Alumni Who Have Served Our Country!

Here’s a list of alumni who have served in the U.S. military in some capacity. We thank you for your service!

Commander Mark Ashley
1970 – 1995
Stationed in: Texas, Louisiana, Washington D.C., South Carolina, Kansas
Attended School: Connecticut & California

Ed Pitko
1972-1975
E-3 Ranking
Unit:  Costal River Squadron One (CRS-1)
Stationed in:  Amfib Base, Coronado, California
*Small boat support for Seal Team and UDT. Was on PT-20 (only boat to have a warrant officer in charge since Kennedy).

Marcella Fletcher
1978-1998
Retired as a Tsgt E6
Stationed in:  Nebraska, Hawaii, California, South Carolina, Korea, Wyoming

Major Walter Roschitz
Walt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Army, Corps of Engineers. He faithfully served his country with honor, patriotism and distinction for 20 years. Walt honorably retired as a Major in 1994. Walt served at numerous bases throughout the United States, with overseas assignments in Germany, Korea, Iraq and Kuwait. His final military assignment was at Fort McPherson, Ga., where he supported the combat/construction efforts for soldiers stationed in Iraq. Walt attended the Engineer Advanced Course and the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Walt’s military decorations included, Four Meritorious Service Medals, Five Army Commendation Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Overseas Service Medal. His military career was noted for his exceptional leadership, technical skills and devotion to duty. Upon retirement, Walt returned to Kansas. In 1995, Walt again was asked to serve his country in times of crisis. Walt accepted an engineer position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and traveled throughout the United States as a first responder during crisis and national disasters. He handled severe storms, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters. One of Walt’s proudest memories was supporting New York City after the World Trade Center terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. He was personally recognized and awarded by the Mayor of NYC for his commitment, dedication and spirit of service. He will be long remembered by those he helped. He also directed the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and was working on the reconstruction efforts in Florida prior to his death.

Daniel Anderson
US Marine Corp
E-4 Corporal
Drafted: 1972-1974

1972:  Parris Island, South Carolina; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Pendleton, California
1973:  Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Jim Kaiser – Retired
Entered the U.S. Navy on February 8th, 1971, as an E-1 enlisted man. Went to boot camp in San Diego. Went to Naval Air Station Memphis for electronics school. Went to NAS Corpus Christ, TX in 1972 where he worked on flight simulators and taught airplane systems to student Naval Aviators. I eventually was promoted to Petty Officer 2nd. Class (E5). In 1974 he was selected for a U.S. Navy scholarship program and was sent to the University of Kansas where he graduated with a B.S. In Aerospace Engineering in December, 1977.

Jim was commissioned an officer upon graduation from KU and was selected for pilot training which included time at NAS Pensacola, NAS Corpus Christi, and NAS Jacksonville, Florida. His first fleet squadron was VP-44 in Brunswick, Maine, from 1980 to 1983, where they flew the Lockheed P-3 Orion which was an anti-submarine warfare airplane. They deployed to Okinawa, Philippines, Diego Garcia, the Middle East, Spain, Azores, Bermuda, and Sicily. His next tour of duty was at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One from 1983 to 1986, where they tested new anti-submarine warfare equipment. From 1986 through 1988 he was based in Norfolk, VA where he deployed with the Commander, Carrier Group Four staff aboard 8 aircraft carriers with operations in Puerto Rico and the North Atlantic.

His last tour of duty was back at Patuxent River where he worked on special scientific projects and retired from the Navy in February, 1991, as a Lieutenant Commander (O-4). In March, 1991, he was hired by American Airlines as a pilot and has been with them for the past 24 years. He was promoted to a manager position in 1998 and retired from AA on April 1st as a Boeing 737 Captain and the Managing Director of Flight Operations.