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Story and Obituary Information
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Howard S. “Sam” Myers
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Editor's Note: We learned of the death of Sam Myers somewhat belatedly through the kindness of John C. Fredriksen, Ph. D who is in the process of preparing a book on the B-45 for publication. John has forwarded to us Sam's official obituary notice which we will reproduce below. We will include a brief selection of photos of Sam, working in his RB-45 mode, as described in his story posted on this web site. Click here if you wish to access that story.
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| Virginia Beach — Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Howard S. “Sam” Myers, longtime resident of Virginia Beach and an active civic volunteer, died September 3, 2003 in Riverside, California. He and his wife Loretha were married in 1945 in Riverside and returned there in 1992 when Sam retired..
Sam is survived by his devoted wife, Loretha; his sister, Virginia Henahan of Lancaster, ohio; his brother, Bill Myers of Virginia Beach; his sons, Sam Myers III of Minneapolis, Minn. and Scott Myers of Richardson, Texas; and five grandchildren, Matthew Owen, Jenny Loretha, Ben Lee, Will Samuel and Luke Myers. |
| Born in 1923 in Boston, Mass. to Howard S. Sr. and Louise Myers, Sam grew up in Virginia Beach where he worked as a life-guard and attended Oceana High School. At a young age, Sam was inspired by his father's service in the U.S. Navy as a pilot during World War I. In 1943, at the age of 19, Sam entered the Air Force, flying B-24's. Later he served in the occupation of Germany. In 1947-48, during “Operation Vittles” of the Berlin Airlift, he flew more than 200 missions in C-47s and C-54s delivering supplies to the citizens of West Berlin. Col. Wolfgang W.E. Samuel observed in his book “I always Wanted To Fly — America's Cold War,” “Steel nerved Sam Myers flew food and coal around the clock into a freezing and hungry Berlin.”
He served as an RB-45C reconnaissance pilot, during the Korean War, flying 25 combat missions. He went on to fly further classified missions and later graduated from the Air War College. During the Cold War, he commanded Strategic Air Command Squadrons teaching flying skills and developing B-52 refueling procedures. His Air Force career spanned 27 years, during which he logged thousands of flying hours. He was the recipient of many medals for his military service including the Distinguished Flying Cross for many reconnaissance missions flown over China and the Soviet Union. After his missions were declassified, he wrote many articles about his missions in both American and British aviation journals.
Following retirement from the Air Force in 1970, he returend to Virginia Beach, where he worked for the Virginia Employment Commission assisting veterans in finding employment. He was very active in civic affairs, serving as a member of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission. He was an active member of the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, serving on several committees. He served on the committee that drew up the plans for the Tidewater Veteran's Memorial located in Virginia Beach.
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| Sam and Loretha retired to Air Force Village West in Riverside, California in 1992. Sam was buried at Riverside National Cemetery Sept. 9. Memorial donations may be made to the LeMay Foundation, Air Force Village West, 17050 Arnold Drive, Riverside, CA 92518. |
These are the notes on the life of just one of the many players
who's work and accomplishments are recorded in our
collection of stories. His was obviously a life
well lived in every way one could measure.
Peace be with you, Sam, and with all those you have loved in life.
Web Site Editor, Chuck Stone
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