Boles, John H.

“I entered the Air Force Academy after one year of college and had no idea what I was getting into.  I went out early the day we signed in with the hope of playing golf that afternoon.  Ten months later I found my clubs and played my first round on the Eisenhower golf course.  Almost four years after I had my first introduction to the Academy, I graduated–glad that I had done it–but not wanting to go through it again.

After attending Purdue University for a special program, I married Linda Durham, went to Willy for pilot training, then to advanced training in the F102 at Perrin AFB, and had a tour in the Philippines–with TDYs to Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea; followed by tours in Texas and Iceland.  In 1972 Linda and our two children, Mike and Julie, were assigned with me to SAMSO–now Space Division–and I was reacquainted with many of our classmates that were also stationed in Los Angeles.  In 1975 I attended F-106 training in Florida, and we were then stationed at Griffiss AFB, where I ran into more classmates and other Academy graduates.  While at Griffiss I received a year’s sabbatical to Thule, Greenland and then was assigned to the Air Defense Command Headquarters in Colorado Springs in 1980. We retired from the Air Force in 1984 in Colorado Springs, where I worked with industry and we helped plan six reunions. We travel and play golf, volunteer for CASA, attend Academy football and basketball games, and enjoy our two children and three grandchildren, Alec, David, and Eric.

At this time in my life, I am grateful for the education and opportunities I received by attending the Academy and the many friends and acquaintances I made there.”

After retiring from the USAF, John Boles became president of a chemical company and now lives in Florida and Maine.

Source: USAFA Class of 1964