Patrick Louis Musmaker

LIEUTENANT COLONEL PATRICK LOUIS MUSMAKER
United States Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-04
Years of Service: 24

Patrick Louis Musmaker was born in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa, to George Paul Musmaker and Mary Maurece Lydon. In 1955, under the congressional nomination of Iowa Representative Ben F. Jensen, he was selected as an original cadet of the pioneer class entering the newly established United States Air Force Academy.

Assigned to Cadet Squadron 04 (CS-04), Pat actively engaged in all aspects of cadet life. He served as an Honor Representative and competed on the gymnastics team in the trampoline event. Known for his spirited and upbeat demeanor—earning the affectionate nickname "Partymaker"—he served on the staff of Talon magazine and was a member of the Rabble Rouser quartet (CWC Staff). On June 3, 1959, he graduated with the inaugural USAFA Class of 1959 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

MILITARY CAREER & OPERATIONS

Following graduation, Pat completed Undergraduate Pilot Training from 1959 to 1960 at Bainbridge Air Base and Greenville Air Force Base. He then served as a C-130 Aircraft Commander with the 773rd Troop Carrier Squadron and the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron at Sewart Air Force Base from 1960 to 1965, deploying to South Vietnam during 1964–1965.

Following his deployment, he attended Texas A&M University in 1965 for advanced studies. He returned to USAFA from 1967 to 1970 as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics.

In 1971, Pat returned to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, serving as an Air Liaison Officer with the 196th Infantry Brigade at Hawk Hill and Camp Reasoner, and subsequently as an Air Operations Staff Officer with 7th Air Force Headquarters at Tan Son Nhut Air Base (1971–1972).

From 1972 to 1974, he served at Headquarters USAF as a Staff Scientist within the Directorate of Personnel Plans. He returned to tactical airlift flying duties from 1974 to 1977 as a C-130 Aircraft Commander with the 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base. He concluded his active-duty service at HQ USAF from 1977 to 1979, serving as Academy Activity Group Director for Personnel Programs, Director of Concepts & Analyses, and Scientific Analyst.

POST-MILITARY CAREER & FAMILY
Following his military retirement, Pat settled in Corpus Christi, Texas, with his wife, Marlene. He worked as a Registered Representative and Agent for USPA & IRA from 1979 to 1981. Transitioning to education, he devoted 17 years (1982–1999) as a teacher in the Corpus Christi Independent School District, educating local students.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Louis Musmaker passed away on June 1, 1999. His legacy of service is permanently recorded on the National Air and Space Museum's Wall of Honor in Washington, D.C., and engraved on the USAFA Class of 1959 Memorial Plaque.

EDUCATION

United States Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science (Class of 1959) 1955–1959
USAF Pilot Training Bainbridge Air Base / Greenville Air Force Base 1959–1960
Texas A&M University Graduate Education 1965

MEDALS AND AWARDS

Distinguished Flying Cross 2
Bronze Star Medal 1
Meritorious Service Medal 3
Air Medal 8
Air Force Commendation Medal 2

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959–1960 Pilot Training Student Bainbridge Air Base / Greenville Air Force Base
1960–1965 C-130 Aircraft Commander 773rd / 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, Sewart AFB (Vietnam 1964–65)
1965–1967 Student / Post-Graduate Studies Texas A&M University
1967–1970 Assistant Professor of Mathematics United States Air Force Academy
1971 Air Liaison Officer 196th Infantry Brigade, Hawk Hill / Camp Reasoner, South Vietnam
1971–1972 Air Operations Staff Officer 7th Air Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
1972–1974 Staff Scientist (Directorate Personnel Plans) Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
1974–1977 C-130 Aircraft Commander 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base
1977–1979 Dir Personnel Programs / Dir Concepts & Analyses / Sci Analyst Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
1979–1981 Registered Representative & Agent USPA & IRA, Corpus Christi, TX
1982–1999 Educator / Teacher Corpus Christi Independent School District, Corpus Christi, TX