Arthur J. DeBorger, Sr. – Colonel, United States Air Force

From a contemporary press account:

Arthur J. DeBorger Sr., 74, a retired Air Force Colonel and pilot who went on to a second career as an agent for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co., died of bladder cancer October 3, 1998 at Andrews Air Force Base Hospital.

Colonel DeBorger, a New York City native, was a student at New York University when he entered the Army Air Corps’ aviation cadet flight training program in 1942. He was later called to active duty and assigned to the 15th Army Air Force in Italy in 1945. He flew the B-24 “Liberator” bombers in 15 combat missions over Germany, Austria and Yugoslavia. He piloted more than 60 supply missions during the Berlin Airlift and flew a twin-engine attack bomber in missions over North Korea during the Korean War.

His military honors included the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.

He joined John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance in 1967, two years after his military retirement, and he worked as an agent and manager until 1989. He continued to work for the life insurance company as administrator of an in-house computer system until he retired last year for health reasons. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Sylvia Eubanks DeBorger of Camp Springs; and two sons, Air Force Staff Sergeant Arthur J. DeBorger of Minot, North Dakota, and Air Force Captain David DeBorger of Aberdeen, Maryland.

DeBORGER, ARTHUR J. (Age 74)
Colonel, US Air Force (Ret.)

On Saturday, October 3, 1998, of Camp Springs, MD, in the hospital at Andrews AFB. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sylvia; and two sons, Ssgt. Arthur DeBorger, Jr. of Minot AFB, ND and Capt. David DeBorger, a pilot with the Maryland Air National Guard. There will be a graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors on Tuesday, October 13 at 3 p.m. Those attending should meet at the Administration Building at 2:30 p.m. Persons needing directions to the cemetery may call 703-607-8052. After the service on Tuesday there will be a gathering for friends at the family home. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, 11331 Amherst Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902.

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