General Urschler was born in Pittsburgh,
PA and graduated from North Catholic High School. He received
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from Park
College, Parkville, MO and also completed Squadron Officer
School, Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial
College of the Armed Forces.
Following graduation from high school, Urschler enlisted
in the U.S. Air Force and completed Basic Training at Sampson
AFB, Geneva, NY. His initial assignment was Reese AFB,
Lubbock, TX. In April 1954, Urschler entered USAF as an
Aviation Cadet, completing Primary Flight Training at Hondo
AB, TX, and Basic Flight Training at Vance AFB, Enid, OK.
He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received his
Pilot Wings in August 1955.
Urschler was then assigned to the 343rd Strategic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Forbes AFB,
Topeka, KS where he flew as Aircraft Commander in RB-47E’s,
H’s and K’s and the EB and ERB-47s. While assigned
to this unit, his flying duties included numerous tours
of duty in Japan, Turkey, Greenland, England and Alaska.
In April 1965, he transferred to the 4157th Strategic
Wing at Eielson AFB Fairbanks, AK where he served as Aircraft
Commander and instructor pilot in RC-135D’s, E’s
and S Models. He flew the RC-135E and S from Shemya AFS
in the Aleutian Islands.
Urschler reported to the 82nd Strategic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 376th Strategic Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa in July
1970, where he Served as Operations Officer and Commander,
flying in support of the Vietnam effort.
In December 1973 he was assigned to Offutt AFB as Senior
Controller, Director of Command and control, Headquarters
Strategic Air Command. In August 1975 he was assigned as
Vice Commander of the 301st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker
AFB, Columbus, OH, assuming command the following year.
In May 1978, he transferred back to Offutt AFB where he
assumed command of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
He transferred to Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA in August
1980, where he commanded SAC’s 47th Air Division.
The General’s final assignment was as Vice Commander
of Electronic Security Command, Kelly AFB, San Antonio,
TX.
Urschler is a command pilot with more than 15,000 flying
hours, over 1,500 of which were in combat, and over 3,000
in the P-51 Mustang. His military decorations include the
Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished
Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air
Medal with 18 Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Force Commendation
Medal with Three Clusters.
General Urschler is an honorary member of the Tuskegee
Airmen. He is a life member of the following organizations:
Air Force Association; Order of Daedalians; Veterans of
Foreign Wars; 8th Air Force Historical society; Mighty
8th Air Force Heritage center; 55th Fighter Group association;
Commemorative Air Force and Experimental Aircraft Association.
He is a member of the Air Force Museum Foundation, a founding
member of the American Air Museum in Britain and a Kentucky
Colonel.
General Urschler retired from the Air Force in 1985. He
continues to promote the value of freedom, love of country
and aviation. |
