Posted by XXXXXX on May 7, 2008:

Theodore B. Buechler ’48 No. 16719 4 Dec 1925 – 7 Dec 2003 Died in Wichita Falls, TX Interred in Grand Island Cemetery, Grand Island, NE Born at West Point, Theodore Bruce Buechler spent his childhood growing up on Cavalry posts. Though his father, Theodore Buechler ’17, was a field artilleryman, Bruce’s early desire was to be a horse cavalry officer. Graduating from high school in Washington, DC, in 1943, he entered the Academy in 1944. One distinguishing accomplishment as a cadet was winning the corps intramural cross-country race in his Cow year. Bruce’s first Air Force assignment was at Lackland AFB, TX, as an assistant training officer. He entered pilot training in 1948 at Randolph AFB, TX, completing the basic phase in 1949. Completing advanced pilot training in F-80s at Williams AFB, AZ, in 1949, he was assigned to the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Naha, Okinawa, from 1949 until the Korean War commenced in 1950. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1950 and entered the Korean conflict. He completed 100 combat sorties by 1951 and served as a forward air controller with the 187th Regimental Combat Team. Bruce commanded a detachment of the 51st Fighter Wing, Hoengsong Air Base, forward, running the base during the spring 1951 Communist Chinese offensive. He then was transferred to the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Presque Isle, ME, flying F-86Es. His unit deployed to Florida, New Jersey, and Delaware and ferried aircraft from coast to coast before basing at Suffolk County AFB, NY, flying F-86As, as part of the East Coast air defense complex. In 1952, Bruce was promoted to captain and assigned as squadron flight commander. The unit became the 2d Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1953 and converted to the F-86D, the Air Force’s first single-seat all-weather interceptor. He was one of the early transition instructors in the aircraft. In 1953 he married Wanda Standlee at Ft. Monroe, VA. They were married for 50 years. In 1956, he was assigned as the assistant fighter officer, Headquarters, 26th Air Division, Roslyn AFB, NY, subsequently serving as chief fighter officer. He continued in that capacity at Headquarters, Montgomery Air Defense Sector, in 1959 and was promoted to major. Upon completion of the Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, he was assigned as commander, Victor Alert, with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Wethersfield, UK, for one year and then as chief, Operations Plans Division. In 1963 he returned to the Zone of the Interior as an assistant professor of air science, AFROTC, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. As a lieutenant colonel, he was assigned to the 3561st Pilot Training Squadron at Webb AFB, TX. Following instructor pilot training at Randolph AFB, he first commanded a T-37 flying training squadron in 1966, followed by a T-38 flying training squadron in 1968. He became deputy commander for operations, 3560th Pilot Training Wing, in 1969 and was transferred to the same position in the 3646th Pilot Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, TX. After promotion to colonel, he transferred to Perrin AFB, TX, in 1970 and commanded Air Training Command’s T-37 instructor pilot training program. In 1971, he was chief of the Personnel and Training Division, Air Force Section, U.S. Military Mission to Iran. He returned to Sheppard AFB, TX in 1973 as chief, Plans/Programming Directorate, Sheppard Technical Training Center, and retired in 1978. Bruce completed the Air University’s Squadron Officer and Command and Staff College courses in residence in 1954 and 1960, respectively. He was a rated command pilot with over 5,600 hours flying time, mostly in single-engine jet aircraft. Awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In retirement, Bruce earned a second degree in business administration and volunteered for the Red Cross and for the IRS as an income tax preparer. He settled five family estates, enjoyed private flying and his tennis foursome, traveled extensively, enjoyed his four children and five grandchildren, and cultivated his relationship with the Lord. As his friend and roommate, COL Al Pabst, wrote: “One could not have asked for a finer roommate. Bruce was always cheerful and could be depended upon to carry his share of room maintenance tasks without a question. Our room at the Academy was a happy place because of Bruce’s ability to get along and his industriousness. “His crowning achievement at the Academy was to organize, captain, and run with the company team that won the brigade intramural cross-country championship. He even recruited and inspired me to run! Bruce WON the race! For this team to win the race was quite a feat because in the championship race, Bruce’s ‘little men’ raced against the tallest and biggest company and beat them handily! “Bruce’s organizing and leadership ability carried on throughout his illustrious military career. I have always said that Bruce was the most coordinated man I ever met. It was fitting that he use that ability as a fighter pilot in a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. “As a man, Bruce was a ‘straight arrow’ — a strict adherent to regulations, neat in appearance, and ready to give his all for the country he loved so much. What more can be said about him except... Well done. We mourn his loss, but we cherish our memories of Bruce and the times we all had together.” Son Robert Buechler

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