Chester J. Bobinski, Jr. – Colonel, Untied States Army

Chester J. Bobinski, Jr. died in Williamsburg, Virginia, on June 6, 2003. He had lived in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, and Williamsburg, Virginia, after his retirement as Vice President of the Army Air Force Mutual Aid Association in January, 1994.

Prior to his tie with AAFMAA, Chet at retired as a full Colonel from the United States Army in 1976 after a long, distinguished and varied career in the service of his country. He served on five continents in 1944-1945 with the US Maritime Service.

He served with the State Department in 1956-1957 during the Hungarian uprising processing Hungarian refugees. One of the highlights of his career was his service as the Adjutant General at the United States Military Academy at West Post from 1967 to 1972. His last assignment was as a Special Assistant, Department of the Army, responsible for POW/MIA affairs. In this role he assisted the families of the Vietnam POW/MIAs as well as orchestrated the safe return of POWs to the United States. His other tours of duty included assignments in Japan, Europe, Korea and Vietnam.

In September 1982, Chet was elected to the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia. His wife, Pat, their three daughters, Maryellen, Lesley and Meg, and four grandchildren survive Chet. He will be interred after a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard