years
March 3, 1979 to August 8, 2004 Combat Veteran, Operation Iraqy Freedom, first wave. Disbaled American Veteran Pittsburgh, PA.
Class of 1978
Army, 15 Years
March 3, 1979 to August 8, 2004 Combat Veteran, Operation Iraqy Freedom, first wave. Disbaled American Veteran Pittsburgh, PA.
Leigh A Baumbaugh
Class of 1990
Air Force, 25 Years
Still serving on Active Duty (25+ yrs) Currently serving as Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC, Det 610, University of North Dakota
Served two tours as a squadron commander, five-times combat deployed, primary specialty--Contracting Officer
Class of 1990
Air Force, 25 Years
Still serving on Active Duty (25+ yrs) Currently serving as Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC, Det 610, University of North Dakota
Served two tours as a squadron commander, five-times combat deployed, primary specialty--Contracting Officer
Loralee trask
Class of 1983
Navy, 8 Years
Radioman 2nd class petty officer. Served from 19 nov 86 thru sep 1994.
Class of 1983
Navy, 8 Years
Radioman 2nd class petty officer. Served from 19 nov 86 thru sep 1994.
loran george
Class of 1977
Army, 6 Years
1977-1979 served in germany , working on the rhine river as a bridge enginner
Class of 1977
Army, 6 Years
1977-1979 served in germany , working on the rhine river as a bridge enginner
Luke "Ed" Flannery
Class of 1958
Navy, 6 Years
PO2 (E5)
AIRCREWMAN (RADAR, ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES, NAVIGATION) IN
WILLIE VICTORS (WV-2) LOCKHEED SUPER RADAR CONSTELLATIONS. THE GRANDFATHER OF THE CURRENT AWACS AIRCRAFT.
3,500 FLIGHT PATROL HOURS
LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! PUT ANOTHER 16 YEARS IN THE MARYLAND AIR GUARD.
Class of 1958
Navy, 6 Years
PO2 (E5)
AIRCREWMAN (RADAR, ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES, NAVIGATION) IN
WILLIE VICTORS (WV-2) LOCKHEED SUPER RADAR CONSTELLATIONS. THE GRANDFATHER OF THE CURRENT AWACS AIRCRAFT.
3,500 FLIGHT PATROL HOURS
LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! PUT ANOTHER 16 YEARS IN THE MARYLAND AIR GUARD.
Mark S. Tomlin
Class of 1974
Air Force, 20+ Years
Numerous assignments, retired from 1st Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field Fla.
Class of 1974
Air Force, 20+ Years
Numerous assignments, retired from 1st Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field Fla.
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Mcdowell High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Trojans.
School News
skipper fallier (letcher)
Just to let his class of 68 know,my brother skip died january 28th 2007 in leesburg florida of lung cancer,,he had been ...
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Our Mcdowell High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Mcdowell High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Erie are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!