Generations of Chevrons A History of the Enlisted Force ★ Edited by Janet R. Bednarek Generations of Chevrons A History of the Enlisted Force ★ Edited by Janet R. Bednarek AIR FORCE HISTORY AND MUSEUMS PROGRAM UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WASHINGTON, D.C. 2004 Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the au- thor(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air Force History and Museums Program, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other U.S. Government agency. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Generations of chevrons : a history of the enlisted force / edited by Janet R. Bednarek. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. United States. Air Force—Non-commissioned officers—Biography. 2. United States—Biogra- phy. I. Bednarek, Janet R. Daly (Janet Rose Daly), 1959- 9- UG626.G44 2004 358.4’0092’2—dc222 2004026962 ★ This book is dedicated to the memory of four great chief master sergeants of the Air Force: CMSAF DONALD L. HARLOW 1920–1997 CMSAF RICHARD D. KISLING 1923–1985 CMSAF ARTHUR L. “BUD” ANDREWS 1934–1996 CMSAF THOMAS N. BARNES 1930–2003 CONTENTS Preface . ix Foreword . xi Introduction . 1 CHIEF MASTER SERGEANTS OF THE AIR FORCE Paul W. Airey. 45 Donald L. Harlow . 57 Richard D. Kisling. 69 Thomas N. Barnes. 81 Robert D. Gaylor . 93 James M. McCoy. 105 Arthur L. “Bud” Andrews. 117 Sam E. Parish . 129 James C. Binnicker . 141 Gary R. Pfingston . 153 David J. Campanale. 167 Eric W. Benken . 179 Frederick J. Finch . 191 Gerald R. Murray . 203 APPENDIXES I. Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force . 213 II. Presidents, Secretaries of the Air Force, Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force and Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force . 215 III. Department of Defense Enlisted Personnel, by Service . 219 IV. Order of the Sword . 221 Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations . 227 Bibliography . 229 Index . 231 vii PREFACE I am extremely excited about this book becoming a reality. It began with a vision by Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Campanale to document the history and contribu- tions of the enlisted force. Through the years many people have grasped the vision and moved it forward. The finished product is one that will make every Airman proud to be part of the United States Air Force. Keep in mind this is not an all-inclusive history—that would take volumes. Instead, this is a snapshot into generations past through the experiences of the 14 Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force. My hope is that each reader finds inspiration and insight as they examine the issues and contributions of our enlisted forefathers. I am privileged to be a small part of the team that created this book on behalf of the en- listed men and women of the “World’s Greatest Air Force”—past, present, and future. CMSAF Gerald R. Murray ix x FOREWORD In the mid 1990s, several individuals in the Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (OCMSAF) began working on biographical sketches of the former chief master sergeants of the Air Force (CMSAFs). Based primarily on published materials, these sketch- es traced the careers of each of the men who had served in the top enlisted post in the United States Air Force (USAF). In addition, the authors wrote essays dealing with various aspects of enlisted history, such as the role of the first sergeant, enlisted training and education, and the enlisted uniform. The manuscript also contained data on the number of active duty enlist- ed personnel, the names and tenures of the CMSAFs, and a list of people who had been awarded the Order of the Sword. The goal was to produce, in a single volume, a sense of the history and heritage of Air Force enlisted personnel. The Air Force History Support Office (AFHSO) at Bolling Air Force Base (AFB), Washington, D.C., reviewed the original manuscript, “Enlisted Footprints.” While the histori- ans and editors there saw value in the project, they noted that, because the manuscript had been put together by many people working somewhat independently, it needed an overall ed- itor. Initially, the idea was to replace the individual essays with one overall essay on enlisted history, copyedit the biographical sketches for consistency, and select more informative ap- pendixes. This initial work was completed in 2001. However, by the time the manuscript had been completed, the goals had changed. The end product still had to be a history of USAF enlisted personnel, but the biographical sketch- es needed greater depth and to focus more on the achievements of the chief master sergeants of the Air Force and the issues they faced. Moreover, the essay on enlisted history was to be further refined and expanded. In late 2002, the OCMSAF and the AFHSO once again subjected