Cameron, David R., A1C

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
My dad-David Campbell Cameron Jr., served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War 2, from 1942 through 1945. He was a radio operator/top turret gunner on both B-25's and B-24's, hunting for German U-boats in the Caribbean, stationed on the island of Jamaica. He loved to fly and was my HERO when I grew up and I'm sure I got my military bearing and love of flying from him. Beginning with my early school years I was drawing combat scenes from WW II air battles, even when in school during class studies placed inside my book covers. After being in the Boy Scouts I graduated to the Explorer Scouts where we were taken to Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, and were housed in the barracks on base. I simply loved every minute of it!

During this same time period, my cousin Victor Smith was taking private flying lessons at our local airport in Glens Falls, New York. He also entered the Air Force a year after me and stayed in for a full 20 years, retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. Also, the Cameron's have a very long military history from our ancestors in Scotland since before the time of Mary, Queen of Scots! Even my grandfather, David Campbell Cameron Sr. signed up for the service at 49 years old during World War II. I am very proud to have done my small part of service in the U.S. Air Force and always promote the Air Force to all the young people I come in contact with.

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?
Luckily, I was stationed on air bases where I was always close to the flight-line and our Birds! Everyday I would either see or hear them close up, and on occasion would be sent TDY as a support team for our Birds missions. My job would always be to keep them flying with spare parts from anywhere on the globe to keep them in the air. The Air Force gave me a career in civilian life which I pursued until retirement age.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
No, I guess I was fortunate not being in combat at any time. The closest came during the Cuban Missile crisis, and the Algerian uprising in France when they tried to infiltrate our bases to obtain our plastic explosives. I carried an M-1 carbine and sometimes a .45 on guard duty, but did not have to fire against any foe!

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Phalsbourg Air Base in France was the most beautiful in terms of scenery, Toul-Rousierre Air Base in France, was like a second home for it's longevity of stay and with a great Airmen's Club and many social activities. Truly loved Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, where the weather is great just about all year long and a major city next door. Amarillo Air Force Base had to be the worst that I was stationed at, where I contracted pneumonia and the weather is terrible in the panhandle of Texas.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Having only 8 months in grade at the time I was offered a second consecutive tour of duty in 1962. As A1C at the time and S/SGT hopefully in reach I said I would re-up again if I could receive my rocker! It would have been a trip to Vietnam as an advisor for the fledgling S. Vietnam Air Force, but without the time in grade, I was sent back stateside for reassignment. Who knows what the outcome would have been, and whether I would have made a career of the Air Force?

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?
Good Conduct. Requirement for continuing to obtain rank advancement.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
President John F. Kennedy as Commander in Chief and military veteran hero.

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?
While viewing the movie "West Side Story" at the Laon Air Base theater, I got so engrossed in the movie (going back in time to the streets in Queens, New York City) I just reached in my pocket without thinking and "Lit one up!" What a roar I received from the troops at the time!!! Talk about an embarrassing moment, that was it for me!

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 pretty much stayed with my field of training, working in indoor sales, warehousing, transportation/traffic and procurement of manufacturing processor major corporations. Shell Oil Company, Kroger Foods, Associated Truck Lines, Glidden Paint/Durkee Foods, and Ford Motor Company.

Since retirement from Ford Motor Co, I have basically taken my oldest hobby-45 rpm record collecting, and turned it into a small business. It keeps me mentally and physically active every day, and I get to meet interesting people from all over the world. My other ongoing hobby is tracing my family tree with an ancestry firm.

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?
Very much added character and disciplines to all my future lifetime endeavors. A great confidence builder and self-assuredness that all my undertakings could be accomplished, no matter how tough the challenges. Also contributed to my maturity in accepting marriage and family responsibility for the long haul...now 44 years later! I wouldn't have missed it for the world!!!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Every airman should strive to become the best that he or she can be while in the U.S. Air Force. They need to continue the heritage, and help keep us "Number 1" in the world!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
The experience has taken me back to a time when it was an honor to enlist in the service of your choice, and then develop your interest to your fullest capability while serving your country. Many casual friends developed over those years, but only a couple truly stayed as friends

TWS and The USAF

into civilian life. One in particular became a partner to share expenses and live with until he got married, as I also did shortly after. That close friend is no longer to be found, but will never be forgotten for all the years that we shared everything together and most especially our military time overseas.

This experience did allow me to take the time to consolidate all my records of that time, and I'm now working on a new Air Force scrapbook which has United States Air Force imprinted on the cover with the official Air Force shield below, given to me at Christmas from my son and daughter. If I can find someone to assist me in downloading pictures on this site, I would like to add a few that I have from my service in the future. Best to all and keep em' flying!

DS 12/16/16