Mountain Air to Monsoon Skies
By Woody Freeman
Van Deest in Air Force Blues. (Credit: Findagrave.com).
Theodore Van Deest Jr (Credit: Colorado Community Media).
Theodore William “Bill” Van Deest Jr.
June 26, 1932 – May 18, 2019
Theodore William Van Deest Jr. was born in Denver, Colorado on June 26, 1932, to Viola and Theodore Van Deest Sr.[1] During his childhood, Theodore was the third eldest of seven children, he had four sisters (two older and two younger) and two younger brothers. By 1950, as Theodore Van Deest Jr. was finishing his education at Manual High School in Denver, he received his U.S Military Draft Registration Card for the Korean War.[2]
Van Deest Jr. joined the Colorado Air National Guard and would serve through both the Korean War and Vietnam War as a part of the 140th Wing. The 140th Wing was stationed in Phan Rang Air Base during his time in Vietnam.[3] The Air National Guard is the Aviation Branch of a State’s National Guard, serving as a military force that is combat-ready for national defense or support abroad for the active-duty Air Force. Throughout the Vietnam War, Four Air National Guard units deployed their Tactical Fighter Squadrons, which are squadrons designated for air superiority and close air support for ground forces.[4]
During his time in service, he would reach the rank of Master Sergeant (MSGT) with an E-7 paygrade. This role changed Van Deest’s responsibilities in the Air Force from a frontline role to a supervision role, providing mentorship and leadership to new airmen and more junior NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers).[5] Throughout his 33 Years of service, Van Deest was awarded the Bronze Star.[6] This medal is awarded to servicemen and women who have been distinguished by heroic service “during military operations against an armed enemy”.[7]
On August 8, 1954, Theodore Van Deest Jr. would marry Beatrice Faye McCannon in Denver, Colorado, and the couple moved to Fort Lupton, Colorado, located just northeast of Denver.[8] They would have two children, one son, Robert, and one daughter, Kathleen.[9] After his service in the National Guard/Air Force came to an end in 1983, Theodore would go on to work as a mason in Fort Lupton while also working and supporting his local church.[10] Theodore Van Deest Jr passed away on May 18th, 2019, and has been buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Footnotes ↓
[1] “1940 United States Federal Census - Ancestry.com.” Entry for Theodore W Jan Deest Jr, accessed July 11th 2025. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/records/39005637.
[2] “Page 1 - US, Korean War Era Draft Registration Cards, 1948-1959.” 2025. Fold3. Accessed August 17, 2025. https://www.fold3.com/image/729578184/van-deest-jr-theodore-nillial-page-1-us-korean-war-era-draft-registration-cards-1948-1959.
[3] “140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard.” 140th Wing. 2015, accessed August 10, 2025 https://www.140wg.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/444237/140th-wing-colorado-air-national-guard/.
[4] “Air National Guard F-100s in South Vietnam.” National Museum of the US Air Force, Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/579670/air-national-guard-f-100s-in-south-vietnam/.
[5] “USAF Military Ranks (High to Low).” International Security Journal. 2024, accessed July 12, 2025 https://internationalsecurityjournal.com/usaf-military-ranks/.
[6] “MSGT Theodore William ‘Bill’ van Deest Jr.” Findagrave.com. 2019. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199316896/theodore-william-van_deest?_gl=1.
[7] “Bronze Star Medal.” 2022. Af.mil, accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000790917/.
[8] “Colorado, U.S., Select County Marriages, 1863-2018,” Ancestry.com, entry for Theodore William Van Deest Jr, accessed July 11, 2025 https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/43360658?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2276325275335379536d65496b384636653737614b485378427538363837796778544e44446155552f4530673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d.
[9] Smith, Steve. “Theodore William van Deest.” Colorado Community Media, June 18, 2019. https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2019/06/18/theodore-william-van-deest/.
[10] Ibid.
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