Alfred Jeanotte served as an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, trained as an Aircraft Metalsmith, during World War II. He left active duty after the war and earned his commission through the ROTC program as Montana State University. During his service in Vietnam, in the evacuation of Kham Duc Special Forces Camp, members of the Air Force achieved a remarkable history of awards for valor. C-123 pilot Joe Jackson received the Medal of Honor and his Co-Pilot Major Jesse Campbell received the Air Force Cross. C-123 Pilot Jeanotte and C-130 pilots Majors Jesse Campbell and Bernard Bucher also received Air Force Crosses for their roles in this mission, the largest air-life since the Berlin Air Lift. Alfred Jeanotte retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on May 31, 1974.