FORT RUCKER, Ala. (November 3, 2011) -- More than 200 people, including many veterans attending the post's Retiree Appreciation Day, turned out to honor Fort Rucker's latest retirees during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Oct. 28.
Col. Kevin J. Christensen, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, hosted the ceremony to celebrate the careers, accomplishments and sacrifices of the seven retirees and their Families.
"Thank you for attending today as we honor those who faithfully served the Army and our nation," he said. "Our six Soldiers and one Department of the Army civilian employee we are honoring today have a combined 199 years of service to Army and nation in a timeframe that spans from 1969 to present."
The colonel then spoke about each retiree.
CW5 Robert L. Morriss
Morriss served honorably for 27 years, culminating as cargo branch chief for the directorate of evaluations and standardization. He has been an instructor pilot, a maintenance examiner and is a Master Army Aviator. He began his career in 1977 as a supply clerk, and his Aviation career in 1985 when he graduated with honors as a CH-47C pilot.
He served with distinction in Desert Storm as a maintenance test pilot. "While in Alaska, he is credited with having saved the lives of four mountain climbers while assigned to the elite high-altitude rescue team during a rescue on Mount McKinley at 19,600 feet -- which still stands as a record for the highest altitude rescue by helicopter in the U.S.," Christensen said.
He has earned the Bronze Star and the Air Medal. He and his wife, Nancy, plan to remain at Fort Rucker where he will continue to contribute to the success of Army Aviation by working with the new CH-47F simulator, the colonel said.
CW4 Caley J. Stewart
Stewart served 24 years of military service from 1982 to present, where he served as the training developer and subject matter expert at the Directorate of Training and Doctrine. During his service he took part in operations during Desert Storm, and in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea and Germany.
He first enlisted as a medic, then became an AH-1 Cobra pilot and armament officer, and later transitioned to AH-64 Apache and served as a maintenance test pilot.
"Not only did he learn the art of aircraft maintenance as a test pilot, his leadership skills were honed as an armament platoon leader," Christensen said.
He earned awards such as the Bronze Star medal, 10 Air Medals and an Air Medal with V device. He plans to live in Freeport, Fla.
CW 4 James D. McDaniel
McDaniel served 22 years from 1989 to present, culminating in his position as executive officer for C Co., 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment. He also served as a scout pilot, maintenance test pilot, maintenance examiner and instructor pilot.
"As you can see, McDaniel is one of the Army's foremost experts on the Kiowa Warrior and has served in nearly every capacity possible. Not only did he make his mark as a Kiowa pilot, his leadership contribution as a production control officer and platoon leader and executive officer of Charlie Troop is very much a tremendous accomplishment that few officers will achieve in their careers. The Army is a better, more capable service as a result of his actions. His Bronze Star and Air Medals speak of an officer who knows not only how to fix the Kiowa Warrior, but also knows how to fight it. While here at Fort Rucker, he helped pass his knowledge and experience on to the next generation of aero scout pilots that will stand as a living legacy and achievement well into the future," Christensen said.
CW4 Michael P. Boyle
Boyle entered service in 1985 and served 26 years in the military, culminating as an AH-64D instructor pilot course platoon leader with the 1st Bn., 14th AV Rgt. During his career, he served at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., Moody AFB, Ga., Fort Bragg, N.C., Bosnia, Korea, Netherlands and Afghanistan. His enlisted service began as an F-4E armament mechanic and then KC-135 crew chief before transferring to the Army and attending flight school.
"As an instructor pilot in the AH-64 Apache, he trained numerous pilots into successful combat Aviators," the colonel said. "As a standardization instructor pilot, he achieved a level of technical and tactical proficiency few combat Aviators will ever achieve. This training and mentoring of future instructor pilots serves as an example to those who follow in his footsteps. He is a Master Army Aviator who has proven his skills in combat, earning both the Combat Action Badge and the Dutch Combat Action Badge. As a testament to his contribution to the Army Aviation Branch, Mr. Boyle has earned the prestigious Army Aviation Association of America Order of St. Michael Award."
He and his wife, Martha, and their two children will reside in Georgia.
CW4 James D. Nickens
Nickens entered service in 1987 and served honorably for 24 years, culminating as an instructor at the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College. During his service, he spent two tours in Korea, two in Germany and two combat tours in Iraq.
"Over his career, the Army has continued to increase his level of responsibility as he developed into the exceptional tactician and leader he is today," Christensen said. "He has been the officer in charge of electronic maintenance sections, automation procurement officer, G6 automation maintenance officer and also the maintenance readiness division chief at Air Traffic Services Command. He has earned the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Action Badge. The Army recently made good use of his tactical and leadership skills as an instructor at the WOCC. He has made a significant impact in the professional development of many junior warrant officers who will use his example and professionalism as their benchmark throughout their careers."
Nickens and wife, Dawn, will take up residence in San Antonio.
Staff Sgt. Gerald W. Burroughs
Burroughs entered service in 1984 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps as an aircraft ordnance technician. He later transferred to the Army Reserve as a heavy equipment operator, and entered active duty in 1998 as a petroleum specialist. His overseas assignments include time in Bosnia and three tours in Iraq.
"He has served in key leadership positions such as section sergeant, squad leader, platoon sergeant and rear detachment noncommissioned officer in charge. He has culminated his 23 years of service with the 1-58th Aviation Operations Battalion," Christensen said.
He and his wife, Roxanne, will take up residence in El Reno, Okla.
Don M. Franks
Franks' 41 years of government service began in 1969 in the Army as infantry officer and helicopter pilot. He served in Vietnam as a UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra pilot, where he earned the Bronze Star and Air Medal with Valor. He ended his military service as a major in the Army Reserve.
In 1986, he began civil service at Fort Rucker and served as a UH-1 instructor pilot with the 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment, an academic instructor and culminating his career as a training specialist in the 110th Aviation Brigade flight literature section.
"In his 30 years of service at Fort Rucker, he witnessed the transformation from the Directorate of Flight Training to Aviation Training Brigade to the 110th," he said. "He is rated in the H-23, TH-55, UH-1, OH-58 and AH-1 aircraft. As a night vision goggle instructor, he has accumulated over 4,000 NVG hours as an instructor pilot. Don proudly states he enjoyed every minute of those 4,000 hours. He is the model of selfless service to his nation and the U.S. Army."
He and his wife, Jo, intend to stay in Enterprise.
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