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We dedicate this page to our Fallen Chiefs who have unselfishly given of themselves in the protection of our FREEDOM through their service to their country and the United States Armed Forces. |
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When CMSAF Paul
Airey took office on 1 Apr 1967 as the first Chief Master Sergeant
of the Air Force, that was the best thing that ever happened
for the enlisted force. Chief Airey set the bar and the standard
for those who followed him in the position. The love and the
dedication he had for the Air Force will live on in the Airmen
who serve today and those that will follow them. Chief Airey
was a good friend to me personally and he had a great impact
on my life during my active duty time as well as in retirement.
He always used to tell me that the two biggest problems he faced
as CMSAF were Promotions and Assignments. He faced them head
on they became nonexistent. Chief Paul, we will miss you and
you will be in our hearts forever. Rest in peace my friend. Chief George Moses President of the McClellan Chiefs Group North Highlands, CA |
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CMSAF Airey. |
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I met CMSAF
Thomas N. Barnes as a young airman in 1975 while stationed at
MAFB NJ. In turn I followed his career as best I could. I was
successful in seeing - at the time - that he was included in
the (Philadelphia) Pennsylvania Military Hall of Fame back in
the late 1970's. Go Blue! Sgt Thomas Blair, Jr. USAF Retired |
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My Father Was a Dedicated Airman, Truly Proud of His Years Served. The Family of CMSGT Bill Pitts Salutes the Entire USAF Family. Thank You For the Memories and People WE Met During My Fathers 26 Years of Service. Submitted by Joseph Pitts (Son of the Fallen Chief) |
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My dad served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He was stationed at Dyess AFB when he retired after 33 years. He loved being in the Air Force and being a Chief. After he retired from working in civilian life, he and my mother traveled and reconnected with other Chiefs. Submitted in loving memory by his daughter, Nancy Ann Smith Jinks |
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He was predeceased by his parents George Aaron Forsey Patten and Sarah Jane Forsey Patten and brother Louis Patten. Visitation was held at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home on Bandera Road on Thursday, June 3, 2010 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. A funeral service was conducted at 9:00 A.M. Friday, June 4, 2010 at the Sunset Northwest Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Vernon Welshans officiating. Interment followed at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. Submitted by his niece Denise Wilkins-Treble |
| Ralph served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War era and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (NCOIC, Personnel and Senior Enlisted Advisor) with the U.S. Air Force and the Ohio Air National Guard (179th Airlift Wing). |
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My Dad,CMSGT Earl E Ferguson, or as his friends called him Pete, was such a wonderful man.He was Air Force all the way, but if he was ever needed by anyone he was there with a helping hand.I love and miss him very much. Submitted by: Cathy Reyes Chief Ferguson's daughter... |
| Chief Tom left us on January 29, 2010 and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful husband,father, grand-father, friend and he was The Chief. |
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CMSgt. Melvin "Mel" Johnson, passed away Wednesday, Jan 20 2010, in Ocala, FL. Mel was the epitome of a Air Force Chief, he loved his country, family an the Air Force. Chief Johnson serviced as Superintendent of C-130 Maintenance for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)Hurlburt AFB, Fort Walton Beach FL. A dedicated Chief and avid golfer, Mel will be sorely miss by his fellow Chiefs, friends and family. Funeral service will begin at 11AM Tuesday Jan 26, 2010 at Shiloh Seventh Day church, 500 SW 17th AVE Ocala FL. 34471. (352)629-6857. |
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My father passed away from a very long 17 month battle with Brain cancer on 4-13-2009. He was a beloved Father, A cherished Grandfather, A devoted Husband, An Adored Son, A caring Brother, and he loved and served his country like few have. Submitted by Robert Kingsly son of this Fallen Chief. |
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Chief Wendell Ray Lee had a memorable and significant career in the Air Force. He served his country for 30 years. The Air Force
promoted the first Chiefs on 1 Dec 1959. Chief Lee was recognized
as one of the most Senior Chiefs in our Air Force. He served
on active duty from 1943 to 1963 and then served an additional
10 years in the Air Force Reserve. He flew 25 combat missions
over Germany as a Radio Operator and waist gunner on the B-17
Aircraft. After WW II, he served in many locations throughout
the United States and overseas. His last assignment was the 552
Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at McClellan AFB, CA.
