By “Doc” Doug Stauffer
Local resident Colonel Richard “Dick” Solt has lived a life marked by leadership, service and dedication to both country and community. Born in Palmerton, Pa., in 1938, Solt stood out from a young age—quarterbacking his high school football team, pitching for the baseball team and serving as Senior Class President in 1956.
As a proud alumnus of Penn State University, Solt graduated in 1960 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through ROTC. His career started during the tense period of the Cold War, including an assignment to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Early in his service, he was mentored by Colonel Travis Hoover, who had flown the second aircraft behind Jimmy Doolittle in the famous raid on Japan during World War II.
From those beginnings, Solt’s Air Force career spanned nearly three decades, taking him around the world during key moments in history. In 1968, he deployed to Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, where he saw firsthand the realities of combat. He later served with the Tactical Air Command, the Personnel Center and the Military Command and Staff College, helping to guide the careers of more than 1,000 officers.
His work in Foreign Military Sales became a hallmark of his career. At Kelly Air Force Base, he collaborated with Northrop Aircraft to deploy over 1,500 F-5 fighter jets to allied air forces worldwide. Chosen as the only American to attend the elite Australian Defence College in Canberra, he built lasting international relationships that led to a strategic assignment at U.S. Pacific Command (CINCPAC) in Hawaii. There, he served under three successive four-star Navy commanders, helping prepare for Senate and Congressional hearings, monitoring Soviet submarine activity and assisting in sensitive White House negotiations over Micronesian status.
Assignments at the Pentagon followed, where Solt worked under Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and later served as Division Chief for International Programs, supporting U.S. policy in Latin America during the tumultuous Contra War era. His final active-duty role was as Commander of Foreign Military Training, overseeing a staff of more than 100 personnel responsible for pilot, naval, technical and language training for students from over 100 countries.
After retiring from the Air Force, Solt’s expertise remained in high demand. He served at the Royal Saudi Air Force headquarters during Desert Storm and later took on a role at Boeing as the Director for the delivery and support of 72 F-15S aircraft. For over a decade, he continued consulting for Boeing and Saudi Arabia, ultimately retiring in 2016.
His distinguished service has been recognized with some of the nation’s highest military honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal (personally awarded by Secretary Weinberger), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.
Today, Colonel Solt and his wife Dulce remain active in their community. Dick continues his service on the Military Officers Association Board and is a familiar face at civic meetings across the region. A devoted Penn State alumnus and loyal friend, his life is a testament to duty, sacrifice and lasting commitment to both his nation and neighbors.
