Bio: Ebben, Dale L. – Capt. (“Top Gun” – 1972)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ebben

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 28 Sep 1972

Civilian airline pilots might be unlikely candidates for the honor of being the best marksmen flying military jet interceptors, but the Wisconsin Air National Guard has four such “top guns.”

The four, one a Thorpite, Captain Dale L. Ebben, 29, of Monona, who flies the Boeing 727 for Northwest Airline out of Minneapolis, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Delton Ebben of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), find it challenging to step from the spacious flight deck of a large commercial jet transport into the tiny cockpit of a Convair F-102 Delta Dagge jet interceptor.

Although they are only part time jet jockeys with the 176th Fighter Interceptor Squadron based at Truax Field in Madison, the foursome is good enough to rank at the top of its class.

The 176th was one of three F-102 equipped squadrons picked to represent the Air National Guard in the annual William Tell competition at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

Captain Ebben was selected, not just for his flying and shooting ability, but also because of his ability to understand complex rules. The William Tell competition has so many to which violations cost points.