MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A man who piloted Air Force One for President Richard Nixon has died at his home in Berkeley County. West Virginia media outlets report that former Col. Ralph Albertazzie was 88.
He wrote two books inspired by his years flying the president, Hostage One, a novel, and The Flying White House: The Story of Air Force One.
Mr. Albertazzie grew up in Cassville in Monongalia County and said in a 2003 interview that he had hitchhiked to an airport near Morgantown and washed planes in exchange for flying lessons. He graduated from Morgantown High School and attended West Virginia University but quit to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He also served in Korea and Vietnam.
He was assigned to pilot Air Force One shortly after Nixon's inauguration in 1969, and Mr. Albertazzie was at the controls as Nixon made several historic journeys to China.
AP
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