Dear Golden Eagles,

I am saddened to inform you that Captain Roger C. Bos, USN (Ret.) made his last takeoff on Sunday, December 19, 2010 in Redondo Beach, CA. Rhoda, his loving wife of 54 years; sons Steven and Tom; and grandchildren Adam and Lauren survive him. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 28 at 11am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 706 Knob Hill in Redondo Beach. Burial Service will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, with full military honors, on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 1pm.

Captain Bos graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952, and was ordered directly to flight training. He received his wings in December ’53, and after completing jet transition training, reported to VA-192 for his first sea duty tour. Roger was a flight instructor in the Advanced Training Command from ’57-’60, a CIC officer aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64) in ’61-62, and got his MS in Management degree at Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA in ’64.

Captain Bos reported to VA-144 in February 1965, and made two combat deployments to Vietnam as Operations Officer, then Executive officer. Roger flew 200 missions over Vietnam and was an accomplished Alpha Strike Leader. He was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star, 21 Air Medals, and five Navy Commendation Medals for his heroic actions.

Roger was the pre-commissioning and first Commanding Officer of VA-105 and prepared this east coast A-7 squadron for their first combat tour, while concomitantly winning the Safety Award and Battle “E”. Captain Bos commanded the Replacement Air Group Squadron VA-174 in ’70-’71. He was Executive Officer of USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), then Operations officer on staff of Commander SIXTH Fleet, before serving as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fallon, NV from July ’76 until his retirement in February 1979.

Roger was an aggressive warrior, yet was known and admired equally for his quiet and unassuming nature. He was quick to give praise and full credit to others, and particularly cherished the camaraderie and shared pride of being a member of a winning team. Roger was a proud Golden Eagle, devoted to his family and nation. He will be missed.

Sadly,

Bill Gureck, Pilot