Bermuda Village Resident Spotlight - Captain Terry Egan: A Hero in Our Midst - In the serene community of Bermuda Village, a remarkable story of courage, service, and adventure quietly resides in the home of Captain Terry Egan — a decorated United States Air Force veteran whose life has spanned continents, combat zones, and countless skies.

Captain Egan’s journey began at the University of Idaho, where he joined the ROTC program, setting the course for a distinguished military career. In 1963, he entered advanced flight training in Oklahoma, where he was assigned the F-100 Super Sabre, a supersonic jet that would become his trusted companion in the skies.

 

His first overseas assignment took him to RAF Wethersfield, north of London, where he spent three years flying Cold War-era missions across Libya, Italy, Turkey, and mainland Europe. These flights served as a nuclear deterrent, a critical part of the U.S. strategy during one of the tensest periods in global history.

 

In 1968, Captain Egan was deployed to Vietnam, where he flew an astounding 194 combat missions, including over 100 with the elite and top-secret Misty squadron. Misty pilots were tasked with flying fast and low over enemy territory to locate and mark targets — from SAM sites and trucks to bridges and boats — disrupting the flow of supplies down the Ho Chi Minh trail. Flying the two-seat F-100F, Mistys jinked constantly to avoid enemy fire, yet nearly 28% of the squadron’s pilots were shot down during their three-year operation.

Captain Egan’s valor and precision earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross — not once, but 45 times, a rare and extraordinary achievement. He was also honored with the opportunity to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration team.

 

After leaving active duty, Captain Egan joined the Air Force Reserves in Savannah, Georgia, and transitioned to a career as a commercial pilot, first with PanAm and later with United Airlines. While living in Miami, he met Helen, a successful marketing executive. They married in 1975 and raised their daughter, Kathleen Duncan, who is now a professor at Wake Forest University.

 

The Egans lived in Chicago for two years before retiring to the mountains of North Carolina, where they embraced the tranquility of mountain life. Recently, they moved to Bermuda Village to be closer to Kathleen and their 11-month-old granddaughter, Ryder — a move that has brought them immense joy.

 

Though they’ve only been part of the Bermuda Village community for two years, they’ve quickly found their place. As an avid golfer, Captain Egan appreciates their home overlooking the golf course. Their household includes a lovely black lab, two cats, and a menagerie of birds in their patio garden — a peaceful retreat that reflects their love of nature.

 

One of the couple’s greatest passions is travel. Together, they’ve amassed over 60,000 photographs from their journeys around the globe. They recently returned from the Scottish Isles and are preparing for upcoming adventures in Portugal and Spain. From international destinations to crisscrossing America’s national parks, they’ve explored the world through tour groups and river cruises, always with curiosity and wonder.

 

Yet, despite all their travels and accolades, time with Ryder remains their greatest joy. Captain Terry Egan’s life is a testament to bravery, dedication, and the enduring spirit of adventure — and Bermuda Village is honored to call him one of its own.