Mark Danielson:  

Life Pilot and mystery author Mark W. Danielson grew up in El Cerrito, California where F-106 fighters flying overhead sparked his interest in aviation. He started flying at age 13, soloed on his 16th birthday, and earned his Commercial Pilot’s License on his 18th after graduating from John F. Kennedy high school. In 1974, Mr. Danielson was awarded a BA degree from the University of Northern Colorado where he also received his Air Force commission as a Distinguished Graduate. After completing Air Force pilot training in Phoenix, Arizona, he went on to fly the F-4 Phantom II fighter with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kunsan AB, Korea. In 1978, he was selected as the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing’s Junior Officer of the Quarter and “top gun” of its Operational Readiness Inspection. He later served as a T-38 advanced instructor-pilot in Lubbock, Texas, where he finished building his 300 hp Steen Skybolt bi-plane. He separated from the Air Force in January, 1980 to pursue a civilian pilot career. Following two years of numerous lackluster flying jobs, Mark returned to military service, this time wearing a U.S. Navy uniform. He earned his MA degree while serving as a jet-strike flight instructor in Beeville, Texas. This tour led to a full-time reserve position as an A-4 adversary instructor at Miramar Naval Air Station where he graduated from TOPGUN in 1987. After eight consecutive years in the Skyhawk teaching fighter pilots air-to-air combat, CDR Danielson oversaw the establishment of the nation’s first true Joint Reserve/Guard Base in Fort Worth, Texas. Mark dedicated much of his military career to aviation safety, including his membership on several mishap investigation teams. First published in 1978, he wrote countless articles for the US Navy for Proceedings, Mech, Approach, and Safetyline magazines. His engaging articles earned him recognition as Approach magazine's Contributor of the Year, and he was twice named the Navy's top author. Following a long career writing non-fiction periodical articles, Mr. Danielson began writing reality-based fiction novels. Danger Within was released in 2002, The Innocent Never Knew, 2004. Bay Area story, Dialblo's Shadow, followed in 2008. As an active member in the Mystery Writers of America, he has participated in numerous author events, including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Men of Mystery, Barnes and Noble Mystery Authors Night, Cutting Edge Murder, Hi-Jinks on the High Seas, and Kids Love a M...Expand for more