ARTHUR W. (ART) BURER Colonel, USAF (Retired)

USAF OCS Class 57C, OC Lt Col, Wing Operations and Training

Colonel Arthur W. Burer is a native Texan, born at the Fort Sam Houston Army Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. Inspired by his father's dedicated military service, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. For the next three decades, he served this nation as a dedicated military professional in the field of aviation. He held the aeronautical rating of Command Pilot with over 4000 hours of flying time and culminated his career by serving as the Base Commander of Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, where he retired in 1983.

He and his wife, Nan, now reside in SCHERTZ, Texas. They have been blessed with four children and ten grandchildren. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Universal City, Texas where he serves as a Deacon. Colonel Burer is also an active member of Gideon's International, the Order of Daedalians, and the Masonic Order

He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha, Nebraska and is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Washington, D.C.

His military decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart and the POW Medal.

Of all his assignments throughout his career, none was to be more challenging than the one, which began on the afternoon of March 21, 1966. While on a reconnaissance mission, deep into the heart of North Vietnam, his RF101 was struck by enemy ground fire and he was forced to abandon the aircraft over enemy territory. Within moments, he was captured. He spent the next 6 years and 11 months learning what FREEDOM really means. He says, "What pulled me through seven arduous years of captivity was my faith in GOD, my country and my family. The events since my release on February 12, 1973 have proven that faith to be well founded".