Col. Phillip C. "Pappy" Rawlins

Col. Phillip C. 'Pappy' Rawlins (91) passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008 in San Antonio, from complications with pneumonia.

History: Born in Milburn, Oklahoma (January 20, 1917). Moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma (1920). Graduated with honors, Ardmore Sr. High School (1935). Enrolled in ROTC, Oklahoma A & M University, graduated with honors (1939), commissioned 2nd Lt., US Army Reserve. Called to active duty, 23rd Infantry, Ft. Sam Houston (1939). Married Mary Patricia Bartley (1940). Transferred to Army Air Corps (1942). Completed Flight School (1942). Assigned 77th Troop Carrier Sq., 435th TCG (1943). His 77th trained the 101st Airborne Infantry, Ft. Bragg (1943). Arrived England (1943) & trained with 101st until D-Day. Became Squadron Commander (1944). His 77th TCS participated in all seven Airborne Operations in ETO during WW2, including Bastogne. Returned USA (July 4, 1945). Air Inspector School (1947). Air Command & Staff School (1948). Air Instructor, Infantry School, Ft. Benning (1948-51). Revised curriculum for Air-Ground Operations School, Southern Pines, N. Ca. (1952). Chief, War Plans Group, Far East Command, Tokyo (1953-56). National War College (1957). International Affairs Division HQ, Pentagon (1957-61). Chief War Plans Division, JUSMG, Madrid (1961-63). Vice-Commander, Andrews AFB, Md. (1963-67). Clark AB, Philippines: Base Commander (1967-68); 6th Air Division Commander (1968-69); and 13th AF Inspector General (1969). Commander, 1131st Support Group, Bolling AFB (1969-70). Retired USAF (January 31, 1970). Divorced Patricia (1973). Married Lt. Col. Sally Hayes (1974), (D) (2001). Remarried Patricia (2001).

Skilled pilot: Flew 28 accident-free years, in peacetime & in combat, piloting 17 different aircraft, from gliders to 4-engined types, including trainers, utility, transports, medium & heavy bombers, jet fighters, and became a 'Mach-Buster' in Korea. Decorated Veteran: Received 17 medals including Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix de Guerre, Bronze Star, Air Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit, AF Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster). Earned Master Winemaker Certification (1975): Produced & bottled 13 varieties of wine & champagne from 1971 thru 1986. An avid golfer with 6 handicap; Andrews AF Base Champion (1967); Marshalled Texas Open Tournament 11+ years. Scouting: 17 years service; Troop Leader, Tokyo (1953-56); Troop Leader, Arlington, Va. (1956-61); Spain-Morroco, District Commissioner (1961-63); Scoutmaster, 11th World Jamboree, Athens, Greece (1963), and 6th National Jamboree, Valley Forge, Pa. (1964); Prince George's Co. District Commissioner (1963-67); Philippine District Commissioner (1967-69); Recipient of 'Silver Beaver' award (1966). Civic Duties: Rotary Club, Philippines, Member (1967-69); Honorary Son of Angeles City, Philippines (1969); Kiwanis International, Southern Prince George's County, Charter Member (1972), and Club President (1973-74); Kiwanis International, Texas-Oklahoma District, Outstanding Lt. Governor (1977-78), Honorary Life Member (1985), Governor (1986-87), Foundation Chairman (1992-93), Legion of Honor (25 years service) (1997), Key Club 'Hall of Fame' (1998-99); Freedom Foundation, President, San Antonio Chapter, (1988-90).

Authored & Published five books: 1) 'A Man Called Pappy' (Autobiography, 1990); 2) 'Red Light, Green Light, Geronimo' (History of 77th TCS in WW2, 1992); 3) 'A Walk Down Memory Lane' (Testament to his Mother, Josie Rawlins, 1994); 4) 'A History of Texas-Oklahoma District, Kiwanis International' (1996); and 5) 'The Lay Minister's Manual' (rewritten 1997). An active member of Church of the Resurrection, Episcopal, San Antonio, as; Lay Reader (20 years), Vestry Member, Senior Warden, Accolite Master, Trainer & Manager of Lay Ministers.

Family: His beloved Mother, Josie (104) (D). Wife: Patricia. Children: Ginger (D), Penny (D) & Phillip. Grandchildren: Kathy, Ann, Terri, James & Stephanie. Great Grandchildren: Josh, Jessica, Jacob, Vanessa, Alison, Jonah, Kyle & Abby. Sister: Helen. Her Children: Andrew, Rena & Val. Her Grandchildren: Rob, Alex, Hunter, Ashton, Josie & Grace. Wife: Sally (D). He is greatly loved and shall be sorely missed. Godspeed.

(Obituary by Phil Rawlins)


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