Milford 'Skip' Kostman '43 receives his naval aviator's Wings of Gold from, left, Master Chief Pickhardt and, right, Naval Flight Officer Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Troyanek during a November ceremony.

1940s

Milford "Skip" Kostman '43 provides the following update on a "dream come true" that happened recently in his life: "The time was World War II and I had enlisted in the Naval Air Corps. As a member of the Class of '43, I had just finished my term as president of the Senior Council and chairman of the Student Governing Board. I was awarded my bachelor of science degree in business administration, when I was called up to duty as naval aviation cadet. After almost two years of intensive training and after logging approximately 250 flight hours, including aerobatics, formation and night flying in Stearman 'Yellow Perils,' plus instrument flying in 'Vultee Vibrators' and PBY Catalina Seaplanes, I successfully completed my entire naval aviation training program. However, days before the official graduation, due to a flight instructor's error in my log, I was never awarded my cherished naval aviator's wings, which I had worked so hard to achieve. Instead, I was ordered to Great Lakes for reassignment of duty.

"Although I was deeply disappointed, I remained undaunted and determined to earn my officer's commission, which I ultimately was able to obtain as an ensign in the Navy Supply Corps., where I continued to serve on several ships until my honorable discharge in 1946. However, my dream of getting my naval aviator's wings seemed forever lost. Now comes the amazing part of the story. This year, 60 years later, while cleaning out and reviewing some of my old Navy documents and records, I discovered how the error had been made that denied me my coveted wings. I discovered that the Navy had, in fact, officially documented that I had successfully completed my entire flight training program.

"I immediately contacted the Judge Advocate General Corps., and through their valiant effort on my behalf, in conjunction with the Department of the Navy, chief of Naval Air training staff, my lifelong dream has come true! I was officially designated as an honorary naval aviator and was awarded my naval aviator Wings of Gold."

In November, Skip was designated a naval aviator in front of family and friends. During a ceremony at the Training Support Center, Great Lakes, he received his Wings of Gold, as well as a certificate and the Naval Aviator's Creed. Congratulations, Skip!

Howard G. Nelson '49 has returned to Chicago after eight years in Florida.

Erik E. Roos '48 of North Barrington, Ill., was for many years a partner in a marketing and consulting firm. His wife Mildred Olsen Roos also attended Northwestern. In past years they have enjoyed visiting Florida. Erik is a World War II veteran, having been a Navy pilot in the South Atlantic for five years, and is now active in the VFW.

Iola Anderson Oberg '48 still resides in Park Ridge, Ill. She enjoys visiting Sturgeon, Wis., too. Iola has two children and five grandchildren.

Robert L. Haley '48 resides in Memphis, Tenn., where he managed the Memphis operations of the International Harvester Co. He and his wife Gretchen, also a Northwestern graduate, have three children and two grandchildren. Robert has done volunteer work on all continents. Presently he is chairman of Agricenter International and also works in the International Executive Service Corps.

Claire Hoag '48 is now in Naples, Fla., with her husband Jack Hoag '50, a World War II veteran. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Claire's principal vocation was secretarial. She and Jack have enjoyed Hawaii, the Caribbean and Ireland. Today, she enjoys playing golf, tennis and bridge.