Major Symington was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-80C Shooting Star fighter interceptor with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter-Bomber Group. On 13 February 1951, after completing 3 attacks on targets east of Seoul, South Korea, his aircraft lost its wing and augured into the ground.

For his leadership and valor, Major Symington was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.