Building Dedication Plaque - Building 456 on Offutt Air Force Base was dedicated 19 May 1989
On 17 January 1969, while serving as the Deputy Commander, 1974th Communication Group Urorn, Thailand, Colonel Bolton was killed in the crash of a CH-3E helicopter in hostile territory. His distinguished career included eight years as a communicator supporting Strategic Air Command. May he be long remembered by his fellow communicators, SAC and his Nation.
Citation To Accompany The Award of The Bronze Star (Posthumous)
Lieutenant Colonel Wayne F. Bolton distinguished himself by meritorious service as Deputy Commander, 1974th Communication Group and as Deputy Director, Communication-Electronics, Headquarters Seventh/thirteenth Air Force, Udorn Air Base, Thailand, while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force from 28 January 1968 to 17 January 1969. During this period, Colonel Bolton demonstrated outstanding professional skill, exceptional foresight, and dynamic leadership that significantly influenced Command, Control, and Communications capability to Tactical Air Forces. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Bolton in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United State Air Force.
Medals
Comments at the AFCEA Dinner announcing the creation of the scholarship (Given by Mick Bloom)
I have the special honor tonight to announce the establishment of the Lt Col Wayne F. Bolton Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund is named in honor and memory of Lt Col Bolton who was killed in SouthEast Asia in January 1969. The eligibility requirements for the award of this scholarship fund are as follows:
1. The applicant must be a full-time Sophomore or Junior student pursuing a baccalaureate degree with a major in electronics, in the School of Engineering Technology, of the University of Nebraska, Omaha.
2. Have a 3.0 grade average on a 4.0 scale.
3. Be an active participant in activities or projects associated with communications-electronics.
4. Show an interest in other activities which relate or support the communications-electronics professional community. Applications will be made to the Department of Electrical Systems, University of Nebraska, which will select a winner and an alternate for this scholarship fund. The Greater Omaha Chapter will invite the winner and spouse or date to be their guest at an AFCEA meeting, normally in May, at which time the formal presentation of the scholarship will be made. This is a significant undertaking on the part of the Greater Omaha Chapter. With the full cooperation of the chapter and the support of many people, active and retired, military and civilian, here in Nebraska and throughout the United States, this scholarship fund was made possible.
We are especially pleased that Mrs. Bolton and Maj Bob Bolton could be with us tonight for this announcement. Many of Col and Mrs. Bolton's friends from past assignments are also here to share this evening with us, some from quite a distance away.
As I reflect back on my association with Wayne Bolton, I feel confident that he would approve our actions here tonight, for after all, he was a people person. You couldn't be an officer in charge of the HQ SAC teletype relay, back in the mid-fifties, and not be heavily involved with people. It took a special kind of person to manage the largest manual teletype facility in the Air Force, during the period when SAC was converting to an all jet bomber and tanker force and the ballistic missile was coming into the inventory. I can't recall a time that when I called for help, Wayne Bolton wasn't there. He must have worked night and day, in what has to have been the most demanding and difficult job in SAC communications at that time. The mental and physical strain on Wayne Bolton was obvious, but I never heard him complain. In fact, he seemed so motivated and enthused that it was infectious. When SAC Communicators get together to talk abou the good old days, Wayne Bolton's name invariably comes up. I sometimes think that if we took a vote, he would be named "Mr. SAC Communicator."
Wayne Bolton went on to many important communications assignments both with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in England, then back to SAC Headquarters in the 465L program and as Gen Gould's executive officer, as SAC communicator at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, and his last assignment with AFCS in Thailand. I saw him off and on during most of those subsequent assignments. It was obvious to me that he enjoyed the communications business and the people associated with his work.
One last thought, as I corresponded with many of Col Bolton's friends relative to the establishment of this scholarship in his memory, I was impressed with their strong recollection of how Wayne Bolton had touched their lives. I can assure you that "Mr. SAC Communicator" is not forgotten and for all of those who would like to have been here tonight but were unable to make it, let me express their thanks to the Greater Omaha Chapter of AFCEA for making this possible.
Thank you! Other Information
He was a private when he received a letter (dated 1 Apr 42) to submit his application to the Aviation Cadet Examining Board.
He was a Captain when he received a letter of appreciation (dated 24 Jan 57) from Major General Robert H. Terrill, Director of Operations HQ SAC for his role (Officer in Charge of the facility) in moving the HQ SAC Communications Center underground without diminution of service.