Photo By Staff Sgt. Shelby Pruitt-Johnson | Robert C. Bueker, a local retiree and former World War II prisoner of war looks at...... read more read more
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Robert C. Bueker, a local retiree and former World War II prisoner of war, celebrated his 95th birthday a day early with the help of Joint Base San Antonio July 3.
A personalized letter from Col. Mark Robinson, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, and a flag that has been flown onboard an F-16 during 2017 support operations in Afghanistan was presented to him by 2nd Lt. Christian Eberhardt, 502nd Air Base Wing public affairs officer.
Bueker started his Army Air Corps career as a navigator, serving from 1942-1969. He parachuted from a damaged B-24 bomber over Hungary and was captured by the German military Nov. 20, 1944. He was held as a POW until his return to the United States’ military control at the end of aggression in May of 1945.
As a senior master sergeant, he retired as a public information specialist at JBSA-Randolph.
Retiring didn’t stop Bueker from work, though. Following his departure from military service, he spent two years as Schertz city manager. He was elected mayor of Schertz in 1972, serving his community from 1973-1980.
Bueker and his wife, Mary, then started a real estate business, eventually opening four offices around San Antonio. Childhood sweethearts, Bueker and Mary were married 68 years, until Mary’s passing in 2012. Now, remarried to Brooke, he continues his life in Schertz.
| Date Taken: | 07.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2019 11:47 |
| Story ID: | 331712 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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