Col. Sigmund Alexander USAF (Ret)

1928 - 2024

SIGMUND (ALEX) ALEXANDER, COL. USAF (RET)
April 2, 1928 - May 17, 2024
Col. Alexander was born in Franklin, NJ April 2, 1928, grew up in Bayonne, and died in San Antonio May 17, 2024. He graduated from the U.S Merchant Marine Academy in 1950 and received a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve which he transferred to the U.S. Air Force. He received an M.A. in History from the University of Rochester.

Prior to transferring his commission to the Air Force, he sailed with American Export Lines. After entering the Air Force, he underwent Navigation training, and served in Korea in 1952 aboard a B-26 bomber. Following his service in Korea, he served In MATS (C-118s) at Westover AFB. MA; University of Rochester, NY as assistant professor of AFROTC; Mather AFB, CA, Advanced Navigator Training; Pease AFB, NH, 100th Bomb Wing as a B-47 navigator/bombardier and operations staff officer; Air Force Institute of Technology Education with Industry; Air Force Avionics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Bien Hoa and Nha Trang AFBs in Vietnam in 1966; Norton AFB, CA as navigator (C-141s) and later Commandant of the Military Airlift Command NCO Academy; Defense Communications Planning Group logistic plans officer at the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, and later Defense Supply Agency at Cameron Station, VA,1969-1974. In July 1974 he was reassigned to Kelly AFB, San Antonio, TX as Assistant to the Commander for Quality Assurance. In 1976 he was assigned to the 4th Tactical

Air Force, NATO at Ramstein AFB, Germany as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Personnel. In 1978 he was reassigned to Kelly AFB where he served with International Logistics, and finally as Deputy Chief of Staff for Quality Assurance. He retired in 1981.

His decorations include two Legion of Merits, Defense Department Meritorious Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Joint Services Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, the Air Force Medal with ten Oak Leaf Clusters, and Combat Crew Medal.

Col. Alexander was married to Virginia Smith Alexander of Holyoke, MA. They had four children: Cynthia (James Michael Garrett), Peter (Karen Cardenas), David (Meri Burton), Jonathan (Karen McHale); six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
In retirement he resumed his hobby of building and refinishing furniture and was active in Boy Scouts. He was appointed Bishop's Warden and his wife Altar Guild Chairman at the founding of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in 1979. He later took up researching and writing histories of military aircraft, the B-47, 100th Bomb Wing, passenger ships, and other subjects, some of which were published. He served as president of the B-47 StratoJet Association and editor of the B-47 StratoJet newsletter.

A family committal service will take place on June 14, Flag Day, at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery followed by an 11:30 AM Celebration of Life at the Church of the Resurrection, Episcopal, 5909 Walzem Rd. in Windcrest.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com