Louis Cass Buckman

Maj. Gen. Louis Cass Buckman passed away quietly on April 2nd, 2023 at 90 years old. He was a successful American military officer, husband, and father. Known as “Buck” to his friends, he was the epitome of the small town local boy who does well. Louis had a rural upbringing on a Missouri farm, was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, and retired as a Major General in the United States Air force (two-star general).

He was born to Paul Sylvester and Beryl (Lanham) Buckman in 1932 in Shelbina, Missouri. He left home for college and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri. Upon graduation he was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1954 and planned to serve his country for four years.

His first assignment was at Bergstrom Air Force base in Austin, Texas. There he met Gloria Byrne Woodell Foy, the girl who would change his life forever. She was a student at the University of Texas and they met on a blind date. They found a forever love and married on August 10, 1957, and an early decision was whether to enter civilian life or continue in the Air Force. They chose well as he continued to succeed in his military career, leading to a life of travel as he was promoted from one opportunity to the next. He started as a pilot, flying the KC-135 Stratotanker. This craft poses unique challenges as a flying gas station for American and allied aircraft. The two planes fly at 350 miles an hour or faster while separated by only a few yards and connected by a fuel boom.

His talents and leadership abilities earned several early promotions “below the zone” and that meant relocating every couple of years around the United States. Posts in the U.S. included Alabama, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, and both Washington state and Washington D.C. Foreign posts included Okinawa, Japan, and U.S. territory Guam, where he achieved the rank of Air Force Major General in 1980. He had the pleasure of spending the last years of his military career in Athens, Greece and Naples, Italy, spending two years in each location. He and Gloria loved having the European base as a launchpad for their extensive travels. One of his favorites was a trip to Antarctica … Gloria was reluctant but cherished the visit as well. Upon retirement he and Gloria returned to the United States on the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner and retired to Austin, Texas.

As a young officer in the Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, he admired General’s Row, a group of ten beautiful houses built in 1896. He mused with Gloria about the possibility of living there, to which she responded, “Oh, think of the responsibility!” Twenty years later they were residents in one of these historic homes.

Through his work he met many civilian leaders and dignitaries including Pope John Paul II and President Richard M. Nixon. Early in his career he was scrambled as a pilot on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He held a grave responsibility when serving as the Commander in Operation “Looking Glass,” born as a result of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. This post was on an airplane that remained in the sky continuously 24/7 flying a secret route. The purpose of the airborne staff was to be able to coordinate a retaliatory nuclear strike against the Soviet Union in case they attacked and destroyed the entire U.S. command on the ground.

A few more pleasurable opportunities as a pilot included flying the supersonic Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” and the high-altitude reconnaissance Lockheed U2 “Dragon Lady.” He was also able to pilot the Goodyear Blimp with his family during Expo ‘74 in Spokane, Washington.

His continuing post-graduate education included: Squadron Officer School 1960; Master of Science in Public Administration, George Washington University, 1964; Air Command and Staff College, 1964; and Air War College, 1972.

His many posts included: Deputy Director for Combat Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, Omaha, Nebraska 1975-1978; Commander 42nd Air Division, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, 1978; 3rd Air Division, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, 1979-1980; Deputy chief of staff operations Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 1980-1982; Chief Joint United States Military Aid Group, Greece, 1982-1984; and Chief of Staff Air South, Naples, Italy, 1984-1986.

Recognition included the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal by the Secretary of Defense, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air medal, and others. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians and Air Force Association, and has been listed as a noteworthy Air Force officer by Marquis Who's Who.

Louis is survived by his wife Gloria Byrne Buckman; children Deborah Diane (Randy) Melton, Bradley Joseph (Rachel) Buckman, and Blake Louis (Deborah) Buckman; grandchildren Tyler (Savannah) Melton, Carter Melton, Brandon (Sophia) Buckman, and Alexandra (Taylor) Machin; and great grandchildren Braiden, Christopher & Oliver Buckman, and Wesley Machin.