Chief Master Sergeant Zacchaeus Buckner: Age 78

Chief Master Sergeant Zacchaeus Buckner served 24 years in the U. S. Air Force. His Air Force Service Code included Supply Manager for one year and 11 months, Supply Management Superintendent for six years and 10 months and Inventory Management Supervisor for 15 years and four months. CMSgt Buckner received the following decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons: Meritorious Service Medal with one Device, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Devices, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six Devices, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Devices, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with two Devices, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Four Devices, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

CMSgt Buckner was born October 18, 1946 to his parents, Otis and Beatrice Buckner at Columbus, GA, where he was reared and graduated from Carver High School in 1964. While in high school, he participated in the school’s debate and basketball teams.

Immediately after graduation from high school, CMSgt Bucker volunteered on July 5, 1964 for military service and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He completed eight weeks of Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, followed by 12 weeks of technical school at Amarillo Air Force Base, TX, in preparation to become an inventory management specialist which he did during his entire military career. His first assignment was at McCoy Air Force Base, FL, for one year during 1965 where he worked delivering office equipment at a warehouse.

During the time of the Vietnam War, he was deployed to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, which served as a crucial staging and logistical hub for the U.S. military. It was a major point of transit for troops and supplies and also a launchpad for bombing missions into Southeast Asia. The base's strategic location made it a vital asset for the U.S. war effort. He worked with resupplying the KC-135 Stratotanker, a military aerial refueling tanker aircraft, with Fly Away Kits which are spare parts typically located on aircraft comprised of critical, frequently used rotable and non-rotable parts for use in maintenance of the KC-135 aircraft. These planes were stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and flown to Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and the planes returned to Okinawa after those missions so that they could refuel and be resupplied with needed equipment for flights back to Vietnam. He then went to serve three months TDY at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, where he worked building the base, preparing for U.S. pilots who would be flying into Vietnam. He returned to serve at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. After completing his tour on Okinawa, he received a full assignment to U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base. While at U-Tapao, he was sent TDY to Saigon and Da Nang, Vietnam for 4 months, and returned to U-Tapao.

CMSgt Buckner returned to serve in the USA at Griffiss A.F.B., New York, for one year, followed by service at Barksdale AFB, LA, for 1.5 years. He was then redeployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Base in northeastern Thailand for one year. Next, he returned to serve at Moody AFB, GA, for seven years from 1972-1979. He then served one year at George AFB, at Victorville, CA. CMSgt Bucker next served on a special assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt for one year. This was at the time of the Camp David Accords, which were a pair of political agreements signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin with the facilitation of U.S. President Jimmy Carter in September 1978. While he was in Egypt, the U.S. provided F-16 American single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft to Egypt. He was involved with a training mission with the Egyptians in teaching how to maintain and recover the F-16’s which the U.S. supplied to Egypt.

CMSgt Buckner’s final assignment was at Maxwell AFB, AL, for six years during 1982-1988, and he began at Headquarters Logistics, and after being promoted to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, he was in charge of the entire base’s supplies as Management Superintendent. He retired there from all military service August 31, 1988.

While CMSgt Buckner was serving at Moody AFB, GA, he attended Georgia Military College and Valdosta State University, and he received a B.S. Degree in History and Political Science from Troy University in 1984. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Human Management from Troy University in 1986. After his military retirement, he received his Teacher’s Certificate when he earned a Master’s Degree in Collaborative Education from Alabama State University in 1990. During one summer, he worked as an instructor at the AL Department of Youth Services with male students up to age 21 at Mt. Megs, AL. He worked as an instructor of R.O.T.C. and introduction to special education at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery for 24 years during 1988-2012.

CMSgt Buckner is a member of the American Legion and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He currently serves as the President of the Montgomery Education Retired Association (MERA) and on the Board of Aid to Inmate Mothers (AIM)

CMSgt Buckner and his wife have been married 55 years, and they have three sons and two grandchildren. He enjoys teaching and serving others as well as attending sports games. He is a member of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where he serves as Superintendent of the Sunday School, Trustee Ministry serving as Vice Chair, and teacher for the Wednesday night Bible Study.

CMSgt Buckner’s conclusions about what serving in the U.S. Air Force means to him are: “It meant a lot to me because for the first time I learned more about the nation’s defense and purposes, and it gave me purpose. It was the first time that I felt the pride in the US that I had never felt before. It gave me motivation to accomplish things. It gave me a purpose and a desire to do better and better. I made Staff Sergeant in four years which was very rare in those days. It gave me motivation and confirmation that I could make a difference in the Air Force .” He would like to be remembered not only for his military service but also for mentorship at Robert E. Lee High School, and his dedication to serving others at his church and the organizations for which he has worked. He would also like to be remembered for his service to the children of inmates and the less fortunate.