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Herbert H. Holmes, Col USAF Ret, slipped the surly bonds of earth and put out his hands and touched the face of God on March 5, 2006. He was born in Presque Isle, Maine, 8 November 1928, the son of Eva Warman and Rodney Arthur Holmes. On 11 Feb 1951 he married the former Marguerite Short in Milford, Ct. He is survived by her and their three children, Peter F. Holmes, MD and wife Susan; Cindy L. Holmes and Diane M. Holmes, and grandchildren Pamela Holmes, Amanda Rose Holmes-Davidian and Daniel Holmes. After graduation from the University of Connecticut in 1949, Herb signed up with the Connecticut National Guard, went to Officers Candidate School at Lackland AFB, Photo Radar Interpreter School at Lowry AFB, and the 72nd Strat Recon Tech Wing at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. He then went to Pilot training at Stallings AB in Kinston, NC; then to the 3545 Pilot Tng Wing at Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX. He was awarded his wings 29 Aug 1956, and then to further training at Randolph AFB, TX and West Palm Beach where he piloted the KC- 97.He was transferred to Westover AFB, Ma, and to Plattsburgh AFB, NY where he flew missions in the "cold war" in KC-97s and was upgraded to KC 135 Tankers at Castle AFB. From there he served at Bergstrom AFB, TX where in addition to refueling B52 bombers, he refueled Navy planes on their way to SE Asia. From Bergstrom he was assigned to Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, V A. During the Viet Nam War he flew B-57 bombers, while stationed at Clark AFB where he was a member of the 405th Fighter Wing, flying missions as a member of the 8th and 13th Bomb Squadrons out of Phan Rang, Viet Nam. His missions were mainly low altitude night bombing missions. While there he earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the AF Commendation Medal and the Air Medal, 1st through 18th oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He earned the National Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal, Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross, the AF Outstanding Unit Award and Armed Services Reserve Medal. His war days over, he was Director of Operations Services at Randolph AFB, then to Mather AFB where he was Director of Operations for the 454 and 455 Flying Training Squadrons, and to Chanute AFB, Illinois where he served as the Inspector General, and Deputy Base Commander. He finished his career at the Headquarters Training Center as Commander of the 3290 Technical Training Group, the "Red Hats". He was retired from active duty at Lackland AFB on 29 October 1982 at which time he received the Legion of Merit. After retirement, Herb enjoyed many years living in his "fish camp" on the Guadalupe River in Comfort. His favorite pastimes were fishing and hunting with his friends and family, family gatherings, and music and noshing with his Comfort friends. In his high school yearbook the comment by his picture was "The air doth laugh with our merry wit". Up until his last days, he was known by friends and family for his jokes and sense of humor. He was a member of, the Dedalians, and a life-long member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was cremated in his flight suit as was his wish. A visitation will b held on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North from 6:00 8:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 10:00 on Monday, March 20, 2006 full military honors. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of MICUA at Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Orthopedic Kneed Foundation or CRTC 9150 Huebner Road Ste. 200 San Antonio, TX 78240.

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Herbert H. Holmes

November 8, 1928 - March 5, 2006