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CMSgt Tom Heitz
was one of the most dedicated NCOs I have known. He worked the
Flight line while assigned to the 41st Consolidated Aircraft
Maintenance Sq, 41st Rescue and Reconnaissance Wing, McClellan
AFB, CA. One could see Tom working on the ramp during all hours
of the night and day. He loved working around airplanes and the
Air Force. He will be missed by all the folks he touched throughout
his career. |
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Roy was born on 12 Nov 1945 and he died on 25 Nov 2009. Roy was the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander, Air Logistics Center, McClellan AFB, CA during the period 1995 to 1998 . He was a good friend and an outstanding CMSgt. He loved the Air Force and enjoyed meeting and interacting with the enlisted people for whom he was responsible. He touched the lives of many throughout his long career in the Air Force and we all mourn his loss. Rest in peace my friend. CMSgt George
Moses (USAF Retired) |
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CMSgt Milton Francis Applehof, age 65, of Yuba City, CA, tragically passed away August 22, 2009. He was born August 13, 1944, in South Dakota, and has been a Yuba-Sutter resident since 1979. Milton was an avid Goldwing Motorcycle rider with Chapter T, Goldwing Touring Assoc., and passed away doing what he loved. Milton volunteered his time and motorcycle for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Association, Muscular Dystrophy and other organizations. He also was a volunteer for Fremont Rideout Hospice. He was a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church, Blackbird Assoc., Knights of Columbus, the Moose Lodge and Herman Son's German Club. Milton dedicated 30 years to his country through his military service in the United States Air Force, serving in the Vietnam War and retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. He retired from Beale Air Force Base in 1992. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Fremont-Rideout Hospice (939 Live Oak, CA 95991), Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (C/O-GWTA-Sue Leamons (Treasurer) 2414 Val Dr., Marysville, CA 95901), or a charity of your choice.
Submitted by
Ronald L. Burton |
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Chief Treat loved the Air Force and served 30 years active duty, 1948-1978. He retired at Cannon AFB and subsequently moved back to the family farm in Arkansas but his heart never left the Air Force. Military Honors at his funeral were provided by Little Rock AFB. Chief Treat's
daughter has requested that the following words be added here
in the Chief's honor. |
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CMSgt Glenn B.
Fullum--Born 1936 and passed away this year. Oftentimes one hears
the comment that a person is a Chief's Chief. I am not sure what
that signifies but Chief Glenn Fullum was an Airman's Chief.
That means he took care of the Airmen throughout his career.
One could always find the Chief on the flightline, day or night,
making sure the troops were being cared for. Chief Fullum was
selected under the old 33 year program but unlike many other
Chiefs who chose to retire prior to that time, he served the
full 33 years on active duty. One of his greatest achievements
occured in 1972 when he was selected as one of the Twelve Outstanding
Airmen in the Air Force, while he was stationed at McChord AFB,
WA as a SMSgt. When one considers how many active duty personnel
we had on board during that time frame, that honor is reserved
for only the "Creme de la Creme". Chief Fullum was
one of a kind. He touched the lives of many of us and we will
always remember him. Rest in peace my friend. CMSgt George Moses |
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I met Chief Centolella only by communications when trying to locate ex members of 551st Electronics Maintenance Squadron for a reunion. Ray was blind and had to have niece do communications for him. He was already in Army Air Corps as a Radio Operator on B-18 when WWII started he transitioned to the more modern Bombers of WWII. He was at Ottis AFB from 1955-1963 where he was NCOIC of Communications/Navaids maintenance in 551st then moved on to ADC Headquarters from 1963-1967. He retired with over 30 years service. MSgt Jack R. Kerr USAF (Retired) |
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CMSgt Ret.
Don Wilson Hamilton passed away Monday, March 16, 2009, from lung
disease. With great pride and honor, he served his country in
the United States Air Force for 31 years, was a decorated veteran
of many wars, and was a founding member of the AMMO Chiefs Association.
He was married to his wife, the former Grace Foulds of Romford, Essex, England, for 44 years. They have three children, Denise D’Amore of Dade City, Florida; Gary Hamilton of Baldwinsville, New York; and Debbie Miller of Kathleen, Georgia. They also have 11 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and family. |
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Chief George
Moses (USAF Retired)
I loved him very much. Iwill miss him.he was a good Chief, man, and grandfather to me. This is for you grandpa. I miss you wherever you are please remember that Nicole loves you and will be with you forever. Sincerely, |
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us to pay tribute to him or her, on this page, with a personalized Marker Stone please CLICK HERE and you will be taken to a form where you can submit the Name, Date of Birth and Date of Death of the Chief you wish us to honor. |
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Chief
Master Sergeant Philip N. Patten, Retired US Air Force, passed
away May 31, 2010 at the age of 80 years in San Antonio, Texas.
The home that he loved was in Camarillo California. He was born
on July 30, 1929 in Grandbank, Newfoundland, Canada. He is survived
by his ex-wife Patrica Patten and sons, George L. Patten and
wife Barbara, Robert S. Patten and wife Marlene; daughter, Susan
N. Irey and husband Shane; grandchildren, Bryan Patten, Christopher
Patten, Angel Leo Aguilar, Noel Aguilar; great-grandchildren,
Emily Patten, Avery Patten, Joshua Patten and Nicholas Patten;
sister, Grace Patten Wilkins; step-sister, Matilda Ralph (Frank);
step-brother, Simeon Patten (Phyllis); nieces Denise Wilkins-Treble
(Brian), Marilyn Prior Wilkins, Susan Boulos (John), Diane Price
and nephews Robert Patten and Frank Patten and extended family.
Chief
Marcel-Henri Joseph Claing was a great Chief. He retired in 1982
after serving his country for over 32 years on active duty.