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Airmen mourn passing of 'Chief Flasch'

  • Published
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Air Force's highest ranking enlisted Airman is celebrating the life of retired Chief Master Sgt. James J. Flaschenriem, joining those who knew him well here at Barksdale in mourning the April 26 passing of one of the first chief master sergeants in Air Force history.

"Chief Flaschenreim was a leader and mentor to hundreds of enlisted Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy. "As one of the 625 original Charter Chiefs, he helped lay the foundation for future generations of Airmen, and will be missed."

Chief Flasch, as he was known, was one of the cadre of Charter Chiefs promoted Dec. 1, 1959, as part of Congressional action to create an elite top 1 percent enlisted E-9 rank. The Air Force called the new E-9s "chief master sergeants," or now more commonly, "chiefs." Before that, the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force was E-7, or master sergeant. Congress initiated two "super grades" as a part of the Career Compensation Act of 1958 promoting 1 percent of the force to the pay grade of E-9, and 2 percent to the pay grade of E-8--to be known as senior master sergeants in the Air Force.

"I was blessed to spend more time with Chief Flasch than most," said Master Sgt. Neil Heerdink, Barksdale Airman Leadership School commandant. "He was notorious for arbitrarily showing up at the ALS a couple times each month to visit with the staff and students to reminisce, attend retreat, and tell stories of the days he spent in his beloved Air Force," the commandant said.

"Chief Flasch was touted as a 'Chief's Chief,'" said Sergeant Heerdink, "because of his infectious positive attitude and unwavering love of the Air Force."

"I will go so far as to say that Chief Flasch was an Airman's Airman. From his enlistment until his death--a span of over 64 years--he led by example and was the pinnacle for our Air Force core values. We should all strive to be the type of Airman Chief Flasch was."

Chief Flasch earned his ranks quickly over the years--sewing on Chief stripes at 31 years old, after only 11 years, 5 months and 7 days in the service. He retired in July 1968 to begin a career in real estate in Bossier City, La.

He was an active member of the Charter Chief Group and Retired Chief Group at Barksdale, serving on committees, accepting speaking engagements for graduations, attending dining-ins/outs, chief induction ceremonies and other events.

James J. Flaschenriem was born July 14, 1928, in Redwood Falls, Minn., and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 22, 1948. He began his 20-year career as a personnelist at March Air Force Base, Calif., and later served in various bases around the world including Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii and here at Barksdale.

Chief is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Mary Blalock of Plain Dealing, La., his three daughters, Mary Louise, Kathleen Ann and Eileen Marie, three granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren.