Nellis celebrates life of fallen Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney
  • Nellis AFB Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) --  More than 800 Airmen, family members, and friends gathered to celebrate the life of a fallen Nellis Airman at the Nellis Base Chapel and Nellis Base Theatre Aug. 4, 2008.

Lt. Col. Thomas "Moses" Bouley, 65th Aggressor Squadron commander, was killed when the U.S. Air Force F-15D Eagle, a two seater he was piloting, crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range during a Red Flag training exercise July 30, 2008.

"Today we gather to honor Colonel Bouley, or Moses, as many knew him," said Capt. Dave Horton, Nellis Air Force Base chaplain. "Moses was a commander, a leader, a fellow Airman, and a great pilot. But before that, he was a loving father, son, brother, friend, and a great guy to know. The legacy he leaves behind is a rich one."

During the service, friends, family and coworkers shared humorous anecdotes and tales about the Eagle Scout born in Châteauroux, France.

Throughout his illustrious career, Colonel Bouley served in numerous capacities where he affected the lives of individuals, as well as the bigger picture of the Air Force. From teaching as an instructor pilot, to flying with the Royal Air Force, to serving as the interim Red Flag commander - Colonel Bouley's life had global reach.

"Moses has touched the life of more people than we could ever fit into this chapel or theatre," said Col. David Stillwell, 57th Adversary Tactics Group commander. "We will miss him more than we could ever say."

Due to the number in attendance, more than 500 Airmen viewed the memorial service via streaming video at the base theatre.

"This time last year, we were figuring out who was going to be the 65th AGRS commander, and there were lots of strong candidates to choose from," Colonel Stilwell continued. "While looking through the performance reports I saw a general who I had worked with in the past. I spoke with him about Moses and his response was perfect. Only two words - 'Hire him.' How can you argue with that?"

One of the few things that could outweigh his work ethic was his appetite, said older brother and retired Lt. Col. Joe Bouley. "He was Jabba before there was a Jabba," he said referencing the Star Wars character.

Colonel Bouley's father was also in the military, and achieved the rank of chief master sergeant. Mr. Bouley recalled when his little brother, Tom, was born, weighing 10+ lbs. at birth. "Back then, dad was a tech sergeant, and because of what they were paid in 1965, had to take as many jobs as possible to provide for us six kids, but it was mainly to provide for Tom."

Mr. Bouley continued to speak of how people take things for granted during their normal day-to-day lives, and how a tragedy reminds you of past experiences. "We are shocked, we mourn, we cry and then we laugh. In Tom's case, there are a lot of funny things, so we will be laughing for a long time."

Mr. Bouley told how Colonel Bouley loved to read, and one of his favorite books was a fiction book about Rangers in the Vietnam War. Charlie Mike means continue the mission, he explained.

"For those who really knew Tom, you know he is probably looking down on us completely amused by all of this stuff for him. But if he could, he would tell us to go out and continue the mission," said Mr. Bouley.

Remarks were then followed by a presentation ceremony, posthumously awarding Colonel Bouley the Meritorious Service Medal, Third Oak Leaf cluster, and a flag folding ceremony in honor of the commander.

After the ceremony, attendees gathered outside the base chapel for the 21-gun salute and the flyby of two 65th Aggressor Squadron F-15s and two 64th Aggressor Squadron F-16s.

Colonel Bouley entered the Air Force with his commission from the Air Force Academy in 1988. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

In lieu of flowers, a non-profit memorial fund has been established for Colonel Bouley's family. Donations can be sent to "Thomas Bouley Memorial Fund" at the Armed Forces Bank, 4325 N. Washington Blvd., P.O. Box 9719, Nellis AFB, NV, 89191 or call 702-651-8228.