Roscoe Russell Roberts III

ROSCOE “SONNY” RUSSELL ROBERTS III
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Roscoe "Sonny" Russell Roberts III was born in Charleston, West Virginia, to R.R. Roberts II and Helen Scott Roberts. Raised in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, he entered the newly established United States Air Force Academy as a member of its historic first graduating class in 1955. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 11, Sonny distinguished himself as an active member of the USAFA fencing team and served as the Art Editor for Talon magazine. He graduated on June 3, 1959, earning his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

MILITARY CAREER AND COMBAT SERVICE

Upon graduation, Lieutenant Roberts entered Primary and Basic Pilot Training (1959–1960) at Moore Air Base, Texas, and Craig Air Force Base, Alabama. His 19-year active-duty career spanned strategic bombardment, weather reconnaissance, special operations, and operational planning:

• Strategic Air Command & Airlift (1961–1965): He began his operational flying in nuclear deterrence as a B-47 Stratojet pilot with the 350th Bombardment Squadron at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. In 1964, he transitioned to tactical airlift as a C-124 Globemaster II pilot with the 31st Air Transport Squadron at Dover AFB, Delaware.
• Weather Reconnaissance (1965–1968): Serving as a WB-47 Aircraft Commander, he flew aerial weather reconnaissance missions with Detachment 1, 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska, and Task Flight Alpha, 57th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron out of Clark Air Base, Philippines.
• Southeast Asia Combat Operations (1968–1970): Deployed during the Vietnam War, Sonny served as an A-26 Invader Aircraft Commander with the 609th Special Operations Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, flying strike missions. He subsequently served as a Battle Staff Operations Officer supporting EC-130 operations with 7th Air Force at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand.
• B-52 Operations & War Plans (1970–1974): Returning to SAC, he commanded B-52 Stratofortress crews with the 28th Bomb Squadron at Robins AFB, Georgia, deploying to U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in 1971. In 1972 and 1973, he served as a Bomb Plans Officer with 3rd Air Division at Andersen AFB, Guam, and U-Tapao, followed by duty as Emergency War Order Plans Officer for the 19th Bomb Wing at Robins AFB.
• Staff Duty & Retirement (1974–1978): Sonny concluded his Air Force career in Operational Plans at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command (HQ AFResCmd) at Robins AFB, Georgia, retiring in 1978 at the rank of Captain (O-3).

FAMILY, CIVIC LIFE, AND POST-MILITARY SERVICE

In June 1959, immediately following his graduation from USAFA, Sonny married Jeanne Kay Voshel in a formal military ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Together, they raised three children—Chandelle Marie, Kevin Mark, and Brett Kenton—sharing assignments across the country and overseas, including a memorable summer spent immersed in the culture of Thailand during one of his deployments.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1978, Sonny and Jeanne settled permanently in Warner Robins, Georgia. He pursued higher education at Georgia College and State University and remained active in his local community, serving as President of the Houston Tax Association in Warner Robins from 1981 to 1984.

Sonny passed away on March 20, 2008, in an Atlanta hospital—coinciding exactly two years after the passing of his wife of 47 years, Jeanne. Funeral services were held at Christ Episcopal Church in Pulaski, Virginia, with burial at Oakwood Cemetery, alongside a memorial service at All Saints Episcopal Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. He left behind a legacy defined by his devotion to service, family, and the USAFA Class of 1959.

PERSONAL & MILITARY SUMMARY

• Class & Squadron: USAFA Class of 1959 | Cadet Squadron 11
• Years of Active Duty: 1959–1978 (19 Years)
• Highest Rank: Captain (O-3)

EDUCATION


United States Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science 1959
Georgia College and State University Graduate Studies Post-USAF

MEDALS & KEY DECORATIONS


Air Medal 3 Awards

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Pilot Training Moore AB, TX / Craig AFB, AL
1961–1964 B-47 Pilot 350th Bomb Squadron, Pease AFB, NH
1964–1965 C-124 Pilot 31st Air Transport Squadron, Dover AFB, DE
1965–1968 WB-47 Aircraft Commander Det 1, 55th Weather Reconnaissance Sq, Eielson AFB, AK
1967–1968 WB-47 Aircraft Commander Task Flt Alpha, 57th Weather Reconnaissance Sq, Clark AB, Philippines
1968–1969 A-26 Aircraft Commander 609th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
1969–1970 Battle Staff Operations Officer (EC-130) 7th Air Force Det, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand
1970–1973 B-52 Aircraft Commander 28th Bomb Squadron, Robins AFB, GA
1971 B-52 Aircraft Commander U-Tapao RTNAF, Thailand
1972 Bomb Plans Officer 3rd Air Division, Andersen AFB, Guam
1973 Bomb Plans Officer U-Tapao RTNAF, Thailand
1973–1974 Emergency War Order Plans Officer 19th Bomb Wing, Robins AFB, GA
1974–1978 Operations Plans Officer HQ AFResCmd, Robins AFB, GA