SSgt Daniel L Dalton
February 12, 1976 - February 16, 2002

SSgt Daniel Dalton

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Dan Dalton left us on February 16, 2002.
He is survived by a wife and two daughters.

Photos of Dan serving his country
(courtesy AF News)

A few words from your friends...

Dan Dalton was one of about a dozen of us who came to Travis (Air Force Base) fresh out of technical school. The Air Force was a brand new world to us and we all loved every minute of it. It was easy to see that Dan was a gifted mechanic, but it was his personality that made the biggest impression on me. Dan had a kind heart and a cheerful spirit, no situation was so bad that he couldn't find something to be thankful for.

James Cowan

'Dan was a good friend of mine during the six years I knew him. He was also a wonderful person and a great Aircraft Mechanic. He will be truly missed by myself and the whole 660th Jet Shop. May you rest in peace.'

Your friend and coworker,
Joe Zinno
I was a KC-10 Hydraulics specialist for eight years. When you think of professional and a hard worker, you would think of Dan. It seemed like we always ended up on weekend duty together. I am very glad to have known Dan, what kind of person, and what kind of worker he was. He was always ready to work or help someone in need - a true teammate that you always wanted on your team. I enjoyed sitting on launch truck talking about our families and how aircraft maintenance was going or how bad it sucked that we had 30 jobs to do each weekend. He will be missed dearly but will always be in our hearts. My condolences go out to his surviving family. They - and everyone else - should be proud that God gave us a chance to meet such a wonderful and caring person as Dan Dalton.

Sincerely,
SSgt Shawn E. Branum
Fort Wayne, IN. Air Force Recruiter
shawn.branum@rs.af.mil

I was stationed at Travis AFB as a Hydraulic Specialist in the 660 AGS from 1995-2001. I knew Dan pretty well. We had worked together for several years and been deployed together more times than I can count. I left Travis in Sept 2001 for OTS but I had talked to Dan just prior to my leaving. He congratulated me and we said good bye to each other. It is a terrible loss but I have some comfort knowing that we parted on good terms and as good friends.

Jeremy Morrill, 2Lt, USAF
Alternate Installation Purchase Card Manager
314 Contracting Squadron
Little Rock AFB
Jeremy.Morrill@littlerock.af.mil

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