Horace Jack Finch was born February 21, 1917 in Dadeville, Alabama. Joined the U.S. Army Air Corps while attending the University of Alabama. Graduated from flight school in April 1942. Flew Bell P-39s in North Africa until hostilities the ended. Flew reconnaisance fighter missions in Italy until March, 1944. Rotated home to Meridian, Mississippi, where he served as a tactical squadron commander. He was released from the service in 1947 and recalled in 1948. In 1954 was assigned to the Air Force R.O.T.C. program at Auburn University. In 1963 he retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lietenant Colonel. He returned to Tuscaloosa and began a career in civil aviation. He successfully taught more than 2500 students to fly. He served for 18 years as a Designated Pilot Examiner, performing more than 4000 flight tests. His career total flying time is in excess of 30,000 hours and he is still adding to that total.