Colonel Benjamin C. Pittman, Jr. has completed a second career serving his country in the United States Air Force. He retired from active duty on March 31, 1993 having accumulated 2,000 flying hours in the B-52, AC-130, WC-130 and T-43 aircraft. Flying out of Thailand and Guam, he completed two “Arc Light” tours in the B-52D, logging nearly 400 combat hours over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Since his retirement from active duty with the United States Air Force, Colonel Pittman has served nineteen years as Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at James F. Burns High School in Spartanburg County and more recently at Wade Hampton High School in Greenville County.
Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets under his leadership and instruction won numerous awards and honors. He has had a profound positive impact on the lives of hundreds of young people in Upstate South Carolina. His sterling example as an officer and gentleman of the highest caliber will be missed.
Colonel Pittman is a graduate of Clemson University and was commissioned through the Clemson Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Troy University. His Air Force professional education includes resident diplomas from Squadron Officers College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Air War College.
Colonel Pittman is married to Linda Tucker Pittman from Greenville. He has two sons, both Clemson Graduates.
After more than four decades of service, the uniform goes in the closet except for special occasions. Soon he will turn more attention to his hobbies that include golf, military history, cooking and racquetball.