KQ98 Salute-Deke Slayton

Bauer’s Market and Garden Center brings Us today’s KQ98 salute with DUKE on the Pledge of Allegiance. March 1st, 1924 Donald Kent Slayton was born in Sparta, WI. After graduating from Sparta High School, He enlisted in the United States Army Air Force. He rapidly became one of the top pilots in the program. He was called by His initials D. K. which eventually became DEKE. He flew 56 combat missions over Europe in World War II, before His 20th birthday. After The war he attended the University of Minnesota, and became a long time member of the Minnesota Air National Guard. He went on to become one of the Original NASA Mercury 7 astronauts and the Chief of NASA’s Astronaut office, even working on the Space Shuttle. Deke Passed away in 1993 after contracting a brain Tumor, He was 69. SALUTE Deke Slayton!