the manuscript to a more comprehensive editorial review. The process included questionnaires for and interviews of the surviving former CMSAFs. The chiefs were eager to see the project through and were very helpful in providing the information needed to edit and expand their biographies. The Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA), the Enlisted Heritage Hall, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and the AFHSO all provided research assistance. xi The final product, Generations of Chevrons, builds on two works previously published by the Air Force History and Museums Program: The Enlisted Experience: A Conversation with the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force and Foundation of the Force: Air Force En- listed Personnel Policy. The biographical sketches, which were central to the project from the start, remain and add a very human element to the history. Our hope is that this work, espe- cially the historical essay, will add to the growing conversation on the meaning and impor- tance of major themes in USAF enlisted history. xii INTRODUCTION A History of the USAF Enlisted Force ★ Janet R. Bednarek, Ph.D. Histories of the United States Air Force and its pre- the above characteristics. The Air Force has not al- decessor organizations have focused on pilots, ways matched its practices with its rhetoric concern- planes, and the use of air power. While certainly a ing the enlisted force, but overall the trend has been large part of the service’s history and heritage, these in the direction of emphasizing training, education, studies do not tell the whole story. In the last dozen and professionalization. years or so, a number of people have begun a serious Enlisted members, particularly senior noncom- examination of the history of the enlisted members missioned officers, have played crucial roles in sup- of the U.S. Air Force.1 Just as it became clear that porting the service’s vision for its enlisted force. economic and business histories would not be com- Again and again, they provided the day-to-day, plete without looking at rank-and-file workers, so ground-level leadership that held things together in those studying USAF history found that a full picture the face of the many challenges confronting the ser- demanded an inclusion of enlisted personnel. vice. Through the ups and downs in the provision of These enlisted histories, though still few in num- pay, housing, and medical care; the Korean and Viet- ber, nonetheless illuminate several important themes nam Wars; the integration of African Americans and and trends in the history and heritage of the USAF women; the transition to the all-volunteer force; and enlisted force. First, enlisted airmen have always the end of the Cold War, U.S. Air Force NCOs been seen and valued primarily for their high level of stepped up to the leadership challenges presented technical and/or occupational skills. Whether serving them. They are a proud group with their own heroes, as aircraft mechanics, computer operators, personnel schools, professional organizations, traditions, and clerks, or military policemen, airmen have always memorials. As the Air Force looked to its enlisted been among the most intelligent and highly trained personnel for crucial leadership in its first half-centu- enlisted individuals in the U.S. military. Second, the ry, it will in all probability continue to rely on its en- emphasis on skills and training has helped to pro- listed leadership as it enters the twenty-first century. mote a professionalization of the USAF enlisted ESTABLISHING THE ENLISTED FORCE force. Third, the Air Force has always prized an en- listed force with a high percentage of skilled, profes- The U.S. Air Force can trace its lineage back to the sional, career noncommissioned officers (NCOs). creation of the Aviation Section within the Army Sig- And, finally, over its long history, the USAF enlisted nal Corps in 1907, and the USAF enlisted force can force has become more diverse in terms of skills, also look to that date as the beginning of its history. race, and gender. The Aviation Section began with an authorized As an organization, the U.S. Air Force has gen- strength of 110 enlisted members. The leaders of the erally supported policies that promoted its ability to Aviation Section decided from the start that, given recruit, train, and retain an enlisted force matching the technical demands associated with the airplane, 1 cian until 1926, the enlisted member received a 50 percent pay raise. This contributed to the early emer- gence of an image of enlisted personnel within the Air Section as being highly skilled technically and different from the enlisted force in the rest of the Army. They were airmen.3 These technically trained enlisted airmen served during a time when aircraft technology was advanc- ing very rapidly.