Nicknames and call signs

Most of us have had nicknames. We sometimes create the pseudo name, but often it is “bestowed” upon us. I’ve had many in my life. In high school, for some odd reason (lost to history), some of us acquired strange nicknames. Some of my good friends called me “Hopper” (short for grasshopper); a friend, Tony, was called “Bugs,” and another friend, Alan, was called “Hoot” (his name “Al” sounded like “owl”). In college, I went by “Earl” (my middle name) because I kept rooming with other Bobs, confusing anyone who telephoned us.

Sometimes the nickname is a shortening or modification of the name. A buddy of mine, last name Deselms, was known as “Delmo”; another pal, last name Snyder, became “Snyde.” Edward, the first name of another friend, was called “Word.” Many of those nicknames have gone away over the years, but many high school friends still call me Earl.

Fighter pilots have very interesting nicknames — called “call signs” in flying world vernacular. (Those who have seen the “Top Gun” movies know this — “Maverick,” “Goose” and “Iceman” were the three prominent pilots’ call signs in the first movie.) History reveals that using personal call signs, rather than assigned call signs, saves lives in an aerial engagement.

The pilot often chooses his or her call sign, but other pilots often choose the name. I decided to use “Russ” when I flew F-15 Eagles during my Air Force career. But some call signs are bestowed upon an individual, whether or not he or she likes the title.

For example, one guy in my German squadron, on his first flight, inadvertently hit a cockpit switch, dropping the external fuel tank, which nearly landed in base housing. Forever after, his call sign was “Tank.” Another guy looked like a hairy gorilla when he shed his shirt — he was anointed “Pelt.” One guy, who had some ugly shoes while in Vietnam, was called “Shoes.” Another pilot, a Ford Mustang aficionado, used “Cobra” for his call sign. (When I worked for Lockheed, a man in my “cockpit design group” was known as “Skip.” In the Navy, he flew too low and skipped off the ground — luckily, he lived through the incident!)

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