AIR COMMANDO 2 Riney, Robert Larry

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Riney
  • FORENAME
Robert Larry
  • UNIT
21 Special Operations Squadron
  • RANK
Captain
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
  • PLACE
South East Asia 1969-70
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 17.8.1940 Liberal,Kansas
son of Robert Lucas and Catherine Mary (nee Symons) Riney
entered service 7.5.1963
helicopter pilot
married Elizabeth Jane 1961 (1 daughter Laurie)
died 6.6.2008 Tucson,Arizona
Robert L. Riney, Major (USAF,Ret.),67, passed into the light June 6 in Tucson, Arizona. He was born in Liberal, Kansas, in 1940; married in 1961; and joined the Air Force in 1983. After OCS he became a B-52 navigator then attended pilot training and flew C-141's to SEA. He transitioned to "Super Jolly Greens" and was in the 21st Special Operations Squadron at NKP, Thailand 1970-71. During this service he was awarded 2 DFC's, 3 Air Medals, 4 Meritorious Service Medals, and an AF Commendation Medal.
From 1976-80 while on active duty he provided unstinting support and encouragement to his wife while she attended medical school.
Bob was the director of the Flight Screening Program at Hondo Municipal Airport (Circa 1977-81) under the command of the USAF Officer Training Program.
After retiring in 1983 he joined the Pima County Arizona Sheriffs Auxiliary Volunteers and won "Volunteer of the Year" award four times. Health problems forced him to give up the work but not his loyalty to this group of dedicated people.
 
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