Minuteman Minute | Maj. David Quinlan

In January 1968, several Guard units were mobilized for Vietnam, including the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Maj. David Quinlan volunteered for the deployment and flew 255 combat missions in Vietnam.

Hi, I’m Will Roulett, director of the National Guard Memorial Museum here in D.C., and this is YOUR Minuteman Minute! Major David Quinlan of the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron wore this flight suit and helmet while deployed to Vietnam. In January 1968, the USS Pueblo’s crew was captured by North Korea. The Pueblo Incident prompted the call-up of several Guard units, including the 188th. Although only 25 pilots were needed, all 40 in the unit volunteered. By June, Quinlan and his colleagues were in Vietnam, where they flew under the call sign “Taco.” He flew 255 combat missions, mostly close-air support, and logged 442 combat flight hours in his F-100 Super Saber. After Vietnam, Quinlan served in the Air Guard until 1993. He rose to the rank of major general and ended his 38-year career as the Air National Guard assistant to the commander in chief of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Come see this – and a whole lot more – at the National Guard Memorial Museum. I’m Will Roulett, and that’s been your Minuteman Minute, brought to you by the National Guard Educational Foundation.