Avon Air Force Pilot Inducted In CT Veterans Hall Of Fame

ROCKY HILL/AVON, CT — Eleven men were honored last week at a special ceremony in Rocky Hill, as the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame's Class of 2023 was officially inducted.

Among the 11 was a veteran from Avon, John Michael Chan, a U.S. Army Air Force pilot and aviation instructor during the Vietnam War.

Chan enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 and after basic training and then 10 more months of Air Force training, he received his certificate as a "Flight Simulator Specialist," according to Chan's biography in the event program.

Chan ended up at an Air Force base in the Philippines, "where he instructed pilots on instrument flying, emergency procedures and tactics on the F-100, F-4 and C-130 aircrafts."

In addition, he also "taught pilots bombing tactics using the Air to Ground Missiles (AGM) against targets in Vietnam."

In 1971 he became a crew chief on the C-130, flying missions into Vietnam from Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

He stayed in the Air Force until 1988, when he retired after being severely injured in an aircraft accident.

Chan eventually took on a management position with Kaman Aerospace in Bloomfield, a helicopter manufacturer.

He now operates his “Heroes on Wheels” program, which has helped thousands of veterans throughout Connecticut with manual and motorized wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, motorized scooters, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, walkers, and other aid for disabled vets.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald P. Welch recently announced the honored 11 last week.

The Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished Connecticut veterans who have made significant contributions to their communities after leaving military service.

“Each year, it is a great honor to participate in the Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and have the opportunity to be among so many brave Americans who answered their country's call of duty,” said Bysiewicz. “Thank you and congratulations to each of this year's inductees. I can't express enough the gratitude and appreciation we have for your service to our country, for your commitment to your community, and for all your contributions to the State of Connecticut.

“On behalf of our dedicated staff of professionals at the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs we congratulate our inductees on their honorable service and lifelong accomplishments,”said DVA Commissioner Ronald Welch. “You made a significant impact during your military service, and then pledged unwavering commitment, service, and volunteerism to our communities, including persistent, compassionate support and advocacy to our Service members, Veterans and families in our great state of Connecticut and beyond. With gratitude and in celebration, we welcome you into the Class of 2023 of the CT Veterans Hall of Fame.”

For more information on the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, click on this link.