As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the rank of Chief Master Sergeant it is an opportune time to identify and honor the Air Forces first Ammo Chief’s. This has been attempted on several occasions since the forming of the Ammo Chief’s Association and we have not been able to pin down a specific individual. The following link is to the Chief Promotion Roster for the first cycle of CMSgt’s in 1959; individuals were selected and promoted with dates of rank of 1 December 1959 and 1 June 1960:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/1420999/US-Air-Force-Original20Chief20List20all201700
I have identified two Ammo Chiefs on the 1 June 60 list, i.e. CMSgt Wilbur R. Barrentine and CMSgt Harold Prevett.
We would appreciate everyone browsing through the lists and see if you recognize any other names that can be included as the First Ammo Chiefs.
We should keep in mind that at the time they were promoted the first Chief’s may have been 462’s as SAC administratively converted all SAC 461X0s to 462 in 59/60. Also at those days the EOD AFSC was 461X1 and 9-levels moved freely between EOD and Ammo as you had to be Ammo to become EOD
As a point of interest on the 1 June 60 list is CMSgt Walter Bell (EOD 461X1). Chief Bell was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. I have recently learned of two other Ammo troops who were on the Bataan Death March, Lt Col Herb Tyson and SSgt Jessie White. If anyone out there knows of others please let us know so we can start to compile a “Roll of Honor”.
Responses to Fred at Fred Ohern or ACA Secretary.