Lloyd D. Chapman

Colonel (Ret) Lloyd D. Chapman, USAF, Col. Chapman was born on April 21, 1919 in Walters, Oklahoma and married Vivian Jernigan of Sands Springs, Oklahoma on June 6, 1941. Col. Chapman died December 9, 2004 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Col. Chapman retired from the U.S. Air Force with thirty years of honorable service to his country. A heroic bomber pilot that flew many missions from England and Africa bombing the European continent during World War II in B24 bombers and his personal favorite, the B17 bomber. In 1951 he was again called to fly in combat and led the first B29 bomber squadron over Korea. Later in Col. Chapman's career he went on to fly the B36 Heavy bomber, B47 Medium bomber, B52 Heavy bomber, B58 Hustler bomber, KC 135 Strato tanker, and the T39 six passenger executive jet. Col. Chapman made seventeen permanent changes of station in his thirty years of service. During that time he held many positions, from Instructor Pilot, Director of Operations 303rd Bomb Wing (Medium), Director of Operations Strategic Air Command, Chief of Staff 2nd Air Force, member of the National Security Council where he briefed President Eisenhower on security issues, and the Air Attache to Oslo, Norway. Col. Chapman was awarded the following decorations: Legion of Merit - one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross - 17 oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star - two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal - three oak leaf clusters, American Defense Service Medal - two oak leaf clusters, American Campaign Medal-Europe, African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - five oak leaf clusters, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Command Pilot Wings and the National Security Council badge. Upon retiring from the Air Force he was hired by Northrop Aircraft and returned to Oslo as the Director, Scandinavian Division, where he worked for ten years. While in Oslo he was also the President of the American Lutheran Church Council and worked as a consultant for the American Businessman's Club of the World. Retiring from Northrop, he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where he and Vivian lived for 14 years. While there he was again active in the church as the President of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Council. He also worked for the American Businessman's Club again, advising islanders on how to start businesses of their own. After hurricanes, he worked with AFTA helping Hawaiians make insurance claims, receive grants or get loans to repair their homes and businesses. Due to illness, he moved back to the mainland to be close to family members in Scottsdale, Arizona. Col. Chapman succumbed to a five year battle with Alzheimer's disease; however he always remained his happy, smiling self during his illness. Col. Chapman is survived by his loving wife Vivian, daughter Connie, sons Doug and Mark, two grandsons and two granddaughters.