Airmen help honor WWII-era pilot, POW

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • Northwest Guardian
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --   It was mid-afternoon on a sunny day as seven Airmen stood motionless in a moment of silence to honor one of their own. More than 500 family members and friends watched as Airmen from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Force Honor Guard removed the flag from 1st Lt. Joseph Moser's casket at his funeral in Ferndale, Wash., Dec. 11. Moser passed away Dec. 3.

Moser was not only an Army Air Corps World War II pilot, but also a former prisoner of war.

"It was an honor to do this, and I hope they feel better knowing we did everything to honor him in the best possible way," said Senior Airman Joseph Sanchirico, JBLM Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsmen. "Presenting the honors to the next-of-kin and being the face of the Air Force to the family was an honor."

The JBLM Air Force Honor Guard performs many ceremonies, but not usually for service members who are as well-known as Moser, Sanchirico said.

Moser was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross in a January 2009 ceremony at JBLM, 65 years after his service in World War II where he distinguished himself in aerial combat, extraordinary achievement and heroism. A simple mistake on the paperwork prevented him from receiving the medal earlier.

Moser was shot down during his 44th combat mission Aug. 13, 1944, while flying a P-38 Lightning aircraft. Afterward, he was captured by Nazi forces and held in the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp. Just a few days before he was scheduled for "extermination," he was moved to a German POW camp. He was held as a prisoner for more than six months before being repatriated.

"It was a privilege to have the opportunity to participate in today's ceremony," said Capt. Maxfield Shea, the flag presenting officer for the honor guard. "Lieutenant Moser exhibited heroism in a way that people can only hope to strive for today."

As the honor guard folded the flag, three World War II vintage aircraft roared over the cemetery. Family and friends shared tears of sadness and pride as "Taps" was played and rifles fired to present arms in honor of Moser.

"As Airmen, my peers and myself all strive to be courageous, and I only hope we can show the same level of heroism he showed in his lifetime," Shea said. "His example of courage is an inspiration to all Airmen."

Concluding the ceremony honoring Moser, the honor guard members presented each of Moser's five children with an American Flag.

The flags were tearfully received as the honor guard expressed their gratitude for Moser's service to the nation.

"Being able to present the flag to the family was really special," Sanchirico said. "Seeing the Marine Corps Honor Guard present the flag at my godmother's burial is what led me to serve -- being able to do the same for Lieutenant Moser's family was really meaningful to me."

As ceremonial guardsmen, JBLM Air Force Honor Guard members are responsible for everything from performing military honors to presenting colors throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Members of the honor guard come from every Air Force career field and perform their ceremonial duties in addition to their primary Air Force specialty. They are comprised of Airmen from the 62d Airlift Wing and 627th Air Base Group.

"There's a right way and a wrong way to do things," said Staff Sgt. Joaquin Naraval, with the honor guard. "Having the honor guard is important to ensure the fallen are honored appropriately."

The JBLM Air Force Honor Guard has the fifth largest area of responsibility in the Air Force, which is covered by its 70 members. They are responsible for a total of 70,000 miles, from the Washington-Canadian border to the southern end of Oregon, and provide support for more than 100 ceremonies annually.

"We are regular Airmen, we just have had training and guidance to honor the fallen," Naraval said. "It's just like doing any other job."

Members of the JBLM Air Force Honor Guard undergo more than two weeks of training prior to receiving the position of ceremonial guardsmen and practice diligently prior to every ceremony.

Naraval said the ceremony Dec. 11 was unique because they had to perform nonstandard procedures. This included escorting the casket into and out of the church, where a Catholic mass was held for Moser prior to the burial. Unlike most ceremonies which last 15 to 20 minutes, Moser's ceremony was also unique because it lasted for more than two hours.

"We heard about this ceremony (Dec. 9) and were required to have a pretty fast turnaround," Naraval said. "This particular detail was practiced numerous times prior to the ceremony to ensure we could accommodate the family as much as possible."

Charged with the responsibility to honor heroes like Moser, Naraval said every ceremony is different, but the honor guard ensures each ceremony receives the same level of pride and precision.

"Every member of the armed services deserves a proper send off," Naraval said. "Anyone who serves in the military whether for four years or 20 deserves to be honored in a way that is befitting of their service and the United States Air Force."

For more information on the JBLM Air Force Honor Guard, call Tech. Sgt. Justin Gebhardt at 253-982-3775.