We remember: WWII POW receives honors

Published Jan. 31, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Air Force Global Strike Command and 509th Bomb Wing leadership surprised retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Charles Sibert with a shadow box presentation at Whiteman Air Force Base, Jan. 24.

A World War II veteran, Sibert was held as a prisoner of war in Germany and was missing in action for 548 days before being rescued by U.S. forces.

"Brig. Gen. Bussiere and I met Sibert during the 2013 POW/MIA 24-Hour Run this past September," said Chief Master Sgt. Lee Barr, 509th Bomb Wing command chief. "While speaking with Sibert, he talked about his experience as a POW. It was then he showed the general and me his DD Form 214 and said he never got any of his medals when he retired from the Air Force."

Upon finding out Sibert never received any medals from the Air Force, Barr and Bussiere assured the WWII veteran they would take care of it for him, Barr said.

"I got with Master Sgt. Dawn Couey from the Force Support Squadron and she validated all the chief's medals and ordered them for us," Barr said. "Giving Chief Sibert individual medals didn't seem to be enough, so the general and I decided a shadow box would be the right thing to do. [Tech. Sgt.] Cathy Lauseng, my command chief assistant, was vital to making that happen."

Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, and Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, were also in attendance for the presentation, which was quite timely, as Sibert was assigned to the 96th Bomb Group under 8th Air Force.

"It was fitting to have Air Force Global Strike Command commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson (also the former 8th Air Force commander), Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm (current 8th Air Force commander), and Brig. Gen. Bussiere do the presentation," Barr said.

In addition to attending the ceremony recognizing Sibert, Wilson and Vander Hamm visited to congratulate Team Whiteman on a job well done during a recent Nuclear Surety Inspection. A group of civic leaders also toured Whiteman the same day to learn about the installation, military culture and the 509th BW's unique mission.

"The other incredible opportunity was having all the AFGSC civic leaders there to witness the presentation," Barr said. "They were honored to be there for Chief Sibert."

It was truly important for Bussiere to tie the heritage of the past -- 8th Air Force Warrior-Airmen -- with that of the present, Barr said.

"Without the heroics of Chief Sibert and his generation, there would not be an 8th Air Force with such a distinguished, heralded past," Barr said.

For Barr, it was important to make the shadow box a reality after meeting Sibert at the POW/MIA run.

"I also wanted all the chief master sergeants on base to see an American hero up close and personal," Barr said. "It was an awesome experience having all the chiefs and chief-selects there with Chief Sibert and his family."

Whether supporting Airmen serving today, or honoring veterans of the world wars, it is important to pay respect to veterans of all ages.

"First, they have paid a price to secure all our freedoms," Barr said. "Second, without their selfless sacrifice, America would not be what she is today! Veterans from all our wars have made that possible; our children and generations to come owe them a huge debt that we will never be able to repay."

Sibert's family also attended the ceremony.

"Everything my grandpa said to me was significant," said Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Stone, 442nd Maintenance Group training manager and Sibert's granddaughter. "He laughed, he cried, and he was proud. He doesn't think of himself as a hero. Gen. Bussiere and Chief Barr made him feel like one and I truly believe he deserves that. The whole ceremony was truly a blessing for our family."

One unique aspect of Sibert's story was the fact that he was still a teenager when serving on the frontlines for his country, Barr said.

"He was just 19 years old when he went on his first mission, and was shot down and captured as a POW on his second mission," Barr said. "He had a girlfriend back home, who later became his wife. Suddenly, you realize it was a bona fide love story."

As a walking, breathing representation of Air Force history, Sibert leaves a footprint on the hearts and minds of those who hear his story.

"When he tells the story of bailing out of his B-17 and an enemy aircraft tips his wing and salutes him instead of shooting him down, then you get it," Barr said. "You get just how special it is that Chief Sibert is still among us--a true hero!"