MAJOR ARTHUR “CRAIG” MIZNER

Major Arthur “Craig” Mizner, USAF Retired, proudly served his country for more than 22 years as a Combat Command Pilot in the United States Air Force. Born on 06/17/1935 in Philadelphia, raised in Germantown and Hatboro/Horsham Pennsylvania, Craig’s passion for aviation began at an early age. By age 16, he had earned his Student Pilot license, and by age 18, he had earned his Private Pilot, Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot licenses.

In 1954, after achieving an exceptional score of 99 out of 100 on the USAF Aviation Cadet entrance examination, Craig entered the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet Program. Following extensive physical, psychological, and flight training, he graduated in July 1956 as a 2nd Lieutenant and Jet Fighter Pilot with Pilot Class 56Q, becoming one of the youngest cadets in his class. His training included flying the PA-13, T-6 Texan, and T-33A Shooting Star jet aircraft with 241.7 flight hours becoming the youngest cadet in his class.

Major Mizner was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, where he flew the B-47A/E and later the B-52 B/D/E/F bomber aircraft during the height of the Cold War. His service included numerous 25-hour nuclear alert missions and strategic deterrence operations. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he flew five 25-hour nuclear-armed B-52F missions near Soviet borders as part of America’s defense readiness efforts.

In recognition of his leadership and performance during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Major Mizner was selected to attend Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, followed by Instrument Pilot Instructor School at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He later served as a B-52 Flight Instructor Pilot and Operations Officer.

During the Vietnam War and Operation Linebacker I and II, Major Mizner served as a B-52D Aircraft Commander, Wave Lead, and Airborne Commander of 27 B-52 aircraft formations. He flew 120 combat missions during Linebacker operations and completed deployments totaling 654 days in Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Guam, and other strategic locations throughout the Cold War era.

Over his distinguished military career, Major Mizner logged more than 11,007 flight hours, including over 1,000 hours in the B-47 and more than 9,200 hours in the B-52. His honors and decorations include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, ten Air Medals, and numerous additional commendations recognizing his courage, leadership, and dedicated service to the United States of America.

In 2023, Major Arthur “Craig” Mizner, USAF Retired, was awarded the Congressional Veteran Commendation by Kay Granger, Member of Congress, Texan District 12, “In recognition of outstanding contributions to American through both community and military service in recognition of his outstanding military and community service.”