William C. Fink’s banner hanging in front of Caterpillar Corner Daycare on West 10th Street
William Fink – US Air Force, 1965-1992
Tyrone native William Fink is a TAHS class of 1964 graduate who served in the United States Air Force for 27 years.
Fink graduated from the Air Force Air Police Academy and began his service with the 3275th Technical School at the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
He continued his police training and completed the US Government Motor Vehicle operator’s course at Griffiss Air Force Base in New York. There, he was trained in police defensive driving.
As a Security Police Officer, he was also trained in Security Police Tactics with the 3250th Technical Training Wing.
It’s not a community to me, it is a family. Tyrone is a family, the entire community, and that is something you don’t find
— William Fink
During his time in the military, Fink served under the direction of several commanders at USAF bases here in the United States and overseas.
While stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War, Fink was assigned duty to the base mortuary where he was responsible for preparing the remains of American service personnel killed in action during the Tet Offensive, one of the largest military campaigns of the North Vietnamese during the war. Fink was able to help return the fallen soldiers to their families in the United States.
As a Senior Master Sergeant, Fink oversaw the drafting of security programs, reviewed security measures, and approved operating procedures to ensure safety and security at Air Force bases.
Fink continued to be promoted and eventually became Superintendent of Security Police.
Fink coordinated military and law enforcement activities involving espionage and/or sabotage within the United States Air Force controlled areas. He was also responsible for working with the intelligence community to obtain security information that could have a direct impact on our National Security.
When his service ended, Fink served the Federal Government as a Special Agent in the Aviation Security/Anti-Terrorism Field with the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration.
During his forty years with this agency, Fink served as Federal Security Director at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, where he oversaw operations at Washington National (now known as Reagan National Airport) and Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland.
During Fink’s long career in the Air Force and Department of Transportation, he received several awards including the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, US Air Force Marksmanship Medal, Outstanding Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the US Air Force Meritorious Service Medal among others.
After retiring from the DOT, Fink returned to his hometown of Tyrone, where he ran for mayor.
Fink served as Tyrone Mayor for two terms. According to Fink, the accomplishment he is most proud of as mayor was his flood control project.
“Tyrone needed flood control and it took us probably close to eight years to get it done, but we got it done and at no expense to the community,” said Fink.
The project helped protect Tyrone from several potential floods in recent years.
“[My favorite part of being Tyrone Mayor] was getting people the help they needed,” explained Fink.
Fink still lives in Tyrone and loves how the town comes together, especially in difficult situations.
“I like the people. When something happens in Tyrone, everybody is there for you. You are not alone. This entire community will be on your side and help you out so that’s what’s good about small towns. Plus, you don’t have the nonsense or aggravation you see in many places…. Tyrone is just a nice peaceful little quiet town,” said Fink.
Don’t think about today, think about 20 or 30 years down the road because that is when you are going to need what you accomplished
— William Fink
Fink is a proud Tyrone naive and loves the small-town atmosphere.
“It’s not a community to me, it is a family. Tyrone is a family, the entire community, and that is something you don’t find. I’ve lived in a lot of places… but you don’t find any place quite like Tyrone. Whether people know you or not, they are there to help you,” said Fink.
Fink is now retired and spends most of his time caring for his wife.
Fink has several words of wisdom for younger generations as they start planning their careers and think about what they want to do after high school.
“Don’t think about today, think about 20 or 30 years down the road because that is when you are going to need what you accomplished. You have to think about your future, not the present…Before you get out of here, make sure you have a game plan,” said Fink.