Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USAF Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Master Sergeant
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Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
30470-Radio Relay Equipment Technician
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Current/Last AFSC Group
Electronics Maintenance
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Primary Unit
1968-1971, 30490, Headquarters, Air Training Command
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Previously Held AFSC/MOS
32331-Apprentice Turret Systems Gunner
32351-Turret Systems Gunner
32351-Defensive Fire Control Systems Operator
43173-Inflight Refueling Technician
30430-Apprentice Radio Relay Equipment Repairman
30470-Radio Relay Equipment Maintenance Technician
30490-Ground Radio Maintenance Superintendent
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Service Years
1949 - 1979
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Official/Unofficial US Air Force Certificates
Cold War Certificate
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1971, Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, American Legion
- Assoc. Page
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1971, Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
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1971, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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1990, Air Force Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers Association
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1995, Air Force Gunners Association
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2000, State Guard Association of the United States, Tennessee State Guard (Instructor) (Nashville, Tennessee)
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2004, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Upper Cumberland (Crossville, Tennessee)
- Chap. Page
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2008, Civil Air Patrol - U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
- Assoc. Page
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2013, 19th Bombardment Association
- Assoc. Page
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2013, In-Flight Refueling Association (Boomers)
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2015, Air Force Memorial (AFM)
- Assoc. Page
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What are you doing now:
I'm Retired
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Other Comments:
I'm a Major in the Civil Air Patrol
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1949-1951, Army National Guard (ARNG)
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1951-1952, 32331, Headquarters, Air Training Command
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1953-1953, 20th Air Force
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1953-1953, 19th Bombardment Group, Heavy
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1953-1953, 32351, 20th Air Force
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1953-1953, 32351, 28th Bomb Squadron - Mohawk Warriors
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1953-1955, 32351, 97th Bombardment Wing, Heavy
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1953-1955, 32351, Strategic Air Command (SAC)
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1953-1955, 341st Bombardment Squadron, Heavy
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1955-1961, 43173, Strategic Air Command (SAC)
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1955-1961, 43173, 42nd Bomb Wing
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1955-1961, 43173, 42nd Air Refueling Squadron
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1961-1965, 43173, Strategic Air Command (SAC)
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1961-1965, 911th Air Refueling Squadron - Red Eagles
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1965-1966, 30430, Headquarters, Air Training Command
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1966-1968, 30470, Air Force Communications Service (AFCS)
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1966-1968, 30470, TUSLOG Det 63, TUSLOG HQ
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1968-1971, 30490, Headquarters, Air Training Command
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1968-1971, 30490, AETC Communications Division
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1971, Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, American Legion
- Assoc. Page
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1971, Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
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1971, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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1971, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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1990, Air Force Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers Association
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1995, Air Force Gunners Association
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2000, State Guard Association of the United States, Tennessee State Guard (Instructor) (Nashville, Tennessee)
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2004, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Upper Cumberland (Crossville, Tennessee)
- Chap. Page
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2008, Civil Air Patrol - U.S. Air Force Auxiliary
- Assoc. Page
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2013, 19th Bombardment Association
- Assoc. Page
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2013, In-Flight Refueling Association (Boomers)
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2015, Air Force Memorial (AFM)
- Assoc. Page
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Reflections on MSgt Boyer's
US Air Force Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I had four uncles and a high school coach who served in WWII. My high school coach also served in Korea and one my uncle was a gunner on B-17s with the 8th Air Force in Europe. I always had a love affair with airplanes and with the military itself.
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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 joined the New York State Army National Guard in 1949 at the age of 15 and served as a 75 Recoil-less Rifle Gunner in the Heavy Weapons Company, 27th Infantry Division.
In 1951, I joined the Air Force, took basic training at Sampson AFB, New York. After basic, I went to Lowry AFB, Colorado for turret system and gunnery school. In my 20 years and 2 months in the USAF, I was a B-29 and B-50 Gunner, a KC-97A and KC-135A Boom Operator.
In 1965, I quit flying and went to Radio Relay School at Kessler AFB, Mississippi. From Kessler, I was transferred to Karamursel, Turkey were I became Receiver Site Supervisor with the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) Det 63. I returned to Kessler AFB in 1968 as Instructor Supervisory and retired at Kessler in 1971 as an MSgt with 22 years of military service.
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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?
I was a CFC (Top) Gunner in B-29s during the Korean War and flew 25 combat missions over North Korea with the 28th Bomb Squadron, 19th Bomb Group flying out of Kadena AB, Okinawa.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Loring AFB, ME - I did a lot of growing up wild stationed there. I spent 61/2 years at this station. I was fortunate to have been a Boom Operate on KC-97A and KC-135A Aircraft. Karamursel AB, Turkey - I spent two years at this station as the Receiver Site Supervisor. This was my first station after completing Radio Relay School. I went there as a TSgt and came home a MSgt. This station was where I got the exuberance that I would use in my civilian career.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
It was all so rewarding, with so many new adventures that no one would stand out more than the others. If there was one it would have to be during the Cuban Crisis. We got off alert duty after seven days and turned right around and went to Spain and flew several missions a day for 30 days. We would take off with a full fuel load climbed to 30,000 feet, rendezvous with a B-52, and transfer all but enough fuel to return to Base. We would do that same thing several times a day.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I was awarded two Air Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and numerous other medals and ribbons.
I received the Air Medals for combat operations during the Korean War.
The Air Force Commendation Medals were for participation in Air Force operations during the Cuban crisis, also for outstanding service as Site Supervisor in Karamursel, Turkey, and for my service as an Instructor Supervisor/Training Aides Supervisor.
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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?
None at this time. There were too many to remember here and to single out one would be a disservice to the others.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
It was all so rewarding, with so many new adventures that no one would stand out more than the others. If there was one it would have to be during the Cuban Crisis. We got off alert duty after seven days and turned right around and went to Spain and flew several missions a day for 30 days. We would take off with a full fuel load climbed to 30,000 feet, rendezvous with a B-52, and transfer all but enough fuel to return to Base. We would do that same thing several times a day.
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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?
After retiring from the Air Force I went to work for the Telephone Company as a Microwave Supervisor. While working at the Phone Company, I used my GI Bill to go to college. It took me seven years to get my B.S. Degree.
After getting my degree, I went to work for a telephone equipment manufacturer. I'm retired and enjoying every moment: Playing golf, bowling and traveling. I'm also a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and a member of the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. I also served four years in the Tennessee State Guard and retired as a Major.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) American Legion, Air Force Association (AFA), Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) IFRA, Air Force Gunners Association (AFGA), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NOCA) Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and numerous others.
I'm most active in East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard, AFSA and MOAA.
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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?
Discipline, my work ethic and dedication to achieving my goals.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Pick a career field that you would love going each and every day for the rest of your life. If you are happy and feel you are making a contribution to the mission then you will never be unhappy. Also, pick a field that can be used in your next career after you have retired from the military. Get all the education you can while is the service it will help you advance both in the service and in your chosen civilian career.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It's a place where I can interface with others who have served my country. I may also be able to find some long lost friends or they find me. KC 8/8/19
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