Redirecting...

Wow, he redeemed himself? How?

I guess that after discharge, he got his sh_t together! He could have received 9 years at hard labor and a dishonarable discharge. In fact, if they looked at old laws, he could have received the death sentance for "Hazarding a Vessel" - an old maritime law. In reality, he was not completely inexperienced on A-4, he had already received almost one hundred hours in a simulator for the aircraft. He later flew as a pilot on a Charter Airline. Foote would ultimately get a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and work on his own project of building a microwave-powered aircraft to explore high altitude flight, as well as work as a test pilot and contractor for NASA’s JPL facility. He also holds patents in aviation design and engineering technology.

1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR) guess that after discharge, he got his sh_t together! He could have received 9 years at hard labor and a dishonarable discharge. In fact, if they looked at old laws, he could have received the death sentance for "Hazarding a Vessel" - an old maritime law. In reality, he was not completely inexperienced on A-4, he had already received almost one hundred hours in a simulator for the aircraft. He later flew as a pilot on a Charter Airline. Foote would ultimately get a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and work on his own project of building a microwave-powered aircraft to explore high altitude flight, as well as work as a test pilot and contractor for NASA’s JPL facility. He also holds patents in aviation design and engineering technology

Thankfully, I cannot find any indication of where he used his stupid stunt for glorification or any other purpose. It appears as if he accepted his less than honorable discharge, left with dignity, and continued his education to become a benefit to society. His stupidity as a glider pilot and getting an embolism for flying to high while attempting to set a record stopped him from becoming a Marine pilot. His stupidity for stealing the plane got him thrown out of the service. Both of his stupid acts were when he was 21 years old and younger... Been there done that!

"This was a very unusual case in which a Marine with a tremendous amount of skill and great potential did a very stupid thing which could have resulted in a tragic loss of life," Brig. Gen. D.E.P. Miller, commanding officer of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, said in a written statement. Miller said the charges filed against Lance Cpl. Howard A. Foote Jr. "are very serious and his lack of judgment and violation of trust make it impossible to keep him in the Marine Corps. "However, I feel that the 4 1/2 months he has served in confinement, coupled with an other-than-honorable discharge, will adequately serve justice in this case."

As part of the agreement, Foote wrote a letter of apology to Miller in which he said:

"I realize now that my actions were not only foolhardy, but downright dangerous . . . even though I have some civilian pilot ratings and am qualified in a glider, this training is not sufficient for one to fly a high-performance military jet safely. "Though I would like to repay the Marine Corps for the problems I have created, I understand that it would be difficult for the Marine Corps to take me back."

I remember this well I was reserve Marine then. He got booted. Kinda like that soldier who flunked out of warrant officer flight school and stole a Huey and landed it on the Whitehouse lawn! Escaped a pursuing police chopper. He might have made a great pilot. Character trumps competency though.

He had a pvt pilot license and was a jet mechanic. Go figure

I Was A Huey Crew Chief And Was Taught By The Pilots How To Fly The Aircraft,
In Case Of One Of The Pilots Being Injured It Was A Good Idea To Have Someone Else On Board Who Could Fly The Aircraft.
During Test Flights After Maintenance Was Done , I Would Often Fly Left Seat And Was Taught To Takeoff, Fly And Land.
So Yes He Could Have Had Enough Knowledge To Fly The Aircraft, But It Was Still STUPID To Do It Without Authorization And He Paid The Price.
It’s Good He Picked Himself Up And Made The Right Decision’s After Discharge.