Higuera, John R., CMSgt

Deceased
 
 TWS Ribbon Bar
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
194 kb
View Shadow Box View Printable Shadow Box View Time Line
Final Rank
Chief Master Sergeant
Last AFSC
90290-Medical Service Superintendent
Last AFSC Group
Medical Services
Primary Unit
1988-1990, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Mather
Service Years
1960 - 1990
Chief Master Sergeant

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

1466 kb


Home State
Arizona
Arizona
Year of Birth
1940
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by Sgt Hans Rohm to remember Higuera, John, CMSgt USAF(Ret).

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Hanford
Last Address
3148 Fountain Plaza Dr
Hanford, Ca 93230
Date of Passing
Mar 28, 2015
 
Location of Interment
Hanford Cemetery - Hanford, California


 Ribbon Bar


Aircrew Enlisted (Chief)
Enlisted Medical (Technician) Master


 



 Official Badges 

Air Force Retired US Air Force Honorable Discharge (New Style)


 Unofficial Badges 




 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
American Legion
  2007, American Legion - Assoc. Page


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

John Richard "Buddy'" Higuera, 74, of Hanford, CA, died on Saturday, March 28, 2015. John was born in Yuma, AZ on December 7, 1940, son of the late Ignacio and Mary Higuera.
John grew up in Yuma, Arizona and shortly after graduating from Yuma High School, he enlisted in the US Air Force in February of 1960. He served honorably for 30 years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in February of 1990 after achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and logged over 8,400 hours of aircrew time which included over 700 combat hours in Vietnam. Always seeking adventure, John was able to travel the world and especially enjoyed his overseas assignments to the Philippines and Germany. After his retirement from the Air Force, John worked as a Real Estate agent in Sacramento, California and Hanford, California.
John married his wife, Fely Higuera, in 1969 at Clark AFB in the Philippines. They were happily married for 46 years. Together they enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends. John also managed to always find the time for a cold beer and a BBQ.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Eloise Wise of Yuma, Arizona and Margaret McNamara, of San Diego, California. He is survived by his spouse, Fely, of Hanford, California, his son Tim of Sacramento, California, his son Stephen of San Diego, California, his daughter Sonia Cervantes of Sacramento, California, his daughter Angie Higuera, of Las Vegas, Nevada, his sisters Maryann Heald, of Turlock, California, Ida Valdez of Mesa, Arizona, and Pauline Murphy of Mesa, Arizona, and his brothers, Hank Higuera of San Diego, California, Paul Higuera, of Yuma, Arizona, and Pat Higuera, of Mesa, Arizona. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at People's Funeral Chapel 501 N Douty St. Hanford, CA from 4-7pm. A memorial service will be held at People's Funeral Chapel 501 N Douty St. Hanford, CA at 9am. Burial will follow at Hanford Cemetery 10500 S 10th Ave Hanford, Ca 93230.

   

 Enlisted/Officer Basic Training
  1960, Basic Military Training (Lackland AFB, TX), 3764
 Unit Assignments
USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Davis-Monthan1454th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron2nd Aeromedical Evacuation SquadronAeromedical Units
903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron902nd Aeromedical Evacuation SquadronHospital, Clinic and Dispensary UnitsUSAF Hospital/Medical Center - Clark
9th Aeromedical Evacuation SquadronUSAF Hospital/Medical Center - Mather
  1960-1962, 90230, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Davis-Monthan
  1960-1962, 90230, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Davis-Monthan
  1961-1962, 90250A, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Davis-Monthan
  1962-1964, 90250A, 1454th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1964-1965, 90250A, 2nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1965-1967, 90250A, 11th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1967-1968, 90250A, 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1968-1973, 90250A, 902nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1973-1973, 90270A, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Wurtsmith AFB
  1973-1974, 90270A, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Clark
  1974-1979, 90270A, 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1979-1984, 90299, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - England AFB
  1984-1988, 90299, 2nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  1988-1990, USAF Hospital/Medical Center - Mather
 Combat and Non-Combat Operations
  1961-1965 Vietnam Advisory Campaign (1962-65)


Reflections on CMSgt Higuera's US Air Force Service
 
 Reflections On My Service
 
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I did not want to get drafted into the Army, First I went to the Navy Recruiter, but he was not in so I saw the USAF Recruiter.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I few Air Evac in Vietnam, out of Pleiku AB. Was involved in The Battle of Dak To, Kae San, Dang Ha, and special mission destination unknown. What stationed out Clark I flew Baby lift missions, was scheduled to fly on the C-5A that crash; however I was taken off the Flight. I managed to fly 820 Combat flying hours and earned six Air MedalsI.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I was fortunate to be stationed at Rhein Main AB, Germany twice for seven and a half years and twice at Clark AB, Philippines for a total of eleven years.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The Vietnam War.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My six Air Medals
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Can't it SECRET
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I was a Real Estate Agent, Sold Insurance, Sold Cars, and was Customer Service for two Auto dealerships in Sacramento. I sseven two and can't work because of age and illness.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
American Leigon, was a member of Vietnam Veterans association.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Sure

Copyright Togetherweserved.com Inc 2003-2025